2003 Ford Focus complaints

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. *TC

VEHICLE, A 2003 FORD FOCUS W/ 20,000 MILES, BECAME DISABLED DUE TO COMPLETE FAILURE OF CLUTCH TO REENGAGE WHEN I SHIFTED - ROLLED TO STOP IN EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 66 IN FAIRFAX, VIRGIINIA. CAR HAD PREVOUS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND WAS RETURNED FROM DEALER TWO DAYS EARLIER, FEBRUARY 2, SAYING THE CLUTCH WAS "PERFORMING OK AT THIS TIME NPF." I COULD NOT MANEUVER FROM THE TRAVEL LANE AND CALLED 911. A VIRGINA STATE POLCIE CAR WAS DISPATCHED AND PULLED UP BEHIND ME TO PREVENT A REAR END COLLOSION UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. DEALER THEN PRONOUNCED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY "WORE OUT" AND CHARGED $1,840 FOR A COMPLETE REPALCEMENT OF THE PRESSURE PLATE, CLUTCH PLATES AND FLY WHEEL. THEY DID NOT RETAIN PARTS (AS I HAD REQUESTED) AND DENIED ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE. *AK

FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN A POTHOLE WAS STRUCK WITH THE RIGHT FRONT, CAUSING A BLISTER TO THE SIDEWALL AND A SLIGHT BEND TO THE RIM. UPON REVIEW OF THE SHALLOW DEPTH OF THE POTHOLE, I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT CAUSED A PROBLEM. ONE WEEK LATER, THE REAR TIRE ON THE SAME SIDE SHOWED A BLISTER. THE RIM WAS FINE AND HAVE NO RECALLECTION OF HITTING ANYTHING. ANOTHER WEEK AND ANOTHER POTHOLE. THIS TIME A FLAT, ON THE SAME FRONT. NOW A SEVERELY BENT RIM; ON THE INSIDE. THE RIM WAS REPAIRED AND THE TIRE REINSTALLED. HOWEVER, NO NEW BLISTER OCCURRED ON THE INSIDE WALL. I HAVE MADE THIS SAME COMMUTE FOR 10 YEARS WITH OTHER VEHICLES SHOD WITH OFF-BRAND TIRES, AND NEVER HAD AN INCIDENT OF ANY KIND.*AK

WE ARE A FRANCHISEE OF AN AUTO RENTAL COMPANY. WE HAVE HAD A HALF DOZEN FORD FOCUSES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE FAILED ON. THESE VEHICLES HAVE MILEAGE IN THE RANGE OF 40,000-45,000 MILES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL JUST QUIT WORKING. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLES TOWED IN EVERY INSTANCE, AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. IT COSTS US OVER $400 EVERY TIME. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THESE HAVE BEEN 2003-2004 MODEL VEHICLES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND A CONCUSSION. ALSO, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

HATCH RELEASE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. . CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED, SINCE CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE.*AK...ALSO, REPLACED TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH. *AK

WE BOUGHT A NEW FORD FOCUS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. IN MARCH 2004, WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO ACT UP. WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT TURN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 20 TO 40 MINUTES OF WIGGLING THE KEY AND KNOCKING ON THE STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD FINALLY TURN. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL AFTER BEING STUCK AT NIGHT FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS ON A DESERTED PARKING LOT. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC HIMSELF WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. YESTERDAY, ON 25 FEB 2005, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT OUT BUT WE ARE OFF WARRANTY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. IT IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THOUGHT THAT AFTER SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IN SEVERAL MONTH. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DOES NOT MAKE ANY ALLOWANCES TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED PERMANENTLY. WE HAVE OWNED OUR CARS USUALLY UP TO 10 YEARS OR SO AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION CYLINDER BEFORE ON ANY OF THEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED 2 WEEKS AGO, THINKING IT HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES IT'S GOOD. WELL ON FEBRUARY 17,2005, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. I TRIED FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR AND NOTHING,I TRIED AGAIN THE NEX MORNING AND NOTHING, THE DELEARSHIP HAD TO TOW AND HERE I AM WITHOUT A CAR, SO I DECEIDED TO SEARCH THE WEB AND SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAS, IF THIS IS A RECALL IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *AK

ONCE THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING COLUMN HOUSING UNIT. *AK

MY 2003 FOCUS ZTW WAGON HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKES 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. FORD STANDING BY THIS AS A "WEAR" ITEM NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. COULD I HAVE 2002 PARTS IN MY VEHICLE? I HAVE HAD BRAKE INSPECTIONS DONE WITH OIL CHANGES INDICATING EVERYTHING IN THE "GREEN ZONE". THE ROTOR WARPING IS SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE. 3 BRAKE JOBS IN ONE YEAR IS EXCESSIVE AND PROBLEMATIC. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN WITH THE BRAKES BEING FIXED. *JB

