Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10852982April 1, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10851004March 22, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10851096March 22, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY REAR DOOR DOES NOT LATCH. BACK DOOR FLUNG OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED LEFT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10840295March 7, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10824003February 3, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10820494January 15, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE OIL AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE BATTERY. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT A CLUSTER UNDER THE DASHBOARD, WHICH CONTROLLED ALL THE LIGHT SIGNALS, WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE "REPAIRED OR REPLACED." THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811027December 17, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10809445December 10, 2015
ENGINE
THE PISTON SHATTERED AT 109,000 MILES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT COMES TO THE VALVE SEAT. THIS HAPPENED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THE WALLS OF THE CYLINDER WALL IS SO SCORED FROM THE DAMAGE THAT IT WILL REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AFTER SHOPPING. I TURNED THE KEY AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT ALSO MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS RUNNING FINE. I HAD NO TROUBLE WITH MY CAR EXCEPT HAVING TO CHANGE AN ALTERNATOR. THAT'S IT. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT 90,000 MILES. IT WAS FROM A FRIEND WHO IS OBSESSED ABOUT KEEPING CARS MAINTAINED. HE WOULD GET A TUNE UP, SERVICED, AND CHANGE THE OIL WHEN IT WAS TIME. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY HIM. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE. BUT YET, THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THE FLAW. AND WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND HAS NO INTENT AT OPENING ONE FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808341December 4, 2015
STEERING
WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT THE CURB. WE DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SPLINES ON THE SHAFT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10789810November 11, 2015
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS COMING TO PIECES. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS CHEWING ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779588October 4, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
I WAS USING MY PASSENGER SEAT HEATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO PICK SOMETHING UP FROM THE MALL WHEN I STARTED SMELLING A BURNING SMELL. WHEN I GOT TO THE MALL,I LOOKED OVER TO FIND A LARGE SCORCH MARK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778827September 30, 2015
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE PRIMEWELL PZ900 TIRES, SIZE: P205/50Z/16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A ROAR AND FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10758928August 24, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. ALTHOUGH I HAD BOTH KEYS WITH ME, AND BOTH WILL STILL UNLOCK THE DOORS, NEITHER WOULD TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. BETWEEN TOWING AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH, I HAD TO SHELL OUT $450. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE FOCUS, BUT DOES NOT THINK IT IMPORTANT OR A SAFETY MATTER. AS A WOMAN WHO OFTEN TRAVELS ALONE, I THINK IT IS A SAFETY MATTER. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY, MANY OLD CARS - MUCH OLDER THAN THIS ONE - AND HAVE NEVER BEEN STRANDED BY SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. ALTHOUGH I WAS STRANDED IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY AND NOT FAR FROM HOME, IT MIGHT EASILY HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS CAUSED BY THEIR USE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT, AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10747450August 10, 2015
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN RIDING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, IT CAME WITH MANY KEYS. WELL, THIS TIME WHEN IT LOCKED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE IGNITION LOCKED AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED FROM SMITHFIELD NC; APPROXIMATELY AN HOURLY FROM MY HOME. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT GET IT UNLOCKED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED TO UNLOCK IT, VICE VERSA, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. ALSO THE LIGHTING IS VERY POOR WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND I SEE THIS ON ALL THE VEHICLE FOR THAT YEAR AND MAKE AS I RIDE DOWN THE ROAD. MY CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS STEERING AND IGNITION LOCK ISSUE. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THE ISSUE. IT IS A HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE MATTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T ASSIST ME WITH IT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS NO WARRANTY. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAL DOOR LOCK. FORD DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS REPAIRED BY TEAM FORD DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE; I INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL A ISSUE GETTING THE REAR DOOR TO LOCK SECURELY AT TIMES. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE UNDER THE RECALL. THESE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2009. THEY ALL PUT ME AT RISK OF GREAT DANGER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10732742July 8, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, ITS GETTING STUCK AND IM GETTING STRANDED IN AREAS THAT ARE NOT SAFE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10731680July 2, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME AJAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725200June 15, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PARKED CAR AT A SERVICE STATION AND WENT TO START IT AND KEY WONT TURN IGNITION LOCKED SOLID IM WAITING TO GET A ESTIMATE TO GET IT FIXED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717692May 21, 2015
AIR BAGS
ON FEB 11, 2015 I WAS DRIVING TO GO TO THE VET. I HAD NOT BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I CAME UPON AN AREA THAT WAS A VERY BAD CHUNK OF ROAD...PATCHES OVER PATCHES AND VERY BUMPY. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR TILTED TO THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. IT TOOK ME A COUPLE SECONDS TO REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. MY AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (SIDE AIRBAG) HAD DEPLOYED. SCARED ME! I HAD NO IDEA WHY IT HAD GONE OFF. BUT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING OK STILL SO I CONTINUED TO THE VET ABOUT 1-2 MILES AWAY. I WONDERED IF A DEER HAD HIT THE SIDE OF MY CAR BUT WHEN I GOT TO THE VET AND CHECKED MY CAR, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF MY CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIR AIRBAGS DEPLOY WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE. THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK AND TOOK PICTURES OF THAT AREA AND A VIDEO.THIS WAS BY A GUARDRAIL WITH A HUGE DROP OFF ON THE SIDE. I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR WHEN THE AIRBAG EXPLODED RIGHT NEXT TO ME AND POSSIBLY GO THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL AND OFF OF THAT STEEP DROP OFF. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION AND THANK GOD, NOBODY WAS IN THAT SEAT. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS ON THAT ROAD BECAUSE WHEN I LOOKED OVER I SAW A BIG WHITE CIRCLE (DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT FIRST...THOUGHT MY WINDOW HAD BROKEN) AND I SAW THE END OF THE GUARD RAIL WHERE IT ANGLES DOWN AT THE END. I WAS NOT SPEEDING, OR ON THE PHONE. JUST DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD AND HAD $1700 WORTH OF DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR. I ONLY HAVE PL/PD ON THAT CAR SO MY INSURANCE WON'T COVER IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713516April 29, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. AGAIN! HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712756April 24, 2015
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR COMES TO A TRAFFIC STOP AND DIES. HAD BEEN SHAKING PRIOR AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE ONLY TO SPEND $150 TO HAVE IT NO BETTER . TOOK IT TO A BETTER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE VALVE SEAT DROPPED. I OWE 2K ON THIS CAR AND IT IS WORTHLESS NOT TO MENTION I AM A STUDENT WHO HAS TO GO TO WORK AND CLASSES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO RECOURSE HERE. HOW DO I KEEP MY JOB OR MY STATUS IN COLLEGE SHAME ON FORD YOU STARTED ME OUT WITH A REALLY BIG PROBLEM AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT WONT GO ANYWHERE AND WILL NOT RUN ON A 2K DEBT. AND NO TRANSPORTATION SHAME ON FORD.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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