NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
522 reportsClear category filter86,331 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, CO…
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THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, COMPARING TO A NEW SWITCH THEY WERE ABOUT TO INSTALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE ITEM. I DID FIND, HOWEVER, PLENTY OF COMPLAINS OF FORD OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT JEOPARDIZES THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368133
97,500 miles · Nov 12, 2010
Electrical System
THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED AND REMOVED BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. REPLACEMENT SEEMS THE ONLY VIABLE SOLUTION. IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT AS SO MANY CASES OF THE LOCK-UP HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
NHTSA ODI #10366271
113,000 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Electrical System
I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY GIRLFRIEND'S DR'S OFFICE WAITING TO PICK HER UP. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THE BUS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I ATTEMPTED REPEATEDLY TO TURN THE KEY, BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE (I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS), BUT THE K…
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I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY GIRLFRIEND'S DR'S OFFICE WAITING TO PICK HER UP. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THE BUS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I ATTEMPTED REPEATEDLY TO TURN THE KEY, BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE (I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS), BUT THE KEY HAD TURNED WITH SOME FIDDLING. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T TURN, NO MATTER WHAT I DID. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE KEY HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. I READ SEVERAL SOURCES ONLINE THAT SAID THIS IS NOT NECESSARY THAT ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THIS IS PADDING THEIR OWN POCKET, BUT WHAT CAN I DO? I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO CALL THIS GUY A LIAR. I HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS HE DESCRIBES THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10364975
49,580 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE KEY IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE KEY IS FINE..THE ACTUAL IGNITION MECHANISM IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359863
80,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Electrical System
FAILURE TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH WITH KEY...TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (AT TIMES FOR 1/2 AN HOUR) AND HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND GETTING WORSE. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON-LINE, I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA AND THAT MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WILL FIRST CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER…
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FAILURE TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH WITH KEY...TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (AT TIMES FOR 1/2 AN HOUR) AND HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND GETTING WORSE. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON-LINE, I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA AND THAT MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WILL FIRST CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT BASED ON OTHER FOCUS OWNERS, I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH AND HOPEFULLY SOON WILL BE CONTACTING A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359596
62,500 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Electrical System
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WILL NOT TURN ENGINE OVER NOR UNLOCK STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355836
119,623 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK-UP. EVERY TIME THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND THEN REINSERTED, IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO UNLOCK TO TURN AND START. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS DURING 110 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WE WILL HAVE TO EITHER REPLACE THE IGNITION OR CALL A LOCKSMITH. THIS I…
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2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK-UP. EVERY TIME THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND THEN REINSERTED, IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO UNLOCK TO TURN AND START. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS DURING 110 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WE WILL HAVE TO EITHER REPLACE THE IGNITION OR CALL A LOCKSMITH. THIS IS AN EVERYDAY PROBLEM NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353681
54,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Electrical System
THE IGNITION HAS BEEN STICKING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR, MORE RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN A DAILY OCCURRENCE THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. WHAT THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO WAS GETTING STRANDED DUE TO THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START ( IGNITION WOULDN'T EVEN TURN). I AM NOW GOING TO…
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THE IGNITION HAS BEEN STICKING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR, MORE RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN A DAILY OCCURRENCE THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. WHAT THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO WAS GETTING STRANDED DUE TO THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START ( IGNITION WOULDN'T EVEN TURN). I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE CAR TOWED AND EITHER RE-KEYED, OR A NEW IGNITION PUT IN WHICH WILL COST A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351623
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350492
75,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Electrical System
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS IGNITION PROBLEMS. MY KEY COULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AND AS I SEARCH ONLINE, A LOT OF PPL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS AND SPECIFICALLY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS IS VERY SEVERE. IMAGE YOU'RE IN A HURRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY COULD NOT TURN AND YOU ARE STUCK. SO W…
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MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS IGNITION PROBLEMS. MY KEY COULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AND AS I SEARCH ONLINE, A LOT OF PPL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS AND SPECIFICALLY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS IS VERY SEVERE. IMAGE YOU'RE IN A HURRY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY COULD NOT TURN AND YOU ARE STUCK. SO WHY IS THERE IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT BY FORD? I JUST ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS AROUND $450 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY THIS MONEY DUE TO FORD'S FAULT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350314
Official recalls
1Feb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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