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.
Electrical system, Dec 5, 2006
I TRIED TO LEAVE MY BEST FRIENDS HOUSE BUT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY I NEED A WHOLE NEW IGNITION. SO I BEGAN SURFING THE NET FOR PRICES AND QUOTES BUT INSTEAD I'VE STUMBLED UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I WAS TOLD THE PART I WILL NEED COST $70. PLUS $50 TO TOW THE CAR SINCE I CANNOT GET THE CAR STARTED. SO FAR I'VE ONLY MISSED ONE DAY OF WORK BUT I MIGHT MISS MANY MORE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THE CAR FIXED RIGHT NOW. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE FORD COMPANY THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TOTAL BILL WILL BE AROUND $230. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR. I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL EVEN GET THE CAR FIXED. I PLAN TO INVEST IN A NEW NISSAN. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2006
LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2006
I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP A FEW TIMES LATELY. WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN MY IGNITION, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. FROM RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS IGNORED THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RECALL A SERIOUSLY FAULTY PART. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE. WHEN SOMEONE WITH A SMALL CHILD CAN NOT START THEIR CAR IN THE DEAD OF WINTER (STUCK ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD), I WOULD CLASSIFY THAT AS A SAFETY ISSUE! THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT HE TOWS OVER 30 FOCUSES PER YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE ALONE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY NEED TO DO AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS BEFORE THEY WILL DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. WHAT A RIP OFF! THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME $100 TO DIAGNOSE AN PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS. THIS IS WHY FORD IS LOSING MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THEY HAVE LOST ME OVER A $90 IGNITION TUMBLER. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE IGNITION TURNED AND THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2006
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION KEY. I HAD TO CALL AAA TO SEND A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH. HE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED A LOT WITH FOCUSES. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS, BUT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Structure, Nov 24, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE SWITCH IT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS AND BOTH TIMES THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *AK
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2006
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR WILL NOT START. I AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THIS COULD LEAVE US STRANDED. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN AS TIMES PASSES. AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, I FEEL THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. *JB
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2006
AFTER DRIVING MY 2003 FORD FOCUS 5XW (5 DOOR HATCHBACK) THOUGH HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED ONE HEAD LIGHT AND ONE FOG LIGHT WAS OUT. AFTER INVESTIGATION TO THE CAUSE. MY FOG LIGHT HAD JUST NORMALLY BURNED OUT. BUT THE HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE REPLACING THE BULB NOTICED ALL THREE NYLON CONNECTOR COVERS FOR EACH OF THE THREE WIRES HAD MELTED? CHANGING THE LIGHTS AS A SET THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT? WITH THE REPLACEMENT BULBS NOW INSTALLED THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL DOES NOT LIGHT , ONLY THE PASSENGERS. THERE IS NO POWER COMING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT FOR NORMAL MODE. IT WILL ONLY LIGHT WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. AS TO THE MELTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COVERS I'M SURE THAT IS NOT NORMAL OPERATION.? I AM STILL INVESTIGATING WHERE THE POWER LOSS IS COMING FROM AND WHY THE INSULATION ON THE CONNECTORS OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS MELTED AWAY? FYI
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2006
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I'VE TRIED A NUMBER OF TACTICS TO GET THE CAR TO START BUT FAILED. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE, I'VE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ANY MY PROBLEM HAS ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS. LUCKILY, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT HOME AND AS ONLY LEFT ME WITH ONE VERY INCONVENIENT PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHERE PERSONAL SAFETY COULD HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 25, 2006
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY OTHER FIRE VICTIMS: CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY INOPERATIVE, PERSISTENT ABS ALERTS, "LOW OIL PRESSURE" ALERTS (SOMETIMES JUST DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE), AND STEERING ISSUES. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING SERVICE AT MY EXPENSE BUT PRETENDED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND READING TESTIMONIES FROM OTHER FIRE VICTIMS, I AM TERRIFIED. IN MY SUBDIVISION, HOUSES STAND ONLY A FEW FEET APART...THE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION PROHIBITS ANY PARKING ON THE STREET. THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER MODELS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2006
2003 FORD FOCUS THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES ON AND HAVE USED AS MY COMMUTER CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. AT ROUGHLY 20,000 MILES THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH ONCE BUT AFTER A LITTLE SHAKING IT WORKED. AROUND A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME WHEN IT DID ENGAGE IT WOULD NOT START THE ENGINE, I ROLLED STARTED THE CAR AND GOT HOME BUT THE NEXT DAY THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AT ALL - TRIED FOR THREE DAYS WILL NOT TURN, CURRENTLY LEARNING THE DETAILS OF HOW TO REPLACE AN IGNITION SWITCH FROM FRIENDS AND NICE FOLKS ON THE INTERNET BUT I HAVE HAD TO BORROW A CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND WILL HAVE TO RENT ONE AT THE END OF THE WEEK AND UNTIL I CAN BUY AND INSTALL A NEW PART JUST TO GET TO WORK. AS OTHER ARTICLES CLAIM FORD CLAIMS THIS PROBABLY ISN'T A SAFETY CONCERN BUT IS RATHER ANNOYING AND COSTLY TO FOLKS LIKE MYSELF WHO BOUGHT THE FOCUS HOPING FOR A RELIABLE FUEL EFFICIENT COMMUTER CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2006
HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH IGNITION IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SE. LEFT MY HOMETOWN FOR THE DAY TO SHOP 2 COUNTIES AWAY. AFTER SHOPPING, WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE KEY WOULD GO IN, BUT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND AM WAITING NOW FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN THE FORD FOCUS. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL SINCE THE IGNITION IS VERY OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART USED IN THE CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2006
I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. FIRST INCIDENT IN JULY, 2006 AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING ANOTHER. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND DO NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE JUST BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I AM NOW ALSO DEALING WITH (TODAY) A SOLENOID MALFUNCTION IN MY TRANSMISSION (3RD GEAR). THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL. THE CAR JERKS LIKE CRAZY AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MPH. THANK GOODNESS I WAS CLOSE TO A SIDE STREET TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. THE IGNITION IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE.... *NM
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2006
CAN'T TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAN'T START THE CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2006
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION IS LOCKING UP WITH THE KEY IN IT MULTIPLE TIMES. *NM
Seat belts, Oct 19, 2006
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS AGAINST THE PASSENGER AND DOES NOT ALLOW SLOW GENTLE MOVEMENT IN A NON-CRASH ENVIRONMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT WORKS FINE AND LIKE NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TO ORIGINATING DEALER TWICE TO CORRECT - NO CHANGE IN OPERATION. SAFETY DEFECT AS CRUSHING LOAD CAUSES PASSENGER TO HOLD BELT PHYSICALLY OUT WHEN SEATED OR OTHERWISE DEFEATING BELTING ARRANGEMENT. *NM
Seat belts, Oct 11, 2006
TRIED TO PUT ON DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND FOUND IT TO BE LOCKED IN PLACE. FULL SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 10, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED RESULTING IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER KEY BEING REPLACED BY THE SERVICE DEALER. WHILE SEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND WHERE THIS OCCURRED TO VEHICLES AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER KEY WAS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS REPAIR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ODOROUS SMELL WHEN THE HEATING FAN WAS TURNED ON AND THE SMELL OCCASIONALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR THE ODOROUS SMELL.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 2, 2006
1ST- TRUNK LATCH DOES NOT DISENGAGE, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MY NEAREST TOWN. AFTER 3-4 TIMES OF ADJUSTING AND OILING, IT STILL DOES NOT RELEASE CORRECTLY, WHEN YOU PUSH THE DASHBOARD RELEASE, OPEN THE TRUNK IT CLOSES THE LATCH ON ITS OWN, YOU CANT CLOSE THE TRUNK UNLESS YOU REPRESS THE DASH RELEASE, WHICH IS DIFFICULT WITH ARMS FULL, OR PULL THE SAFETY RELEASE PROVIDED FOR NOT GETTING LOCKED IN THE TRUNK, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR. 2ND- MY IGNITION FROZE UP YESTERDAY MORNING. NO FOR WARNING. HADN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. NOW I HAVE TO GET BACK TO MY CAR AND GET IT TO THE GARAGE. BEING NEWER TO THE AREA AND NO OTHER VEHICLE AT MY DISPOSAL IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO COST ME NOT TO MENTION THE REPAIR COST. 3RD- OH MY GOD--- I JUST READ ABOUT THE BACK DOOR PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING, I TRANSPORT VERY PRECIOUS CARGO BACK THERE, MY GRAND CHILDREN, BEING THAT THERE ARE 3 OF THEM TWO HAVE TO BE BY THE DOOR. I WILL HAVE THE SERVICE AREA CHECK MY DOORS WHEN THEY FIX THE IGNITION. WHY WASN'T I TOLD ABOUT THIS. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2006
FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SE. KEY SWITCH JUST STOPPED TURNING. REPLACEMENT OF SWITCH: PART $89, TOWING: $60, LABOR $250...GETTING THE STEERING WHEEL FIXED LATER, AFTER IT WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY: $100. I HAVE DONE A SEARCH ON THIS FAILURE...THERE ARE MANY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE FORD FOCUS ENTHUSIASTS SITES. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS, WHICH ALLOWED THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2006
(1) NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE; IT WAS UNEXPECTED (2) THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ON THE VEHICLE,WHICH RESULTED IN US NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR. (3) THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE ARE AWAITING TO HERE THE RESULTS FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THIS WAS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Sep 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STARTER FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE FLYWHEEL AND THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THIRTY TIMES FOR THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BRAKES ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES; BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REWIRED. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE VALVES; THE REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL # 05V300000. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT CORRECTED THE NOISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COOPERATED IN FINDING A SUITABLE RESOLUTION. THE LAST PROBLEM FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE HEADS. THE ENGINE HEADS WERE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME.