2003 Ford Focus complaints

2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY WIFE WAS OUT ALONE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO CALL AND HAVE CAR TOWED WITH A FEE TO THE FORD DEALER. I'M SURE THIS WILL COST EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT HE SAW A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF THESE DEFECTS. NHTSA REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT FORD'S APPARENT LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CONSUMERS!! *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH DETERMINED WHEN THE GAS GAUGE READS HALF A TANK OR BELOW THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. CONTACT STOPPED AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD START AND THEN STALL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE FORD FOCUS 2003 CANNOT GO UNDER A 1/2 TANK OF GAS. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. NOT BEING ABLE TO LET THE GAS TANK GO UNDER A 1/2 IS NOT RIGHT. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

ONE DAY MAY CAR JUST DIDN'T START, THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED- THE CAR HAS UNDER 49000- AND IT HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS! THE MASTER CYLINDER( FOR THE BRAKES) , THE IGNITION CYLINDER, AND SEVERAL PIECES HAVE ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS!!! PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR! THE PARTS PUT IN THE FORD FOCUS 2003 DURING THE MANUFACTURING ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE!!!! AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE THEY MUST REPLACE THESE PARTS AND DEAL WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCES. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES! DETAILS ON PROBLEMS: 1- MY CAR SHUTTERED STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD A BIT- AND SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. ( THE IGNITION LIGHT CAME ON ) AT ALMOST 30000 MILES. TOOK IT INTO THE DEAL- THEY REPLACED A COIL- NAME UNKNOWN. 2- THIS TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS INTO THE FORD SERVICE DEPT- BECAUSE IT KEPT HAPPENING- BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY REPLACE THE COIL!!! 3- THE MASTER CYLINDER ( BRAKE SYSTEM) MALFUNCTIONED WITHIN 30000 MILES AS WELL!!! AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 4- THE IGNITION CYLINDER- WITH 49000 MILES ON THE CAR- NOW HAS BEEN REPLACED- NO THANKS TO FORD!!! 5- THE TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY. I SLAM IT ONCE TO CLOSE, THEN I PULL UP ON IT TO CHECK IT'S ACTUALLY LOCKED, IT HASN'T- MAYBE ON THE THIRD TIME AFTER SLAMMING IT SHUT- IT WILL ACTUALLY CATCH AND CLOSE. THESE PARTS ARE ALL DEFECTIVE, AND IT'S UNJUST TO THE CONSUMERS!!!!! *NM

THE CYLINDER LOCK IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED ME TWICE,AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND THERE A FORD SERVICEMEN THAT HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *JB

MY BOYFRIEND AND SON TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT WASHED. WHEN THEY TURNED THE CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN. CAUSING THEM TO ALMOST CRASH. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER THINGS HAPPEN WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY 2004 USED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BACK TIRES 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THEY ALL HAVE CUPPED. EVERY TIRE PLACE WE HAVE WENT HAS SAID THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS A DEFECT IN IT. ALSO, MY SEAT BELTS USED BY MY CHILDREN DO NOT ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. LAST JAN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST. OTTAWA FORD DID FIX THIS ISSUE AS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR WIRING PROBLEM. WITH THE STEERING ISSUE THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION OR MEANS OF INCOME TO FIX. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS. *JB

BACK DOORS ARE DIFFICULT TO OPEN WHEN I PULL THE HANDLES IT WILL (POP) OPEN. I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY WHEN CLOSED. *JB

2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. VEHICLE ALSO SHOWS SIGN OF STALLING. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH LOCKING UP. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND CONTINUED TO DO SO FOR A FEW DAYS THEN WORKED FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN LOCKED COMPLETELY 4 DAYS LATER. I GOT THE IGNITION CYLINDER/SWITCH REPLACED ON 12/31/05 FOR $200.44. BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD ADMITTED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM AND FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT VIA AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET. THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS THE SAME AS MINE!!! *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHICH HOUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, AND THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSED THE WIRING MODULE TO CORRODE. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK

MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK LATCH FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT DOES NOT SHUT. IT WILL SHUT IF I PULL ON THE SAFETY LATCH THEY HAVE IN CASE SOMEBODY GETS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK,HOWEVER EVEN WHEN IT CLOSES THAT WAY WHENEVER IT RAINS MY TRUNK WHEN I OPEN IT GETS ALL WET!I HAD A BUNCH OF CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN THE BACK AND WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK THEY WERE SOAKED! ALSO THE DOOR LATCHES SOMETIMES LOCK ON THEIR OWN. TWICE I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR. I NO LONGER EVER LEAVE MY CAR WITHOUT MY KEYS! *JB

YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I PUT IN THE KEY BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO CLICKING, NO DIFFICULTIES STARTING MY CAR IN THE PAST. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED AND TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TUMBLER AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $226. NOT ONLY DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE FOR THE DAMAGED PART AND LABOR BUT ALSO TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT COST $79.00 JUST TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT! MY HUSBAND CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT FORD WAS DOING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. HE WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME ALL THEY COULD OFFER WAS A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THE NEW PART BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE HAD TIME DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. THERE WHERE QUITE A FEW THAT HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART MORE THAN ONCE AND IN A FEW CASES TWICE IN ONE YEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SITUATION COULD LEAVE INDIVIDUALS STRANDED. THERE IS NO WARNING! I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A TRIP OVER THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ANYWHERE THAT I MAY HAVE TURNED OFF MY CAR. IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A TOWN WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP, LET ALONE THE COST OF LODGING AND THE EXPENSE OF MISSING TIME OFF WORK. *NM

STARTING APPROX. 7 MONTH'S AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM JACK BYRNE FORD IN MECANICVILLE, NY I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING (FEBURARY OF 2004). I WOULD PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND SO WOULD THE HEAT BLOWERS AND I WOULD ALSO GET SOME DINGING. BUT, THE CAR FAILED TO START. I HAVE SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 4 - 5 TIMES. EACH TIME I HAD GONE THROUGH AN EPISODE OF THE CAR NOT STARTING AND THEN WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE UNFORTUNATE PART IS I SHOULD HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN SEE FIRST HAND - HOW THE IGNITION DOESN'T TURN OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 2 DOZEN TIMES. EACH TIME FORD WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO ME AND IT WOULD RUN FOR A COUPLE WEEKS PROBLEM FREE. THEN SURE ENOUGH IT WOULD START AGAIN. ANYHOW, THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN - AGES 6 AND 3 MONTH'S. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THANK GOD I WAS AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE AND I WASN'T STUCK OUT IN MY CAR IN DECEMBER IN THE COLD WITH MY CHILDREN!! I APPRECIATE THAT FORD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CORRECTION - BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE MORE SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I MEAN I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE THIS. I WOULD HATE TO FEEL LIKE I WOULDN'T EVER WANT TO OWN A FORD AGAIN. I THINK THE

DT: THE CONTACT STATED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. IT LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BY MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. *NM

2003 FORD FOCUS AC UNIT HAS MUSTY ODOR AND DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY. *TS *JB

I BOUGHT FORD FOCUS 2003 AT 38,000 (CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) FROM PREMIER FORD INC IN BROOKLYN, NY IN 5/04, HAD MASSIVE LEAKING OF WATER DURING AND AFTER RAIN A MONTH LATER IN 6/04. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER 90 DAY WARRANTY. IT WAS FINE UNTIL THIS MONTH 12/05 AND IS NOW AGAIN SOAKING MY PASSENGER FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT - TAKE IT DOWN THE STREET WHERE THEY "ALWAYS TAKE IT FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYWAY". I CALLED FORD, THEY SAID IT MAY BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS' ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FROM MANY POSTINGS ONLINE I HAVE FOUND. IT SEEMS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DASH CAUSING MASSIVE FLOODING INTO THE CAR AND IF IT DOES GET INTO DRIVER FLOOR WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOUR FEET COULD SLIP OFF PETALS WHILE TRYING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *NM

IGNITIONS SWITCH FAILURE AT 40,000 MILES. KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *NM

PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 11-05 WITH 32600 MILES ON IT FROM CREDITABLE DEALER. 6 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHO HAD TO HAVE CAR TAKEN TO FORD DEALER TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH REPLACED. DEALER TRIED TO LAY THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER AS "ABUSE" - IN 6 DAYS!!!! 2 DAYS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, BUT HAS SINCE GONE OUT. HAD I KNOWN WHAT I KNOW NOW ABOUT THIS FORD 2003 SVT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. I AM AFRAID IT IS TURNING OUT TO BE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE AND LEMON (EVEN THOUGH STILL COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY) AND I WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO HAVE FORD PAY FOR REPAIRS. *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2003 FORD FOCUS RECALL WORK NOT DONE, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PARTS. *TS (RECALL # 05V030000) *JB

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF 2003 FOCUS. THE WHEEL IS NOW LOCKED AND I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO GET THIS TOWED AND PAY $200-$300 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE A SIMPLE PROBLEM AND I KNOW THIS HAPPENS TO MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE I'M 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND MY SAFETY IS AT ISSUE. *NM

FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS STALLING AND SOMETIMES CUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC OR WHILE IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC LANES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FIRST-HAND BUT BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN THERE A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES, AND THIS ONE WITH BE THE FIFTH. EVERY TIME THEY HAVE SEEMED TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RESURFACE WITHIN 48 HOURS. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED: OXYGEN SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL MODULATOR, AND A TRANSMISSION SENSOR. JIFFY LUBE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. ALTHOUGH NONE OF THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE DEALER HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO COMPENSATE ME FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST THREE REPAIRS FROM THEM. THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED AND I PLAN TO TAKE IT BACK TODAY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THIS IS A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND RATED VERY GOOD BY CONSUMER REPORTS. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PURCHASED A "LEMON", BUT THE NC LAW DOES NOT APPLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN VIRGINIA. THE VIRGINIA LEMON LAW DOES NOT HELP EITHER BECAUSE IT APPLIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. I ALSO FEEL LIKE THIS V

IN APRIL I HAD MY 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER MY SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, WHICH I AGREED TO. THEY ALSO REPLACED MY ROTORS. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP WITH REGARD TO THE ROTOR WEAR, WHICH I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND SINCE I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED 3,000 MILES EARLIER AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS KIND OF WEAR IS NORMAL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND TO EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE MY PADS AND ROTORS EVERY 15,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. IN ADDITION, I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE ARE TWO TSB'S (16685/17278) ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. *JB

2003 FORD FOCUS WITH FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS LOCK IN PLACED WITH NO HOPE OF TURNING THE KEY. AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR LOCAL DEALER EXPLAINED, THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER SET AS THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY OF THEM AND HAVE BEEN SENT A TSB ON REPLACING THEM WITH A BETTER ASSEMBLY MADE OF STEEL AS COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL MADE OF POT METAL. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRUNK WILL NOT LATCH. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME.*AK

IGNITION CYLINDER HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 11/02. THE CAR IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION CYLINDER FREEZES AND PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. I HAVE HAD THIS CYLINDER REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR. THE FIRST TIME ON 11/6/04 AND THE SECOND TIME IN 11/27/05. *NM

I ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEMS STARTED I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER SEALED IN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. THE FRONT WHEELS CLICK WHEN DRIVEN. THE BRAKES WENT OUT QUICK. THE BACK HUBS ARE SEALED FROM RUST. AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET MY DISABLED CHILD TO THE DOCTORS BECAUSE THE IGNITION HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE LOCKSMITH SAID I WAS LUCKY I WAS PARKED. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT FORD WOULD LET THIS GO ON SO LONG. *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING DEFECT IN FORD FOCUS WINDSHIELD. *TS THE WINDSHIELD HAD COME LOOSE IN THE CENTER ABOUT 12 INCHES. *SC

THE IGNITION ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED TWICE. ONCE OVER A YEAR AGO, AND AGAIN NOW. THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WHEN I INSERT THE KEY. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH AT 45,000 MILES, FORD FOCUS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND AND HIT AN EXIT SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE RIM. BOTH INSURANCE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTACT WITH GOODYEAR. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED ON 9-29-05 WITH AN AUTOMOBILE THAT CAME ACROSS THE MEDIUM AT A STOP SIGN. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN IT WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER CAR WHILE GOING BETWEEN 48-50 MPH. IT HIT THE RIGHT SIDE PANEL IMMEDIATELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A STATEMENT IN WRITING EXPLAINING WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WANTED A STATEMENT FROM FORD HEADQUARTERS IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN , BUT FORD REFUSED. INITIALLY, TOLD HIM TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER WOULD TURN THIS INCIDENT INTO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SINCE THEN INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT TURN OVER THE ACCIDENT CASE TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THEY WOULD TURN IT OVER TO THE COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT.*AK UPDATED 11/15/05. *JB

WITH ONLY 59,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. FORD DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. COST $950 AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, $1800 AT DEALER. *JB

REAR LATCH MALFUNCTIONS. REGISTERS THAT TRUNK IS SHUT WHEN IT IS NOT AND NOT WHEN IT IS. WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMP TRUNK POPS OPEN DUE TO LATCH NOT HITCHING PROPERLY. *JB

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. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT HAS JUST A LITTLE OVER 48,000 MILES. ONE MORNING (OUT OF BLUE), THE KEY LOCK WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LUCKILY, I WAS HOME. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TOWED INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG BY THE TOWING COMPANY (FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED) AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, FOUND OUT THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID COVER A (KEY/IGNITION CYLINDER) REPLACEMENT COMPARTMENT, WOULD OF BEEN COVERED IF IT WERE THE SWITCH/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH. IN THE END, I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 FOR A PART THAT APPARENTLY IS GEARED OR EXPECTED TO FAIL ON NEWER FOCUSES (ACCORDING TO TOW CO., FORD MAINTENANCE STAFF, AND THE RANDOM INTERNET SEARCHES). I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY, AND AT THIS POINT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T DETERMINED IT TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM (THEY ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ALSO). I GUESS IF I WERE STUCK UP IN THE SNOW PACKED SANDIA MOUNTAINS AND MY TOES FROZE OFF, HEY MAYBE THEY WOULD CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM. PLEASE, CAN YOU CHECK INTO THIS, I HATE TO SEE OTHER UNSUSPECTING BUYERS, DRIVERS, GET HIT WITH THIS UNNECESSARY BURDEN AND OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE, WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 ZTS WITH A 5 SPEED. AFTER DRIVING ROUGHLY 40 MILES NONSTOP WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 85 AND ABOVE, THE FIRST TIME I PUSH THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN THE PEDAL IS REALLY STIFF, LIKE A SUPER DUPER HEAVE DUTY CLUTCH. BY THE 2ND OR 3D TIME I PRESS IT IN IT'S NORMAL AGAIN. THE CAR SHIFT FINE.. JUST HAS THIS REALLY STIFF PEDAL FOR 1 OR TWO PUSHES AFTER AN 40 MILE TRIP IN HOT TEMPERATURES. FORD AGREED, AFTER A TON OF COMPLAINING, TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT NEVER HELPED. THE CAR HAS 35,000 AND 95% OF THOSE MILES ARE ON THE INTERSTATE SO THERE "SHOULD BE" NEXT TO NO WEAR ON THE CLUTCH ITSELF. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES. NOW THAT THE TEMPERATURES HAVE FALLEN BACK TO MID 70'S FOR DAYTIME HI'S THE PROBLEM IS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. *NM

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPT. 2003, BRAND NEW. THIS SPRING, WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON IT, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS, AT A PRICE TAG OF NEAR $400. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR, AND IN FORD FOR SELLING A CAR THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS A FAULTY, POORLY MADE BRAKING SYSTEM. ONLY 4 MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR, I HAVE BEGUN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AGAIN. I WILL ABSOLUTELY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. I AM VERY UNIMPRESSED WITH THEM. *NM

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 SUGGEST YOU EITHER GET THE CAR TOWED TO THEIR SHOP, OR, IF YOU CAN, DRIVE IT TO THEIR SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE PRICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS APPROXIMATELY $350.00 AND IS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR. THE CAR IS TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLD. *NM

DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS - AUGUST 11, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. FORD DEALERSHIP REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT. CONSUMER CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURE FIVE TIMES WITH NO RESULTS, COULD GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COLLOBORATE ON THIS MATTER. WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE DITCH, HIT TWO ROCKS, A TRE, AND CAME TO REST AT THE THIRD ROCK. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE ACCIDENT INDICATING THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL THE CONSUMER WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONE INJURY.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, AND JUST RECENTLY MY IGNITION WENT OUT. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. I KNOW VARIOUS PEOPLE WHO OWN A FOCUS AND HAVE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. IT BARELY STARTED TO STICK THE DAY BEFORE IT FINALLY WENT OUT. I CURRENTLY AM LOOKING INTO MY OPTIONS ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM HAVING A VERY HARD TIME GETTING TO WORK AND GETTING AROUND IN GENERAL. IT IS VERY HARD ESPECIALLY WITH TWO CHILDREN. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T LOCK UP ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES SHE OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE REAR TIRES KEPT GOING BALD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE ONLY. THE VEHICLE IS A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK FRAME TWO KITS, ONE ON EACH SIDE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING NOTICE PUT OUT ON THE TIRES. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND SHOCKS REPLACED RECENTLY WITH APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. CAR BOUNCED, AND WHEN SHE HIT A BUMP THE CAR PICKED UP, AND THE REAR END MOVED TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REALIGNED AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN TIMES. SOMETIMES THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK THE VERY NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT ALIGNED AGAIN, AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT CHARGE THEM FOR THE SERVICE.. THE FRONT BRAKE PAD AND THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. SHE TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER ,AND THEY TOLD HER SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SHELL OUT MONEY BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE TIRES, AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY DOID NOT COVER THE TIRES BECAUSE IT WAS BLAMED ON UNEVEN WEAR OR/AND THE ALIGNMENT. *AK

FORD FOCUS NEEDED IGNITION TUMBLERS REPLACED BECAUSE THE OLD ONES LOCKED UP ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM HOME. LUCKILY I READ THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WITH A FOCUS HAS HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS; HOWEVER, FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I HAD A LOCK SMITH FIX THE PROBLEMS WHOM AAA REFERRED ME TO. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND AM TRYING VERY HARD TO BECOME PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR IGNORING THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO TELL EVERYONE I MEET NOT TO BUY A FOCUS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF FORD BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR QUALITY. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH 44,000 MILES ON IT. THE IGNITION LOCKS TOO FREQUENTLY AND HAS COST ME NOT ONLY MONEY, BUT JOB RELATED TIME AND COSTS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY LET ALONE AS A RECALL. DON'T YOU NEED THE IGNITION TO IGNITE TO USE THE CAR? *NM

THE CAR HESITATES WHILE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND NOT REPAIRED. *NM

REAR TIRE CUPPING AND INNER EDGE WEAR FROM MISALIGNMENT OF WHEELS. *JB

I HAVE A FOCUS FORD 2003. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION, MY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. AFTER FEW MONTHS IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN. I JUST TAPPED THE TOP OF THE KEY AND WILL TURN, BUT TODAY IT DID NOT TURN AT ALL. I THINK IS NOT RIGHT TO PAY EXTRA FOR THAT EXPENSE, WHEN THE FIRST THINK A CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DO IS START!!!*JB

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, WHICH IN GENERAL HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR TO ME, IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE WORRIES I'VE HAD ABOUT STOPPING! THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (BRAND NEW) AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE PADS AND THE ROTORS WERE GONE. NOT SURPRISED SINCE I HAD GRINDING AND SQUEAKING, BUT YET AMAZED THAT THE CAR WAS SO NEW WITH SO LITTLE MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE ALREADY HAVING AN ISSUE. WHEN THE CAR WAS FINISHED, IT DIDN'T SQUEAK OR GRIND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS - BUT THEN WENT RIGHT BACK TO GRINDING AND SQUEAKING. I TALKED TO ANOTHER GIRL WITH AN 03 FOCUS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. WHY CAN'T ALL OF US WITH THE 2003 FORD FOCUS GET TOGETHER AND COMPLAIN TOGETHER? I AM STILL WORRIED EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT THAT ONE DAY IT WON'T STOP OR SOMETHING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE, FOR I PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE EVERY MONTH AND IT SHOULD BE SERVICED CORRECTLY. I ALSO ENCOUNTER MANY FORD ENGINEERS IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN THAT SAY THEY HAVE HEARD MANY REPORTS SUCH AS THIS. CAN I ASK WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? THEY SAY THAT THE NEWER MODELS HAVE BETTER BREAK SYSTEMS... HOW DOES THAT HELP THE 2003 MODEL OWNERS?????? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *JB

I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON 9-15-2005 MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005. THE MOTOR WAS OFF, AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID IT LOOK LIKE IT STARTED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM TWO WEEKS BEFORE, AND TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED SOME IGNITION ITEMS. ALSO, WAS HAVING LATCHES, BRAKES, AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT TWO FEET. HE HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LURCHING FORWARD. THIS DID HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING WITHIN THE COMPUTER, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS GOING TO CALL AFTER HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. *AK