Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10487441December 5, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE TAIL GATE MECHANISM WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486573November 30, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN PREVENTING YOU FROM STARTING THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER GOT STRANDED AT WORK AT 11PM FOR 45 MINUTES UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO HELP HER GET THE KEY TO TURN. I TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID A FORD DEALER WOULD NEED TO REPLACE AS THE 2000-2003 FOCUSES HAVE A LOT OF IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WANTS $350 AND WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE PART FOR 1 YEAR!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484469November 13, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE LEFT REAR DOOR DOESN'T LATCH PROPERLY, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FLY OPEN ON IT'S OWN. THANK GOODNESS KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AND IS NOW TETHERED WITH ROPE AND CAN'T BE USED. FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE A CURRENT RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 FORD CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. THE ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE IS THAT IT WAS PURCHASED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN 2003 AND REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN FEB OF 2005 WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT. (IT IS NOW REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NY WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2006. IF THE RECALL CAME OUT ONE YEAR LATER, MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED?) COVERED OR NOT, FORD KNOWS THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. A REMEDY WOULD BE TO RE-ISSUE THE RECALL AGAIN SO THAT IT COVERS ANY 2003 FOCUS AS I AM CERTAIN THAT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY CAR SOLD IN A STATE NOT COVERED, BUT THAT HAS SINCE RELOCATED TO A STATE WHERE CORROSION CAN OCCUR DUE TO SALT AND WINTER CONDITIONS (UNBEKNOWNST TO CONSUMERS). I AM LUCKY THAT MY KIDS WERE NOT HURT, BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479477October 9, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN. KEYS ARE FINE AND HITTING THE KEY WORKED A FEW TIMES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WITH THIS PROBLEM, A PERSON CAN EASILY BECOME STRANDED IN UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS. ALSO, SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN WHERE THE ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COULD BECOME LOCKED WITH NO WAY TO TURN KEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475118September 11, 2012
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO GOT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472851August 28, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN IN LOCK. UNABLE TO START CAR. WIFE STRANDED. BROUGHT HER OTHER KEYS, SAME PROBLEM. FINALLY GOT LOCK TO TURN BY VILOENTLY WIGGLING AND POUNDING ON KEY. DROVE CAR HOME. INTERNET SEARCH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE PURCHASERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472324August 24, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469588August 7, 2012
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX 70MPH, I SIGNALED MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL. AS I CHANGED INTO THE LEFT LANE, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN SO SOME SEAT FOAM AND SMOKE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND THE OTHER DRIVER STOPPED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE HOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468178July 29, 2012
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, STEERING
KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND NO SUCCESS. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. CAR IS JUST SITTING. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465903July 16, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND SHE VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465456July 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE KEY GOT STUCK. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463990July 2, 2012
SUSPENSION, TIRES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. SUDDENLY I HEARD A CRASH SOUND IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I FELT THERE WAS A FORCE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE TIRE. THEN I NOTICED BLACK SMOKES BEHIND MY CAR AND THEN I STOPPED. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANT. THE AAA GUY CAME AND CHECKED MY CAR AND TOLD ME THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE BROKEN PART DAMAGED MY TIRE TOO. I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE COIL SPRING ON 2000-2003 FOCUS THEN I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME MY FOCUS WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. CLEARLY THIS IS THE FAULT OF FORD. THE AAA GUY TOLD ME IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I WOULD PROBABLY BE KILLED. I URGED THE NHTSA TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE THIS ACTUALLY KILLED LOTS OF PEOPLE. I ALSO URGED FORD TO PLACE A RECALL TO CHECK ALL THE COIL SPRING ON ALL CARS THEY MAKE TO MAKE SURE THIS PART HAS NO PROBLEMS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463394June 28, 2012
ENGINE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF A LOCK SMITH DETERMINED THE LOCK WAFERS WERE BENT, DUE TO IT BEING MADE OF CHEAP METAL. UPDATED 07/30/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462977June 25, 2012
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL EMITTED A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEATED, AND CAUSED THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL DRUM ASSEMBLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CONTINUED TO EMIT A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 121,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462467June 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR, THE KEY WON'T TURN WHEN I PUT IT IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES JUST TODAY. I CAN WIGGLE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND LUCKILY IT'S ENDED UP WORKING, BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461688June 13, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10461245June 11, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN, ALTHOUGH THE KEY CAN GO IN AND OUT OF IT. HIRED A LOCKSMITH BEFORE I KNEW THE DEALERSHIP MIGHT FIX IT FOR FREE BECAUSE I NEEDED IT FIXED QUICKLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461006June 8, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459716May 25, 2012
STEERING
I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY CHILD ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME. WE LEFT A STORE AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO RETURN HOME WHEN THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT BUT THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TRIED RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WHICH COST ME $100 FOR 4 MILES. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AREA FOR 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT IT REALLY IS COMMON...LIKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON ONE SITE ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN RECALLED? I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH A CHILD BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WASN'T COVERED AND COST ME $374. WHY IS THAT TYPE OF MALFUNCTION ONLY IN THOSE MODEL YEARS? MAYBE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE FLAW AND CHANGED IT IN LATER YEARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT IN EVERY YEAR THEY SOLD THESE DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDERS. FOR THEM, IT WOULD BE A MINOR INCONVENIENCE AND A LITTLE MONEY TO GET THESE PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458334May 14, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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