2003 Ford Focus complaints

IGNITION KEY SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN TO START KEY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY ON 2003 FORD FOCUS I BOUGHT BRAND NEW 12/31/2003. TOLD BY SCOTT REYNOLDS OF REYNOLD'S FORD THAT EVEN ONE OF HIS MECHANIC'S WIFE HAD SAME PROBLEM AS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE.*JB

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

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

PARKED CAR WHEN ARRIVING TO WORK AT 8 AM. WAS LEAVING FOR LUNCH AT 12 PM AND IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. WHEEL LOCKED. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. FIRST TRUCK ARRIVED AND THEY COULDN'T TOW CAR SINCE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ONLY A FLAT BED TRUCK. THEN HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS FOR A WHEEL LIFT TRUCK. WAS TOLD BY TOWING COMPANY THAT HE HAD (8) FORD FOCUS' (SAME MODEL), THAT WEEK WITH SAME PROBLEM. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT LOCKSMITHS DO NOT WANT TO TOUCH THE ISSUE, SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $300 TO REPLACE IGNITION. WARRANTY HAD JUST ENDED ON VEHICLE. FORD CORPORATE HONORED A SMALL PORTION OF REPLACEMENT COST, I ENDED UP PAYING $100 (THANKS TO THE DEALERS HELP), BUT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. OBVIOUS FROM THIS SITE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ME THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. (AND THIS PROBLEM IS AMONG MANY OTHERS I HAVE DEALT WITH ON THIS STUPID CAR). *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND IT FAILED TO OPEN. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE DOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE IT OPENED. FORD STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,898.

(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 T

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.

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

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

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

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

ONE EVENING STOPPED AT THE STORE, TURNED CAR OFF, WENT BACK TO START CAR, IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. CALLED TOWING COMPANY, THEY WERE ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. INFORMED ME I NEEDED TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. LOOKED AROUND FOUND AN LOCK SMITH THAT COULD DO IT, CHARGED AN ARM AND LEG. THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. FORD IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEM, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, A PETITION HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH OVER 900 SIGNATURES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH A RECALL. *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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD LOCK UP AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,035 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,700.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED

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

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. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SEVERAL SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE SPRING RUBBING ON THE STRUT COVER. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STRUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAD IT REPLACED AND PAID $550.62. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,709.

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

I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAHOE IN FEBRUARY 2006. IT WAS RAINY AND THE ROADS WERE A LITTLE WET. WE HIT A PUDDLE AND HE CAR SPUN OUT HIT BOTH FRONT AND BACK ENDS FROM SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE WALLS. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 45-50 MPH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. FROM SMASHING IN TO THE WALLS THE PASSENGER SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE BACKWARDS. ALMOST IN A LAYING DOWN POSITION AND THE SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY EXTENDED AND WOULDN'T RETRACT. CAR WAS TOTALED. AT THE TIME THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. BUT 8 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I STARTED HAVING GRAND MALL SEIZURES. *AK

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.

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

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 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 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

LEAKING OF RAIN WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CHECKED AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY REFUSE TO REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE POLLEN FILTER SEALS NOT KEEPING WATER OUT. IT IS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MOLD IS STARTING TO FORM, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THIS WILL CAUSE! *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

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

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

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOR FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 38,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. BUT, WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE AT DEALER FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLE MELTED, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. *AK

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

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING A 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART FOR AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO REMEMBER WHICH ONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. *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)

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

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.

THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FOCUS PZEV. WHEN IT FINALLY RELEASED IT WOULD NO LONGER TURN. I HAD THE VEIHICLE TOWED BY AAA AND HAD A AAA LOCKSMITH COME TO REPAIR THE IGNITION WHICH I WAS TOLD IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRENTY, AT A COST OF $300. THE LOCKSMITH SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FOCUS. ONE MONTH LATER THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO COME BACK OUT TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. A YEAR LATER I MUST TURN THE KEY BACK A NOTCH TO REMOVE IT FROM THE IGNITION. IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $300 TO HAVE THE REPAIR REPEATED. THE LOCKSMITH SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE PART ITSELF AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2003 FORD FOCUS SVT. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007 SHE WAS RETURNING TO EASTON, PA FROM STATE COLLEGE, PA WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYED ITSELF RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE GEARBOX, FLYWHEEL,BELL HOUSING AND PRESSURE PLATE. THIS TOOK PLACE ON I-80 . I FEEL YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND SEVERITY OF THE EXPLOSION. A FIRE DID RESULT FROM THE FAILURE/EXPLOSION. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD (STATE COLLEGE FORD) AND THEIR ESP REPRESENTATIVE HAS CLAIMED THE DO NOT COVER PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE PAST 12,000 MILES AND HAVE DECLINED TO ADMIT THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION. *JB

I'VE HAD MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON IN TWICE FOR REPAIR OF THE IGNITION LOCK. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE PROBLEM THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T RELEASE AS THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED THE LOCK CYLINDER. IT WAS CLEANED AND LUBED AND OPERATING NORMALLY ON 26 JANUARY 2007. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT! THEY HAD TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT. I HOPE THIS TIME IT WILL LAST LONGER THAN A MONTH! THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY SERVICE! $267.00 FOR LABOR AND $99.91 FOR THE PART! I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS YET BUT IF THEY DO HAVE ONE I'M HOPING TO GET MY MONEY BACK AS THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COSTLY SERVICE TO ME - ALMOST $600.00 TOTAL FOR BOTH INSTANCES! *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE 2003 FORD FOCUS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WILL ALSO LOCK AND SHE WASUNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE LOCKS FINALLY OPENED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS DONE IN NOVEMBER 2006, BUT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONTACT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 57000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

