Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10368169November 29, 2010
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367954November 27, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE BULB SOCKET AND THE LIGHT HOUSING. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AND HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THE VEHICLE'S CHARGING SYSTEM IS PUTTING OUT ABOUT 15.5 VOLTS TO EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL HE ALSO SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CABIN FILLS WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER ALSO AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS IS NO PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366271November 12, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED AND REMOVED BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. REPLACEMENT SEEMS THE ONLY VIABLE SOLUTION. IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT AS SO MANY CASES OF THE LOCK-UP HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364975November 8, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY GIRLFRIEND'S DR'S OFFICE WAITING TO PICK HER UP. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THE BUS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I ATTEMPTED REPEATEDLY TO TURN THE KEY, BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE (I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS), BUT THE KEY HAD TURNED WITH SOME FIDDLING. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T TURN, NO MATTER WHAT I DID. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE KEY HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. I READ SEVERAL SOURCES ONLINE THAT SAID THIS IS NOT NECESSARY THAT ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THIS IS PADDING THEIR OWN POCKET, BUT WHAT CAN I DO? I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO CALL THIS GUY A LIAR. I HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS HE DESCRIBES THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362247October 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SAFETY HAZARD-- UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON 2003 FORD FOCUS MALFUNCTIONS/ DISINTEGRATES WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF INSTALLATION; WHETHER BY GARAGE, DEALER, OR OWNER. IN SEVENTEEN MONTHS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNT (WHEN CAUGHT) FOUR TIMES AND FOUND IT AGAIN NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE OEM PARTS SAY GUARANTEED BUT IT CONSTANTLY COST TO REMOVE, REPACKAGE, SHIP, AND THEN REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361693October 22, 2010
CHILD SEAT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DOREL CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-391MLO, MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2005. (N/A) THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, AND OBSERVED THE CHILD IN A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT REMOVING THE WARNING LABEL AND EATING IT. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC FROM THE CHILD'S MOUTH. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359863October 8, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE KEY IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE KEY IS FINE..THE ACTUAL IGNITION MECHANISM IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359596October 7, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH WITH KEY...TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (AT TIMES FOR 1/2 AN HOUR) AND HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND GETTING WORSE. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON-LINE, I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA AND THAT MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WILL FIRST CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT BASED ON OTHER FOCUS OWNERS, I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH AND HOPEFULLY SOON WILL BE CONTACTING A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358788October 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LOCKUP UNDER ABS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN A BRAKING EVENT SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE ABS SYSTEM, ALL FOUR BRAKES LOCKUP AND DO NOT RELEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER WINTER CONDITIONS (SNOW/ICE), IN THE RAIN AND IN THE DRY. THE INCIDENT IN THE RAIN OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE AN EXIT RAMP OFF OF AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR BRIEFLY HYDROPLANED ENOUGH FOR THE ABS TO ACTIVATE, AND THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL WITH THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE CAR SLID OFF OF THE EXIT RAMP AND INTO THE GRASS, WHERE IT FINALLY CAME TO REST. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THE INCIDENTS IN THE DRY TOOK PLACE DURING AN AUTO-CROSS ON A CLOSED COURSE AND WERE SUFFICIENT TO SEVERELY FLAT-SPOT THE TIRES. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME ABS IS ENGAGED UNDER HARD BRAKING. OCCASIONALLY, IT IS POSSIBLE TO DOWN-SHIFT AND "DRIVE THROUGH" THE BRAKES WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS NO DASH LIGHT OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE REAR-WHEEL TONE RINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE FRONT-WHEEL TONE RINGS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. ALL FOUR SENSORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS CHECKED FOR LOOSENESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357857September 27, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355836September 15, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WILL NOT TURN ENGINE OVER NOR UNLOCK STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353960September 5, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MILES PER AN HOUR. CAR TAKEN TO SHOP A NUMBER TIMES. NO CODES FOUND IN COMPUTER. CAR PASSES ELECTRICAL CHECK. SPARK PLUGS AND FUEL FILTER REPLACED. , THROTTLE BODY CLEANED CAR STALLED LESS OFTEN AFTER AIR CONTROL MOTOR REPLACED. CAR HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AS SUGGESTED BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353681September 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK-UP. EVERY TIME THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND THEN REINSERTED, IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO UNLOCK TO TURN AND START. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS DURING 110 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WE WILL HAVE TO EITHER REPLACE THE IGNITION OR CALL A LOCKSMITH. THIS IS AN EVERYDAY PROBLEM NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352564August 29, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD HAS APPARENTLY USED DEFECTIVE LOCK CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. I WALKED UP TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST 350 TO REPAIR THE CAR. (NOT INCLUDING CHARGES FOR GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THEM) THIS HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING A CAR THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351623August 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION HAS BEEN STICKING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR, MORE RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN A DAILY OCCURRENCE THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. WHAT THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO WAS GETTING STRANDED DUE TO THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START ( IGNITION WOULDN'T EVEN TURN). I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE CAR TOWED AND EITHER RE-KEYED, OR A NEW IGNITION PUT IN WHICH WILL COST A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350492August 19, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERING
MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350314August 18, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS IGNITION PROBLEMS. MY KEY COULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AND AS I SEARCH ONLINE, A LOT OF PPL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS AND SPECIFICALLY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS IS VERY SEVERE. IMAGE YOU'RE IN A HURRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY COULD NOT TURN AND YOU ARE STUCK. SO WHY IS THERE IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT BY FORD? I JUST ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS AROUND $450 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY THIS MONEY DUE TO FORD'S FAULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349036August 12, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347999August 8, 2010
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS (2.0 LITER, DOHC) LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE IS ROUTED DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347789August 6, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS SE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO THE IGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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