Ford Focus Complaints (2003)

977 consumer complaints on file.

#10159283June 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION TUMBLERS LOCK UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED. THE PART IS DEALER ONLY AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THIS IS SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN 6 MONTHS. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND FORD DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159118June 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION BARREL WILL NOT ROTATE. CANNOT START CAR OR TURN STEERING WHEEL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158796June 1, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, INTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE; NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE HATCH BACK FAILED TO CLOSE, VEHICLE FAILED TO START, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED AND THE MOTOR MADE A KNOCKING SOUND. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158089May 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE STARTED BEHIND BATTERY AND BURNED DOWN THE CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158046May 22, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT A FORD FOCUS 2003 IN 2005. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. ACCELERATION ISSUES. NOW SHIFT GEAR ISSUES. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. BANGS INTO GEAR. CAR HAS HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICE AND IS STILL HAPPENING TRANSMISSION IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157674May 16, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT ON THE INNER SIDE AND ONLY HALF WORN ON THE OUTER SIDE. BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. 06/01/06 UPDATED - CONSUMER BELIEVES BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156957May 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO START MY CAR HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON BUT THE RADIO WORKS. I TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION THEN CAME BACK COULD NOT START CAR, HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE TRY. HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY PERSON WHO WORKS AT DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS CAR AND ALSO SAME INFO PROVIDED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER. I AM NOW WITHOUT VEHICLE BECAUSE NOT SURE OF COST TO REPAIR. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156973May 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I INSERTED MY SPECIAL SECURE LOCK KEY AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR CAME SHE INFORMED ME SHE TOWS FOCUS' ALL THE TIME WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO SEVERAL FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS IT COSTS $525 DOLLARS TO REPAIR!!!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156977May 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UPS, CAN'T TURN THE KEY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156111April 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FOCUS IN JANUARY OF 2004. THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 42000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT GETS STUCK. THE WHEELS LOCK AND I HAVE TO JIGGLE IT UNTIL IT FINALLY COMES UNSTUCK. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT WORK OVERNIGHT ONCE BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I WILL NOT PAY OVER $200 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO MORE PEOPLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156176April 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY FAILED TO TURN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156072April 25, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE KEY GOES INTO IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL TO START THE CAR. THIS IS A CONTINUED PROBLEM. IN MINNESOTA WHEN IT IS 30 BELOW, THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT BE ABLE TO START YOUR CAR AND FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS ON CONSUMER HEALTH. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE AND PLAN TO SELL IS VERY SOON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155901April 23, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION TO MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (FAMILY FORD IN NETCONG, NJ) AND THEY SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR IS A RECALL AND CHARGED ME $514. AFTER THIS I SEARCHED ON INTERNET AND SEE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND MANY FORUMS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO SAW STATEMENTS ON THE FORUMS THAT FORD IS OVERCHARGING AND SHOULD GO TO A LOCKSMITH TO GET IT DONE FOR UNDER $150. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155659April 19, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON OUR 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A MOVIE THEATRE PARKING LOT 600 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE PART REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT TOOK PLACE AT HOME LAST NIGHT. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155608April 18, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER AGAIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155441April 16, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING AND AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL, I CONTACTED THE DEALER CAREY PAUL FORD IN DECATUR, GA AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WHICH I DID, AFTER BEING STRANDED WITH MY SON. THIS COST ME 260.00, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY ON PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLEARLY WAS AWARE OF. THE TRUNK ON THE VEHICLE JUST RANDOMLY OPENS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, YOU'RE RIDING ALONG THE ROAD AND THE TRUNKS JUST OPENS FOR NO REASON. THIS I FIND JUST ANNOYING BUT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE CORRECTED. MY LATEST ISSUE IS THAT ON YESTERDAY 04/16/06, WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE STEERING WHEEL JUST BECAME LOOSE AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR, I MADE IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER THAT RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHICH I WILL DO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. I CAN'T STOP THINKING THAT I OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A MANUFACTURER CAN CONTINUE TO MARKET A PRODUCT AS SAFE WHEN CLEARLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH IT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEB SITES AND PERSONALLY SPOKEN WITH FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT'S PRODUCT. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155144April 12, 2006
WHEELS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE WHEELS. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE TURNED INWARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS WEARING PRESENT ON THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCHANGED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155237April 12, 2006
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON 4/12/06, THE IGNITION IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS JAMMED AND WAS UNABLE TO START I WAS STUCK I CALLED THE TOW SERVICE WHO HAD ME TRY DIFFERENT WAYS TO START MY CAR HOWEVER IT DIDN'T WORK. WHEN THE DRIVER ARRIVED HE HIT THE KEY 4-5 TIMES THEN IT UNJAMMED AND STARTED UP AFTER HE TURNED THE CAR OFF HE HAD TO HIT THE KEY AGAIN TO START THE CAR WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER IN ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA THE SERVICE REQ INFORMED ME THE I HAD TO PAY $430 TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED I ASKED WHY HASN'T THE CAR BEEN RECALL HE DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154802April 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE IGNITION SOMETIMES ENGAGED WHEN THE KEY WAS JIGGLED, BUT EVENTUALLY THE IGNITION COMPLETELY LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TUMBLERS WERE BAD AND THE IGNITION NEEDED NEW TUMBLERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154706April 6, 2006
TIRES
I HAVE PURCHASED 3- COOPER LIFE LINER TOURING SLE 205501687 H TIRES. 2 WERE ON THE REAR. 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. I REPLACED IT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE LEFT REAR WENT FLAT. I FILLED IT AND THE VERY NEXT DAY THE RIGHT REAR WENT FLAT. I PUT A SPARE ON AND TOOK THEM WHERE I BOUGHT THEM. THEY RAN TESTS AND FOUND NOTHING TO BE WRONG WITH THE TIRE AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THEY JUST WENT FLAT. I REPLACED THE 2 REAR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AND HAVE YET TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Focus