2003 Ford Focus Complaint Log

2003 FORD FOCUS/ IGNITION WON'T TURN IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BY ALL THE DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND BLOGS ABOUT IT. THIS DEFECT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THE FIX AND PRICE THEY LAUGHED AND SAID $600 TO $700 DOLLARS. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND I AM APPALLED. *JB

AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00 P.M., MY IGNITION LOCKED UP ON ME, WITH MY CAR PARKED IN A PARKING LOT CLOSE TO MY HOME (THANK GOODNESS). I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR WIDESPREAD ISSUE, AND THAT I AM DEFINITELY NOT ALONE. *JB

(1) NOT SURE (2) STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION ARE LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE MOVED ANYMORE (3) NEW LOCK *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE UNLOCKED FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ON SEPTEMBER 09, 2007, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT HER JOB BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR SEPTEMBER 22, 2007. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITON MODULE WAS REPALCED. UPDATED 12/12/07

IGNITION CYLINDER TOTAL FAILURE. KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. SEARCH TERM "IGNITION CYLINDER""FORD FOCUS" ON THE NET AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM THIS. WHY A SAFETY ISSUE. WELL, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I STOPPED THE CAR SOMEWHERE AND WAS STUCK IN THE DESERT IN THE 112 DEGREE HEAT, WHICH BY THE WAY IS THE TEMPERATURE THAT EXISTED WHEN IT HAPPENED IN MESA AZ. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR WAS HOME. *TR UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR

MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE THEN SUDDENLY THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN. TUMBLER BROKE $350 AT DEALERSHIP. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, YET DEALER WON'T WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HER VEHICLE INTO PARK, TURNED IT OFF, AND THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF IT IS IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE, IT WOULD SURGE BACKWARD. THE CONTACT ONLY NOTIFIED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A CRASH OCCURRED AND AN OCCUPANT WAS INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

REF. NHTSA 05V030000 MY DAUGHTER TOOK HER CAR TO REEMY FORD OF JOHNSON CITY TN. TO HAVE THE SAFETY RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. REEMY FORD SAID THEY COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL. SINCE THEN THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THE RECALL STATES IF THE LATCHES DO NOT PASS THE EVALUATION THEY WILL BE REPLACED. WHEN REEMY WAS CALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD MY DAUGHTER THAT THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL AND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. LATCH DOES NOT LATCH, SOUNDS LIKE THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE KEY FROM BEING TURNED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED THE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON FOUR OCCASIONS BY FOUR DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

THE WEEKEND OF JULY 28TH I HAD FAMILY IN TOWN. WE WERE DOING THE ATTRACTIONS. THE CAR STARTED EVERYTIME WE WERE GOING OR LEAVING ANYWHERE. WENT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED AND IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. CAR RAN FINE FOR 1 WEEK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK ON THE 6TH OF AUGUST AND IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THE NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED. NOTHING WRONG W/EITHER ONE. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SPENT 1 1/2 HOURS ON IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING IS PULLING ON MY BATTERY CAUSING IT TO DIE. TOOK IT BACK HOME AND NOW IT MAYBE THE COMPUTER. HAVE 110,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULDN'T THINK THIS WOULD START HAPPENING ALREADY. *TR

DURING THE PAST WEEK HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO THE IGNITION WAS COMPLETELY STUCK. AFTER 4 HOURS OF TRYING TO GET IT TOO TURN I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT WAS BEING REPAIRED AS OF RIGHT NOW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 AND A HALF YEARS AND HAVE YET TO EVEN SURPASS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THIS WA S A PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS I FELT THE NEED TO MAKE MY PROBLEM KNOWN ALSO. *AK

