KnownCarProblems2003 Ford Focus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 977 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Focus, most often about the electrical (53% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 8th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Ford Focus problems
Electrical
522 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
Ignition switch went out while my wife was at work. Had to get the ignition switch replaced. Ford dealer wanted at min. Of $100 plus parts independent mechanic replaced it for $65 plus parts.
The ignition of our 2003 Ford Focus will not allow the key to turn. There was no warning that there was a problem until it was time to leave for work and the key would go into the lock, the bell would sound, but the lock would not turn. According to the dealer this is a common problem with the Ford Focus, and they…
Doors and locks
82 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors, trunk lid, hood.
I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus for my daughter and she was stranded after driving it to work when she couldn't get the steering wheel unlocked to use her key. The dealership told her it is common in Ford focuses of this year. This has resulted in the shaft needing to be replaced for $500 and there is not guarantee that…
The ignition has locked up on my 2003 Ford Focus each time I have tried to start the car for the past 3 days. I have been stranded in some dangerous places (including a parking structure in downtown los angeles at 1:30am) for up to 40 minutes trying to get the car to start.
Engine
78 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2000 Ford Focus with 70080 miles suffered engine failue while at highway speed. The engine will not remain running unless the accellerator pedal is held off of idle. The engine will not crank and stay at idle without operator intervention. The unit has been removed from service pending repair. There is a rumbling…
I have replaced the transmission, the water pump, the thermostat, and all radiator hoses. The car overheats daily still. The stereo cuts on and off and can't be turned off by the power button. The rear left seatbelt is stuck where it can't be used. The driver window fell into the door, when the panel was removed it…
Steering
73 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, column locking, hydraulic power assist, linkages.
Piston in transmission deteriorated causing shift solenoid and value body to go bad at 71,000 miles, front drivers seat belt will not unbuckle, rear seat belts will periodically not buckle, now blowing massive amounts of smoke, rims are seized when trying to change tires, no matter if it was just taken off 5 minutes…
The wheel/ignition locked as turned the wheel to park on a hill. This is the first time it has happened on this car and could not unlock it. I took it to the dealership and they said it would $340 that the whole cylinder would have to be replaced.
Brakes
62 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, pedals and linkages.
While coming out of the driveway and coming to a stop consumer depressed the brakes and heard a grinding sound. Vehicle did not stop, and it side swiped a sign post near a school zone. The police did not investigate the incident nor were there any injuries. Vehicle experienced some dents , and the loss of the exterior…
When braking at low speed there was extended stopping distance. Dealership repaired the front/rear brake system. The brakes vave consumer problems since they brought the car. Had new rotors, never stopped like they should. Finally all the brakes went out. Dealer kept saying they kept getting the wrong parts. Still…
Suspension
49 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Right side coil spring broke, cut into tire. Ford will not fix, they know the Focus spring breaks tsb expired sept 2012 ( I called Ford!); don't drive these cars. Replace your springs first.
Rear wheel bearing failure on Ford Focus 2003. This part which is usually good for 75,000 to 100,000 miles failed due to corrosion on both rear wheels. The axle was almost cut off without warning. A known problem on previous model years 2000, 2001 & 2002. After this incident I was informed by my niece and…
Transmission
48 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
Consumer can shift gears without pushing the shift release button. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. On several occasions, the consumer accidentally shifted into neutral when driving and at highway speeds. On another occasion when the vehicle was shifted from neutral to drive without knowledge…
The consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the rear brake drums. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The rear drum brake pads were defective, parts and compound were missing, trim under the steering column was missing, the transmission was slipping in first, second and third gear, and…
Air bags
46 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated and as a result the horn was inoperable. The dealer informed the contact that the clockspring was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage…
While driving 60 MPH the consumer was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The cause of the collision had not been determined. The vehicle was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Focus recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If not latched properly, the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. If an occupant fell out of the vehicle, personal injuries could occur.
Fix: Dealers will have a lower rocker seal added to the door and have the rear door latches evaluated free of charge. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced. In addition, a sticker will be affixed to the rear doors advising the owners to use the recommended lubricant. The recall began on march 9, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles with four or five doors and originally sold in or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, a build-up of corrosion at the pawl pivot area of the rear door latch can cause a binding condition of the pawl that may affect proper engagement of the pawl into the catch. The occupant may experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door may not latch properly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Questions about the 2003 Ford Focus
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Focus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (522 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); doors and locks (82 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); engine (78 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Focus have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 1, 2005 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Focus?
- It is 8th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints, with 977 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.