2003 Ford Focus Complaint Log

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.

THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES, THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR REFUSED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL, MAKING A TOW DIFFICULT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RISK OF DRIVERS BEING STRANDED IN UNSAFE PLACES WHERE THEY COULD BE RAPED, ROBBED OR MURDERED. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND I IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX, HOWEVER THERE ARE REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE NOT BEING SO LUCKY. HIXSON FORD CHARGED US $289.69 TO REPAIR THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PLUS WE PAID $65 TO TOW THE VEHICLE. BELOW IS A LIST OF WEBSITES DOCUMENTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKING UP AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. SOME EVEN COMPLAIN OF IT HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING: HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML HTTP://WWW.FAZMICLAW.COM/FOCUS.HTML HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/NEWS/STORIES/0706/347339.HTML HTTP://CBS5.COM/INVESTIGATES/LOCAL_STORY_041015136.HTML HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/FOCUSIC/PETITION.HTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA50DC HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-493.HTML HTTP://THS.GARDENWEB.COM/FORUMS/LOAD/CARS/MSG062031202524.HTML?20 HTTP://WWW.COMPLAINTS.COM/DIRECTORY/2004/DECEMBER/12/7.HTM HTTP://WWW.COMPLAINTS.COM/DIRECTORY/2005/JULY/5/17.HTM HTTP://FORUMS.FOCALJET.COM/PROBLEMS-SERVICE-RECALLS/416401-PLEASE-POST-IF-YOUR-IGNITION-HAS-LOCKED-13.HTML THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *JB

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS, AND LIKE MANY OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS I HAVE READ ABOUT, I HAD MY IGNITION LOCK JAM UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT CANNOT BE STARTED WITH THE KEY. IT WILL PROBABLY REQUIRE A NEW CYLINDER, WHICH, ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS, WILL BREAK JUST AS EASILY. CLEARLY FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE SOME CREDIT FOR SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE. IT'S JUST FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE CAN BECOME INJURED FROM THIS PARTICULAR CASE OF BAD ENGINEERING. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. IT FREEZES UP. I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITH NO SUCCESS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION LOCKED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AS BEING ROUGH IN TURNING THE KEY BUT GRADUALLY WORSENED TO NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE 2003 FORD FOCUS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WILL ALSO LOCK AND SHE WASUNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE LOCKS FINALLY OPENED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS DONE IN NOVEMBER 2006, BUT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONTACT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 57000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND TODAY I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GET SOME LUNCH WHEN MY IGNITION LOCKED. I CANNOT START MY CAR. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JB

FORD FOCUS 2003: THE IGNITION MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. THE KEY COULD NOT BE FULLY INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION OR TURNED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. AT FIRST, THE KEY COULD BE TAPPED INTO THE IGNITION, BUT THAT ONLY WORKED A FEW TIMES. EVENTUALLY I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE TUMBLER MECHANISMS REPLACED IN THE IGNITION. *NM

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKING UP ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS LEAVING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE AUGUST 12, 2006. WHEN I INSERTED MY KEY I FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL AND THE STEERING COLUMN HAD LOCKED UP AS WELL. LEAVING ME STRANDED, I CALLED A TOW TRUCK WHO TOWED MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED MY CAR. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME I WAS THE FOURTH FOCUS HE HAD TOWED THAT WEEK WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND GET MY CAR BACK. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED ALL WEEKEND, WHICH MEANT I MISSED WORK ALL WEEKEND. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED ON MY CAR, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES FOR YEARS. MY MAIN CONCERN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND REASON I AM SO UPSET IS THAT FORD HAS SAID THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. I SAY TO THEM THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. WHAT IF YOUR CAR STALLS OUT ON TRAIN TRACKS AND YOU CAN'T GET IT TO START UP AGAIN? I THINK THAT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT ABOUT IF YOU LIVE NEAR THE COAST AND YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE DUE TO A HURRICANE OR SOME OTHER NATURAL DISASTER? WHAT IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO SOMEONE IN NEW ORLEANS DURING KATRINA? ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THEM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO COME AND DRILL OUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER BEFORE THEY CAN EVACUATE? I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND THEY SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW I WILL NEVER BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *JB

