2003 Ford Focus complaints

IN PAST WEEK AND A HALF, 90% OF THE TIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION IS LOCKED AND WON'T RELEASE. I HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO ROCK THE KEY BACK AND FORTH MANY TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY RELEASES. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES IT AS WELL. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I OR MY DAUGHTER COULD END UP STRANDED SOME WHERE AT NIGHT. FORD HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS RAMPANT ON FOCUS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003. *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

MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE DRUM SEPARATED AT THE BEARING AND MY ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL TEMPORARILY AND ALSO BECOME TOTALLY STRANDED AND IMMOBILE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO DIRECT CAUSE FOR THIS AS THE BEARING INSIDE THE DRUM WAS NOT SEIZED OR MALFUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC THAT SERVICED THE REPAIR HAS OVER 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE AND COULD NOT RECALL EVER SEEING THIS HAPPENING ON ANY VEHICLE EVER. I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES (AND HAD DONE SO JUST AN HOUR PRIOR THIS DAY) AND I AM THANKFUL TO THE POWERS ABOVE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED AS THIS IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE THAT THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE STAY ON THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. MY CAR IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 133K MILES (AVG OF 12,000 MILES PER YEAR), THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN EVEN AT TWICE THE MILEAGE !!!! I AM NOW FEARFUL THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN TO THE OTHER REAR WHEEL AS THIS SHEARING OF THE BRAKE DRUM JUST CANNOT BE EXPLAINED. *TR

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. WHILE CHECKING CONSUMER REVIEWS ON AN AUTO PARTS WEBSITE FOR A REPLACEMENT, OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME SPRING FAILURE. *TR

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE DRIVE, PUT IT IN REVERSE, BEGAN TO BACK UP AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, MY HUSBAND (A FORMER AUTO MECHANIC) FOUND THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BROKEN, AND THE TIRE WAS AT RISK OF DAMAGE/POTENTIALLY DAMAGED. I AM VERY, VERY GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BETTER NOT BE MY LOVED ONES!!! I'LL MAKE SOMEONE PAY DEARLY!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH OVER A POT HOLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

BOUGHT THE 2003 FORD FOCUS NEW FROM MALLON FORD (CURRENTLY LAKEWOOD FORD), IN TACOMA, WA. CAR ADVERTISED AT 27 TO 36 MPG. ACTUAL MILEAGE ON HWY WAS 42 MPG. YESTERDAY (MARCH 14, 2013) CAR OWNER, [XXX], SAID CAR HAD STOPPED AND WAS MAKING LOT OF NOISE. I TOLD HER NOT TO TRY AND START IT ANYMORE BUT THAT I WOULD BE THERE IN 30 MINUTES. SO I ARRIVED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RAISED THE HOOD. I FOUND A CONNECTION TO THE AIR FLOW SENSOR DISCONNECTED. RE-CONNECTED IT AND THE ENGINE RAN BUT LOTS OF NOISE IN VALVE TRAIN. LIKE SPARK KNOCK ON STEROIDS. CHECKED WITH STETHOSCOPE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. IT WAS EMANATING FROM THE TOP OF #1 AND 2 CYLINDERS. ENGINE OIL IS CLEAN AND FULL. SO, AS A LONG TIME MECHANIC, I AM REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT THE VALVE SEATS DROPPED AND WHERE BROKEN BY THE VALVES IN EITHER NUMBER ONE OR NUMBER TWO CYLINDER. THAT MEANS THE ENGINE MIGHT BE TOAST OR IT COULD BE THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD IS TOAST- - ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN DISMANTLED BUT I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE VALVE SEATS HAVE DROPPED ON ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS SOHC 2.0 LITER ENGINE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD MAN OR WOMAN UP AND FIX THESE FACTORY DEFECTS.LOCAL FORD SERVICE MANAGERS TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINE. IN MY OPINION, THAT IS A DANGEROUS FACTORY DEFECT DESIGNED TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE TO EITHER PIN THE VALVE SEATS OR USE ANOTHER RMETHOD (SUCH AS SCREW IN AND PINNED) TO MAKE SURE THE SEATS STAY IN PLA

RIGHT SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE, CUT INTO TIRE. FORD WILL NOT FIX, THEY KNOW THE FOCUS SPRING BREAKS TSB EXPIRED SEPT 2012 ( I CALLED FORD!); DON'T DRIVE THESE CARS. REPLACE YOUR SPRINGS FIRST. *TR

THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION - APPARENTLY A NOTORIOUS FORD FOCUS PROBLEM. THE CAR LEFT ME STRANDED MILES FROM HOME IN FREEZING WEATHER. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND RETRACTOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS NOT WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND LASTED A FEW DAYS THEN SOMEHOW STARTED WORKING AGAIN BUT NOW IT IS BACK. WHEN I TRY TO PULL IT OPEN IT IS AS IF THERE IS NOTHING ATTACHED TO THE OTHER SIDE. I PULL IT OUT AND IT STAYS OUT AND LOOSE. WE HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THIS SAME VEHICLE FOR THE REAR DOORS HAVING THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE EXCEPT WE HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DOORS, ONLY THE FRONT. MY DEALER SAYS THEY CAN FIX THE REAR DOORS FOR FREE BUT I WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE FRONT. I FIND THIS FUNNY BECAUSE FORD IS WILLING TO WORK ON MY DOORS THAT WORK FINE FOR FREE BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE BROKEN AND HAZARDOUS DOORS. CAN WE PLEASE UPDATE THIS RECALL TO AFFECT ALL THE DOORS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS BEFORE WE HAVE DRIVERS ROLLING OUT OF THEIR CARS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

THIS VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LEMON.AT 4,900 MILES 5 DISC CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 15,000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AND HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED, LUCKILY IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AT 22,000 THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CRANK. AT 24,000 MILES THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT EVEN TURN OVER SO THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. 26,000 THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE OF HINGES. 27,356 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED.32,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. 36,000 MILES ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.38,000 MILES COMPLICATIONS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AGAIN. HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 54,000 THEN EVERYTHING SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT, THE PUMP HOUSING WAS LEAKING. THE STARTER COIL WAS BAD A FEW FUSES HAD BLOWN THAT I HADN'T KNOW ABOUT. I HAD A FULL TUNE UP, SPARKPLUGS AND NEW WIRES AND ALSO PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. 61,000 THE WINDOW LEVER TO ROLL WINDOWS UP ON PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF, THE DOOR HANDLE ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE BECAME VERY STIFF AND HAD TO BE AGGRESSIVELY OPENED UNTIL THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. 68,000 MILES WATERPUMP ADAPTER CRACKED AND SPRAYED ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE. 72,000 LIGHT OIL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUG COMPARTMENT AND ONLY DAYS LATER THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. SO THIS LITTLE PROBLEMATIC BABY IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WITH ONLY 73,263

IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN. HAPPENED IN BAD PART OF TOWN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO RETRIEVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. .... UPDATED 03-28-13 *BF UPDATED 04/22/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE METAL PLATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONTACT THEN REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRUNK LATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND THE IGNITION FAILED; HOWEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE WRECKER BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS, THIS BEING THE SECOND FORD FOCUS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS YEAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THEREFORE PUTTING THE PASSENGERS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE LOST CONTROL, AND SLID SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND RESULTED IN A FATALITY OF THE DRIVER..THE AREA OF PROTECTION SURROUNDING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS INADEQUATE IN THAT IT DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFETY UPON IMPACT. THIS BEING THE SECOND FOCUS TOWED RECENTLY, IT HAS BECOME APARENT TO ME THAT THESE LIGHT WEIGNT VEHICLES PROPOSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES DEFECTIVE SWITCH. TAPPING KEY WITH HAMMER ALLOWED THE SWITCH TO WORK PROPERLY AND CONTINUE TO WORK PROPERLY AS LONG AS THE KEY IS NOT REMOVED. ONCE THE KEY IS REMOVED, THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN FREEZES AND WILL NOT TURN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE TAIL GATE MECHANISM WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN PREVENTING YOU FROM STARTING THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER GOT STRANDED AT WORK AT 11PM FOR 45 MINUTES UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO HELP HER GET THE KEY TO TURN. I TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID A FORD DEALER WOULD NEED TO REPLACE AS THE 2000-2003 FOCUSES HAVE A LOT OF IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WANTS $350 AND WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE PART FOR 1 YEAR!! *TR

THE LEFT REAR DOOR DOESN'T LATCH PROPERLY, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FLY OPEN ON IT'S OWN. THANK GOODNESS KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AND IS NOW TETHERED WITH ROPE AND CAN'T BE USED. FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE A CURRENT RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 FORD CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. THE ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE IS THAT IT WAS PURCHASED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN 2003 AND REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN FEB OF 2005 WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT. (IT IS NOW REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NY WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2006. IF THE RECALL CAME OUT ONE YEAR LATER, MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED?) COVERED OR NOT, FORD KNOWS THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. A REMEDY WOULD BE TO RE-ISSUE THE RECALL AGAIN SO THAT IT COVERS ANY 2003 FOCUS AS I AM CERTAIN THAT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY CAR SOLD IN A STATE NOT COVERED, BUT THAT HAS SINCE RELOCATED TO A STATE WHERE CORROSION CAN OCCUR DUE TO SALT AND WINTER CONDITIONS (UNBEKNOWNST TO CONSUMERS). I AM LUCKY THAT MY KIDS WERE NOT HURT, BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN. KEYS ARE FINE AND HITTING THE KEY WORKED A FEW TIMES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WITH THIS PROBLEM, A PERSON CAN EASILY BECOME STRANDED IN UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS. ALSO, SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN WHERE THE ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COULD BECOME LOCKED WITH NO WAY TO TURN KEY. *TR

I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO GOT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.. *TR