(1)FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR 1-1/2 YEARS AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES FREEZE, DISABLING THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. AT FIRST, I JUST HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL IN THE CAR AND THEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD WORK. (2)ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPLETELY FROZE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE TOW TRUCK MEN WHO CAME TO TOW MY CAR THAT THIS IGNITION SWITCH WAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN ALMOST EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. (3)I WROTE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY DID NOT EVEN GRACE MY COMPLAINT WITH A RESPONSE. I THEN GOT AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST TO REPAIR FROM THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT CAPISTRANO FORD. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $260 TO $280. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THIS MONTH AS I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME AND HAD ALREADY ALLOCATED MY MONEY GOING OUT FOR JUNE. ON JULY 3 I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS QUOTED WRONG ON THE COST OF REPAIR AND THAT IT WOULD BE $403 TO REPAIR. I COMPLAINED, REACHED THE DIRECTOR OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN AND TOLD HIM OF MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HIGHER PRICER. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR TOLD ME HE COULD KNOCK OFF $70 OF THE BILL BY TAKING THE COST OUT OF HIS TECHNICIAN'S HIDE. I DISPUTED THAT AS BEING UNFAIR, AND TOLD HIM THAT FORD (IN DETROIT) SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT HIS TECHNICIAN. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD TRY TO KNOCK OFF EVEN MORE OF THE COST. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS READY. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH THE CHARGES WERE, HE TOLD ME "$50 BUCKS!" HE TOLD ME THEY HAD DECIDED TO CHARGE THE SERVICE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND DID THE WORK AS A COURTESY SERVICE WITH A $50 DEDUCTIBLE. AGAIN, THIS IGNITION SWITCH IS KNOWN BY TOW TRUCK PEOPLE TO BE A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART IN JUST ABOUT EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE RECALL THIS IGNITION SWITCH ON EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE CHECKING THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,281.

2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION TO LOCK. THEREFORE, CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. A SUBSEQUENT TOW DAMAGED THE CAR BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP.*AK

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, 2003. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. PURCHASED CAR USED AT 39,000 MI; NOW AT 47,000 MI. HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR. *TR

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 BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT THERE FORD FOCUS MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAD ALSO FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. WHILE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY ALSO FOUND A BROKEN FRONT SPRING; FROM CORROSION; WHICH FORD ACKNOWLEDGES AND IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS; DUE TO A PREVIOUS RECALL. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT $323.00 FOR THE AXLE AND ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR ALIGNMENT ETC. AFTER THE PARTS ARE REPLACED. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. AFTER JERKING THE WHEEL AROUND A BIT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO START UNTIL TODAY. BUT TODAY WHEN I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND GO TO WORK NO AMOUNT OF JERKING OR TWISTING WOULD GET MY KEY TO TURN AND MY CAR TO START. BEFORE CALLING FOR A TOW I DECIDED TO CHECK FOR INFO ON LIKE AND WHAT DO I FIND? THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE ZX3 SINCE 2000! AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT! SO NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OVER $300 ON A FIX FOR MY CAR AND FROM WHAT I READ I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN NEXT YEAR. WHY IS THE BEING ALLOWED TO GO ON? IF FORD CARES SO LITTLE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THEIR CARS THAT THEY CAN'T FIND A LONG TERM FIX TO A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAN YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD I PURCHASE. *TR

CLUTCH SLIPS DURING ATTEMPTS TO PASS VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY TRUCKS ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS. DURING ACCELERATION SUDDENLY THE CAR LOOSES SPEED AND THE TACHOMETER REVVED UP, MAKING SAFE PASS IMPOSSIBLE. HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND MERGE AGAIN BEHIND THE VEHICLE. ONLY SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVE MORE THAN 100 MILES NON-STOP. NO PROBLEMS IN CITY OR FREEWAY DRIVING. REALLY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENED SO FAR ABOUT 9 TIMES. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION KIT ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT CAR NEW APPROXIMATE DATE. *TR

RECENTLY WE PURCHASE A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS THE BLAUPUNKT RADIO. A NEW RADIO STATION WAS PROGRAMMED AND THE BUTTON PUSHED TO STORE IT. RIGHT AFTER THE RADIO STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF WITH MUSIC BLARING THEN SILENCE THEN BLARING AGAIN OVER AND OVER. THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP IT EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. I KNOW THIS MAY SEEM INSIGNIFICANT BUT AT THE TIME WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE PASSENGER SET THE STATION AND THEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING WHICH WAS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER. IT COULD VERY EASILY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BLAUPUNKT SENT AN EMAIL ADMITTING THIS IS A DEFECT IF YOU SET A STATION THAT HAS BLANK RDS INFORMATION. SUBSEQUENT WEB SEARCHES SHOWED A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. I'M REPORTING IT BECUASE FORD PASSED IT OFF AS NO BIG DEAL BUT I THINK IT'S AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

