2003 Ford Focus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 12/30/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAILURE TO BE ABLE TO TURN IGNITION. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND SPENT $400! INCONVENIENCE? YES! *KB

• 12/30/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. IT GETS JAMMED ALL THE TIME NOW. PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS OF MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH WORKED FOR AWHILE, BUT EVEN THAT DOES NOT WORK NOW. THE ONLY WAY TO START IT IS TO TAP ON THE KEY WHEN IT IS IN THE IGNITION WITH A MALLET OR HAMMER. THIS USUALLY WORKS AFTER A FEW TRIES. NOW I HAVE TO CONSIDER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START IT EASIER OR CARRY A HAMMER IN THE CAR. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM YET. ACCORDING TO LOCAL FORD DEALER IT'LL COST $250-275 TO REPAIR. LOCAL (CHEAPER) MECHANICS CAN'T REPAIR IT SINCE THEY NEED TO GET A CODE FROM FORD TO PROGRAM THE PART SO THE NEW IGNITION CYLINDER WILL RECOGNIZE THE KEY. FROM SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. BASICALLY A BAD DESIGN AND/OR INFERIOR MATERIALS USED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES I'VE OWNED ESPECIALLY ONES THAT ARE ONLY 5 YRS OLD. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART YET. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT DO I DO IN THE EVENT I NEED TO EVACUATE BECAUSE OF A NATURAL DISASTER OR TERRORIST? I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET AWAY SINCE I CAN'T START MY CAR ! AND TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HAMMER WILL WORK FOR ONLY SO LONG. AND OF COURSE FORD WILL JUST REPLACE WITH THE SAME CHEAP DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDER THAT THE CAR ORIGINALLY CAME WITH ANY WAY. SO I'LL PROBLEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN A COUPLE YEARS AGAIN. *TR

• 12/30/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHICH HOUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, AND THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSED THE WIRING MODULE TO CORRODE. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK

• 12/29/2009· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE SLID ON AN ICE PATCH , WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN COLLIDED ON AN EMBANKMENT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK, FEET, AND RIBS, THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE SPINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $450.00. SHE ALSO PAID $300.00 TO REPAIR THE DOOR LOCKS. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SHERIFF REPORT NUMBER WAS 09004117. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

• 12/29/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I AM HAVING IGNITION ISSUES. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN. IT IS ON A REGULAR BASIS THAT THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR YET. I CALLED FOR AN ESTIMATE. *TR

• 12/29/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH LOCK BARREL FAILURE. THIS IS AN ONGOING WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM ABOUT THE FORD FOCUS THAT FORD SEEMS HAPPY TO IGNORE. *TR

• 12/29/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE IGNITION STARTED LOCKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT EVENTUALLY WOULD WORK AFTER PLAYING WITH THE KEY TO START. TODAY, WHILE OUT AT A SHOPPING CENTER, IT LOCKED UP COMPLETELY, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON IT.

• 12/29/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK LATCH FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT DOES NOT SHUT. IT WILL SHUT IF I PULL ON THE SAFETY LATCH THEY HAVE IN CASE SOMEBODY GETS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK,HOWEVER EVEN WHEN IT CLOSES THAT WAY WHENEVER IT RAINS MY TRUNK WHEN I OPEN IT GETS ALL WET!I HAD A BUNCH OF CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN THE BACK AND WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK THEY WERE SOAKED! ALSO THE DOOR LATCHES SOMETIMES LOCK ON THEIR OWN. TWICE I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR. I NO LONGER EVER LEAVE MY CAR WITHOUT MY KEYS! *JB

• 12/29/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I PUT IN THE KEY BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO CLICKING, NO DIFFICULTIES STARTING MY CAR IN THE PAST. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED AND TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TUMBLER AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $226. NOT ONLY DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE FOR THE DAMAGED PART AND LABOR BUT ALSO TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT COST $79.00 JUST TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT! MY HUSBAND CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT FORD WAS DOING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. HE WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME ALL THEY COULD OFFER WAS A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THE NEW PART BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE HAD TIME DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. THERE WHERE QUITE A FEW THAT HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART MORE THAN ONCE AND IN A FEW CASES TWICE IN ONE YEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SITUATION COULD LEAVE INDIVIDUALS STRANDED. THERE IS NO WARNING! I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A TRIP OVER THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ANYWHERE THAT I MAY HAVE TURNED OFF MY CAR. IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A TOWN WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP, LET ALONE THE COST OF LODGING AND THE EXPENSE OF MISSING TIME OFF WORK. *NM

