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, Feb 7, 2012
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BY MORE THEN ONE PERSON. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM IS REALLY COMMON AND TO TAP THE KEY WITH A HAMMER AND IT WILL TURN AND THAT I NEED TO GO IN AND HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED FOR $500!!! TRIED THEIR HAMMERING SUGGESTION AND THE LOCK STILL WON'T TURN! BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE MISSED A WHOLE DAY OF SCHOOL. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2012
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS AND CANNOT TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. HAVE TO USE HAND OR SOMETHING TO HIT THE KEY TO START THE CAR. HAPPENS AT RANDOM AND WITHOUT WARNING. GET IN THE CAR AND CAN'T START IT. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2012
THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN. A KEY CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT CAN NOT BE SET INTO THE "ON OR ACC" POSITION. THE CAR CANT BE STARTED AND IS NOW, IN EFFECT, A ONE TON PAPER WEIGHT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON. *TT
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2012
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION/ IGNITION STUCK. *TT
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2012
KEY FROZE SOLID IN THE IGNITION . STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN NOR THE KEY. LEFT STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO PHYSICALLY DRILL OUT THE FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRATTEC REPLACEMENT PART # 707592. LOCKSMITH REITERATED WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO TURN THE KEY IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, IT REFUSED TO TURN. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION AND REPROGRAMMED THE KEY AND DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,200. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE OLD IGNITION HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. UPDATED 02/13/12
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2011
FAILURE TO BE ABLE TO TURN IGNITION. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND SPENT $400! INCONVENIENCE? YES! *KB
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED WHILE IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,542.
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION WOULD COULD NOT BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 14, 2011
UPON OPENING, THREE HARD CLICKS ARE HEARD - AND LOCK OPENS ON OCCASION. OFTEN REFUSING TO LATCH AND ON MANY OCCASIONS, I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT APPEARS TO BE AS STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 I HAVE SPOKEN WITH DEALER AND FORD ON MANY OCCASIONS THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND THEY INSIST THIS CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE CAMPAIGN AND REFUSE TO INSPECT, OR VIEW, OR ASSESS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2011
THIS VEHICLE WITH 110K MILES TURNS OUT THE VALVE SEAT OF CYLINDER #4 BROKE OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE AND IRREPARABLY DAMAGED THE PISTON, CYLINDER AND CYLINDER HEAD OF WHICH THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS WITH A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THIS OPTION IS MORE THAN WHAT THE CAR IS VALUED. ON FURTHER RESEARCH OF BOTH MY MECHANIC AND I AS WE SEARCHED THE WEB, IT APPEARS THAT THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IT SHOULD. IT SEEMS THAT FORD SHOULD PUT A RECALL TO FIX THESE VALVE SEATS BEFORE ANYMORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO UNNECESSARILY SPEND THOUSANDS TO REPAIR THE ENGINE OR LOSE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A UNDRIVABLE JUNK CAR, SUCH AS MYSELF. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER AND LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS INDEED AN INHERENT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2011
WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. AT THIS TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AS A RESULT THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Aug 2, 2011, crash
ON 8/1/2011, GOING 40MPH I HIT A DEER. THE WHOLE HOOD OF MY CAR IS PUSHED IN,MY RADIATOR IS PUSHED IN, I CANNOT OPEN THE HOOD, THE DEER IS DEAD AND BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER MY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LIGHT DID COME ON. WHAT A DEFECT. AT 10 MPH I COULD POSSIBLE UNDERSTAND BUT AT 40 MPH, I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2003 FOR SAFETY, NOW EVEN IF IT WERE FIXED I WOULD BE SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *KB
Steering, Aug 2, 2011
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *KB
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE A CHILD WAS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DOOR LATCH WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 8, 2011
TRUNK LATCH FAILED AT 37,000 MILES ON 2003 FORD FOCUS. COULD NOT GET THE TRUNK TO LATCH TO DRIVE HOME. COST OVER $400 TO REPLACE THE PART WHICH IS NOT IN YET. DRIVING AROUND ANOTHER WEEK WITH MY ONLY CAR'S TRUNK TIED DOWN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN CLOSING THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR DOOR, IT WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY; MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2011
MY KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER AND MY WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND I WOULD JUST TURN THE WHEEL AND SOONER OR LATER IT WOULD TURN OVER. NOW IM STRANDED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND NO TURNING THE KEY OVER. MISSED WORK AND MONEY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS AND THE WAS OVER 300 DIFF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CAR (FORD) TO SAVE GAS AND MONEY. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T YET. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2011
LATE NIGHT 35 MILES FROM HOME. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AND HAD A LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK WITH A STRATTEC IGNITION LOCK. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2011
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. LUCKILY, MY CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT COULD LEAVE YOU STRANDED IF AWAY FROM HOME. I NOW HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2011
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, SO VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START AND HAD TO BE ABANDONED.