2003 FORD FOCUS. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK AFTER INSERTING KEY . *AK

I HAD NO EVENT THAT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE (IGNITION) IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 10:30 P.M. AND I STOPPED TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRES AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. WHEN I GOT BACK IN TO MY VEHICLE I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION OVER BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE KEY BECAUSE I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND YET NOTHING HAPPEND. I WALKED A MILE BACK HOME AND GOT MY SPARE KEY AND RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT TO FAILED TO TURN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND I HAD TO MISS WORK THAT EVENING. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME $336.28 TO REPAIR THE IGNITION SWITCH/TUMBLER. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND OVER 30,000 OTHER OWNERS JUST ON ONE WEBSITE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE IGNITION. I FOUND PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION MORE THEN TWO TO THREE TIMES IN THERE FORD FOCUS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD DENIES HAVING ON THERE FORD FOCUS. THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION IS MADE IN GERMANY BY A COMPANY CALLED HUF. THE FORD FOCUS IS THE ONLY FORD VEHICLE THAT HAS THE HUF IGNITION USED IN IT. THAT IS VERY IRONIC CONSIDERING THAT THE ONLY FORD VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS IGNITION PROBLEMS IS THE FORD FOCUS. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT ONCE. FORD ALSO GOES ON TO STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER, FOR JUST ONE EXAMPLE OUT OF MANY THAT I COULD DESCRIBE, I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS WHERE THE HEAT CAN REACH OVER 110 EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK IN THE SUMMER. IF THE IGNITION BROKE WHILE I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ANY WHERE OUTSIDE OF LAS VEGAS I COULD BE STRANDED AND IF I HAD NO WATER I COULD EASILY DIE WITHIN HOURS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I COULD LIST A NUMBER OF SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD COME FROM THIS IGNITION PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS HAD TO STRIKE THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE KEY DOES NOT WORK AT ALL WHILE IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $800 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

DOOR LATCHES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, BOTH FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE, SOMETIMES LEAVING ME SITTING IN THE CAR WONDERING HOW I AM GOING TO GET OUT. BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP, THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THIS WAS JUST TYPICAL OF OUR MODEL OF CAR AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS TIED SHUT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) AND SHE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,748. UPDATED 05/06/08 *BF UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR

I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER WORK LIKE ALWAYS AND THE IGNITION WAS STUCK IN LOCK! I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE ALL DAY ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THIS PRODUCT OR AT LEAST REFUND THE CONSUMER THE COST TO FIX A PRODUCT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. I HAVE YET TO GET TO SEE THE FINAL BILL ON THE FIX.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT CAME APART. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

THE IGNITION WON'T WORK. I CANNOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE TURNING IT BEFORE, BUT USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR JIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT IT WOULD WORK. NOTHING IS WORKING TODAY.*AK

KEY WOULD'NT TURN THE IGNITION ON MY2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5. HAPPENED AT VARIOUS TIMES, TILL IT WOULD'NT WORK AT ALL. HAD IT REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $365.00. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK.AK

MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS A LOCKED IGNITION THAT I FOUND OUT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM SINCE 2000. IT WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $500.00 TO FIX IT. *TR

MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SE STARTED TO SHAKE, PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT STARTING AROUND 50 MPH, TAKES BUMPS HARD AND BACK-END SWAYS. IT ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAYS THE LEFT REAR KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARING NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT WAS "BENT" AND I MUST'VE HIT SOMETHING WITH IT. THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE. 2000 FOCUS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I THINK A BOLT CAME LOOSE, WEAKENING THE ASSEMBLY AND ALLOWING IT TO BEND THROUGH NORMAL USE. *TR

IGNITION TURNED FINE, PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I RETURNED (VERY LATE THAT NIGHT) TO LEAVE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. NOTHING WOULD FIX THIS. I SPENT NEARLY 30 MINUTES TRYING TO TURN THE KEY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS VERY SCARY, AND MY INABILITY TO DRIVE AWAY MADE ME FEEL EXTREMELY UNEASY, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A LATE TIME OF NIGHT. *JB

WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, WHEELS TURNED, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN I.E. THE KEY WON'T TURN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MORNING. WHEN PUSHING IN ON THE KEY, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN IN IGNITION. I TALKED TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WERE BOTH AWARE WITH THE PROBLEM AND THE TEMPORARY SOLUTION. I TALKED TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND HE SAID HE AS SEE THIS HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES. HE TOLD ME THAT FORD STOP USING THIS TYPE OF IGNITION SYSTEM HOWEVER, CHEVROLET STARTED USING THIS SYSTEM AND HE HAS SEEN THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCUR WITH NEW CHEVROLETS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CLUTCH LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. FORD ADVISED THE OWNER THAT THE PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON 04/17/2007 A RAINY DAY THE DRIVER HIT A PUDDLE AND WATER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE SPORT INTAKE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE OWNERS 60 DAY WARRANTY HAS NOT EXPIRED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $6,000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 34760. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH LOW MILEAGE. I HAVE AN INTERMITTMENT PROBLEM WITH IT STOPPING. THE ENGINE SURGES AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IT IS STIFF. IT HAS ALWAYS DONE IT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD IT TO A FORD DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND SAID THEY WERE CALLING FORD TO TALK TO THE ENGINEERS. FORD INFORMED THEM THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON IT THE SECOND TIME. I PICKED IT UP AND THE VERY NEXT DAY I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE SURGED EVEN MORE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF . THE FORD DEALER HAS HAD IT FOR A WEEK NOW WITH NO COMMUNICATION FROM THEM SO FAR. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND GIVES NO INDICATION IT IT GOING TO DO IT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THIS STARTING IN NOVEMBER. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF APRIL THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME QUITE FREQUENT. *JB

MY LEFT TAIL SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS IN MY MANUAL I COULD NOT REMOVE THE TAILLIGHT CAPSULE FROM THE HOUSING. I WENT TO COONS FORD FAIRFAX, VA TO SEE IF THEY COULD CHANGE IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT OF MY CAR MELTED THE TAILLIGHTS TO THE LENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $500. I GOT ON THE PHONE AND TALKED TO SOMEONE AT FORD'S MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. AFTER OUR CONVERSATION THEY GAVE ME 15% OFF ON MY REPAIR BILL. AFTER RETRIEVING MY CAR THE OTHER TAILLIGHT DIED. SOMEONE ON FORD'S ASSEMBLY LINE DID NOT WIRING MY CAR CORRECTLY. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT AND WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY $421.20 FOR A MISTAKE THEY MADE? FOR SAFETY REASONS I GOT THE REPAIRS DONE. I WOULD LIKE A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION BOTH BROKEN TAILLIGHTS FOR ANYONE TO CHECK OUT.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH 60 MILES ON IT. NOT LONG AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR, IT STARTED TO ACT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP ON THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WE WERE DRIVING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT ON A BUSY STREET THANK GOODNESS, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED VERY HARD AS WE SLOWED DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO BEGIN DRIVING AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WE PROMPTLY TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR NEARLY 3 WEEKS. THEY HAVE PULLED THE TRANSMISSION OUT TO REBUILD IT TWICE AND HAVE STILL NOT FOUND WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS HAVE EVEN TAKEN IT OVER TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. I NOW HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 53000 MILES ON IT THAT DOES NOT RUN. IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WE CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY A CAR BEHIND US. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. IF THIS CAR EVER ACTUALLY GETS FIXED, I WILL CERTAINLY NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN IT WILL SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS LS HAS MALFUNCTIONED & FAILED TO RESPOND TO SWITCH CONTROL. MOTOR FUNCTION SEEMED TO STILL BE INTACT BUT THE WINDOW DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH ON THE DOOR PANEL. THIS RESULTED IN THE WINDOW BEING STUCK IN A HALF DOWN POSITION BUT COULD BE PULLED BACK UP MANUALLY WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. 1 WEEK LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. AFTER CALLING A FEW LOCAL DEALERSHIPS/REPAIR SHOPS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW(S) HAD PROBABLY COME "OFF TRACK" BUT THEY COULD NOT BE CERTAIN WITHOUT INSPECTION. I RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $200 JUST TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, THE ESTIMATE DID NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL FEE'S THAT MAY INCUR THEREAFTER. I CONTACTED TRIUMPH AUTO GLASS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL & THAT HE HAS RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES IN RECENT MONTHS. HE WASN'T ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS HE HAD RAN ACROSS IT NUMEROUS TIMES. HE STATED THAT BOTH REGULATORS FOR THE WINDOW MOTOR'S HAD FAILED & ESTIMATED THE REPAIR COST TO BETWEEN $500-$600.00 ! I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THAT EXPENDITURE AT THIS TIME & OPTED TO GLUE BOTH BACK WINDOWS SHUT IN THE UP POSITION. SO NOW I HAVE ESSENTIALLY NO REAR WINDOWS (AT LEAST WINDOWS THAT FUNCTION) & THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE CARPET & UPHOLSTERY FROM THE ELEMENTS. NOT TO MENTION THE FEAR OF POSSIBLY HAVING THE CAR BROKEN INTO OR STOLEN. I DID WISH TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS IT SEEMS TO BE QUITE FREQUENT. I HAVE CHECKED YOUR SITE & SEVERAL OTHERS FOR THE FORD FOCUS & WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY RECALLS OR BULLETINS FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT IT'S A BIG PROBLEM & A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD AND I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED BY THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, MARK WILLIAMS

