Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10167423September 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. IT FREEZES UP. I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITH NO SUCCESS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166663August 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE IGNITION FAILS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS NOT SAFE I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD AND IN AN EMERGENCY I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE OR WE MAY GET STRANDED. FORD REFUSES TO HELP. THERE IS NO RECALL TO MY KNOWLEDGE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166248August 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND TODAY I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GET SOME LUNCH WHEN MY IGNITION LOCKED. I CANNOT START MY CAR. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166070August 20, 2006
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10165021August 9, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH THAT MANUFACTURER KNOWS IS BAD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164251August 2, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2003 FORD FOCUS (WHICH IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGER- FEMALE) IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. BASICALLY WHEN IT FAILS YOU ARE STUCK (CAN NOT START VEHICLE)! AT THE MOMENT VEHICLE SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY. $400.00 PRICE TAG TO FIX A PROBLEM - THAT FORD IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF. I AM NOT SURE I WANT MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT MAY GET HER STRANDED SOMEWHERE UNSAFE! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164076August 1, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN MY IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT WORK IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HE SAID IT TAKE ABOUT $300.00 TO REPAIR IT. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE 1 HOUR TO COME AND GET ME AND I LOST A DAY OF WORK, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD TO LOSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163240July 23, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION LOCKED AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO START. SOMETIMES THE IGNITION LOCKS FOR HOURS AND SOMETIMES DAYS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND IT'S UNRELIABLE! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163124July 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERAL PARTS FAILURES, INCLUDING ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, MUFFLER,TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162383July 14, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION ONCE INSERTED IN THE KEYLOCK, THIS LEAVING ME ON THE PARKING LOT FOR HOURS TO WAIT FOR A TOW-TRUCK. THE CAR HAS ONLY 40K MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $200 TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER. THAT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS FOR REAL I GUESS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162343July 13, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS/2003. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED ($45.00) AS WELL AS PAY FOR REPAIRS ($183.00). CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED. I ALSO MENTIONED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY GAUGES. UPON STARTING CAR, GAUGES ARE ALL OUT OF WACK, SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND LANDING ON ZERO. AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES THEY WILL POSITIONED AT THE RIGHT PLACE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SEEM TO ONLY CARE TO HEAR ABOUT ONE OF THE PROBLEM (IGNITION SWITCH) AND NOT THE OTHER ONE. I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR A WHILE AND WHEN REP RETURN SHE TOLD ME TO CALL COMPANY THAT WAS REPAIRING MY FOCUS AND THEY WILL HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THE GUY THAT EAGERLY TOOK MY MONEY STATED THAT HE WILL DO A CLAIM FOR ME AND HE STATED THAT I WILL GET SOME OF MY MONEY BUT NOT ALL OF IT BACK. IN CHECKING THE RECALLS I SEE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKUP IS ONE OF THEM. I ONLY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED AND INSURANCE SAYS I MUST PAY $250 BEFORE THEY FIX IT, WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER, DRIVING SEEM DIFFICULT (HARD TO PULL), LIFTGATE WATER LEAKS, AND UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING; I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THAT THE BRAKES WERE NEW AND HAD TO BE BROKEN IN. WELL THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AFTER A YEAR IN A HALF. I NEED ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED ON MY CAR, RIGHT NOW I AM A MONTH BEHIND IN CAR PAYMENTS (GOOD RECORD ON MAKING MY PAYMENTS), HAD TO USE THE MONEY TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162055July 10, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MY DOOR HANDLE ON MY DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR HAS BROKE AGAIN AND I CAN'T OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES EITHER. BACK IN 2005 BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE HANDLES ON MY VEHICLE BROKE. I HAVE A TWO DOOR AND HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE TRUNK TO GET MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH WERE VERY PRICEY CONSIDERING THE PARTS WERE LESS THAN $50.00. I NOW AM HAVING THE ISSUE AGAIN AND I REFUSE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX IT. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND WHY THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BECOME A VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161810July 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
FORD FOCUS 2003 KEY CYLINDER FREEZES. COST TO CUSTOMER ~ $300 REPAIR. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ACCORDING TO SEVERAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGERS I SPOKE WITH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161840July 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, POTHOLES NOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, HOWEVER THE DRIVER SEAT WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE SENSOR WAS TOO SENSITIVE. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED THE DEALERS DETERMINATION WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. UPDATED 07/26/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161305July 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DROVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE. AFTER SHOPPING, I ENTERED THE CAR & PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, THE KEY CYLINDER WAS FROZEN. IT WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY WEAK AND RAPIDLY DETERIORATING KEY CYLINDER COMPONENTS. LAST WEEK ALONE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED 3 OF THEM. I WENT HOME AND RESEARCHED ON INTERNET. JUDGING FROM THE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET FROM FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT APPEARS TO BACK UP WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160887June 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, WHICH HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH COMPONENTS. AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENTER PROPERLY, EVEN WHILE FULLY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. THEN ON 6/27/06, THE IGNITION REFUSED TO MOVE--WOULDN'T TURN OR ANYTHING. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE TO WORK FROM A CO-WORKER, WHO WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR ME, THEN CALL WINNER FORD (DOVER, DE) TO FIND OUT IF THE CHIP IN MY KEY HAD GONE BAD, OR WHAT. THEY INFORMED ME DURING THE CONVERSATION THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THAT I WAS UNFORTUNATELY 1 MONTH OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY. I ASKED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED OR COVERED, AS THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS PIECE, AND SHE HAD NO ANSWER. I HAD TO GET TOWED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR, THEN WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WORK WOULD COST OVER 200$ TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WITH ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE PART. WHEN ASKED, THE TECH WHO WORKED ON MY CAR INFORMED ME THAT THE SAME PIECE WOULD PROBABLY GO OUT AGAIN, AND AGAIN, OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP. I AM NOW SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING IN THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN, FOR BOTH SAFETY, AND THE HONESTY OF THE DEALERS. A DEALER ON SITE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THESE CARS HAD BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I AM NOT ONE TO SUE OVER SPILT MILK, BUT SOME NOTIFICATION WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. I'M A GRADUATE STUDENT, WITH A VERY LARGE BILL FOR THESE CLASSES, I CANNOT AFFORD TO DUMP 300$ (AFTER TOWING) INTO A CAR THAT HOLDS NO RESALE VALUE, AND WILL PROBABLY SHOW MANY MORE ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MY TIME WITH FORD. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF EVER BUYING A FORD AGAIN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160271June 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE LOCK CYLINDER BROKE LEAVING ME WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, AND NEITHER WOULD THE WHEELS. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FAILURE PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. I PAID $450 FOR A NEW LOCK CYLINDER ON A CAR THAT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160095June 17, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON FORD FOCUS 2003, BECAUSE OF SIDE BAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10159509June 10, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IN BOTH MY 2003 FORD FOCUS AND MY DAUGHTERS 2000 FORD FOCUS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD FROZE UP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING NEW KEYS MADE WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP AT ABOUT 430.00 EACH. TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS. ALSO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159278June 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DAD*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MANEUVERED THE KEY UNTIL THE VEHICLE STARTED; IT WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 06/23/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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