TE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP. INTERMITTENTLY THE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SOFT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. *JB

AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AT A CAR WASH STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN , AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

THERE WAS NO FAILURE OR INJURIES. JUST A PROBLEM WITH GAS MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE GETS THE WORSE GAS MILEAGE OF ANY AUTO I EVER OWNED EXCEPT MY 1969 PLYMOUTH GTX 440. I KEEP COMPLAINING BUT THE PROBLEM IS SAID TO BE WITH THE ENGINE TYPE. Z-TEC AND THAT IS WHY ON THE 2005 THEY FINALLY CHANGED THE ENGINE. I GET APPROX 15-17 MPG IN THE CITY NO AIR ON AND HIGHWAY IS APPROX 22-25. I HAVE YET TO GET CLOSE TO 300 MILES ON A TANK FULL OF FUEL. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE .I HAVE PAPER FROM WINDOW AND IT STATES FUEL MILEAGE SHOULD BE APPROX 25 CITY 30 HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE NOT CLOSE. RUNS WELL THOUGH. I WOULD CALL THIS A FAILURE OF GAS MILEAGE FACTORY ESTIMATE NUMBER OF TIMES IN BOX BELOW IS CONSERVATIVE. I FIGURED CLOSER TO 275-300 *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS WHERE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FORD RECALL # 05S27) , BUT IT IS ONLY FOR 2000 - 2002 MODELS & MINE IS A 2003. MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR AT MY FORD DEALER NOW , THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM & HV TO ORDER NEW PARTS FOR MY CAR .I HV BEEN TOLD I MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS. WHY ARE THE 2003 MODELS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE THE IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

AFTER COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON TOWED TO DEALER COST WAS 50 DOLLARS W/ EXTENDED WARRANT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY SISTERS 2003 FORD FOCUS .THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED . *AK

NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED QUITE ABRUPTLY. I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN FORWARD. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED IN PLACE. *NM

BUY THE CAR IN LIVINGSTON MONTANA 09-28-2002 THE VIN [XXX] THE CAR HAD ONLY LIKE 20 MILES WE DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. WE WENT ON VACATION THAT SUMMER WE HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. WE CALLED THE FORD COMPANY IN LIVINGSTON ,MONTANA WE WERE IN ID SO THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANY THING FOR US. WE HAD TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT TOWN ABOUT 14 MILES BACK . WE GOT BACK WE TOOK IT TO FORD COMPANY. THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND SHAKING REALLY BAD AND THE TRUNK WILL NOT LOCK (IT WILL NOT LOCK IF WE PUSH THE BUTTON ) WE DO NOT USE THE TRUNK STILL ,THE CLUTCH POPS OUT THEM TOLD US TO DOUBLE CLUTCH AND IT ( STILL POPS OUT WENT YOU BACK UP SOMETIMES). WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THEY ,THEM ON 09-24-2003 THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS ALMOST I HAVE A LISTED OF THING WANT WAS WRONG AN STILL WRONG WITH THE CAR ,WE TOLD THEM WE WANT AN NEW CAR BUT THEY STILL WOULD NOT GIVE US ONE OR WOULD NOT WORK WITH US , THEM SAID I'M SORRY BUT WE COULD NOT DO THAT. I KNOW YOU FOLKS HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE CAR BUT I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. I WAS MAD AN STILL WE BOUGHT ABOUT FOUR SETS OF TIRES FOR THAT CAR . THE CAR WAS ONLY HAS 48003 MILES, WE HAD MANY OUTS ,WE HAD A BACK BLOW AGAIN IN NOV- 2004 . MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE IT MUCH BECAUSE SHE IS SCARED OF IT. IT PULLS YOU ALL OVER THE ROAD IN THE BAD WEATHER WE LIVED IN WHITEHALL , MONTANA VERY SMALL TOWN IF WE WANT TO GO SHOPPING YOU HAVE TO DRIVE 20 MINS PLUS AWAY, SHE WAITS ON THE WEEKENDS TO TAKE MY CAR. SHE ONLY DRIVES THE CAR TO TAKE OUR C

TRAVELING EAST-BOUND ON I-10. FORCED ONTO LEFT SHOULDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY WAS HIT SQUARE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR BY A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. VEHICLE ROLLED 3-4 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO STOP. NONE OF THE FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CAR ONLY HAD 5000 MILES ON IT. *NM

BOUGHT A 2003 USED FORD FOCUS IN JULY 04 AND ON TUESDAY, JAN. 4 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION. NOTHING WORKED WHEELS WERE LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED AND TECH HAD TROUBLE DUE TO WHEELS LOCKED. FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS TROUBLE IN FOCUSES. *AK

BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS IIN JULY 04 AND ON 1/4/05 (28,406 MILES) WENT TO START VEHICLE AND KEY WENT INTO IGNITION HARD AND WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. IGNITION HAD LOCKED UP. NOTHING WOULD WORK AND WHEELS WERE LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED AND TECHNICIAN HAD TROUBLE DUE TO WHEELS LOCKING. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FOCUS. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED BUT IF SAME FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER IS INSTALLED THE PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN.*AK

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM *TC *JB

THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/ THE FRONT END OF THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED APPROX. 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD 3 MAJOR BRAKE JOBS. TWICE, THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ONCE BOTH THE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO RESONATES AT HIGH SPEEDS. EVERYTHING SHAKES INCLUDING THE STERRING WHEEL AND THE STATES. IT APPEARS MY TWO FRONT TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. FORD ORIGINALLY SAID IT WAS DEFECT IN THE TIRE, WHICH I REPLACED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRE IS OUT OF ROUND AS WELL. AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT STRUTS. FORD HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ME REGUARDING BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE IS VERY LOUD AND IT APPEARS TO BE AIR COMING IN WHEN. FORD INITIALLY RESEALED THE WINDSHIELD, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED.*AK

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED THE KEY WAS HARD TO GET INTO THE CYLINDER BEFORE IT SEIZED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND ON THE AUTOMOTIVE TALK NET I WAS ABLE TO PRINT OUT 35 PAGES OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH 3 TO 4 COMPLAINTS ON EACH PAGE. A FEW OF THE COMPLAINTS SAID THAT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS HAD TOLD THEM THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CALLS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AS DID THE LOCK SMITH I CALLED TO FIX MINE. THE COST WAS $200.00*JB

THE HEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC BURNING THE SEAT AND CAUSING A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK.....*AK

THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE REAR DRUM BRAKE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE, PARTS AND COMPOUND WERE MISSING, TRIM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISSING, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, AND THE IGNITION WAS DAMAGED. *SC *JB

REAR TIRES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON 2000, 2001 AND 2003 FORD FOCUS. ALL HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED BECAUSE OF REAR TIRE WEAR AND MISALIGNMENT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES BEGAN THUMPING AND THE TREAD WALL STARTED CUPPING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS HAD THREE VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TC THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS ONLY THE 2003. *JB

THREE TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND REPLACEMENTS. THE ENGINE, STARTER/IGNITION AND 1 GEAR SHIFT ALL REPLACEMENTS AND OTHER VARIOUS PROBLEMS. *BF FOUR CD PLAYER REPLACEMENTS, THE BRAKES FAILED, AND 1 ALARM FAILURE. *SC THE ENGINE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEMS PERTAINED TO THE TIRE AND RIM. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME TIRE AFTER 18,000 MILES/30,000 MILES, AND 46,000 MILES DUE TO MUD ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE TIRE RIM. THIS THREW THE BALANCE OFF, AND VEHICLE CONTROL WAS AFFECTED. IT PERFORMED ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

TIRES WEAR CONFINED TO REAR WHEELS. *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE FACTORY. *JB

MY CAR WHEN FIRST BOUGHT ALWAYS MOANED AND GROANED UPON BRAKING. I BOUGHT MY CAR 9/14/2003. THE NEXT YEAR IN 5/22/04 THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 3,500 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER DID PAY FOR AFTER A RUN AROUND. I HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR. HERE I AM IN DECEMBER NOISE IS BACK AND ROTORS ARE ALL BUMPY AGAIN WITH ONLY 8,100 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS WORKING ON TAKING CARE OF IT BUT I AM GOING TO FILE A DISPUTE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY .*AK

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM MENLOVE DODGE TOYOTA IN BOUNTIFUL IN LATE SEPTEMBER. VERYTHING WAS GOING FINE, UNTIL ONE DAY MY WIFE COMES HOME AN HOUR LATE FROM WORK SAYING THAT THE KEYS FOR OUR CAR WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION, SHE HAD TO ENLIST THE HELP 2 OTHER CO-WORKERS & FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING IT. O I WENT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE IGNITION AND SURE ENOUGH THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN UNTIL AFTER A BOUT 20-30 TRIES. SO THEN I GOT TO THINKING, WITH THIS CAR HAVING LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT I SHOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE & DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, WHICH FORD APPARENTLY FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AS WHAT IF YOU WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & YOUR CAR STOPS RUNNING, YOUR GOING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS BECAUSE THE KEY WONT TURN TO THE ON POSITION AGAIN. I CALLED TO GET A QUOTE ON GETTING THIS FIXED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME IN THE BALL PARK OF 200-300 DOLLARS FOR A DEFECT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOW PROBLEM BY FORD. HAVE FOUND A MESSAGE BOARD THAT OTHER FOR FOCUS OWNERS HAVE POSTED INFORMATION ON WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MY FELLING IS, WITH SO MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM & ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE IGNITIONS. HERE IS THE URL TO THE SITE I REFERRED TO: HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784&PAGE=1*AK

