AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES MY 2003 FORD FOCUS BEGAN TO VIBRATE IN THE FRONT (STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR SHIFT). I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRE CENTER AND HAD THE TIRES BALANCED. I THEN WENT ON VACATION IN MY CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO VIBRATE THR…
Read full complaint
AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES MY 2003 FORD FOCUS BEGAN TO VIBRATE IN THE FRONT (STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR SHIFT). I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRE CENTER AND HAD THE TIRES BALANCED. I THEN WENT ON VACATION IN MY CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO VIBRATE THROUGH THE TRIP. WHEN I RETURNED I TOOK MY CAR TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT MY GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES HAVE PREMATURE WEAR CAUSING THE VIBRATION. MY TIRES ALSO HAVE SCALLOPING, BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ALIGMENT WAS WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATIONS. I NOW HAVE A CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND JUST OVER 16,000 MILES IN NEED OF NEW TIRES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRES AND THAT THIS MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER DRIVERS OF THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 FORD FOCUS BECAUSE THE GOODYEAR TIRES HAD A VERY SOFT RUBBER COMPOUND. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BUT PREMATURE WEAR AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE TIRES AT MY EXPENSE. I AM NOW PLANNING ON GOING TO MY LOCAL TIRE DEALER AND REPLACING THE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078478
3,000 miles · May 7, 2004
Suspension
SQUEALING BRAKES, GRABBING BRAKES, GRINDING NOISES FROM BRAKES, PREMATURE WEAR IN FRONT ROTORS, KNOCKING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, LOUD SQEAKING NOISES FROM ALL SUSPENSION. BROUGHT CAR INTO 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES FOR ALL AND NO SOLUTION. SERVICE DIDN'T CARE ENOUGH AND VERY RUDE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10068455
3,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Power TrainSuspensionCrash
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO JERK. AS A RESULTED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN AND HIT A TREE. THE VAN WAS TOTALED. *NM *SC
NHTSA ODI #10055841
996 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Suspension
FRONT END SHIMMIES AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AT SPEED OF 70 MPH AND FASTER. IF VEHICLE ISN'T SERVICED IMMEDIATELY THE PROBLEM WILL PROGRESS AND OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP BALANCED AND ROTATED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES, AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES TWICE. THIS ONLY PROVIDES A TEMPORARY SOLUTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM RECURS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061166
14,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Suspension
METAL PEICE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR LIKE TIE ROD ENDS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT IS BROKE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RUIN ALL TIRES. HAVE TO REPLACE THE METAL PIECE WITH ONE THAT IS ADJUSTABLE. HAVE TAKE THE CAR TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE LIVE IN WYOMING SO THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO TRAVE…
Read full complaint
METAL PEICE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR LIKE TIE ROD ENDS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT IS BROKE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RUIN ALL TIRES. HAVE TO REPLACE THE METAL PIECE WITH ONE THAT IS ADJUSTABLE. HAVE TAKE THE CAR TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE LIVE IN WYOMING SO THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO TRAVEL A WAYS TO GET TO THESE PLACES. SHEIDAN AND GILLETTE. THUNDER BASIN FORD IS CURRENTLY ORDERING THE PART SO THAT WE CAN GET THE REAR ALLIGNED PROPERLY. THEY STATED THAT THE PEICE WAS PROBABLY BENT FROM THE MANUFACTURE.
NHTSA ODI #10071141
600 miles · Sep 26, 2003
SuspensionCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ABRUPTLY VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, AND IMPACTED A GUARD RAIL. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10040797
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD BUSHING, BEARING ASSEMBLY, AXLE SHAFT AND JOINT, FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND NUMEROUS WHEEL AND TIRE ADJUSTMENTS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10037869
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE SHAKES AND VIBRATES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031879
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2002
Suspension
THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE TRAVELING SPEED 40 TO 50MPH. DUE TO BAD SUSPENSION REAR OF VEHICLE WOBBLES. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM TS
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
1
AQ10001 · 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.
2003 Ford Focus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration