NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Focus. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON OUT 2003 FORD FOCUS CONTINUALLY JAMS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REMEDIED ON OCCASION BY HITTING THE KEY WHILE IN PLACE, BUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO GET IT UNJAMMED VARIES. WE'RE AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILD ARE OUT SOMEWHERE AND THERE IS NO ONE TO HELP THEM, THUS LEAVING THEM STRANDED. WE'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE IN ANY GIVEN DAY; SOMETIMES IT'S MORE OFTEN THAN THAT. THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION WE HAVE AT THE MOMENT IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THIS MAKES THE CAR PRONE TO BEING STOLEN, THUS LEAVING US WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. WE TRIED CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND WERE TOLD TO CALL BACK ON MONDAY. AS WE UNDERSTAND IT FROM OUR ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE IS NO RECALL ABOUT THIS, ALTHOUGH A CLASS ACTION SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR
BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER STICKING. ON AUG 13, 2009 I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE CYLINDER WAS STUCK. I HAVE A NEW CYLINDER TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. *TR
COOLANT LEAK AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. FORTUNATELY NOTICED IT BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. STOPPED VEHICLE AND TOPPED UP WITH FLUID TO JUST MAKE IT BACK TO HOME. DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT NONE OF THE HOSES WERE DEFECTIVE. PERFORMED AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET - ITS A LEAK FORM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. DEFECTIVE PART ! *TR
THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES AND HAS BEEN TREATED GENTLY. I'VE READ 100'S OF POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND YET FORD IS RELUCTANT TO RECALL THIS OR EVEN OFFER A DISCOUNT. *TR
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS STRANDED AT A WALMART PARKING LOT. *TR
MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED: THE RESULT OF THE WIRING HARNESS BEING CONSTANTLY ABRADED IN THE HINGE OF THE HATCHBACK. ALL OF THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED, AND IT CAUSED NOT ONLY A DRIVING SAFETY HAZARD, BUT A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL. IN THE YEAR 2000, THIS SAME PROBLEM CAUSED A RECALL OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUSES, BUT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD AND THEY DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY CAR. "THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS CONCERN ON YOUR 2003 FORD FOCUS. YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS AT THIS TIME." IS THEIR RESPONSE. I AM HAVING THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY MY MECHANIC: HE WILL LENGTHEN THE WIRES SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE CAUGHT IN THE HINGE. FORD ONLY WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE HARNESS, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE ONE THAT FAILED. *TR
THE FORD FOCUS 2003 PROBLEM, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, OR THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR
THE KEY WAS STARTING TO STICK THEN I COULD NOT GET THE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE CAR SO MY SON THAT WORKS FOR FORD SAID TO TAP ON THE KEY THEN IT SHOULD START SO I DID AND IT WORKED IT IS AN ON GOING THING I THINK THAT IF FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON IT THE CAR IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY LIKE THE OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER OWNERS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY I GO TO GET MY CAR STARTED IT IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY AND TUMBLER SWITCH. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WON'T TURN. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THE REPAIRS ARE $400 +. *TR
CAR PARKED AT MALL LATER AT NIGHT. WHEN TO TRY AND START CAR BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS FAILURE CAUSED ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WHICH COST $427.00. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY BUT WAS MOST LIKELY REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SWITCH WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN. I WAS ALSO LEFT STRANDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT IN A DESERTED AREA OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING.*TR
2003 FORD FOCUS DOOR LATCHES BROKEN. DOORS FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND LOCAL STREETS. SOMEONE COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OR ANOTHER CAR COULD HAVE HIT THE DOOR WHEN IT FLEW OPEN AND HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 4 AND 5 DOOR FOCUS BUT NOT ON A 3 DOOR WHICH IS MINE. ONE DOOR HAS BEEN FIXED $293 AT A DEALER AND THE OTHER DOOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME AND FIX THE OTHER DOOR FREE OF CHARGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE DOOR LATCHES. IF SOMEONE GETS KILLED FORD WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM. *TR
FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FROZE UP IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. COULD NOT START CAR , TURN WHEEL OR TAKE OUT OF PARK. FORD COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEIR FAULTING IGNITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN WHO TRAVEL ALONE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART........... *TR
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO TEND TO ONE OF MY CHILDREN AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO CALL FOR A RIDE AND A TOW TRUCK. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. THE IGNITION IS "LOCKED". MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS TODAY AND IT APPEARS SO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS LOCKS UP AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT STARTED OUT AS JUST STICKING A LITTLE BIT BUT WORKING AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES. IT ENDED WITH IT COMPLETELY LOCKING UP. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SAFE PLACE AND A LOCKSMITH CAME OUT AND REPAIRED THE PINS IN THE IGNITION TUMBLER. *TR
NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE OTHER THAN IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO A SHOP. THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT TURN, IT LOCKS. I CANNOT START MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. I GOT STRANDED WITH NO CASH, NO FOOD OR WATER IN THE HEAT WITH NO SHADE AROUND. DEHYDRATION WAS A CONCERN. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM AND THAT'S HOW I CAME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS THE IGNITION IS GONE IT WON'T WORK. I WAS TOLD BY YANKEE FORD THAT THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LOCKING CHAMBER IT COST 400.+ DOLLARS TO FIX. IT I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD COULD HAPPEN BE IT ON THE ROAD OR IN A PARKING LOT LATE ONE NIGHT ..........SAY IF SOMEONE IS GETTING OUT OF WORK AND THERE SITTING TRYING TO START THEIR CAR AND IT WON'T AND THEN THEY GET MUGGED ROBBED OF RAPED...ALL BECAUSE OF FORDS FAULTY IGNITION LOCK CHAMBER..... *TR
I WAS STRANDED MANY MILES FROM A HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY IGNITION KEY TURNED, STEERINGWHEEL TURNED OR AUTOMATIC SHIFTER MOVED. ALL BLOCKED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD USE MY CELLPHONE. A FRIEND CHECKED THE INTERNET ON THE PROBLEM AND HE FOUND THE SUGGESTION TO HIT THE KEY. LATER MANY TAPS THIS ACTUALLY WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *TR
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH IGNITION ON 2003 FORD FOCUS; THE WHEEL LOCKS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER PERSISTENTLY WIGGLING THE WHEEL AND KEY FOR TWENTY OR SO MINUTES, THE IGNITION ENABLED THE KEY TO TURN. BEING THAT THE IGNITION FAILED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THAT I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY IN A SAFE MANNER IS POTENTIALLY FATAL TO PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS OF THE FORD FOCUS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FORD FOCUS FAULTY IGNITION HAVE BEEN UNPREDICTABLE INTRODUCTIONS TO BEING STRANDED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROVOCATIONS. THE SECOND TIME MY IGNITION FAILED, NEARLY A MONTH AFTERWARDS, THE IGNITION FAILED ON THE FOCUS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE ALSO. THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE LATE AT NIGHT. DIRECT RESULTS OF THE FAULTY FORD IGNITION PUT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS IN DANGER AND MOREOVER PREVENT THEM FROM LEAVING DANGEROUS PLACES. IT TOOK WELL OVER A HALF HOUR IN THE DANGEROUS FAILURE OF MY LOCKS ALSO: THE THIRD IGNITION FAILURE ALSO COMPOUNDING IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO PUTTER OUT. ACTIONS TO CORRECT THE SECOND INCIDENT WERE FROM A MECHANIC TO USE WD 40 AND TRY USING A SEPARATE KEY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND DANGEROUS THAN ANTICIPATED. USING MY SPARE KEY WORKED AND THE IGNITION NO LONGER LOCKED. THESE ACTIONS SUGGESTED BY A MECHANIC REMEDIED THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY, AND I'M NOW GETTING ESTIMATES FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM. IN LIEU OF NEAR DEATH, I DEMAND A RECALL. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. SINCE I HAD THE CAR FROM 2004 ON, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE THE SEATS DRIVER DOOR SIDE BACK WELDING FAILED. THE BROKEN WELDING CAUSES THE SEAT TO TWIST TO THE RIGHT. SEAT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST AND REPLACEMENT ALSO BROKE AT THE SAME PLACE. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO A RECENT INJURY OF MY LOWER BACK SINCE I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TRAUMA FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE THAT I AM AWARE OF. A CURSORY REVIEW OF THE INTERNET TURNS UP DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE PROVIDED FOR THE INCIDENT IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE THE SECOND SEAT BROKE. THE FIRST ONE BROKE IN 2006. BOTH SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION SHOULD YOU WANT TO REVIEW. *TR
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND BACK IN FEBRUARY 2006 I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO FIX DOOR HINGES THAT BECOME HARD TO OPEN OR ACTUALLY BREAK. THEY COMPLETED THE WORK. AS I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR JUST SWUNG OPEN AND THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER LATCH. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID SINCE THEY PUT SOME GREASE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON MY DOOR BACK IN 2006 (THEY NEVER PUT A NEW LATCH ON THE CAR) THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK AND HAVE TO PAY THE $336 MYSELF TO FIX THE LATCH THAT I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL IN THE FIRST PLACE. TWO OF MY OTHER THREE DOORS ARE GETTING HARD TO OPEN AND I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY COMPLETELY BREAK ALSO. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THANK GOD ONE OF THEM WAS NOT IN THE BACK SEAT THE DAY THE CAR DOOR JUST DECIDED TO SWING OPEN. *TR