THE TEMPERATURE HAD BECOME COLDER AND THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT DEPRESS WITHOUT FORCE. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT OR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE CONSUMER WOULD DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL IT WOULD MOVE DOWNWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IT WOULD TAKE 4-5 DEPRESSIONS UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR WOULD MOVE DOWNWARD. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE THE BRAKES SQUEALING AND THE VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM NOT STARTING AT TIMES, EITHER THE PANEL LIGHTS WOULD ENGAGE OR THE STARTER WOULD GRIND. *AK *SC

18,000 MILES ON A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE RUINED, THE DEALER TOLD ME I CAN EXPECT THIS WITH A FOCUS OR A ESCAPE BECAUSE OF CENTER MOUNTED ROTORS. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER 2500 MILES AGO. STATE POLICE CAN'T HELP ME DUE THE TIME THAT HAS PASSED SINCE INSPECTION. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH ON AN 03 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKS UP. IT WAS FINE ONE DAY AND THE NEXT IT WASN'T. THE CAR WILL START BUT IT TAKES TIME AND FIDDLING WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BEFORE IT CLICKS AND UNLOCKS AND STARTS. *AK

REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED FOR NO KNOWN REASON WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH. THE SHATTERED GLASS FLEW FELL THE VEHICLE WHILE CHILD WAS SLEEPING IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

2003 FORD FOCUS -- IGNITION LOCKS AND CANNOT BE RELEASED TO START THE CAR. DEALER (SMITH FORD IN LORDSBURG, NM) HAS TO TOW IN TO WORK ON AND LAST TIME EVEN REPLACED THE IGNITION. I AM TOLD THAT THIS SMALL DEALER HAS HAD 3 DIFFERENT FOCUS' WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

MY IGNITION LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. *JB

2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. KEY WILL NOT TURN, LEAVING ME WITH TOWING COSTS TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

THE INSIDE OF THE REAR TIRE BEGAN TO WEAR WITH LESS THAN 20000 MILES. *NM WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE REAR END FISH TAILED. *TC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE EUROPEAN SUSPENSION. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 1/2004. REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEALING FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER AND A BRAKE SHOP AND BOTH HAVE SAID THE BRAKES ARE FINE. NOW THERE IS A DEFINITE SPONGY FEEL IN THE PEDAL AND A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE BACK, AND FINALLY YESTERDAY WHEN I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL TO STOP, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I NEARLY STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. *JB

VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY. ENGINE SKIPS , AND THE FRONT END SHAKES.*AK

BACK AT ABOUT 18000, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. THEY WERE SQUEAKING AND HAD EXCESSIVE DUST ON RIMS. AT TIMES I WOULD GET A GRINDING NOISE. THEY SAID "ALL WAS FINE." I TOOK MY CAR BACK AGAIN WITH THE SAME ISSUES, AT ABOUT 20000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND SINCE THE ROTORS WERE "SO THIN" THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALSO. I ASKED ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLITEN THAT IS OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT "FORD" WAS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THEM. I AM MAD BEYOND BELIEF THAT THERE IS A "BULLITEN" ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THIS NEW OF CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE THREW THE BRAKES THIS QUICK. THAT IS EXACTLEY WHAT I WAS TOLD ON MY INDEPENDENT EVALUATION. NOW I AM STUCK PAYING FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

I STARTED MY CAR NORMALLY AND DROVE TO THE STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE I GOT IN MY CAR, INSERTED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND MY STERRING WHEEL STAYED IN A LOCKED POSITION. I TOGGLED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION TO NO AVAIL MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I ENDED UP HAVE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK , WHO WAS THE DRIVER SAW THE MODEL CAR IMMEDIATELY TAPPED ON THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITH A BALL PEEN HAMMER AND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. WHAT HE SAID IS THIS IS COMMON IN FORD FOCUS.*AK

WHEN STICKING KEY INTO IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN, THE WHEELS ARE NOT LOCKED ITS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED,, I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALER SHIPS TO REPORT NOTHING IS WRONG, FIRST IT WAS IGNTION AN NOW IS THE STERRING COLUM, THE CARS IS AS OF YET TO BE FIXED, THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2003, AN NOW THE PRICE I AM BEING QUOTED IS RIDICULOUS. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FROM THE YEAR 2000-2003, THERE ARE FORUMS THAT CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS FORD FOCUS ZX3, I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AN HAVE SUBMITTED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, I DONT FEEL THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THE COMPANY FAILED TO CORRECT, I WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN AN REPORT UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED.......