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2003 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

753 reports with mileage · 224 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 522 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

52 crash reports17 fire reports37 injury reports

What owners actually said

977 reports
124,000 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10501328

52,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Structure

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10500839

55,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Electrical System

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 5…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10500645

1,500 miles · Feb 12, 2013
EngineEquipmentStructure

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 IGNI…

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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 MILES ON IT BECAUSE I CUT HER OFF AT NEARLY $4K IN REPAIRS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT BESIDES SEND IT TO THE JUNK YARD BECAUSE I WOULD HATE TO SALE IT AND PAWN THIS MONEY CONSUMING VEHICLE OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE. FORD SHOULD JUST BUY IT BACK FROM ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497866

168,000 miles · Feb 10, 2013
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10497624

43,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Electrical System

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10496486

35,500 miles · Jan 9, 2013
Service Brakes

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 T…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10491997

84,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10490733

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2012
StructureCrash

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 CONT…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10490142

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2012
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10488875

Official recalls

1

05V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Feb 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

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.