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN MY IGNITION ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE TO JIGGLE AND JIGGLE TO GET IT FINALLY TURN. IT IS LIKE IT LOCKS UP. GOING TO SEE A LOCK SMITH ABOUT POSSIBLY GETTING IT FIXED IF I CAN NOT GET FORD TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH REPAIR ON IT. TOOK MY 20 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN ORDER TO START MY CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IN HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE OFF (PARK) POSITION. WHEN HE TURNED IT OFF, THE WIPERS WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V258000 ONLY INCLUDED THE 2000-2001 MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED HIM WITH A REFERENCE NUMBER AND REFUSED LIABILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 08/04/09.*JB
2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 6 TIME IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK EACH TIME. *TR
2003 FORD FOCUS .WE HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO ( WAS A USED CAR) THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED ONCE. NOW WE HAVE TROUBLE AGAIN. MY WIFE GOT STUCK AT A SHOPPING CENTER. MY SON, A MECHANIC TRIED TO HELP, BUT COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN. SHE CALLED AAA. WHEN HE ARRIVED HE "HIT" THE IGNITION VERY HARD AND THE KEY TURNED. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, BUT WE EXPECT TO HAVE MORE TROUBLE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALMOST EVERYDAY. IF THE CAR WERE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD A SAFETY RECALL. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO AT LEAST TURN THE KEY. WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO FORD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $400- 500.. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT BUDGE; THEREFORE, A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE KEY BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES HE TOWED THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST AND WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,450 UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A SEPARATE ISSUE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE STOLEN IF THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 198,156.
MY CAR KEY WOULD ALWAYS GO IN BUT NO TURN. ONCE IN A WHILE IF I JIGGLED IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER AND BE OKAY. BUT I WAS SHOPPING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, SO I CALLED AAA. THEY HAD ME TRY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND IT DIDN'T WORK SO IT WAS TOWED TO MY CAR DEALER. HEIR THEY SAID THAT THE IGNITION WENT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT AT THE COST OF $350. SHOCKED BECAUSE IT WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE BROKEN. SO I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT KEEPS HAPPENING AND JUST FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR OIL CHANGES IT IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT AND IN THE FUTURE BUY MORE FORD PRODUCTS SO I HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND FIXED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD LOCK UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST OR ASSUME LIABILITY UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 82,000.
MY 2003 SVT FOCUS TAKES 2 TO FIVE MINUTES OF JIGGLING THE KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO WORK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND CONTACTED MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN FIX IT AT MY COST AND THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON IT. THE CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION TO START THE CAR. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS FOR MY DAUGHTER AND SHE WAS STRANDED AFTER DRIVING IT TO WORK WHEN SHE COULDN'T GET THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED TO USE HER KEY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER IT IS COMMON IN FORD FOCUSES OF THIS YEAR. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE SHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED FOR $500 AND THERE IS NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS MAKE/MODEL OF CAR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS SINCE FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED TO DATE. UNACCEPTABLE! *TR
HOPPED IN MY CAR LIKE NORMAL TO DRIVE MYSELF TO WORK. PLACED KEY IN IGNITION. WON'T TURN. HAD TO CALL OF WORK AFTER AN HOUR OF TOYING WITH IT AND CALLING MY MANAGER EVERY 15 MINUTES LETTING THEM KNOW... IT WON'T BUDGE.*TR
VALVE STEM FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS. *TR
THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO WARNINGS OR SIGNS THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS IMPENDING. *TR