I HAVE OWNED 3 FORD FOCUS: ONE 2000 AND TWO 2003. ALL THREE VEHICLES HAVE HAD AN IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE WHICH COST IN EXCESS OF $300 EACH TIME. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. ON THREE OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL AAA TO GET BE TO A GARAGE FOR REPAIR. I HAVE CITED ONLY THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT IN THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I FAIL TO SEE WHY A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE FAULT IS THAT WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. IT IS LOCKED IN PLACE. IT HAPPENED ONCE THIS SUMMER ON THIS CAR AND ON A 2002 FOCUS I SOLD TO A FRIEND WHOM WORKS WITH ME. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM, WHICH THEY HAD. THEY TOLD ME I COULD TAP IT WITH A RUBBER HAMMER TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. SURE THING, IT DID. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS, WHICH NONE WERE FOUND. I CHECKED FOR TSB'S, SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS APPEARD TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM IF FOR INSTANCE SOMEONE WENT FOR A DRIVE DURING THE WINTER IN THE REMOTE MOUNTAINS AND STOPED TO GOT FOR A WALK. UPON RETURN, THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION WOULDN'T WORK AND THEY'RE STRANDED. FORD DIDN'T APPEAR TO WANT TO LISTEN TO MY COMPLAINTS. LOOK AT THE TSB'S AND YOU'LL REALLY GET A GOOD PICTURE OF THE VOLUME OF IGNATION PROBLEMS.

MY KEY STOPPED WORKING, OR WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST MONTH. I STARTED CARRYING MY SPARE KEY AT ALL TIMES SO I WOULDN'T GET STRANDED. I FINALLY HAD A 2ND KEY MADE ($125 AT DEALERSHIP). THE NEW KEY FAILED TO WORK LATER THE SAME DAY. MORE INTERMITTENT IGNITION PROBLEMS FOR NEXT 2 WEEKS. THIS PAST SATURDAY BOTH KEYS FAILED. WHEN I COULD FINALLY GET THE CAR TO START I CAME HOME AND STARTED RESEARCHING ON WEB. FOUND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. HAVE APPT. AT DEALERSHIP TOMORROW FOR TOTAL IGNITION REPLACEMENT, MY TIME, MY DIME. IT WILL BE A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. I ALREADY WORK A FULL TIME AND PART-TIME JOB TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE STRANDED SOMEPLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, EITHER. FORD DAMNED WELL KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND JUST IGNORES THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS IS THE 5TH FORD I'VE OWNED IN 20 YEARS. IT WILL BE MY LAST. *JB

KEY WILL NOT TURN INSIDE THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AS WELL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE IT LOOSE. THIS TIME IT IS STUCK AND 40 MINUTES OF JIGGLING, WD40, AND FRUSTRATION DID NOT WORK. I AM STILL WORKING ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. *NM

THE KEY INSERTION CYLINDER (LOCATED NEXT TO THE STEERING WHEEL): IT WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK INTO PLACE AND WILL NOT TURN -- MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY AND DRIVE. THE SAFETY HAZARD: WHEN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS LOST POWER AND NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED ON THE ROAD, THE KEY INSERTION CYLINDER LOCKS INTO PLACE, MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO TURN THE WHEEL -- BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN THE KEY CYLINDER IS IN THE "KEY INSERT/BEGIN" POSITION. THERE ARE SEVERAL HORROR STORIES, ON THE INTERNET, ABOUT FORD FOCUS VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN STRANDED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY KEY IGNITION CYLINDER; OR THEIR CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF BECAUSE THEIR KEY IS STUCK IN THE START POSITION. FORD DEALERSHIPS WILL ONLY COVER THIS ITEM IF IT WARRANTED, BUT NEGLECT THE PRODUCT DESIGN AND REFUSE TO CONSIDER A PRODUCT RECALL. THIS TYPICAL ITEM COST OVER $250 WITH LABOR. EVENTUALLY, EVEN WITH A NEW KEY CYLINDER, THE PROBLEM WILL START TO EXIST AGAIN, COSTING THE CONSUMER AND CREATING A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR OUR CITIZENS ON AMERICAN ROADWAYS. THE PROBLEM IS CURRENT IN MY VEHICLE AND I AM AUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO USE MY VEHICLE AS AN INVESTIGATIVE TOOL. *JB

FORD FOCUS 2003 FOR SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE IGNITION LOCK KEY CYLINDER HAD NOT WORKED, I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND GET THE CAR TO START. CONSEQUENCES, FIRST I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE MY CHILD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM UNTIL ANOTHER VEHICLE ARRIVED, ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE, I WAS LATE TO WORK, THEN IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON A DANGEROUS AREA OF TOWN, RISKING MY LIFE. FINALLY IT GOT STUCK AT THE AIRPORT AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. *JB

FORD FOCUS 2003: THE IGNITION MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. THE KEY COULD NOT BE FULLY INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION OR TURNED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. AT FIRST, THE KEY COULD BE TAPPED INTO THE IGNITION, BUT THAT ONLY WORKED A FEW TIMES. EVENTUALLY I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE TUMBLER MECHANISMS REPLACED IN THE IGNITION. *NM