Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10112723March 8, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE, A 2003 FORD FOCUS W/ 20,000 MILES, BECAME DISABLED DUE TO COMPLETE FAILURE OF CLUTCH TO REENGAGE WHEN I SHIFTED - ROLLED TO STOP IN EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 66 IN FAIRFAX, VIRGIINIA. CAR HAD PREVOUS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND WAS RETURNED FROM DEALER TWO DAYS EARLIER, FEBRUARY 2, SAYING THE CLUTCH WAS "PERFORMING OK AT THIS TIME NPF." I COULD NOT MANEUVER FROM THE TRAVEL LANE AND CALLED 911. A VIRGINA STATE POLCIE CAR WAS DISPATCHED AND PULLED UP BEHIND ME TO PREVENT A REAR END COLLOSION UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. DEALER THEN PRONOUNCED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY "WORE OUT" AND CHARGED $1,840 FOR A COMPLETE REPALCEMENT OF THE PRESSURE PLATE, CLUTCH PLATES AND FLY WHEEL. THEY DID NOT RETAIN PARTS (AS I HAD REQUESTED) AND DENIED ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109116March 8, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112644March 7, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN A POTHOLE WAS STRUCK WITH THE RIGHT FRONT, CAUSING A BLISTER TO THE SIDEWALL AND A SLIGHT BEND TO THE RIM. UPON REVIEW OF THE SHALLOW DEPTH OF THE POTHOLE, I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT CAUSED A PROBLEM. ONE WEEK LATER, THE REAR TIRE ON THE SAME SIDE SHOWED A BLISTER. THE RIM WAS FINE AND HAVE NO RECALLECTION OF HITTING ANYTHING. ANOTHER WEEK AND ANOTHER POTHOLE. THIS TIME A FLAT, ON THE SAME FRONT. NOW A SEVERELY BENT RIM; ON THE INSIDE. THE RIM WAS REPAIRED AND THE TIRE REINSTALLED. HOWEVER, NO NEW BLISTER OCCURRED ON THE INSIDE WALL. I HAVE MADE THIS SAME COMMUTE FOR 10 YEARS WITH OTHER VEHICLES SHOD WITH OFF-BRAND TIRES, AND NEVER HAD AN INCIDENT OF ANY KIND.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112659March 7, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WE ARE A FRANCHISEE OF AN AUTO RENTAL COMPANY. WE HAVE HAD A HALF DOZEN FORD FOCUSES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE FAILED ON. THESE VEHICLES HAVE MILEAGE IN THE RANGE OF 40,000-45,000 MILES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL JUST QUIT WORKING. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLES TOWED IN EVERY INSTANCE, AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. IT COSTS US OVER $400 EVERY TIME. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THESE HAVE BEEN 2003-2004 MODEL VEHICLES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113483March 4, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND A CONCUSSION. ALSO, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10113299March 2, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
HATCH RELEASE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. . CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED, SINCE CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE.*AK...ALSO, REPLACED TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112222February 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WE BOUGHT A NEW FORD FOCUS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. IN MARCH 2004, WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO ACT UP. WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT TURN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 20 TO 40 MINUTES OF WIGGLING THE KEY AND KNOCKING ON THE STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD FINALLY TURN. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL AFTER BEING STUCK AT NIGHT FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS ON A DESERTED PARKING LOT. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC HIMSELF WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. YESTERDAY, ON 25 FEB 2005, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT OUT BUT WE ARE OFF WARRANTY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. IT IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THOUGHT THAT AFTER SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IN SEVERAL MONTH. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DOES NOT MAKE ANY ALLOWANCES TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED PERMANENTLY. WE HAVE OWNED OUR CARS USUALLY UP TO 10 YEARS OR SO AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION CYLINDER BEFORE ON ANY OF THEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112985February 23, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110787February 19, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED 2 WEEKS AGO, THINKING IT HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES IT'S GOOD. WELL ON FEBRUARY 17,2005, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. I TRIED FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR AND NOTHING,I TRIED AGAIN THE NEX MORNING AND NOTHING, THE DELEARSHIP HAD TO TOW AND HERE I AM WITHOUT A CAR, SO I DECEIDED TO SEARCH THE WEB AND SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAS, IF THIS IS A RECALL IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111781February 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ONCE THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110533February 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING COLUMN HOUSING UNIT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110405February 12, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY 2003 FOCUS ZTW WAGON HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKES 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. FORD STANDING BY THIS AS A "WEAR" ITEM NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. COULD I HAVE 2002 PARTS IN MY VEHICLE? I HAVE HAD BRAKE INSPECTIONS DONE WITH OIL CHANGES INDICATING EVERYTHING IN THE "GREEN ZONE". THE ROTOR WARPING IS SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE. 3 BRAKE JOBS IN ONE YEAR IS EXCESSIVE AND PROBLEMATIC. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN WITH THE BRAKES BEING FIXED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105440February 11, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP. INTERMITTENTLY THE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SOFT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111277February 10, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AT A CAR WASH STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN , AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109976February 7, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, EQUIPMENT
THERE WAS NO FAILURE OR INJURIES. JUST A PROBLEM WITH GAS MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE GETS THE WORSE GAS MILEAGE OF ANY AUTO I EVER OWNED EXCEPT MY 1969 PLYMOUTH GTX 440. I KEEP COMPLAINING BUT THE PROBLEM IS SAID TO BE WITH THE ENGINE TYPE. Z-TEC AND THAT IS WHY ON THE 2005 THEY FINALLY CHANGED THE ENGINE. I GET APPROX 15-17 MPG IN THE CITY NO AIR ON AND HIGHWAY IS APPROX 22-25. I HAVE YET TO GET CLOSE TO 300 MILES ON A TANK FULL OF FUEL. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE .I HAVE PAPER FROM WINDOW AND IT STATES FUEL MILEAGE SHOULD BE APPROX 25 CITY 30 HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE NOT CLOSE. RUNS WELL THOUGH. I WOULD CALL THIS A FAILURE OF GAS MILEAGE FACTORY ESTIMATE NUMBER OF TIMES IN BOX BELOW IS CONSERVATIVE. I FIGURED CLOSER TO 275-300 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109997February 7, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS WHERE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FORD RECALL # 05S27) , BUT IT IS ONLY FOR 2000 - 2002 MODELS & MINE IS A 2003. MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR AT MY FORD DEALER NOW , THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM & HV TO ORDER NEW PARTS FOR MY CAR .I HV BEEN TOLD I MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS. WHY ARE THE 2003 MODELS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110979February 7, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE THE IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109501February 1, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108391February 1, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON TOWED TO DEALER COST WAS 50 DOLLARS W/ EXTENDED WARRANT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY SISTERS 2003 FORD FOCUS .THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107693January 21, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED QUITE ABRUPTLY. I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN FORWARD. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED IN PLACE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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