2003 FORD FOCUS, EARLY MORNING SQUEAKING, MID DAY, VIBRATING, LATE AFTERNOON, CAR STARTS TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY AND AS I DRIVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY A REALLY LOUD BANGING NOISE COMES FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SO LOUD IT SCARED ME, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND NOTICE THAT THE METAL MOUNTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE BROKE IN HALF AND A PIECE WAS STILL ON THE MOTOR. MY ENGINE WAS HANGING FROM THE LEFT SIDE, YOU COULD SEE IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY COMES OUT TO CHECK THE DAMAGES AND SAID IN HIS 22 YEARS OF VIEWING VEHICLES FOR CLAIMS HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MY MILEAGE IS 59,528, I'M STILL PAYING FOR THIS CAR, UNTIL 2012. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A SIX YEAR OLD CAR WITH THIS LITTLE MILEAGE. I CALLED FORD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION. I WAS TOLD NO. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2003 FORD FOCUS, FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SEVERAL REGARDING THE VIBRATING OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE RELATING TO MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS INCIDENT CREATED A PROBLEM WITH THE AXEL AS WELL. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY. WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS ON 5/9/09. *TR
THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK KEEPS FAILING ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAVE HAD A LOCKSMITH FIX IT TWICE NOW. THE COST TO ME SO FAR IS OVER $400. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE WEARING BADLY AND THE TOP OF THE RUBBER WAS LEANING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO PURCHASE A SUSPENSION BAR TO PLACE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CHANGES ONE DEGREE. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 5/7/09 *CN UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK WILL NOT TURN. FORTUNATELY FOR FORD, MY WARRANTY IS UP. I HAVE READ REVIEWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL IN THE YEARS 2000-2003. I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT FEARING THAT THE IGNITION WILL LOCK UP ON ME AND I WILL BE STRANDED. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS TO ME. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE HAD AN EMERGENCY TO ATTEND TO WHEN I WAS STRANDED UNABLE TO START MY CAR. *TR
THE IGNITION SWITCH RANDOMLY BROKE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE SWITCH. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY 2 CHILDREN. I CONTACTED AAA AND THE LOCKSMITH THAT I SPOKE WITH WAS OUT OF STOCK ON THE IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE "THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I USUALLY KEEP 4 OR 5 ON HAND." I CONSIDER THIS A PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE WAS NO WARNING OF IT OCCURRING. IT WAS ALL VERY RANDOM. I DROVE TO THE LOCATION. I DID MY BUSINESS. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR. MY KEY WOULD NOT WORK. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *TR
2003 FOCUS SE COM. WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON ACCIDENT FRONT END DAMAGED BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER IMPACT. *TR
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.
THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN ON IN MY CAR. THE KEY WILL GO IN, BUT IT WILL NOT TURN. IT WAS HARD TO TURN FOR A WHILE, SEVERAL WEEKS I JUST WOULD KEEP TRYING AND JIGGLING IT, AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY WORK, AND NOW IT JUST WON'T TURN ON AT ALL. I WAS STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS AREA UNTIL MY HUSBAND COULD COME TO PICK ME UP. I CALLED A LOCKSMITH TO REPAIR IT AND HE SAID HE GETS THIS ISSUE AL THE TIME WITH FORD FOCUS. *TR
MY KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR
ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN FASTER THAN I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THEM. ROTORS ONLY LAST 1-2 MONTHS THEN BEFORE WARPING THEN I RIDE THEM OUT FOR ANOTHER MONTH (NO MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING) THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE RECEIPTS AND MECHANICS PROOF. ITS CRAZY. I HAVE ALSO VERIFIED SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER CAR COMPLAINT WEB SITES WITH PEOPLE AND FORD FOCUS' - BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT MONTHLY. I CANT AFFORD THE REPAIRS BUT I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY BRAKES GO OUT COMPLETELY AND RISK THE HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP *TR
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN SERIOUS FRONTAL CRASH AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. *TR
WHEEL AND IGNITION LOCK UP. *TR
KEY IGNITION PROBLEM WITH 2003 FORD FOCUS. NOT VERY SAFE WHEN MY DAUGHTER CANT GET HER KEY TO START HER CAR FORD NEED TO FIX THIS ASAP. *TR
PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. SPENT 20 MINUTES TRYING TO GET IT TO TURN. FINALLY DID. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO A FAMILY FUNERAL OUT OF TOWN, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AFRAID THAT I WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN, I TOOK IT TO LOCAL CAR REPAIR PLACE. THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH THE IGNITION AGAIN TO DRIVE IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND REPROGRAMMED KEYS. I WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND FAMILY FUNERAL. *TR
I WENT SHOPPING GOT IN MY CAR AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY BECAUSE THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026