• 12/29/2004· SEATSFire

  THE HEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC BURNING THE SEAT AND CAUSING A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *JB

• 12/28/2010· SEAT BELTS

  MY DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY CLICKING SHUT, SO THE SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. *TR

• 12/28/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I WAS HOLIDAY SHOPPING ON THE 23RD, JUST CAME BACK TO MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SVT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MALL AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. TRIED AND TRIED AND TRIED. NO LUCK, I'M STRANDED, IT'S SNOWING OUT AND IT'S 10:00PM. WHY MOST I RUNE A FRIENDS EVENING TO COME AND PICK ME UP BECAUSE OF A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. $130 DOLLAR TOW AND AN ESTIMATE FROM MY FORD DEALER TO FIX IT FOR $490. I'VE ALREADY RESEARCHED THIS A LITTLE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS NOT A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO GET STRANDED FOR THIS TO GET FIXED? I JUST PAID OFF THE CAR AND IT HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

• 12/28/2008· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION BARREL IS COMPLETELY STUCK, IMPEDING ANY USE OF ANY VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. HAS OCCURRED DAILY OR EVERY OTHER DAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. A FEW MINUTES OF JOSTLING MAY ALLOW IT TO WORK. A FEW TIMES IT HAS BEEN STUCK FOR HOURS UNTIL FINALLY WORKING. THIS MAY STRAND SOME TRAVELERS IN WINTER CONDITIONS, LIKE MYSELF. VERY STRESSFUL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

• 12/28/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES BUT ITS ALREADY CAUSING PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/28/2007· SUSPENSION

  I HAD A FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAK WHILE THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME IF IT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD AS A JAGGED POINT WAS ENGAGED WITH THE TREAD OF THE TIRE. DEALER ADMITS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THE TAURUS, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE PART OR LABOR. *TR

• 12/28/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE HAD TWO COMPLETE TRANSMISSIONS REBUILT ON THIS VEHICLE, THE FIRST AT AROUND 18,000 MILES, THE SECOND AT AROUND 50,000. IT IS BEGINNING THE SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, FAILURE TO ENGAGE IN 4TH GEAR (AUTOMATIC). DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THE 2003 TRANSMISSION TO HAVE RELATIVELY FREQUENT FAILURE OCCURRENCE BASED ON WEB AND OTHER INVESTIGATION. DATE OF FIRST INCIDENT BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. *TR

• 12/28/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  STARTING APPROX. 7 MONTH'S AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM JACK BYRNE FORD IN MECANICVILLE, NY I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING (FEBURARY OF 2004). I WOULD PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND SO WOULD THE HEAT BLOWERS AND I WOULD ALSO GET SOME DINGING. BUT, THE CAR FAILED TO START. I HAVE SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 4 - 5 TIMES. EACH TIME I HAD GONE THROUGH AN EPISODE OF THE CAR NOT STARTING AND THEN WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE UNFORTUNATE PART IS I SHOULD HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN SEE FIRST HAND - HOW THE IGNITION DOESN'T TURN OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 2 DOZEN TIMES. EACH TIME FORD WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO ME AND IT WOULD RUN FOR A COUPLE WEEKS PROBLEM FREE. THEN SURE ENOUGH IT WOULD START AGAIN. ANYHOW, THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN - AGES 6 AND 3 MONTH'S. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THANK GOD I WAS AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE AND I WASN'T STUCK OUT IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER IN THE COLD WITH MY CHILDREN!! I APPRECIATE THAT FORD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CORRECTION - BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE MORE SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I MEAN I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE THIS. I WOULD HATE TO FEEL LIKE I WOULDN'T EVER WANT TO OWN A FORD AGAIN. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD WRITE A MORE AGGRESSIVE LETTER - BUT AT THE MOMENT THE CAR IS STARTING - SO I AM NOT FEELING HOSTILE!! PLEASE ASSIST.*JB

• 12/27/2005· STEERING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. IT LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BY MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. *NM

• 12/26/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  CARHOP CAR LOTS, NOT ONLY IN TULSA, BUT IN SURROUNDING AREAS, ARE SELLING CARS THAT ARE UNSAFE, AT ANY COST. THE PROBLEMS RANGE FROM WARPED FRAMES, CRACKED STRESS POINTS, LEAKY FUEL SYSTEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT COULDN'T BE FIXED BY DUCT TAPE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S VISIBLE WHERE THEY RE-TAPED THINGS. EXHAUST COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ENGINE DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY REPAIRED, SO THEY WILL RUN TEMPORARILY, BUT NEED FURTHER REPAIRS.

• 12/26/2014· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SEAT FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE BLOCK TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

• 12/26/2012· STRUCTURECrash

  I HAVE BEEN IN THE WRECKER BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS, THIS BEING THE SECOND FORD FOCUS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS YEAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THEREFORE PUTTING THE PASSENGERS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE LOST CONTROL, AND SLID SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND RESULTED IN A FATALITY OF THE DRIVER..THE AREA OF PROTECTION SURROUNDING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS INADEQUATE IN THAT IT DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFETY UPON IMPACT. THIS BEING THE SECOND FOCUS TOWED RECENTLY, IT HAS BECOME APARENT TO ME THAT THESE LIGHT WEIGNT VEHICLES PROPOSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED. *TR

• 12/26/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE HAD RECURRING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER ON OUR 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. ON DECEMBER 23, 2007, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AFTER HOURS OF TRYING TO JIGGLE OR CAJOLE THE KEY AND/OR CYLINDER. I WAS FORCED TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. AND I WAS WITHOUT A PRIMARY CAR OVER CHRISTMAS. THE FORD DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS "A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM." THE "RESOLUTION" WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AND A SUBSTANTIAL SERVICE CHARGE. *TR

• 12/26/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS AND WITH NO WARNING. *AK

• 12/25/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION LOCK OF FORD FOCUS 2003 BROKE AND WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AWAY FROM A DRIVEWAY THAT WAS BLOCKED SINCE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY. ONE MECHANIC WAS PAID TO TRY TO START THE CAR BUT HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL (BUT HE WAS STILL PAID). EVENTUALLY, WE LEARNED FROM THE WWW THAT THIS WAS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED WHO REPLACED THE LOCK AND WAS PAID. IN ADDITION TO THE FINANCIAL EXPENSE, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE LOCATION OF THE CAR AND THE TIME SPENT WERE SIGNIFICANT COSTS. *NM

• 12/23/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I AM AN OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, LEAVING ME STRANDED NOW THREE TIMES. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THEM ASKING THEM FOR A "GOOD WILL" REPAIR, AND TO NO AVAIL. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND WISH THAT THE NHTSA WOULD GET INVOLVED AND SEEK OUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRE THEM TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR PERFORMED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND FIX IT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE A KEY IN THE IGNITION THUS MAKING IT VERY EASY FOR A THIEF TO STEAL THE VEHICLE. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR

• 12/23/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $300-350 TO FIX. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY DAUGHTER'S ROOMMATE HAS A 2004 FOCUS WHICH THE SAME THING HAPPENED LAST YEAR, 2007. *TR

• 12/22/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 12/22/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  KEY FAILS TO TURN IN IGNITION IN 2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR

• 12/22/2005· EQUIPMENT

  2003 FORD FOCUS AC UNIT HAS MUSTY ODOR AND DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY. *TS *JB

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/21/2009· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE KEY TURNING IN THE IGNITION. AT RANDOM TIMES AND LOCATIONS WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR, I WILL FIND THAT I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I MUST WORK AT IT (LONGEST HAS BEEN AN HOUR) TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. THIS CREATES REALLY BIG PROBLEMS WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH KIDS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO OCCUR. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, MANY OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND THE FIX HAS BEEN TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH (SOMETHING ABOUT TUMBLERS NOT ENGAGING) AND THE FORD SERVICE TEAMS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE REPAIRS. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY CONSUMERS MUST PAY FOR A WIDE REACHING MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

• 12/21/2009· STEERING

  2003 FORD FOCUS STEERING WHEEL LOCK. WITH THE KEY INSERTED, THE IGNITION CANNOT BE TURNED ON. BELIEVE TO BE A TUMBLER PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE PROBLEMS IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