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

IGNITION SWITCH THAT MANUFACTURER KNOWS IS BAD. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE IGNITION FAILS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS NOT SAFE I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD AND IN AN EMERGENCY I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE OR WE MAY GET STRANDED. FORD REFUSES TO HELP. THERE IS NO RECALL TO MY KNOWLEDGE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. *JB

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT CAN BE TURNED 360 DEGREES. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN MY IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT WORK IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HE SAID IT TAKE ABOUT $300.00 TO REPAIR IT. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE 1 HOUR TO COME AND GET ME AND I LOST A DAY OF WORK, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD TO LOSE. *NM

2003 FORD FOCUS (WHICH IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGER- FEMALE) IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. BASICALLY WHEN IT FAILS YOU ARE STUCK (CAN NOT START VEHICLE)! AT THE MOMENT VEHICLE SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY. $400.00 PRICE TAG TO FIX A PROBLEM - THAT FORD IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF. I AM NOT SURE I WANT MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT MAY GET HER STRANDED SOMEWHERE UNSAFE! *NM

IGNITION LOCKED AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO START. SOMETIMES THE IGNITION LOCKS FOR HOURS AND SOMETIMES DAYS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND IT'S UNRELIABLE! *NM

SEVERAL PARTS FAILURES, INCLUDING ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, MUFFLER,TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER

THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION ONCE INSERTED IN THE KEYLOCK, THIS LEAVING ME ON THE PARKING LOT FOR HOURS TO WAIT FOR A TOW-TRUCK. THE CAR HAS ONLY 40K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $200 TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER. THAT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS FOR REAL I GUESS. *JB

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.

WITH NO WARNING AND 1000K OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OR START THE CAR. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER COST $258.44 PLUS TOW. CONSUMERS DO NOT EXPECT A CAR WITH 37K TO FAIL ON THEM LIKE THIS. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON A FAMILY OUTING WITH MY SON WHO IS A DIABETIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY REPORTED YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. DEPENDABILITY OR LACK THERE OF, IS IMPERATIVE TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE. *TR

MY DOOR HANDLE ON MY DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR HAS BROKE AGAIN AND I CAN'T OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES EITHER. BACK IN 2005 BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE HANDLES ON MY VEHICLE BROKE. I HAVE A TWO DOOR AND HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE TRUNK TO GET MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH WERE VERY PRICEY CONSIDERING THE PARTS WERE LESS THAN $50.00. I NOW AM HAVING THE ISSUE AGAIN AND I REFUSE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX IT. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND WHY THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BECOME A VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE. *NM

FORD FOCUS 2003 KEY CYLINDER FREEZES. COST TO CUSTOMER ~ $300 REPAIR. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ACCORDING TO SEVERAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGERS I SPOKE WITH. *JB

DROVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE. AFTER SHOPPING, I ENTERED THE CAR & PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, THE KEY CYLINDER WAS FROZEN. IT WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY WEAK AND RAPIDLY DETERIORATING KEY CYLINDER COMPONENTS. LAST WEEK ALONE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED 3 OF THEM. I WENT HOME AND RESEARCHED ON INTERNET. JUDGING FROM THE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET FROM FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT APPEARS TO BACK UP WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID. *NM

OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS/2003. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED ($45.00) AS WELL AS PAY FOR REPAIRS ($183.00). CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED. I ALSO MENTIONED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY GAUGES. UPON STARTING CAR, GAUGES ARE ALL OUT OF WACK, SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND LANDING ON ZERO. AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES THEY WILL POSITIONED AT THE RIGHT PLACE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SEEM TO ONLY CARE TO HEAR ABOUT ONE OF THE PROBLEM (IGNITION SWITCH) AND NOT THE OTHER ONE. I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR A WHILE AND WHEN REP RETURN SHE TOLD ME TO CALL COMPANY THAT WAS REPAIRING MY FOCUS AND THEY WILL HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THE GUY THAT EAGERLY TOOK MY MONEY STATED THAT HE WILL DO A CLAIM FOR ME AND HE STATED THAT I WILL GET SOME OF MY MONEY BUT NOT ALL OF IT BACK. IN CHECKING THE RECALLS I SEE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKUP IS ONE OF THEM. I ONLY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED AND INSURANCE SAYS I MUST PAY $250 BEFORE THEY FIX IT, WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER, DRIVING SEEM DIFFICULT (HARD TO PULL), LIFTGATE WATER LEAKS, AND UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING; I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THAT THE BRAKES WERE NEW AND HAD TO BE BROKEN IN. WELL THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AFTER A YEAR IN A HALF. I NEED ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED ON MY CAR, RIGHT NOW I AM A MONTH BEHIND IN CAR PAYMENTS (GOOD RECORD ON MAKING MY PAYMENTS), HAD TO USE THE MONEY TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, WHICH HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH COMPONENTS. AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENTER PROPERLY, EVEN WHILE FULLY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. THEN ON 6/27/06, THE IGNITION REFUSED TO MOVE--WOULDN'T TURN OR ANYTHING. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE TO WORK FROM A CO-WORKER, WHO WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR ME, THEN CALL WINNER FORD (DOVER, DE) TO FIND OUT IF THE CHIP IN MY KEY HAD GONE BAD, OR WHAT. THEY INFORMED ME DURING THE CONVERSATION THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THAT I WAS UNFORTUNATELY 1 MONTH OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY. I ASKED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED OR COVERED, AS THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PIECE, AND SHE HAD NO ANSWER. I HAD TO GET TOWED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR, THEN WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WORK WOULD COST OVER 200$ TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WITH ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE PART. WHEN ASKED, THE TECH WHO WORKED ON MY CAR INFORMED ME THAT THE SAME PIECE WOULD PROBABLY GO OUT AGAIN, AND AGAIN, OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP. I AM NOW SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING IN THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN, FOR BOTH SAFETY, AND THE HONESTY OF THE DEALERS. A DEALER ON SITE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THESE CARS HAD BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I AM NOT ONE TO SUE OVER SPILT MILK, BUT SOME NOTIFICATION WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. I'M A GRADUATE STUDENT, WITH A VERY LARGE BILL FOR THESE CLASSES, I CANNOT AFFORD TO DUMP 300$ (AFTER TOWING) INTO A CAR THAT HOLDS NO RESALE VALUE, AND WILL PROBABLY SHOW MANY MORE ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MY TIME WITH FORD. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF EVER BUYING A FORD AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, POTHOLES NOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, HOWEVER THE DRIVER SEAT WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE SENSOR WAS TOO SENSITIVE. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED THE DEALERS DETERMINATION WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. UPDATED 07/26/06. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 10-30 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SAME REPAIR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,371.

THE LOCK CYLINDER BROKE LEAVING ME WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, AND NEITHER WOULD THE WHEELS. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FAILURE PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. I PAID $450 FOR A NEW LOCK CYLINDER ON A CAR THAT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON FORD FOCUS 2003, BECAUSE OF SIDE BAR. *JB

IGNITION TUMBLERS LOCK UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED. THE PART IS DEALER ONLY AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THIS IS SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN 6 MONTHS. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND FORD DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. *JB

DAD*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MANEUVERED THE KEY UNTIL THE VEHICLE STARTED; IT WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 06/23/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE; NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE HATCH BACK FAILED TO CLOSE, VEHICLE FAILED TO START, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED AND THE MOTOR MADE A KNOCKING SOUND. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

IGNITION BARREL WILL NOT ROTATE. CANNOT START CAR OR TURN STEERING WHEEL. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SEVERAL SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE SPRING RUBBING ON THE STRUT COVER. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STRUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAD IT REPLACED AND PAID $550.62. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,709.

