Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10148508January 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY WIFE WAS OUT ALONE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO CALL AND HAVE CAR TOWED WITH A FEE TO THE FORD DEALER. I'M SURE THIS WILL COST EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT HE SAW A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF THESE DEFECTS. NHTSA REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT FORD'S APPARENT LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CONSUMERS!! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148558January 25, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH DETERMINED WHEN THE GAS GAUGE READS HALF A TANK OR BELOW THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. CONTACT STOPPED AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD START AND THEN STALL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE FORD FOCUS 2003 CANNOT GO UNDER A 1/2 TANK OF GAS. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. NOT BEING ABLE TO LET THE GAS TANK GO UNDER A 1/2 IS NOT RIGHT. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148072January 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ONE DAY MAY CAR JUST DIDN'T START, THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED- THE CAR HAS UNDER 49000- AND IT HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS! THE MASTER CYLINDER( FOR THE BRAKES) , THE IGNITION CYLINDER, AND SEVERAL PIECES HAVE ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS!!! PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR! THE PARTS PUT IN THE FORD FOCUS 2003 DURING THE MANUFACTURING ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE!!!! AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE THEY MUST REPLACE THESE PARTS AND DEAL WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCES. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES! DETAILS ON PROBLEMS: 1- MY CAR SHUTTERED STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD A BIT- AND SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. ( THE IGNITION LIGHT CAME ON ) AT ALMOST 30000 MILES. TOOK IT INTO THE DEAL- THEY REPLACED A COIL- NAME UNKNOWN. 2- THIS TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS INTO THE FORD SERVICE DEPT- BECAUSE IT KEPT HAPPENING- BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY REPLACE THE COIL!!! 3- THE MASTER CYLINDER ( BRAKE SYSTEM) MALFUNCTIONED WITHIN 30000 MILES AS WELL!!! AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 4- THE IGNITION CYLINDER- WITH 49000 MILES ON THE CAR- NOW HAS BEEN REPLACED- NO THANKS TO FORD!!! 5- THE TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY. I SLAM IT ONCE TO CLOSE, THEN I PULL UP ON IT TO CHECK IT'S ACTUALLY LOCKED, IT HASN'T- MAYBE ON THE THIRD TIME AFTER SLAMMING IT SHUT- IT WILL ACTUALLY CATCH AND CLOSE. THESE PARTS ARE ALL DEFECTIVE, AND IT'S UNJUST TO THE CONSUMERS!!!!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148146January 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE CYLINDER LOCK IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED ME TWICE,AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND THERE A FORD SERVICEMEN THAT HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147357January 10, 2006
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, SEAT BELTS, TIRES, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY BOYFRIEND AND SON TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT WASHED. WHEN THEY TURNED THE CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN. CAUSING THEM TO ALMOST CRASH. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER THINGS HAPPEN WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY 2004 USED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BACK TIRES 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THEY ALL HAVE CUPPED. EVERY TIRE PLACE WE HAVE WENT HAS SAID THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS A DEFECT IN IT. ALSO, MY SEAT BELTS USED BY MY CHILDREN DO NOT ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. LAST JAN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST. OTTAWA FORD DID FIX THIS ISSUE AS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR WIRING PROBLEM. WITH THE STEERING ISSUE THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION OR MEANS OF INCOME TO FIX. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148661January 9, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. VEHICLE ALSO SHOWS SIGN OF STALLING. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147278January 9, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
BACK DOORS ARE DIFFICULT TO OPEN WHEN I PULL THE HANDLES IT WILL (POP) OPEN. I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY WHEN CLOSED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146791January 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH LOCKING UP. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND CONTINUED TO DO SO FOR A FEW DAYS THEN WORKED FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN LOCKED COMPLETELY 4 DAYS LATER. I GOT THE IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH REPLACED ON 12/31/05 FOR $200.44. BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD ADMITTED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM AND FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT VIA AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET. THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS THE SAME AS MINE!!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146596December 30, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHICH HOUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, AND THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSED THE WIRING MODULE TO CORRODE. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146332December 29, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK LATCH FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT DOES NOT SHUT. IT WILL SHUT IF I PULL ON THE SAFETY LATCH THEY HAVE IN CASE SOMEBODY GETS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK,HOWEVER EVEN WHEN IT CLOSES THAT WAY WHENEVER IT RAINS MY TRUNK WHEN I OPEN IT GETS ALL WET!I HAD A BUNCH OF CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN THE BACK AND WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK THEY WERE SOAKED! ALSO THE DOOR LATCHES SOMETIMES LOCK ON THEIR OWN. TWICE I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR. I NO LONGER EVER LEAVE MY CAR WITHOUT MY KEYS! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146394December 29, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I PUT IN THE KEY BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO CLICKING, NO DIFFICULTIES STARTING MY CAR IN THE PAST. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED AND TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TUMBLER AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $226. NOT ONLY DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE FOR THE DAMAGED PART AND LABOR BUT ALSO TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT COST $79.00 JUST TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT! MY HUSBAND CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT FORD WAS DOING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. HE WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME ALL THEY COULD OFFER WAS A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THE NEW PART BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE HAD TIME DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. THERE WHERE QUITE A FEW THAT HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART MORE THAN ONCE AND IN A FEW CASES TWICE IN ONE YEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SITUATION COULD LEAVE INDIVIDUALS STRANDED. THERE IS NO WARNING! I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A TRIP OVER THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ANYWHERE THAT I MAY HAVE TURNED OFF MY CAR. IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A TOWN WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP, LET ALONE THE COST OF LODGING AND THE EXPENSE OF MISSING TIME OFF WORK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146274December 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
STARTING APPROX. 7 MONTH'S AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM JACK BYRNE FORD IN MECANICVILLE, NY I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING (FEBURARY OF 2004). I WOULD PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND SO WOULD THE HEAT BLOWERS AND I WOULD ALSO GET SOME DINGING. BUT, THE CAR FAILED TO START. I HAVE SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 4 - 5 TIMES. EACH TIME I HAD GONE THROUGH AN EPISODE OF THE CAR NOT STARTING AND THEN WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE UNFORTUNATE PART IS I SHOULD HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN SEE FIRST HAND - HOW THE IGNITION DOESN'T TURN OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 2 DOZEN TIMES. EACH TIME FORD WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO ME AND IT WOULD RUN FOR A COUPLE WEEKS PROBLEM FREE. THEN SURE ENOUGH IT WOULD START AGAIN. ANYHOW, THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN - AGES 6 AND 3 MONTH'S. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THANK GOD I WAS AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE AND I WASN'T STUCK OUT IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER IN THE COLD WITH MY CHILDREN!! I APPRECIATE THAT FORD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CORRECTION - BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE MORE SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I MEAN I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE THIS. I WOULD HATE TO FEEL LIKE I WOULDN'T EVER WANT TO OWN A FORD AGAIN. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD WRITE A MORE AGGRESSIVE LETTER - BUT AT THE MOMENT THE CAR IS STARTING - SO I AM NOT FEELING HOSTILE!! PLEASE ASSIST.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146111December 27, 2005
STEERING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. IT LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BY MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146480December 22, 2005
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2003 FORD FOCUS AC UNIT HAS MUSTY ODOR AND DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145732December 20, 2005
STRUCTURE
I BOUGHT FORD FOCUS 2003 AT 38,000 (CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) FROM PREMIER FORD INC IN BROOKLYN, NY IN 5/04, HAD MASSIVE LEAKING OF WATER DURING AND AFTER RAIN A MONTH LATER IN 6/04. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER 90 DAY WARRANTY. IT WAS FINE UNTIL THIS MONTH 12/05 AND IS NOW AGAIN SOAKING MY PASSENGER FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT - TAKE IT DOWN THE STREET WHERE THEY "ALWAYS TAKE IT FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYWAY". I CALLED FORD, THEY SAID IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS' ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FROM MANY POSTINGS ONLINE I HAVE FOUND. IT SEEMS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DASH CAUSING MASSIVE FLOODING INTO THE CAR AND IF IT DOES GET INTO DRIVER FLOOR WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOUR FEET COULD SLIP OFF PETALS WHILE TRYING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145756December 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITIONS SWITCH FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES. KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145633December 19, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 11-05 WITH 32600 MILES ON IT FROM CREDITABLE DEALER. 6 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHO HAD TO HAVE CAR TAKEN TO FORD DEALER TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH REPLACED. DEALER TRIED TO LAY THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER AS "ABUSE" - IN 6 DAYS!!!! 2 DAYS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, BUT HAS SINCE GONE OUT. HAD I KNOWN WHAT I KNOW NOW ABOUT THIS FORD 2003 SVT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. I AM AFRAID IT IS TURNING OUT TO BE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE AND LEMON (EVEN THOUGH STILL COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY) AND I WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO HAVE FORD PAY FOR REPAIRS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146430December 19, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2003 FORD FOCUS RECALL WORK NOT DONE, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PARTS. *TS (RECALL # 05V030000) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145514December 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF 2003 FOCUS. THE WHEEL IS NOW LOCKED AND I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO GET THIS TOWED AND PAY $200-$300 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE A SIMPLE PROBLEM AND I KNOW THIS HAPPENS TO MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE I'M 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND MY SAFETY IS AT ISSUE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145156December 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS STALLING AND SOMETIMES CUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC OR WHILE IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC LANES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FIRST-HAND BUT BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN THERE A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES, AND THIS ONE WITH BE THE FIFTH. EVERY TIME THEY HAVE SEEMED TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RESURFACE WITHIN 48 HOURS. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED: OXYGEN SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL MODULATOR, AND A TRANSMISSION SENSOR. JIFFY LUBE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. ALTHOUGH NONE OF THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE DEALER HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO COMPENSATE ME FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST THREE REPAIRS FROM THEM. THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED AND I PLAN TO TAKE IT BACK TODAY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THIS IS A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND RATED VERY GOOD BY CONSUMER REPORTS. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PURCHASED A "LEMON", BUT THE NC LAW DOES NOT APPLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN VIRGINIA. THE VIRGINIA LEMON LAW DOES NOT HELP EITHER BECAUSE IT APPLIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. I ALSO FEEL LIKE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL BUT FORD HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM (THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE). ANY HELP YOU COULD OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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