• 12/21/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY WIFE HAS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. SHE WAS IN TOWN AT AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DAUGHTER. WHEN SHE GOT IN HER CAR TO RETURN HOME THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE WAS STUCK. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, EVEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CALIFORNIA. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF IT WAS LATE AND SHE WAS STUCK, AT NIGHT, IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE? I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $450. *TR

• 12/21/2006· VISIBILITY

  THE WIPERS ON THIS CAR DO THE EXACT SAME THING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS DID THAT HAD A RECALL THEY DON NOT WANT TO RETURN TO THE HOME POSITION. *NM

• 12/20/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  KEY CANNOT TURN - VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED. UNACCEPTABLE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION WITH A POORLY DESIGNED AND/OR LOW QUALITY PART ON ALL FORD FOCUS AND LIKELY OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I GOT AROUND THIS BY POUNDING ON THE KEY WITH A SMALL HAMMER I KEEP IN THE GLOVE BOX - I HAD LIVED WITH THIS FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S CAR (HE REMOVED ALL THE TUMBLERS SO ANY KEY CAN START HIS CAR). IT IS OBVIOUS FROM READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE (>50%?) OF ALL OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIPS WANT $400 TO FIX IT - THAT'S BS. ACTIONS BY NHTSA OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IS APPROPRIATE. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS USING THIS DESIGN DEFECT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROFIT AFTER HAVING PUT 1000S OF CONSUMERS IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR

• 12/20/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE THE COMMON COMPLAINT THAT MY IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL BECAME LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE ON THE INTERNET AND IT'S SO COMMON THAT THE FORD DEALER AND ALL THE LOCKSMITHS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO IN THE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/20/2005· STRUCTURE

  I BOUGHT FORD FOCUS 2003 AT 38,000 (CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) FROM PREMIER FORD INC IN BROOKLYN, NY IN 5/04, HAD MASSIVE LEAKING OF WATER DURING AND AFTER RAIN A MONTH LATER IN 6/04. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER 90 DAY WARRANTY. IT WAS FINE UNTIL THIS MONTH 12/05 AND IS NOW AGAIN SOAKING MY PASSENGER FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT - TAKE IT DOWN THE STREET WHERE THEY "ALWAYS TAKE IT FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYWAY". I CALLED FORD, THEY SAID IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS' ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FROM MANY POSTINGS ONLINE I HAVE FOUND. IT SEEMS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DASH CAUSING MASSIVE FLOODING INTO THE CAR AND IF IT DOES GET INTO DRIVER FLOOR WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOUR FEET COULD SLIP OFF PETALS WHILE TRYING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *NM

• 12/20/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITIONS SWITCH FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES. KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *NM

• 12/20/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK.....*AK

• 12/19/2010· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/19/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP CONSTANTLY AND THE CONTACT CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $375. THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

• 12/19/2007· STEERING

  THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE BUT I WAS ABLE TO FREE IT AFTER SOME EFFORT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK THIS TIME. *TR

• 12/19/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2003 FORD FOCUS RECALL WORK NOT DONE, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PARTS. *TS (RECALL # 05V030000) *JB

• 12/19/2005· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 11-05 WITH 32600 MILES ON IT FROM CREDITABLE DEALER. 6 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHO HAD TO HAVE CAR TAKEN TO FORD DEALER TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH REPLACED. DEALER TRIED TO LAY THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER AS "ABUSE" - IN 6 DAYS!!!! 2 DAYS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, BUT HAS SINCE GONE OUT. HAD I KNOWN WHAT I KNOW NOW ABOUT THIS FORD 2003 SVT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. I AM AFRAID IT IS TURNING OUT TO BE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE AND LEMON (EVEN THOUGH STILL COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY) AND I WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO HAVE FORD PAY FOR REPAIRS. *JB

• 12/18/2007· POWER TRAINFire

  WHILE DRIVING IN A NICE ASPHALTED ROAD UP A HILL, I FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD MOMENTUM SO I LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. I ENDED UP AT A SERVICE STATION WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY LOST AND THE SERVICE STATION SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. *TR

• 12/18/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS WHEN TURNING THE KEY ON A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED MOST OF THE TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS IF THE CAR STALLS. *NM

• 12/18/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

• 12/17/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 12/17/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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