2003 FORD FOCUS - AN APPARENT "KNOWN DEFECT" YET STILL NOT A RECALL OR REIMBURSABLE EXPENSE TO FIX. WE ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. THE KEY GOES INTO THE IGNITION, BUT WON'T TURN THE SWITCH... FORD'S FIX IS TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER AT OVER $300.00 AND A NEW SECURITY KEY AT $150.00.

TL*- CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD FOCUS LX HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED FROM SOME FAULTY WIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 54,000.*AK

A FORD FOCUS WAGON 2003. WHEN I TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER LOCKEDE, WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN THE LOCK & ICOULD NOT TURN ON THE CAR. THE VEHICLEWAS JUST OVER THREE YEARS OLD. *AK THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TWO DAYS IN A ROW. CALLED FORD & THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. I SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR ''FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS''. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING RESULTS COPIED FROM THIS GOOGLE SEARCH ''RESULTS 1 - 10 OF ABOUT 455,000 FOR FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS . (0.39 SECONDS)''. I WAS CONCERNED THAT A FAULTY IGNITION WOULD BE USED IF FORD REPLACED IT SO I CALLED A LOCAL LOCKSMITH. THE OWNER WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM & HAS REPLACED A NUMBER OF FORD VEHICLE IGNITION LOCKS. I HAD THE LOCKSMITH REPLACED MY FOCUS IGNITION. THE COST WAS $240.75. I AM 59 YEARS OLD. MY FAMILY HAS OWNED NUMEROUS CARS & TRUCKS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION KEY SWITCH IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE ESPECIALLY ONE JUST OVER THREE YEARS OLD. IRONICALLY TO ADD TO MY FRUSTRATION, I JUST PAID OFF THE 36 MONTH CAR LOAN ON THIS FOCUS. ALSO, SENT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO ATTN: ALAN MULALLY, PRESIDENT & CEO PLUS CC'ED TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD, JR., EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & NHTSA HEADQUARTERS, 400 SEVENTH STREET, SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20590 (SENDING VIA MAIL & EMAIL TO NHTSA)

UNDER NORMAL WEAR THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE SEPARATED, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE VEHICLE, OTHER THAN IT SOUNDING LIKE A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $900. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE IGNITION/LOCK MECHANISM HAS BEEN FAILING. THE WHEEL WILL NOT RELEASE AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION. SOMETIMES IF FORCED, THE KEY WILL TURN, BUT THE LOCK HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY NOW. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR THE KEY FAILS TO START THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDS A NEW KEY OR A NEW IGNITION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.