Illustration2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CEASED TO FUNCTION. EHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED AND SERVICED BY FORD. ESEARCH ON INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS AN EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS, WITH MANY OWNERS NEEDING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW YEARS.*AK
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 reports2003 FORD FOCUS - FRONT BRAKES CAUSED OVERHEATING OF ROTORS AND SEVERE WEAR OF PADS - AT 20,000 MILES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG AFTER A TRACTOR TRAILER PASSED ON THE LEFT SIDE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE, AND THE CONSUMER FELT A SHARP PAIN IN THE SHOULDER. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER MADE CONTACT WITH THE TRACTOR TRAILER. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THEN, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND COLLIDED INTO A BUILDING. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…
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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THEN, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND COLLIDED INTO A BUILDING. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE WHEEL BRACKET AND BEARING ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN ON THE EXACT SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP SIGN …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE WHEEL BRACKET AND BEARING ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN ON THE EXACT SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE WILL REV UP SEVERELY, EVEN WHEN THE CONSUMER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES. *NM
1) PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CAR HAD BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER WITH CLUNKING NOISE COMPLAINT, SOUNDING LIKE FROM LEFT FRONT. DEALER REFERENCED TSB 03-20-02, REPLACED SWAY BAR END LINKS (TWICE), TIGHTENED LOOSE STRUT MOUNT BODY BOLTS. OWNER STILL HEARD POPPING NOISE. 2) DAY OF FAILURE, DRIVER HAD JUST EXITED CURVE TO LEFT AND DRIVING IN …
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1) PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CAR HAD BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER WITH CLUNKING NOISE COMPLAINT, SOUNDING LIKE FROM LEFT FRONT. DEALER REFERENCED TSB 03-20-02, REPLACED SWAY BAR END LINKS (TWICE), TIGHTENED LOOSE STRUT MOUNT BODY BOLTS. OWNER STILL HEARD POPPING NOISE. 2) DAY OF FAILURE, DRIVER HAD JUST EXITED CURVE TO LEFT AND DRIVING IN STRAIGHT SECTION. CAR LURCHED TO LEFT, ACROSS CENTERLINE. DRIVER (OVER)CORRECTED, VEERING OFF ROAD TO RIGHT, STRIKING TREE WITH LEFT REAR. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASKEW DUE TO BROKEN LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK, WHICH RESULTED IN DISCONNECTED CV SHAFT. DAMAGE PATTERNS INDICATE FAILURE PRECEEDED OFF-ROAD EXCURSION. 3) CAR PROBABLE TOTAL LOSS. *LA
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HAD THE BATTERY AND THE ALTENATOR CHANGED, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. *AK *NM
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…
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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
WHILE PUMPING GASOLINE AT THE GAS STATION THE GASOLINE SPLASHED ON THE CONSUMER. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL NECK HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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.