2003 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,017 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 53 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 52 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,017 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2007
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND FIXED AT A COST OF 1479.67 PAID BY THE OWNER (ANGELA MORGAN). VEHICLE REQUIRED SERVICING AS IT BEGAN STALLING WHILE IN TRAFFIC (ATLANTA). CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS CAUSED OTHER ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND AS THIS CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS EXTEND BEYOND THE FORD 2002 MODELS; I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2003. PLEASE CONTACT ME ANGELA MORGAN *TR
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2007
THE WEEKEND OF JULY 28TH I HAD FAMILY IN TOWN. WE WERE DOING THE ATTRACTIONS. THE CAR STARTED EVERYTIME WE WERE GOING OR LEAVING ANYWHERE. WENT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED AND IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. CAR RAN FINE FOR 1 WEEK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK ON THE 6TH OF AUGUST AND IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THE NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED. NOTHING WRONG W/EITHER ONE. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SPENT 1 1/2 HOURS ON IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING IS PULLING ON MY BATTERY CAUSING IT TO DIE. TOOK IT BACK HOME AND NOW IT MAYBE THE COMPUTER. HAVE 110,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULDN'T THINK THIS WOULD START HAPPENING ALREADY. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS HAD TO STRIKE THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE KEY DOES NOT WORK AT ALL WHILE IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $800 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2007
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *JB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2007
IGNITION KEY SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN TO START KEY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY ON 2003 FORD FOCUS I BOUGHT BRAND NEW 12/31/2003. TOLD BY SCOTT REYNOLDS OF REYNOLD'S FORD THAT EVEN ONE OF HIS MECHANIC'S WIFE HAD SAME PROBLEM AS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE.*JB
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2007
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Jul 20, 2007
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS 2003. THIS PART WHICH IS USUALLY GOOD FOR 75,000 TO 100,000 MILES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. THE AXLE WAS ALMOST CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. A KNOWN PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS 2000, 2001 & 2002. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I WAS INFORMED BY MY NIECE AND BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT THERE FORD FOCUS MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAD ALSO FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. WHILE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY ALSO FOUND A BROKEN FRONT SPRING; FROM CORROSION; WHICH FORD ACKNOWLEDGES AND IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS; DUE TO A PREVIOUS RECALL. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT $323.00 FOR THE AXLE AND ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR ALIGNMENT ETC. AFTER THE PARTS ARE REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2007
DURING THE PAST WEEK HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO THE IGNITION WAS COMPLETELY STUCK. AFTER 4 HOURS OF TRYING TO GET IT TOO TURN I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT WAS BEING REPAIRED AS OF RIGHT NOW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 AND A HALF YEARS AND HAVE YET TO EVEN SURPASS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THIS WA S A PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS I FELT THE NEED TO MAKE MY PROBLEM KNOWN ALSO. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2007
PARKED CAR WHEN ARRIVING TO WORK AT 8 AM. WAS LEAVING FOR LUNCH AT 12 PM AND IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. WHEEL LOCKED. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. FIRST TRUCK ARRIVED AND THEY COULDN'T TOW CAR SINCE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ONLY A FLAT BED TRUCK. THEN HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS FOR A WHEEL LIFT TRUCK. WAS TOLD BY TOWING COMPANY THAT HE HAD (8) FORD FOCUS' (SAME MODEL), THAT WEEK WITH SAME PROBLEM. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT LOCKSMITHS DO NOT WANT TO TOUCH THE ISSUE, SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $300 TO REPLACE IGNITION. WARRANTY HAD JUST ENDED ON VEHICLE. FORD CORPORATE HONORED A SMALL PORTION OF REPLACEMENT COST, I ENDED UP PAYING $100 (THANKS TO THE DEALERS HELP), BUT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. OBVIOUS FROM THIS SITE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ME THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. (AND THIS PROBLEM IS AMONG MANY OTHERS I HAVE DEALT WITH ON THIS STUPID CAR). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2007
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION TO LOCK. THEREFORE, CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. A SUBSEQUENT TOW DAMAGED THE CAR BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND IT FAILED TO OPEN. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE DOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE IT OPENED. FORD STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,898.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2007
(1)FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR 1-1/2 YEARS AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES FREEZE, DISABLING THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. AT FIRST, I JUST HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL IN THE CAR AND THEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD WORK. (2)ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPLETELY FROZE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE TOW TRUCK MEN WHO CAME TO TOW MY CAR THAT THIS IGNITION SWITCH WAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN ALMOST EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. (3)I WROTE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY DID NOT EVEN GRACE MY COMPLAINT WITH A RESPONSE. I THEN GOT AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST TO REPAIR FROM THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT CAPISTRANO FORD. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $260 TO $280. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THIS MONTH AS I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME AND HAD ALREADY ALLOCATED MY MONEY GOING OUT FOR JUNE. ON JULY 3 I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS QUOTED WRONG ON THE COST OF REPAIR AND THAT IT WOULD BE $403 TO REPAIR. I COMPLAINED, REACHED THE DIRECTOR OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN AND TOLD HIM OF MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HIGHER PRICER. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR TOLD ME HE COULD KNOCK OFF $70 OF THE BILL BY TAKING THE COST OUT OF HIS TECHNICIAN'S HIDE. I DISPUTED THAT AS BEING UNFAIR, AND TOLD HIM THAT FORD (IN DETROIT) SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT HIS TECHNICIAN. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD TRY TO KNOCK OFF EVEN MORE OF THE COST. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS READY. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH THE CHARGES WERE, HE TOLD ME "$50 BUCKS!" HE TOLD ME THEY HAD DECIDED TO CHARGE THE SERVICE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND DID THE WORK AS A COURTESY SERVICE WITH A $50 DEDUCTIBLE. AGAIN, THIS IGNITION SWITCH IS KNOWN BY TOW TRUCK PEOPLE TO BE A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART IN JUST ABOUT EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE RECALL THIS IGNITION SWITCH ON EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2007
IGNITION LOCK FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, 2003. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. PURCHASED CAR USED AT 39,000 MI; NOW AT 47,000 MI. HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE CHECKING THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,281.