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN IN LOCK. UNABLE TO START CAR. WIFE STRANDED. BROUGHT HER OTHER KEYS, SAME PROBLEM. FINALLY GOT LOCK TO TURN BY VILOENTLY WIGGLING AND POUNDING ON KEY. DROVE CAR HOME. INTERNET SEARCH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE PURCHASERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX 70MPH, I SIGNALED MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL. AS I CHANGED INTO THE LEFT LANE, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN SO SOME SEAT FOAM AND SMOKE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND THE OTHER DRIVER STOPPED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE HOME. *TR

KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND NO SUCCESS. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. CAR IS JUST SITTING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND SHE VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE KEY GOT STUCK. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. SUDDENLY I HEARD A CRASH SOUND IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I FELT THERE WAS A FORCE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE TIRE. THEN I NOTICED BLACK SMOKES BEHIND MY CAR AND THEN I STOPPED. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANT. THE AAA GUY CAME AND CHECKED MY CAR AND TOLD ME THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE BROKEN PART DAMAGED MY TIRE TOO. I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE COIL SPRING ON 2000-2003 FOCUS THEN I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME MY FOCUS WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. CLEARLY THIS IS THE FAULT OF FORD. THE AAA GUY TOLD ME IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I WOULD PROBABLY BE KILLED. I URGED THE NHTSA TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE THIS ACTUALLY KILLED LOTS OF PEOPLE. I ALSO URGED FORD TO PLACE A RECALL TO CHECK ALL THE COIL SPRING ON ALL CARS THEY MAKE TO MAKE SURE THIS PART HAS NO PROBLEMS. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF A LOCK SMITH DETERMINED THE LOCK WAFERS WERE BENT, DUE TO IT BEING MADE OF CHEAP METAL. UPDATED 07/30/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL EMITTED A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEATED, AND CAUSED THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL DRUM ASSEMBLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CONTINUED TO EMIT A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 121,000.

WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR, THE KEY WON'T TURN WHEN I PUT IT IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES JUST TODAY. I CAN WIGGLE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND LUCKILY IT'S ENDED UP WORKING, BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

THE IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN, ALTHOUGH THE KEY CAN GO IN AND OUT OF IT. HIRED A LOCKSMITH BEFORE I KNEW THE DEALERSHIP MIGHT FIX IT FOR FREE BECAUSE I NEEDED IT FIXED QUICKLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY CHILD ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME. WE LEFT A STORE AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO RETURN HOME WHEN THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT BUT THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TRIED RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WHICH COST ME $100 FOR 4 MILES. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AREA FOR 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT IT REALLY IS COMMON...LIKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON ONE SITE ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN RECALLED? I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH A CHILD BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WASN'T COVERED AND COST ME $374. WHY IS THAT TYPE OF MALFUNCTION ONLY IN THOSE MODEL YEARS? MAYBE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE FLAW AND CHANGED IT IN LATER YEARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT IN EVERY YEAR THEY SOLD THESE DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDERS. FOR THEM, IT WOULD BE A MINOR INCONVENIENCE AND A LITTLE MONEY TO GET THESE PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT SHOULDER STRAP HARNESS CAUSED MY PASSENGER, A YOUNG CHILD, TO ALMOST BE STRANGLED, LEAVING MARKS AND BRUISES TO THE NECK. CHILD WAS UNABLE TO UNBUCKLE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT HE PULLED WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE PART OF THE SEATBELT THAT CROSSED OVER HIS NECK, TO GET OUT, THE TENSION ON SEATBELT RELEASED, AND STRETCHED AS HE TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THEN TIGHTENED UP, THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT TO SAVE HIM. *TR

THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN IT IS LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. KEY GET STUCK IN THE CYLINDER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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.

MANUFACTURING DEFECT PLACES THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER AGAINST THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE. THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER IS ALLOWED TO RUB A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE. THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE LEAKED DUE TO WEAR CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER. LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE. *TR

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 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED HER FROM INSERTING THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

LEAKING BRAKE LINE. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE FRONT LEFT PLASTIC INNER FENDER RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES AVAILABLE. *TR

LEAVING WORK AT THE END OF THE DAY I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT WAS VERY COLD AND AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIME FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY VEHICLE EVERYDAY. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS WHILE AT THE GAS STATION, WHICH TOOK ALMOST 15 MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE, WITH NO RECALL PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO SAFETY. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOW FOUND MY SELF UNCOMFORTABLY ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR IN LESS THAT SAFE ENVIRONMENTS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS, I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN TO STAR THE ENGINE. I WAS STUCK AT A GAS STATION IN THE WINTER AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO HELP ME. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES OF TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET IT TO START IT WORKED. THE NEXT DAY I GOT IN MY CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THIS TIME NOTHING I DID WOULD START IT. I ENDED UP PAYING $112 FOR A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE THE IGNITION IN MY CAR. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF FORD FOCUS AND THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF SOMEONE HAS CHILDREN AND IS STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE THEIR VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. *TR