← New search

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
600 miles · Sep 26, 2003
SuspensionCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ABRUPTLY VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, AND IMPACTED A GUARD RAIL. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10040797

1,100 miles · Sep 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10040550

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

PROBLEMS WITH WATER IN VEHICLE'S ENGINE.*MR CONSUMER DROVE OVER A PUDDLE AND VEHICLE WAS SPLASHED ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. APPROX. 50 FEET FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE FROM …

Read full complaint

PROBLEMS WITH WATER IN VEHICLE'S ENGINE.*MR CONSUMER DROVE OVER A PUDDLE AND VEHICLE WAS SPLASHED ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. APPROX. 50 FEET FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE ENGINE WAS FLOODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $5000. THIS WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULDN'T OFFER A RENTAL VEHICLE SO THE CONSUMER FELT HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. AN INDEPENDENT COURT CERTIFIED AUTO EXPERT STATED IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES DUE TO LOW AIR INTAKE. *PH *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10041869

1,024 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Power Train

REPLACED THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION AND WAS PICKED UP ON 8/26/03. IT HAD EXACTLY 725 MILES. ON 9/5/03 IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION GETTING STUCK IN A FORWARD GEAR. IT HAD EXACTLY 1024 MILES. REMAINS IN THE SHOP TO THIS DAY. 9/12/03. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10038793

725 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Power Train

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS LX ON 7/23/03. IT BROKE DOWN ON 8/18/03 IN SPRINGGOLD, GA. WITH A BROKEN AXLE AND A BROKEN TRANSMISSION. SALE FORD REPLACED THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION AND WAS PICKED UP ON 8/26/03. IT HAD EXACTLY 725 MILES. ON 9/5/03 IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION GETTING STUCK IN A FORWARD GEAR. IT HAD EXACT…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS LX ON 7/23/03. IT BROKE DOWN ON 8/18/03 IN SPRINGGOLD, GA. WITH A BROKEN AXLE AND A BROKEN TRANSMISSION. SALE FORD REPLACED THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION AND WAS PICKED UP ON 8/26/03. IT HAD EXACTLY 725 MILES. ON 9/5/03 IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION GETTING STUCK IN A FORWARD GEAR. IT HAD EXACTLY 1024 MILES. REMAINS IN THE SHOP TO THIS DAY. 9/12/03. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10038792

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE DRIVING BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10038185

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Air Bags

I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR, 2003 FORD FOCUS! SINCE IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR, I EXPECTED IT TO BE FLAWLESS. HOWEVER, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN WE FOUND RUST ON THE MUFFLER, THEN ON THE METAL FRAME IN THE DASHBOARD AREA. WE TALKED TO THE ASST. MGR (JAY PARKER) ON 8/24. I ASKED FOR THE GM, BUT HE SAID TO CALL MONDAY, 8/25 T…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR, 2003 FORD FOCUS! SINCE IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR, I EXPECTED IT TO BE FLAWLESS. HOWEVER, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN WE FOUND RUST ON THE MUFFLER, THEN ON THE METAL FRAME IN THE DASHBOARD AREA. WE TALKED TO THE ASST. MGR (JAY PARKER) ON 8/24. I ASKED FOR THE GM, BUT HE SAID TO CALL MONDAY, 8/25 TO SEE IF HE'S IN. HE WAS IN ON MONDAY, BUT THEY HAD ME TALK TO ANOTHER PERSON, EDDIE SUZUI. HE SAID TO BRING THE CAR IN AND ASK FOR HIM. AS SOON AS WE GOT THERE, WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO THE SERVICE AREA, AND ROBERT ENRIQUES, THE SERVICE ADVISOR EXAMINED THE CAR, AND WENT THROUGH THE LIST OF PROBLEMS ABOUT THE CAR. HE DID SAY THE RUST ON THE MUFFLER IS JUST "SURFACE" RUST, BUT THE OTHER RUST IS "MORE THAN SURFACE RUST". I ASKED HIM WHY FORD SELLS CARS WITH RUST IN IT. HE JUST SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND SAID NOTHING. I TOLD HIM THAT I DIDN'T WANT THE CAR ANYMORE, SO I ASKED TO SEE THE GM. ROBERT SAID HE'LL GET THE GM, BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE ASST. MGR CAME TO TALK TO US. BASICALLY, JAY CONFIRMED WHAT ROBERT ALREADY TOLD US, AND TRULY EMPHASIZED THAT THE CAR DOES HAVE SERIOUS RUST ON THE FRAME, AND THAT WE'RE NOT JUST IMAGINING IT! IT IS NOT JUST SURFACE RUST!ROBERT ENRIQUES TOOK PICTURES OF THE RUST AND SENT THEM TO DIGITAL IMAGING. ROBERT TOLD ME THAT MANUFACTURER WON'T TAKE THE CAR BACK. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FORD SERVICE REP WILL BE HERE IN HAWAII ON 9/8, AND HE'LL SHOW THE PICTURES TO HIM THEN AND DECISION WILL BE MADE. I FINALLY GOT TO TALK TO THE GM (8/27), AND TOLD HIM ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. HE SAID HE'LL TAKE CARE OF THE RUST, AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF, BUT THEY'RE ALL MINOR PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE! NOT ON A BRAND NEW CAR! JAY PARKER TOLD US ON MONDAY, 8/25 THAT THIS BRAND NEW CAR DOES HAVE SOME SERIOUS RUSH, AND IF THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT GOING TO TAKE BACK THE CAR, I COULD GO FOR ARBITRATION. THIS CAR COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A "LEMON" CAR. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10036798

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD BUSHING, BEARING ASSEMBLY, AXLE SHAFT AND JOINT, FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND NUMEROUS WHEEL AND TIRE ADJUSTMENTS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037869

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
Structure

WHEN IT RAINED WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10037730

70,080 miles · Aug 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 70080 MILES SUFFERED ENGINE FAILUE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL NOT REMAIN RUNNING UNLESS THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL IS HELD OFF OF IDLE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK AND STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INTERVENTION. *AK THE UNIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE PENDING REPAIR. THERE IS A RUMBLING…

Read full complaint

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 70080 MILES SUFFERED ENGINE FAILUE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL NOT REMAIN RUNNING UNLESS THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL IS HELD OFF OF IDLE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK AND STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INTERVENTION. *AK THE UNIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE PENDING REPAIR. THERE IS A RUMBLING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES (+-0.5" AT 3 HERTZ) WHEN AT 55MPH AND ABOVE.

NHTSA ODI #10033232

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.