Power train, Jun 25, 2007
CLUTCH SLIPS DURING ATTEMPTS TO PASS VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY TRUCKS ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS. DURING ACCELERATION SUDDENLY THE CAR LOOSES SPEED AND THE TACHOMETER REVVED UP, MAKING SAFE PASS IMPOSSIBLE. HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND MERGE AGAIN BEHIND THE VEHICLE. ONLY SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVE MORE THAN 100 MILES NON-STOP. NO PROBLEMS IN CITY OR FREEWAY DRIVING. REALLY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENED SO FAR ABOUT 9 TIMES. *AK
Steering, Jun 22, 2007
I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. AFTER JERKING THE WHEEL AROUND A BIT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO START UNTIL TODAY. BUT TODAY WHEN I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND GO TO WORK NO AMOUNT OF JERKING OR TWISTING WOULD GET MY KEY TO TURN AND MY CAR TO START. BEFORE CALLING FOR A TOW I DECIDED TO CHECK FOR INFO ON LIKE AND WHAT DO I FIND? THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE ZX3 SINCE 2000! AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT! SO NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OVER $300 ON A FIX FOR MY CAR AND FROM WHAT I READ I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN NEXT YEAR. WHY IS THE BEING ALLOWED TO GO ON? IF FORD CARES SO LITTLE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THEIR CARS THAT THEY CAN'T FIND A LONG TERM FIX TO A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAN YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD I PURCHASE. *TR
Equipment, Jun 21, 2007
I HAD NO EVENT THAT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE (IGNITION) IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 10:30 P.M. AND I STOPPED TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRES AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. WHEN I GOT BACK IN TO MY VEHICLE I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION OVER BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE KEY BECAUSE I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND YET NOTHING HAPPEND. I WALKED A MILE BACK HOME AND GOT MY SPARE KEY AND RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT TO FAILED TO TURN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND I HAD TO MISS WORK THAT EVENING. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME $336.28 TO REPAIR THE IGNITION SWITCH/TUMBLER. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND OVER 30,000 OTHER OWNERS JUST ON ONE WEBSITE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE IGNITION. I FOUND PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION MORE THEN TWO TO THREE TIMES IN THERE FORD FOCUS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD DENIES HAVING ON THERE FORD FOCUS. THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION IS MADE IN GERMANY BY A COMPANY CALLED HUF. THE FORD FOCUS IS THE ONLY FORD VEHICLE THAT HAS THE HUF IGNITION USED IN IT. THAT IS VERY IRONIC CONSIDERING THAT THE ONLY FORD VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS IGNITION PROBLEMS IS THE FORD FOCUS. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT ONCE. FORD ALSO GOES ON TO STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER, FOR JUST ONE EXAMPLE OUT OF MANY THAT I COULD DESCRIBE, I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS WHERE THE HEAT CAN REACH OVER 110 EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK IN THE SUMMER. IF THE IGNITION BROKE WHILE I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ANY WHERE OUTSIDE OF LAS VEGAS I COULD BE STRANDED AND IF I HAD NO WATER I COULD EASILY DIE WITHIN HOURS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I COULD LIST A NUMBER OF SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD COME FROM THIS IGNITION PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2007
ONE EVENING STOPPED AT THE STORE, TURNED CAR OFF, WENT BACK TO START CAR, IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CALLED TOWING COMPANY, THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. INFORMED ME I NEEDED TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. LOOKED AROUND FOUND AN LOCK SMITH THAT COULD DO IT, CHARGED AN ARM AND LEG. THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. FORD IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEM, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, A PETITION HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH OVER 900 SIGNATURES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH A RECALL. *TR
Equipment, Jun 12, 2007
RECENTLY WE PURCHASE A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS THE BLAUPUNKT RADIO. A NEW RADIO STATION WAS PROGRAMMED AND THE BUTTON PUSHED TO STORE IT. RIGHT AFTER THE RADIO STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF WITH MUSIC BLARING THEN SILENCE THEN BLARING AGAIN OVER AND OVER. THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP IT EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. I KNOW THIS MAY SEEM INSIGNIFICANT BUT AT THE TIME WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE PASSENGER SET THE STATION AND THEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING WHICH WAS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER. IT COULD VERY EASILY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BLAUPUNKT SENT AN EMAIL ADMITTING THIS IS A DEFECT IF YOU SET A STATION THAT HAS BLANK RDS INFORMATION. SUBSEQUENT WEB SEARCHES SHOWED A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. I'M REPORTING IT BECUASE FORD PASSED IT OFF AS NO BIG DEAL BUT I THINK IT'S AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2007
2003 FORD FOCUS. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK AFTER INSERTING KEY . *AK
Seats, Jun 6, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT CAME APART. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
Visibility, May 27, 2007
FORD TAURUS 2003, WINDSHIELD WAS HIT WITH A STONE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON MAY 10, 2007, A CHIP WAS VISIBLE AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS BECAME A 12 INCH CRACK. HAD REPLACED AT A COST OF $197.34. *TR
Electrical system, May 22, 2007
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED
Electrical system, May 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD LOCK UP AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,035 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,700.