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.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN ONES AND MINE ISN'T ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH ALL FOUR OF MY HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THE DOOR HANDLES WAS I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT A STORE AND LEFT MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING TO GET A PAPER, AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS WERE LOCKED (BECAUSE THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR). I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WAS STRANDED AT THE STORE WITH MY DAUGHTER LOCKED IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. AND THEN, ON MAY 27TH 2011, I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AND I USUALLY KEEP THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN BECAUSE THE ONLY DOORS THAT WE CAN OPEN ARE THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND ONLY FROM THE INSIDE. BUT ON THIS DAY IT HAD RAINED SO I PUT THE WINDOW UP AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE I HAD ALREADY WENT OUTSIDE AND WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE "PROCEDURE" OF GETTING THE BACK DOOR OPENED SO I COULD PUT MY 3 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR AND I GUESS WHEN I WENT BACK INSIDE TO GET HIM, THE DRIVERS DOOR GOT BLOWN CLOSED BY THE WIND, BECAUSE WHENEVER I PUT HIM IN AND SHUT HIS DOOR, I WENT AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WAS SHUT AND MY 3 MONTH OLD WAS STUCK IN THE CAR!! IT TOOK 30 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET TO THE HOUSE (BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL HIM HOME FROM WORK) AND HE HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE TRUNK AND MANOVER THE CARSEAT OUT OF THE WAY SO HE COULD WIGGLE IN THERE AND GET THE BABY OUT. MY SON WAS COVERED IN SWEAT FROM HEAD TO TOE AND WAS HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING WHENEVER WE GOT HIM OUT BECAUSE HE ALREADY HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS AND HE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS UP FOR 30 MINUTES. I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD FIX OUR DOOR HANDLES BECAUSE IF THAT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 30, 2011
KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION WINDOWS DOWN IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR
Electrical system, May 29, 2011
IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE EXTRACTED FROM VEHICLE AND WE COULDN'T TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR A PERIOD THEN, COULDN'T RESTART IT AFTERWARDS. *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED AND LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THEY ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND WOULD PROVIDE NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. AFTER VARIOUS ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTICS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2011
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS SE/4 DOOR/AUTOMATIC. THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR SOMETIME. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE CYLINDER WITH THE KEY WHEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WILL COMPLETELY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPEN ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM YET. BUT THAT IS MY NEXT STOP. I AM WANTING FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR OR SAME PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. NOT TO MENTION, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES IN A MOVING VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT IS CRACKED. WHEN IT CRACKED, AND STARTED TO LEAK, IT CAUSED A LOT OF SMOKE, AND WHEN IT STARTED TO LEAK, DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT INSIDE, IT BURNED THROUGH OTHER HOSES ATTACHED AND ALMOST STARTED A FIRE. THE PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC (SHOULD BE MADE OF SOME TYPE OF METAL SUCH AS ALUMINUM DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES INVOLVED CONSISTENTLY), AND 4 CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIANS THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT THEY REPLACE DOZENS OF THEM ON FORD FOCUS EVERY YEAR. THEY SAY THAT "IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD'S VARIOUS FOCUS YEARS, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO." EVEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE FOLLOWING "YEAH, FORD KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM; THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS KEEP THAT PARTICULAR PART IN STOCK." LITERALLY, THERE ARE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART, AND HOW IT HAS CAUSED SERIOUS HARM AND DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM STARTS BY SOME COOLANT LEAKING SLOWLY, AND WITHIN A WEEK (EVEN AFTER CONTINUOUSLY ADDING COOLANT), THE LEAK BECOMES LARGER AND LARGER, CAUSING THE DAMAGE LISTED ABOVE, AND CAUSING THE HEATER TO NOT WORK. WHY IS THIS A VERY WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD; A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY DO NOTHING FOR THE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM? THE PART IS $75 FROM FORD AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY LABOR TOO, WHICH IS ABOUT $150-$200. THE FORD REPLACEMENT PART# FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART IS RH157. I HAVE THE OLD PART AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 23, 2011
KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION, STALLED THE CAR AND THEN COULD NOT TURN THE CAR BACK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ON CHRISTMAS EVE NONE THE LESS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility, Mar 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE HEATER VENTS AND THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Tires, Mar 3, 2011, crash
DRIVING TO WORK, NO RAIN, NO ICE ON ROAD, NORMAL BUT COLD CONDITIONS (30F) AND COULDN'T STOP MY VEHICLE WITH LOW ROLL RESISTANCE TIRES. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES MY CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A SLIDE/SKID AND I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. WAS GOING AROUND 35 MPH AND SHOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2011
