Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10396932April 20, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS SE/4 DOOR/AUTOMATIC. THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR SOMETIME. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE CYLINDER WITH THE KEY WHEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WILL COMPLETELY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPEN ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM YET. BUT THAT IS MY NEXT STOP. I AM WANTING FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR OR SAME PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. NOT TO MENTION, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES IN A MOVING VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395744April 13, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT IS CRACKED. WHEN IT CRACKED, AND STARTED TO LEAK, IT CAUSED A LOT OF SMOKE, AND WHEN IT STARTED TO LEAK, DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT INSIDE, IT BURNED THROUGH OTHER HOSES ATTACHED AND ALMOST STARTED A FIRE. THE PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC (SHOULD BE MADE OF SOME TYPE OF METAL SUCH AS ALUMINUM DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES INVOLVED CONSISTENTLY), AND 4 CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIANS THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT THEY REPLACE DOZENS OF THEM ON FORD FOCUS EVERY YEAR. THEY SAY THAT "IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD'S VARIOUS FOCUS YEARS, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO." EVEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE FOLLOWING "YEAH, FORD KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM; THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS KEEP THAT PARTICULAR PART IN STOCK." LITERALLY, THERE ARE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART, AND HOW IT HAS CAUSED SERIOUS HARM AND DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM STARTS BY SOME COOLANT LEAKING SLOWLY, AND WITHIN A WEEK (EVEN AFTER CONTINUOUSLY ADDING COOLANT), THE LEAK BECOMES LARGER AND LARGER, CAUSING THE DAMAGE LISTED ABOVE, AND CAUSING THE HEATER TO NOT WORK. WHY IS THIS A VERY WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD; A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY DO NOTHING FOR THE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM? THE PART IS $75 FROM FORD AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY LABOR TOO, WHICH IS ABOUT $150-$200. THE FORD REPLACEMENT PART# FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART IS RH157. I HAVE THE OLD PART AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392665March 23, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION, STALLED THE CAR AND THEN COULD NOT TURN THE CAR BACK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ON CHRISTMAS EVE NONE THE LESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392519March 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390264March 15, 2011
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE HEATER VENTS AND THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386309March 3, 2011
TIRES
DRIVING TO WORK, NO RAIN, NO ICE ON ROAD, NORMAL BUT COLD CONDITIONS (30F) AND COULDN'T STOP MY VEHICLE WITH LOW ROLL RESISTANCE TIRES. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES MY CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A SLIDE/SKID AND I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. WAS GOING AROUND 35 MPH AND SHOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386029March 1, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 FORD FOCUS KEY NOT ABLE TO TURN IGNITION ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. VEHICLE STRANDED UNTIL IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383212February 18, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS GONE BAD. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THEREFORE I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR. BEING THAT I AM A YOUNG FEMALE, I FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE TO BE HORRIFIC AND HIGHLY UNSAFE. MY COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST MURDER RATES AND BEING STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO GET AWAY FROM A TROUBLING SITUATION HAS LEFT ME TO HIGHLY REGRET THE PURCHASE OF MY FORD FOCUS. I SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A DEFECT IN A CAR CANNOT BE RECALLED! THIS VENTURE IS COSTING ME OVER 600 DOLLARS WHICH I LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DO NOT HAVE TO SPARE. I FIND IT A SHAME THAT FORD DOES NOT OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE. IT MAKES YOU QUESTION THE QUALITY THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY PUTS FORTH. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BELIEVER OF SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HOWEVER I HAVE LEARNED THAT AMERICAN INDUSTRY LIKE TO BURN PEOPLE AND SELL UNSATISFACTORY PRODUCTS. I APPEAL TO YOU TO RECALL THE FORD FOCUS CYLINDER BEFORE SOMEONE MAKES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO PROVE THAT THIS IS INDEED A HIGH RISK SAFETY CONCERN! *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382855February 15, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR IGNITION HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO START MY CAR. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL STRANDING MY FAMILY AWAY FROM HOME WHILE TRYING TO VISIT MY GRANDMOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT HER MEANS TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL AS IT SEEMS THAT I HAVE PURCHASED AN UNRELIABLE CAR. AS I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT SEEMS ALMOST ALL FORD FOCUS OWNERS ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN READ THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN HENCE THE LACK OF RECALL! I LIKE BILLIONS OF AMERICANS RELY ON MY CAR IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. I HOPE TO GOD THAT I DO NOT HAVE A FORD FOCUS IF ANYTHING DESPERATE SHOULD BECOME OF ME AND I NEED SAFETY BECAUSE APPARENTLY THEY DON'T LIKE TO EVEN START! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380448January 31, 2011
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE, CAN NOT PUT SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE. PULLED ON BELT IT WILL NOT BUDGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379392January 28, 2011
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT BURNED TWO OF HER FINGERS AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT THEN POURED WATER ON THE SEAT AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,677. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 03/14/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10379389January 28, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER WET ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER ENCOUNTERING SNOW AND WET ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING. ALSO, THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377048January 18, 2011
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SEVERELY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE SUSPENSION WAS REALIGNED APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED HE HAD TO PURCHASE A SET OF TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 241,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376836January 16, 2011
SEATS
MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE WERE OUT SHOPPING AND TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE BEGAN TO COMPLAIN OF A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. SOON AFTER REALIZED HER BACK SIDE WAS HOT ! SUMMARY- DRIVER SIDE SEAT BURN MARKS VISIBLE AND HER WINTER COAT RUINED; IT BURNED IT TOO. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH FORD? SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED STATING THIS EXACT DESCRIPTION. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375498January 10, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372723December 28, 2010
SEAT BELTS
MY DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY CLICKING SHUT, SO THE SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371220December 19, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I WAS TURNING AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD SNAP! MY CAR THEN BEGAN TO POP EXTREMELY LOUD EVERYTIME I TURNED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SNAPPED FRONT COIL SPRING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SPRING COULD VERY EASILY HAVE RIPPED INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A "BLOW OUT" WHICH LEADS TO ACCIDENTS IN MANY OCCASIONS!! THE MORE I TALK ABOUT IT, THE MORE PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THEIR FOCUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371020December 17, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS ABLE TO TAP ON THE END OF THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION LOCK, AND THE KEY WOULD TURN. NOW, I AM UNABLE TO GET IT TO TURN AT ALL -- EVEN AFTER TAPPING ON IT WITH A HAMMER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369428December 7, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT 37000 MILES THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700.00. NOW AT 67000 MILES THEY HAVE BOTH GONE BAD AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A NEW COST OF $800.00. ADDITIONALLY I HAD A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND AT 55000 MILES BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO WE HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND AT 16000 MILES IT NEEDED BOTH AN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR, AND IS ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES A DAY. WE REALLY LIKE THE FOCUS AS IT IS A GREAT VALUE AND A FUN CAR TO DRIVE BUT AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE 4 ALTERNATORS IN 18 MONTHS WE ARE RETHINKING OUR LOVE OF THIS LITTLE CAR. I WILL BE FILING COMPLAINTS FOR MY OTHER TWO FOCI AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368133November 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, COMPARING TO A NEW SWITCH THEY WERE ABOUT TO INSTALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE ITEM. I DID FIND, HOWEVER, PLENTY OF COMPLAINS OF FORD OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT JEOPARDIZES THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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