MY CAR IS ONLY THREE AND A HALF YEARS OLD AND FOR THE LAST 8 TO 10 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF IT IS VERY, VERY HARD TO GET THE KEY TO TURN OVER. I TOOK IT TO A LOCKSMITH WHO SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN FORD AND MERCURY VEHICLES COMING IN WITH THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT FORD HAS REDESIGNED THEIR SWITCHES SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL COME UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. I WAS WONDERING WHY NO KIND OF RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT ON THE INNER SIDE AND ONLY HALF WORN ON THE OUTER SIDE. BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. 06/01/06 UPDATED - CONSUMER BELIEVES BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TT

LEAKING OF RAIN WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CHECKED AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY REFUSE TO REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE POLLEN FILTER SEALS NOT KEEPING WATER OUT. IT IS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MOLD IS STARTING TO FORM, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THIS WILL CAUSE! *TR

IN BOTH MY 2003 FORD FOCUS AND MY DAUGHTERS 2000 FORD FOCUS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD FROZE UP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING NEW KEYS MADE WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP AT ABOUT 430.00 EACH. TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS. ALSO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I INSERTED MY SPECIAL SECURE LOCK KEY AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR CAME SHE INFORMED ME SHE TOWS FOCUS' ALL THE TIME WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO SEVERAL FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS IT COSTS $525 DOLLARS TO REPAIR!!!*JB

IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UPS, CAN'T TURN THE KEY. *JB

ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO START MY CAR HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON BUT THE RADIO WORKS. I TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION THEN CAME BACK COULD NOT START CAR, HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE TRY. HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY PERSON WHO WORKS AT DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS CAR AND ALSO SAME INFO PROVIDED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER. I AM NOW WITHOUT VEHICLE BECAUSE NOT SURE OF COST TO REPAIR. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAS A TENDENCY TO STICK INSIDE THE IGNITION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS PREVENTS THE IGNITION FROM TURNING. AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT SHE TAKE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP THE KEY WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO LODGE IT OUT. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE ADVICE AND THE REMEDY WORKED TEMPORARILY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE FAILURE WORSENED AND CURRENTLY OCCURS THREE TIMES PER WEEK. THE STEERING COLUMN STICKS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A FLAT ROAD SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED UPRIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IS WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY FAILED TO TURN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE STARTED BEHIND BATTERY AND BURNED DOWN THE CAR. *NM

THE IGNITION TO MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (FAMILY FORD IN NETCONG, NJ) AND THEY SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR IS A RECALL AND CHARGED ME $514. AFTER THIS I SEARCHED ON INTERNET AND SEE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND MANY FORUMS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO SAW STATEMENTS ON THE FORUMS THAT FORD IS OVERCHARGING AND SHOULD GO TO A LOCKSMITH TO GET IT DONE FOR UNDER $150. *NM

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON OUR 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A MOVIE THEATRE PARKING LOT 600 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE PART REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT TOOK PLACE AT HOME LAST NIGHT. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER AGAIN. *AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING AND AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL, I CONTACTED THE DEALER CAREY PAUL FORD IN DECATUR, GA AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WHICH I DID, AFTER BEING STRANDED WITH MY SON. THIS COST ME 260.00, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY ON PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLEARLY WAS AWARE OF. THE TRUNK ON THE VEHICLE JUST RANDOMLY OPENS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, YOU'RE RIDING ALONG THE ROAD AND THE TRUNKS JUST OPENS FOR NO REASON. THIS I FIND JUST ANNOYING BUT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE CORRECTED. MY LATEST ISSUE IS THAT ON YESTERDAY 04/16/06, WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE STEERING WHEEL JUST BECAME LOOSE AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR, I MADE IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER THAT RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHICH I WILL DO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. I CAN'T STOP THINKING THAT I OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A MANUFACTURER CAN CONTINUE TO MARKET A PRODUCT AS SAFE WHEN CLEARLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH IT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEB SITES AND PERSONALLY SPOKEN WITH FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT'S PRODUCT. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *NM