2003 FORD FOCUS KEY NOT ABLE TO TURN IGNITION ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. VEHICLE STRANDED UNTIL IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND REPLACED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2011
MY IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS GONE BAD. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THEREFORE I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR. BEING THAT I AM A YOUNG FEMALE, I FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE TO BE HORRIFIC AND HIGHLY UNSAFE. MY COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST MURDER RATES AND BEING STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO GET AWAY FROM A TROUBLING SITUATION HAS LEFT ME TO HIGHLY REGRET THE PURCHASE OF MY FORD FOCUS. I SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A DEFECT IN A CAR CANNOT BE RECALLED! THIS VENTURE IS COSTING ME OVER 600 DOLLARS WHICH I LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DO NOT HAVE TO SPARE. I FIND IT A SHAME THAT FORD DOES NOT OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE. IT MAKES YOU QUESTION THE QUALITY THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY PUTS FORTH. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BELIEVER OF SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HOWEVER I HAVE LEARNED THAT AMERICAN INDUSTRY LIKE TO BURN PEOPLE AND SELL UNSATISFACTORY PRODUCTS. I APPEAL TO YOU TO RECALL THE FORD FOCUS CYLINDER BEFORE SOMEONE MAKES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO PROVE THAT THIS IS INDEED A HIGH RISK SAFETY CONCERN! *LN
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2011
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR IGNITION HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO START MY CAR. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL STRANDING MY FAMILY AWAY FROM HOME WHILE TRYING TO VISIT MY GRANDMOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT HER MEANS TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL AS IT SEEMS THAT I HAVE PURCHASED AN UNRELIABLE CAR. AS I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT SEEMS ALMOST ALL FORD FOCUS OWNERS ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN READ THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN HENCE THE LACK OF RECALL! I LIKE BILLIONS OF AMERICANS RELY ON MY CAR IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. I HOPE TO GOD THAT I DO NOT HAVE A FORD FOCUS IF ANYTHING DESPERATE SHOULD BECOME OF ME AND I NEED SAFETY BECAUSE APPARENTLY THEY DON'T LIKE TO EVEN START! *TR
Seat belts, Jan 31, 2011
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE, CAN NOT PUT SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE. PULLED ON BELT IT WILL NOT BUDGE.
Seats, Jan 28, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT BURNED TWO OF HER FINGERS AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT THEN POURED WATER ON THE SEAT AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,677. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 03/14/11
Suspension, Jan 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER WET ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER ENCOUNTERING SNOW AND WET ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING. ALSO, THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
Suspension, Jan 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SEVERELY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE SUSPENSION WAS REALIGNED APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE HAD TO PURCHASE A SET OF TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 241,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seats, Jan 16, 2011
MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE WERE OUT SHOPPING AND TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE BEGAN TO COMPLAIN OF A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. SOON AFTER REALIZED HER BACK SIDE WAS HOT ! SUMMARY- DRIVER SIDE SEAT BURN MARKS VISIBLE AND HER WINTER COAT RUINED; IT BURNED IT TOO. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH FORD? SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED STATING THIS EXACT DESCRIPTION. *LN
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 10, 2011
FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 28, 2010
MY DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY CLICKING SHUT, SO THE SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. *TR
Suspension, Dec 19, 2010
I WAS TURNING AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD SNAP! MY CAR THEN BEGAN TO POP EXTREMELY LOUD EVERYTIME I TURNED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SNAPPED FRONT COIL SPRING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SPRING COULD VERY EASILY HAVE RIPPED INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A "BLOW OUT" WHICH LEADS TO ACCIDENTS IN MANY OCCASIONS!! THE MORE I TALK ABOUT IT, THE MORE PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THEIR FOCUS! *TR
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2010
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS ABLE TO TAP ON THE END OF THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION LOCK, AND THE KEY WOULD TURN. NOW, I AM UNABLE TO GET IT TO TURN AT ALL -- EVEN AFTER TAPPING ON IT WITH A HAMMER. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT 37000 MILES THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700.00. NOW AT 67000 MILES THEY HAVE BOTH GONE BAD AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A NEW COST OF $800.00. ADDITIONALLY I HAD A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND AT 55000 MILES BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO WE HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND AT 16000 MILES IT NEEDED BOTH AN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR, AND IS ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES A DAY. WE REALLY LIKE THE FOCUS AS IT IS A GREAT VALUE AND A FUN CAR TO DRIVE BUT AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE 4 ALTERNATORS IN 18 MONTHS WE ARE RETHINKING OUR LOVE OF THIS LITTLE CAR. I WILL BE FILING COMPLAINTS FOR MY OTHER TWO FOCI AS WELL. *TR
Seats, Nov 29, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, SHE NOTICED SMOKE. SHE CUT OUT THE FOAM IN THE SEAT AND REMOVED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.