Illustration2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 6 TIME IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK EACH TIME. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsIGNITION KEY MECHANISM WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN -PREVENTING TURNING THE KEY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. UNABLE TO TOW CAR (LUCKILY ALL 2-3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DEALER FOR FLATBED TOW). WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST OCCURRENCE THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD W…
Read full complaint
IGNITION KEY MECHANISM WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN -PREVENTING TURNING THE KEY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. UNABLE TO TOW CAR (LUCKILY ALL 2-3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DEALER FOR FLATBED TOW). WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST OCCURRENCE THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE EVEN THOUGH OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAD THIS PROBLEM - SOME UP TO 10 OCCURRENCES AND FORD SAID NOT A DEFECT. I ONLY HAD TWO KEYS ON MY KEY RING SO NOT A WEIGHT ISSUE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT BUDGE; THEREFORE, A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE KEY BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO START THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT BUDGE; THEREFORE, A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE KEY BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO TWO OTHER VEHICLES HE TOWED THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST AND WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,450 UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB
2003 FORD FOCUS .WE HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO ( WAS A USED CAR) THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED ONCE. NOW WE HAVE TROUBLE AGAIN. MY WIFE GOT STUCK AT A SHOPPING CENTER. MY SON, A MECHANIC TRIED TO HELP, BUT COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN. SHE CALLED AAA. WHEN HE ARRIVED HE "HIT" THE IGNITION VERY HAR…
Read full complaint
2003 FORD FOCUS .WE HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO ( WAS A USED CAR) THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED ONCE. NOW WE HAVE TROUBLE AGAIN. MY WIFE GOT STUCK AT A SHOPPING CENTER. MY SON, A MECHANIC TRIED TO HELP, BUT COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN. SHE CALLED AAA. WHEN HE ARRIVED HE "HIT" THE IGNITION VERY HARD AND THE KEY TURNED. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, BUT WE EXPECT TO HAVE MORE TROUBLE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALMOST EVERYDAY. IF THE CAR WERE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD A SAFETY RECALL. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO AT LEAST TURN THE KEY. WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO FORD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $400- 500.. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD LOCK UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST OR ASSUME LIABILITY UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD LOCK UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST OR ASSUME LIABILITY UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 82,000.
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND 3 OUT OF 5 OF MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT SOMETIMES HAS TO BE RIPPED OUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO COME UNBUCKLED WHICH COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE DYING IF THEY CANNOT UNBUCKLE AFTER A CRASH. TWO OF MY BACK SEAT BELTS WILL NOT BUCKLE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID I …
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND 3 OUT OF 5 OF MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT SOMETIMES HAS TO BE RIPPED OUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO COME UNBUCKLED WHICH COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE DYING IF THEY CANNOT UNBUCKLE AFTER A CRASH. TWO OF MY BACK SEAT BELTS WILL NOT BUCKLE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED. I HOWEVER FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ONLINE THAT OTHERS HAVE THESE SAME SEAT BELT ISSUES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. THANKFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN NO WRECKS YET SO NO ONE WAS STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BUT I AM VERY FEARFUL OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE EVEN TRIED CLEANING OUT THE BUCKLES AND IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A SEPARATE ISSUE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. THE CONTACT FEELS T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A SEPARATE ISSUE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE STOLEN IF THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 198,156.
MY CAR KEY WOULD ALWAYS GO IN BUT NO TURN. ONCE IN A WHILE IF I JIGGLED IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER AND BE OKAY. BUT I WAS SHOPPING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, SO I CALLED AAA. THEY HAD ME TRY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND IT DIDN'T WORK SO IT WAS TOWED TO MY CAR DEALER. HEIR THEY SAID THAT THE IGNITION WENT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO R…
Read full complaint
MY CAR KEY WOULD ALWAYS GO IN BUT NO TURN. ONCE IN A WHILE IF I JIGGLED IT, IT WOULD TURN OVER AND BE OKAY. BUT I WAS SHOPPING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, SO I CALLED AAA. THEY HAD ME TRY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND IT DIDN'T WORK SO IT WAS TOWED TO MY CAR DEALER. HEIR THEY SAID THAT THE IGNITION WENT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT AT THE COST OF $350. SHOCKED BECAUSE IT WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE BROKEN. SO I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT KEEPS HAPPENING AND JUST FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR OIL CHANGES IT IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT AND IN THE FUTURE BUY MORE FORD PRODUCTS SO I HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND FIXED. *TR
MY 2003 SVT FOCUS TAKES 2 TO FIVE MINUTES OF JIGGLING THE KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO WORK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND CONTACTED MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN FIX IT AT MY COST AND THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON IT. THE CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED A COUPLE OF TI…
Read full complaint
MY 2003 SVT FOCUS TAKES 2 TO FIVE MINUTES OF JIGGLING THE KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO WORK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND CONTACTED MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN FIX IT AT MY COST AND THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON IT. THE CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION TO START THE CAR. *TR
Official recalls
105V030000 · 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
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.