2003 Ford Focus Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE A CHILD WAS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DOOR LATCH WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO LEAN TO ONE SIDE ABNORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

TRUNK LATCH FAILED AT 37,000 MILES ON 2003 FORD FOCUS. COULD NOT GET THE TRUNK TO LATCH TO DRIVE HOME. COST OVER $400 TO REPLACE THE PART WHICH IS NOT IN YET. DRIVING AROUND ANOTHER WEEK WITH MY ONLY CAR'S TRUNK TIED DOWN. *TR

MY KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER AND MY WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND I WOULD JUST TURN THE WHEEL AND SOONER OR LATER IT WOULD TURN OVER. NOW IM STRANDED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND NO TURNING THE KEY OVER. MISSED WORK AND MONEY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS AND THE WAS OVER 300 DIFF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CAR (FORD) TO SAVE GAS AND MONEY. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T YET. *TR

LATE NIGHT 35 MILES FROM HOME. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AND HAD A LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK WITH A STRATTEC IGNITION LOCK. *TR

KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. LUCKILY, MY CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT COULD LEAVE YOU STRANDED IF AWAY FROM HOME. I NOW HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.

KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION WINDOWS DOWN IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR

THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN ONES AND MINE ISN'T ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH ALL FOUR OF MY HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THE DOOR HANDLES WAS I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT A STORE AND LEFT MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING TO GET A PAPER, AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS WERE LOCKED (BECAUSE THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR). I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WAS STRANDED AT THE STORE WITH MY DAUGHTER LOCKED IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. AND THEN, ON MAY 27TH 2011, I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AND I USUALLY KEEP THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN BECAUSE THE ONLY DOORS THAT WE CAN OPEN ARE THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND ONLY FROM THE INSIDE. BUT ON THIS DAY IT HAD RAINED SO I PUT THE WINDOW UP AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE I HAD ALREADY WENT OUTSIDE AND WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE "PROCEDURE" OF GETTING THE BACK DOOR OPENED SO I COULD PUT MY 3 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR AND I GUESS WHEN I WENT BACK INSIDE TO GET HIM, THE DRIVERS DOOR GOT BLOWN CLOSED BY THE WIND, BECAUSE WHENEVER I PUT HIM IN AND SHUT HIS DOOR, I WENT AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WAS SHUT AND MY 3 MONTH OLD WAS STUCK IN THE CAR!! IT TOOK 30 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET TO THE HOUSE (BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL HIM HOME FROM WORK) AND HE HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE TRUNK AND MANOVER THE CARSEAT OUT OF THE WAY SO HE COULD WIGGLE IN THERE AND GET THE BABY OUT. MY SON WAS COVERED IN SWEAT FROM HEAD TO TOE AND WAS HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING WHENEVER WE GOT HIM OUT BECAUSE HE ALREADY HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS AND HE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS UP FOR 30 MINUTES. I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD FIX OUR DOOR HANDLES BECAUSE IF THAT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN CLOSING THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR DOOR, IT WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY; MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, SO VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START AND HAD TO BE ABANDONED.

HAVING AN ONGOING STALLING PROBLEM STARTING ON 5/20/11. SITUATION USUALLY HAPPENS IN THE AFTERNOON AFTER DOING JUST A COUPLE OF LOCAL, SHORT DISTANCE ERRANDS. THE CAR WILL START BUT IMMEDIATELY STALL AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF THE GAS. USUALLY STARTS AFTER WAITING @ 45 MINUTES/AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE (TOWED 5X, 1 TIME WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER 45 MINUTES). REPLACED FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS (TWICE), FUEL PUMP DRIVER BY REGULAR MECHANIC. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN PAST TWO WEEKS: BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE LATEST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AFTER THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER WAS REPLACED, I WAS ABLE TO DO FOUR ERRANDS BEFORE THE STALLING OCCURRED. ALSO, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE BY KEEPING ONE FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE THE OTHER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND CONTINUE MOVING UNTIL BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AT WHICH POINT IT WOULD STALL. NINE "STALLS" LATER I MADE IT HOME; AN "IMPROVEMENT" OVER BEING STRANDED AT THE POST OFFICE OR THE MALL BUT CERTAINLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CALLED TO SAY THEY THINK IT IS THE FUEL PUMP AND WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH A "GENUINE FORD PART," AS OPPOSED TO AFTERMARKET PART MY REGULAR MECHANIC PROBABLY USED. I HOPE THIS IS THE END OF THE "REPLACING PARTS" ROUTINE BUT AM NOT OPTIMISTIC DUE TO OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED AND LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THEY ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND WOULD PROVIDE NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 104,000 WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING.

