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
17,709 miles · May 18, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SEVERAL SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE SPRING RUBBING ON THE STRUT COVER. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SEVERAL SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE SPRING RUBBING ON THE STRUT COVER. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE FRONT SHOCKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STRUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAD IT REPLACED AND PAID $550.62. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,709.
NHTSA ODI #10191199
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2007
Air BagsEquipmentCrashInjury
I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAHOE IN FEBRUARY 2006. IT WAS RAINY AND THE ROADS WERE A LITTLE WET. WE HIT A PUDDLE AND HE CAR SPUN OUT HIT BOTH FRONT AND BACK ENDS FROM SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE WALLS. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 45-50 MPH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. FROM SMASHING IN TO THE WALLS THE PASSENGER SE…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAHOE IN FEBRUARY 2006. IT WAS RAINY AND THE ROADS WERE A LITTLE WET. WE HIT A PUDDLE AND HE CAR SPUN OUT HIT BOTH FRONT AND BACK ENDS FROM SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE WALLS. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 45-50 MPH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. FROM SMASHING IN TO THE WALLS THE PASSENGER SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE BACKWARDS. ALMOST IN A LAYING DOWN POSITION AND THE SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY EXTENDED AND WOULDN'T RETRACT. CAR WAS TOTALED. AT THE TIME THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. BUT 8 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I STARTED HAVING GRAND MALL SEIZURES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190797
62,980 miles · May 15, 2007
Electrical System
KEY WOULD'NT TURN THE IGNITION ON MY2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5. HAPPENED AT VARIOUS TIMES, TILL IT WOULD'NT WORK AT ALL. HAD IT REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $365.00. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK.AK
NHTSA ODI #10190738
50,000 miles · May 14, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR THE KEY FAILS TO START THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDS A NEW KEY OR A NEW IGNITION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR THE KEY FAILS TO START THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDS A NEW KEY OR A NEW IGNITION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10190666
43,000 miles · May 7, 2007
Electrical System
THE IGNITION WON'T WORK. I CANNOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE TURNING IT BEFORE, BUT USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR JIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT IT WOULD WORK. NOTHING IS WORKING TODAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10189944
27,000 miles · May 6, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH LOW MILEAGE. I HAVE AN INTERMITTMENT PROBLEM WITH IT STOPPING. THE ENGINE SURGES AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IT IS STIFF. IT HAS ALWAYS DONE IT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD IT TO A FORD DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND SAID THE…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH LOW MILEAGE. I HAVE AN INTERMITTMENT PROBLEM WITH IT STOPPING. THE ENGINE SURGES AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IT IS STIFF. IT HAS ALWAYS DONE IT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD IT TO A FORD DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND SAID THEY WERE CALLING FORD TO TALK TO THE ENGINEERS. FORD INFORMED THEM THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON IT THE SECOND TIME. I PICKED IT UP AND THE VERY NEXT DAY I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE SURGED EVEN MORE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF . THE FORD DEALER HAS HAD IT FOR A WEEK NOW WITH NO COMMUNICATION FROM THEM SO FAR. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND GIVES NO INDICATION IT IT GOING TO DO IT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THIS STARTING IN NOVEMBER. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF APRIL THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME QUITE FREQUENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10189928
50,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Electrical System
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS A LOCKED IGNITION THAT I FOUND OUT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM SINCE 2000. IT WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $500.00 TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189501
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2007
Electrical System
MY LEFT TAIL SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS IN MY MANUAL I COULD NOT REMOVE THE TAILLIGHT CAPSULE FROM THE HOUSING. I WENT TO COONS FORD FAIRFAX, VA TO SEE IF THEY COULD CHANGE IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT OF MY CAR MELTED THE TAILLIGHTS TO THE LENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE…
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MY LEFT TAIL SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS IN MY MANUAL I COULD NOT REMOVE THE TAILLIGHT CAPSULE FROM THE HOUSING. I WENT TO COONS FORD FAIRFAX, VA TO SEE IF THEY COULD CHANGE IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT OF MY CAR MELTED THE TAILLIGHTS TO THE LENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $500. I GOT ON THE PHONE AND TALKED TO SOMEONE AT FORD'S MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. AFTER OUR CONVERSATION THEY GAVE ME 15% OFF ON MY REPAIR BILL. AFTER RETRIEVING MY CAR THE OTHER TAILLIGHT DIED. SOMEONE ON FORD'S ASSEMBLY LINE DID NOT WIRING MY CAR CORRECTLY. HOW IS THIS MY FAULT AND WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY $421.20 FOR A MISTAKE THEY MADE? FOR SAFETY REASONS I GOT THE REPAIRS DONE. I WOULD LIKE A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION BOTH BROKEN TAILLIGHTS FOR ANYONE TO CHECK OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10189256
55,000 miles · Apr 29, 2007
Visibility
LEAKING OF RAIN WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CHECKED AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY REFUSE TO REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE POLLEN FILTER SEALS NOT KEEPING WATER OUT. IT IS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MOLD IS STARTING TO FORM, AND WHO KNOW…
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LEAKING OF RAIN WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CHECKED AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THEY REFUSE TO REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE POLLEN FILTER SEALS NOT KEEPING WATER OUT. IT IS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MOLD IS STARTING TO FORM, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THIS WILL CAUSE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189216
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2007
Electrical System
IGNITION TURNED FINE, PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I RETURNED (VERY LATE THAT NIGHT) TO LEAVE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. NOTHING WOULD FIX THIS. I SPENT NEARLY 30 MINUTES TRYING TO TURN THE KEY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS VERY SCARY, AND MY INABILITY TO DRIVE AWAY MADE ME FE…
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IGNITION TURNED FINE, PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I RETURNED (VERY LATE THAT NIGHT) TO LEAVE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. NOTHING WOULD FIX THIS. I SPENT NEARLY 30 MINUTES TRYING TO TURN THE KEY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS VERY SCARY, AND MY INABILITY TO DRIVE AWAY MADE ME FEEL EXTREMELY UNEASY, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A LATE TIME OF NIGHT. *JB
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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