Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10177901January 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY CAR IS ONLY THREE AND A HALF YEARS OLD AND FOR THE LAST 8 TO 10 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF IT IS VERY, VERY HARD TO GET THE KEY TO TURN OVER. I TOOK IT TO A LOCKSMITH WHO SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN FORD AND MERCURY VEHICLES COMING IN WITH THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT FORD HAS REDESIGNED THEIR SWITCHES SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL COME UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. I WAS WONDERING WHY NO KIND OF RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177730January 4, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
NHTSA PREVIOUS REPORT 01V258000 (RECALL ID 01D-258) FOR FORD FOCUS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS - 2001/2002 VEHICLES. I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS, WIPER DOES NOT STOW - AS THERE ARE OTHER REPORTED VEHICLES - WILL NHTSA DIRECT FORD TO "RECALL" OR FIX LATER MODEL YEAR FOR THIS SAME ISSUE? THE VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION FAILED MY CAR FOR THIS ISSUE - STATED FORD WOULD FIX, FORD DEALER HAS NO REQUIREMENT, AS THIS IS NOT A "RECALLED YEAR". *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177451January 1, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION LOCK FREEZES AND WILL NOT TURN, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE INCLUDED LOSS OF VEHICLE USE, TOWING EXPENSES, AND UNWANTED STRESS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177331December 29, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION STARTED LOCKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT EVENTUALLY WOULD WORK AFTER PLAYING WITH THE KEY TO START. TODAY, WHILE OUT AT A SHOPPING CENTER, IT LOCKED UP COMPLETELY, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176903December 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION LOCK OF FORD FOCUS 2003 BROKE AND WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AWAY FROM A DRIVEWAY THAT WAS BLOCKED SINCE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY. ONE MECHANIC WAS PAID TO TRY TO START THE CAR BUT HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL (BUT HE WAS STILL PAID). EVENTUALLY, WE LEARNED FROM THE WWW THAT THIS WAS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED WHO REPLACED THE LOCK AND WAS PAID. IN ADDITION TO THE FINANCIAL EXPENSE, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE LOCATION OF THE CAR AND THE TIME SPENT WERE SIGNIFICANT COSTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176737December 21, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WIPERS ON THIS CAR DO THE EXACT SAME THING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS DID THAT HAD A RECALL THEY DON NOT WANT TO RETURN TO THE HOME POSITION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176362December 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176503December 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS WHEN TURNING THE KEY ON A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED MOST OF THE TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS IF THE CAR STALLS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176241December 15, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED TO 35 MPH; THE EGR TUBE CAME LOOSE FROM THE MANIFOLD FOR THE SECOND TIME, MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND ALLOWED ESCAPING EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175745December 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH JAMMED AND THE SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175831December 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE OWNED 2 FORD FOCUSES, A 2000 AND NOW A 2003 MODEL. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE IGNITION LOCK UP AND I WAS CHARGED $400 TO FIX IT. OBVIOUSLY, FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS COMFORTABLE ENOUGH WITH THIS DESIGN FLAW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS, AND THE CONSUMER IS LEFT HOLDING THE BILL. THERE ARE OVER 400 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS LOGGED ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: HTTP://FORUMS.FOCALJET.COM/PROBLEMS-SERVICE-RECALLS/416401-PLEASE-POST-IF-YOUR-IGNITION-HAS-LOCKED.HTML WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THIS COMPANY TO ADMIT THEY ARE PUTTING OUT A FAULTY PRODUCT? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175223December 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I TRIED TO LEAVE MY BEST FRIENDS HOUSE BUT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY I NEED A WHOLE NEW IGNITION. SO I BEGAN SURFING THE NET FOR PRICES AND QUOTES BUT INSTEAD I'VE STUMBLED UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I WAS TOLD THE PART I WILL NEED COST $70. PLUS $50 TO TOW THE CAR SINCE I CANNOT GET THE CAR STARTED. SO FAR I'VE ONLY MISSED ONE DAY OF WORK BUT I MIGHT MISS MANY MORE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THE CAR FIXED RIGHT NOW. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE FORD COMPANY THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TOTAL BILL WILL BE AROUND $230. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR. I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL EVEN GET THE CAR FIXED. I PLAN TO INVEST IN A NEW NISSAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175238December 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SECOND OCCURRENCE OF KEY BEING PUT IN IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND INABILITY TO START CAR. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED. FIRST TIME (11/2004) UNDER WARRANTY, SECOND TIME(12/5/06) CHARGED $300, REDUCED TO $80 UNDER PROTEST FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. NO WONDER FORD IS GOING UNDER! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174934December 1, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP A FEW TIMES LATELY. WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN MY IGNITION, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. FROM RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS IGNORED THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RECALL A SERIOUSLY FAULTY PART. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE. WHEN SOMEONE WITH A SMALL CHILD CAN NOT START THEIR CAR IN THE DEAD OF WINTER (STUCK ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD), I WOULD CLASSIFY THAT AS A SAFETY ISSUE! THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT HE TOWS OVER 30 FOCUSES PER YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE ALONE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY NEED TO DO AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS BEFORE THEY WILL DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. WHAT A RIP OFF! THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME $100 TO DIAGNOSE AN PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS. THIS IS WHY FORD IS LOSING MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THEY HAVE LOST ME OVER A $90 IGNITION TUMBLER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174954December 1, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174516November 28, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE IGNITION TURNED AND THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174179November 24, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION KEY. I HAD TO CALL AAA TO SEND A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH. HE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED A LOT WITH FOCUSES. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS, BUT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174149November 24, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE SWITCH IT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS AND BOTH TIMES THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173672November 16, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR WILL NOT START. I AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THIS COULD LEAVE US STRANDED. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN AS TIMES PASSES. AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, I FEEL THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172506November 2, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
AFTER DRIVING MY 2003 FORD FOCUS 5XW (5 DOOR HATCHBACK) THOUGH HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED ONE HEAD LIGHT AND ONE FOG LIGHT WAS OUT. AFTER INVESTIGATION TO THE CAUSE. MY FOG LIGHT HAD JUST NORMALLY BURNED OUT. BUT THE HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE REPLACING THE BULB NOTICED ALL THREE NYLON CONNECTOR COVERS FOR EACH OF THE THREE WIRES HAD MELTED? CHANGING THE LIGHTS AS A SET THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT? WITH THE REPLACEMENT BULBS NOW INSTALLED THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL DOES NOT LIGHT , ONLY THE PASSENGERS. THERE IS NO POWER COMING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT FOR NORMAL MODE. IT WILL ONLY LIGHT WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. AS TO THE MELTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COVERS I'M SURE THAT IS NOT NORMAL OPERATION.? I AM STILL INVESTIGATING WHERE THE POWER LOSS IS COMING FROM AND WHY THE INSULATION ON THE CONNECTORS OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS MELTED AWAY? FYI
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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