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS SE/4 DOOR/AUTOMATIC. THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR SOMETIME. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE CYLINDER WITH THE KEY WHEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WILL COMPLETELY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPEN ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM YET. BUT THAT IS MY NEXT STOP. I AM WANTING FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR OR SAME PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. NOT TO MENTION, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES IN A MOVING VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. AFTER VARIOUS ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTICS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE IGNITION CABLE CORDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT IS CRACKED. WHEN IT CRACKED, AND STARTED TO LEAK, IT CAUSED A LOT OF SMOKE, AND WHEN IT STARTED TO LEAK, DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT INSIDE, IT BURNED THROUGH OTHER HOSES ATTACHED AND ALMOST STARTED A FIRE. THE PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC (SHOULD BE MADE OF SOME TYPE OF METAL SUCH AS ALUMINUM DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES INVOLVED CONSISTENTLY), AND 4 CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIANS THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT THEY REPLACE DOZENS OF THEM ON FORD FOCUS EVERY YEAR. THEY SAY THAT "IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD'S VARIOUS FOCUS YEARS, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO." EVEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE FOLLOWING "YEAH, FORD KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM; THAT'S WHY WE ALWAYS KEEP THAT PARTICULAR PART IN STOCK." LITERALLY, THERE ARE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PART, AND HOW IT HAS CAUSED SERIOUS HARM AND DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM STARTS BY SOME COOLANT LEAKING SLOWLY, AND WITHIN A WEEK (EVEN AFTER CONTINUOUSLY ADDING COOLANT), THE LEAK BECOMES LARGER AND LARGER, CAUSING THE DAMAGE LISTED ABOVE, AND CAUSING THE HEATER TO NOT WORK. WHY IS THIS A VERY WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD; A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY DO NOTHING FOR THE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM? THE PART IS $75 FROM FORD AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY LABOR TOO, WHICH IS ABOUT $150-$200. THE FORD REPLACEMENT PART# FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART IS RH157. I HAVE THE OLD PART AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS IN FEBRUARY OF 2012. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I HAD TO SPEND $700.00 TO FIX THE MOTOR MOUNTS, BEARINGS IN THE FRONT WHEEL, SOMETHING REGARDING A COVER FOR THE TAIL PIPE/MUFFLER AREA, A/C, (TWICE REPAIRED, AND WENT OUT). FUEL PUMP, DOOR JAMS IN FRONT (2 DOOR), LOCKS ON THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHETHER YOU WANTED THEM LOCKED OR NOT. DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE REFUSES TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. SPENT OVER $4,000 IN FIXING, REPLACING, ENGINE & BODY PARTS.ETC. JUST WHEN I BOUGHT A SECOND SET OF NEW TIRES LAST WEEK AND DID THE 3 MONTH OIL CHANGE, IT KONKED OUT ON ME, AFTER A SHRILLING, HIGH-PITCHED NOISE. JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. FOUND OUT FROM A REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS MODEL, ESPECIALLY THE 2003 IS KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION, SHODDY PARTS, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD! THE PUMP INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. THIS CAR CAME WITH 124,000 MILES AND OVER 2 YEARS, SPENT $4,000.00 ON TOP OF THE USED PRIVATE PURCHASE OF $2,400.00. CAR REPAIR SHOP WANTS $2,400 (WHAT I PAID FOR IT) TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN. ONE THING AFTER THE OTHER WENT WRONG. I PLAINT EXPERIENCED, AND IT HAS COST ME SO MUCH MONEY, I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE EVERY PENNY US CONSUMERS PAID ON THIS MODEL. NEVER AGAIN NEED TO RECALL THE WHOLE CAR, IT IS A DEATH TRAP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE HEATER VENTS AND THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2003 FORD FOCUS KEY NOT ABLE TO TURN IGNITION ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. VEHICLE STRANDED UNTIL IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND REPLACED. *TR

