Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1350–25K
17525–50K
18850–75K
10775–100K
107100–150K
41150K+
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
25,300 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Electrical System
I AM A WOMAN WHO WAS LEFT SITTING WHEN MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I CALLED TRIPLE A AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AT A COST OF $278.00 I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY FORD AND COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. OF CO…
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I AM A WOMAN WHO WAS LEFT SITTING WHEN MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I CALLED TRIPLE A AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AT A COST OF $278.00 I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY FORD AND COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. OF COURSE, THIS WOULD RESULT IN ANOTHER LARGE AMOUNT OF OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR A NEGLECTING ACT OF FORD. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. IT'S A DANGEROUS THING FOR ANYONE TO BE LEFT SITTING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING VEHICLE, LET ALONE A WOMAN BY HERSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314004
21,500 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Suspension
THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING A BLOW OUT OF THE TIRE ON MY 03 FORD FOCUS, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THAT THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT AS THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SOME 3 MONTHS AFTER THE CLOSE OUT OF THE RE-CALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313538
80,000 miles · Feb 21, 2010
SeatsInjury
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. SINCE I HAD THE CAR FROM 2004 ON, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE THE SEATS DRIVER DOOR SIDE BACK WELDING FAILED. THE BROKEN WELDING CAUSES THE SEAT TO TWIST TO THE RIGHT. SEAT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST AND REPLACEMENT ALSO BROKE AT THE SAME PLACE. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDG…
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I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. SINCE I HAD THE CAR FROM 2004 ON, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE THE SEATS DRIVER DOOR SIDE BACK WELDING FAILED. THE BROKEN WELDING CAUSES THE SEAT TO TWIST TO THE RIGHT. SEAT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST AND REPLACEMENT ALSO BROKE AT THE SAME PLACE. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO A RECENT INJURY OF MY LOWER BACK SINCE I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TRAUMA FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE THAT I AM AWARE OF. A CURSORY REVIEW OF THE INTERNET TURNS UP DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE PROVIDED FOR THE INCIDENT IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE THE SECOND SEAT BROKE. THE FIRST ONE BROKE IN 2006. BOTH SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION SHOULD YOU WANT TO REVIEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312491
67,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Electrical System
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION. WE TRIED 3 KEYS AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. WE DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. OVER 116 SO FOR THAT HAVE SUBMITTED SUCH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. RECALL NECESSARY!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312039
132,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM; PASS SECURITY SWITCH. THE REPAIR PART WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM; PASS SECURITY SWITCH. THE REPAIR PART WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
NHTSA ODI #10311841
75,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONE DAY AND WOULDN'T START. IT WASN'T THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING AND I HAD TO CALL AAA THINKING I'D NEED TO GET TOWED. THE AAA GUY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON FORD PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED TOO FAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START THE CAR B…
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I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONE DAY AND WOULDN'T START. IT WASN'T THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING AND I HAD TO CALL AAA THINKING I'D NEED TO GET TOWED. THE AAA GUY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON FORD PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED TOO FAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START THE CAR BY HITTING THE KEY WITH A SMALL TOOL TO "UNLOCK" THE IGNITION. I'VE TRIED LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN, WHICH MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME I TAKE THE KEY OUT AND MADE ME WORRIED ABOUT BEING STRANDED OR PAYING TOWING COSTS. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME ALMOST $500 TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311307
63,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Electrical System
I'M UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AFTER 5:00PM AT NIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. THIS DID HAPPEN TO ME ONCE BEFORE AROUND 09/2009. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCKSMITH AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH …
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I'M UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AFTER 5:00PM AT NIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. THIS DID HAPPEN TO ME ONCE BEFORE AROUND 09/2009. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCKSMITH AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. I LOOKED THIS ISSUE UP ONLINE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD THROUGH A RECALL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID ALL WE CAN DO AT THIS POINT IS LOG YOUR CALL. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE I'VE BEEN STRANDED TWICE IN THE PM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305934
40,000 miles · Jan 30, 2010
Electrical System
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY THE IGNITION HAS A DEFECT LEAVING ME STRANDED AT WORK. AS A SOLDIER THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT RELY ON ME TO BE AT A CERTAIN PLACE AT A CERTAIN TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. APPARENTLY THE DEFECT IS WIDELY REPORTED FOR FORD FOC…
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MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY THE IGNITION HAS A DEFECT LEAVING ME STRANDED AT WORK. AS A SOLDIER THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT RELY ON ME TO BE AT A CERTAIN PLACE AT A CERTAIN TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. APPARENTLY THE DEFECT IS WIDELY REPORTED FOR FORD FOCUS YEARS 2000 TO 2003. IT COULD COST ME DEARLY IF I WAS STRANDED IN WEATHER, A REMOTE LOCATION WITHOUT A CELL PHONE, OR IF MY BABY WAS SICK AND NEEDED TO BE RUSHED TO THE ER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303313
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2010
Electrical System
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,RECENTLY I WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS FAILED TO TURN OVER. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. AS A FEMALE STRANDED ALONE THIS COULD HAVE LED DIRE CONSEQUENCES! NOW I FIND THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARG…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,RECENTLY I WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS FAILED TO TURN OVER. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. AS A FEMALE STRANDED ALONE THIS COULD HAVE LED DIRE CONSEQUENCES! NOW I FIND THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME SOME$500 TO REPAIR THE SWITCH..TO BE PUT IN JEOPARDY THEN CHARGED AN OBSCENE AMOUNT FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW IS OUTRAGEOUS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302353
63,000 miles · Jan 24, 2010
Electrical System
MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN HER 2003 FORD FOCUS. SHE CANNOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE $800 TO FIX THIS COMMON PROBLEM AND WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR
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.
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