MY IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS GONE BAD. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THEREFORE I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR. BEING THAT I AM A YOUNG FEMALE, I FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE TO BE HORRIFIC AND HIGHLY UNSAFE. MY COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST MURDER RATES AND BEING STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO GET AWAY FROM A TROUBLING SITUATION HAS LEFT ME TO HIGHLY REGRET THE PURCHASE OF MY FORD FOCUS. I SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A DEFECT IN A CAR CANNOT BE RECALLED! THIS VENTURE IS COSTING ME OVER 600 DOLLARS WHICH I LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DO NOT HAVE TO SPARE. I FIND IT A SHAME THAT FORD DOES NOT OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE. IT MAKES YOU QUESTION THE QUALITY THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY PUTS FORTH. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BELIEVER OF SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HOWEVER I HAVE LEARNED THAT AMERICAN INDUSTRY LIKE TO BURN PEOPLE AND SELL UNSATISFACTORY PRODUCTS. I APPEAL TO YOU TO RECALL THE FORD FOCUS CYLINDER BEFORE SOMEONE MAKES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO PROVE THAT THIS IS INDEED A HIGH RISK SAFETY CONCERN! *LN

FAILURE TO BE ABLE TO TURN IGNITION. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND SPENT $400! INCONVENIENCE? YES! *KB

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE, CAN NOT PUT SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE. PULLED ON BELT IT WILL NOT BUDGE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT BURNED TWO OF HER FINGERS AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT THEN POURED WATER ON THE SEAT AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,677. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 03/14/11

MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE WERE OUT SHOPPING AND TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE BEGAN TO COMPLAIN OF A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. SOON AFTER REALIZED HER BACK SIDE WAS HOT ! SUMMARY- DRIVER SIDE SEAT BURN MARKS VISIBLE AND HER WINTER COAT RUINED; IT BURNED IT TOO. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH FORD? SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED STATING THIS EXACT DESCRIPTION. *LN

FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION, STALLED THE CAR AND THEN COULD NOT TURN THE CAR BACK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ON CHRISTMAS EVE NONE THE LESS. *TR

MY DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY CLICKING SHUT, SO THE SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. *TR

I WAS TURNING AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD SNAP! MY CAR THEN BEGAN TO POP EXTREMELY LOUD EVERYTIME I TURNED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SNAPPED FRONT COIL SPRING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SPRING COULD VERY EASILY HAVE RIPPED INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A "BLOW OUT" WHICH LEADS TO ACCIDENTS IN MANY OCCASIONS!! THE MORE I TALK ABOUT IT, THE MORE PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THEIR FOCUS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER WET ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER ENCOUNTERING SNOW AND WET ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING. ALSO, THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT 37000 MILES THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700.00. NOW AT 67000 MILES THEY HAVE BOTH GONE BAD AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A NEW COST OF $800.00. ADDITIONALLY I HAD A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND AT 55000 MILES BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO WE HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND AT 16000 MILES IT NEEDED BOTH AN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR, AND IS ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES A DAY. WE REALLY LIKE THE FOCUS AS IT IS A GREAT VALUE AND A FUN CAR TO DRIVE BUT AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE 4 ALTERNATORS IN 18 MONTHS WE ARE RETHINKING OUR LOVE OF THIS LITTLE CAR. I WILL BE FILING COMPLAINTS FOR MY OTHER TWO FOCI AS WELL. *TR

KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS ABLE TO TAP ON THE END OF THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION LOCK, AND THE KEY WOULD TURN. NOW, I AM UNABLE TO GET IT TO TURN AT ALL -- EVEN AFTER TAPPING ON IT WITH A HAMMER. *TR

KEY CANNOT TURN - VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED. UNACCEPTABLE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION WITH A POORLY DESIGNED AND/OR LOW QUALITY PART ON ALL FORD FOCUS AND LIKELY OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I GOT AROUND THIS BY POUNDING ON THE KEY WITH A SMALL HAMMER I KEEP IN THE GLOVE BOX - I HAD LIVED WITH THIS FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S CAR (HE REMOVED ALL THE TUMBLERS SO ANY KEY CAN START HIS CAR). IT IS OBVIOUS FROM READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE (>50%?) OF ALL OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIPS WANT $400 TO FIX IT - THAT'S BS. ACTIONS BY NHTSA OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IS APPROPRIATE. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS USING THIS DESIGN DEFECT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROFIT AFTER HAVING PUT 1000S OF CONSUMERS IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, COMPARING TO A NEW SWITCH THEY WERE ABOUT TO INSTALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE ITEM. I DID FIND, HOWEVER, PLENTY OF COMPLAINS OF FORD OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT JEOPARDIZES THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, SHE NOTICED SMOKE. SHE CUT OUT THE FOAM IN THE SEAT AND REMOVED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO TURN WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES OF REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED AND REMOVED BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. REPLACEMENT SEEMS THE ONLY VIABLE SOLUTION. IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT AS SO MANY CASES OF THE LOCK-UP HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE BULB SOCKET AND THE LIGHT HOUSING. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AND HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THE VEHICLE'S CHARGING SYSTEM IS PUTTING OUT ABOUT 15.5 VOLTS TO EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL HE ALSO SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CABIN FILLS WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER ALSO AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS IS NO PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY GIRLFRIEND'S DR'S OFFICE WAITING TO PICK HER UP. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THE BUS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I ATTEMPTED REPEATEDLY TO TURN THE KEY, BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE (I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS), BUT THE KEY HAD TURNED WITH SOME FIDDLING. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T TURN, NO MATTER WHAT I DID. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE KEY HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. I READ SEVERAL SOURCES ONLINE THAT SAID THIS IS NOT NECESSARY THAT ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THIS IS PADDING THEIR OWN POCKET, BUT WHAT CAN I DO? I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO CALL THIS GUY A LIAR. I HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS HE DESCRIBES THEM. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK, NO RAIN, NO ICE ON ROAD, NORMAL BUT COLD CONDITIONS (30F) AND COULDN'T STOP MY VEHICLE WITH LOW ROLL RESISTANCE TIRES. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES MY CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A SLIDE/SKID AND I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. WAS GOING AROUND 35 MPH AND SHOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP. *TR

SAFETY HAZARD-- UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON 2003 FORD FOCUS MALFUNCTIONS/ DISINTEGRATES WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF INSTALLATION; WHETHER BY GARAGE, DEALER, OR OWNER. IN SEVENTEEN MONTHS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNT (WHEN CAUGHT) FOUR TIMES AND FOUND IT AGAIN NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE OEM PARTS SAY GUARANTEED BUT IT CONSTANTLY COST TO REMOVE, REPACKAGE, SHIP, AND THEN REPLACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DOREL CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-391MLO, MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2005. (N/A) THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, AND OBSERVED THE CHILD IN A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT REMOVING THE WARNING LABEL AND EATING IT. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC FROM THE CHILD'S MOUTH. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

THE KEY IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE KEY IS FINE..THE ACTUAL IGNITION MECHANISM IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN. *TR

FAILURE TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH WITH KEY...TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (AT TIMES FOR 1/2 AN HOUR) AND HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND GETTING WORSE. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON-LINE, I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA AND THAT MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WILL FIRST CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT BASED ON OTHER FOCUS OWNERS, I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH AND HOPEFULLY SOON WILL BE CONTACTING A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,050.

2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WILL NOT TURN ENGINE OVER NOR UNLOCK STEERING. *TR

MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR

MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD HAS APPARENTLY USED DEFECTIVE LOCK CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. I WALKED UP TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST 350 TO REPAIR THE CAR. (NOT INCLUDING CHARGES FOR GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THEM) THIS HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING A CAR THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON. *TR

MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS IGNITION PROBLEMS. MY KEY COULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AND AS I SEARCH ONLINE, A LOT OF PPL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS AND SPECIFICALLY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS IS VERY SEVERE. IMAGE YOU'RE IN A HURRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY COULD NOT TURN AND YOU ARE STUCK. SO WHY IS THERE IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT BY FORD? I JUST ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS AROUND $450 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY THIS MONEY DUE TO FORD'S FAULT. *TR