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
512 miles · Aug 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE FAILURE;I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN SEATTLE, WA. I WAS KEEPING ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND OTHER CARS. THAT STRATEGY PROVED TO BE A MISTAKE BECAUSE A LARGE ONE TON DODGE VAN SCOOTED INTO THE GAP AHEAD OF ME. WE WERE GOING ABOUT TEN OR TWELVE MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LARGE VAN SUDDENLY STOPPED. I HIT TH…
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BRAKE FAILURE;I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN SEATTLE, WA. I WAS KEEPING ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND OTHER CARS. THAT STRATEGY PROVED TO BE A MISTAKE BECAUSE A LARGE ONE TON DODGE VAN SCOOTED INTO THE GAP AHEAD OF ME. WE WERE GOING ABOUT TEN OR TWELVE MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LARGE VAN SUDDENLY STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND HELD IT TO THE STOP (FLOOR?) AND MY FORD FOCUS CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD ABOUT TWELVE FEET WITHOUT ANY FEEL OF SLOWING OR STOPPING. THE LARGE DODGE VAN AHEAD STOPPED ME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032792
7,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF ABOUT 6", THE ENGINE DIED ON THE SPOT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED NEW YORK CAR INSPECTOR, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE AIR INTAKE HOSE IS BELOW THE FRONT FENDER OF VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NEITHER WILL CLAIM …
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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF ABOUT 6", THE ENGINE DIED ON THE SPOT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED NEW YORK CAR INSPECTOR, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE AIR INTAKE HOSE IS BELOW THE FRONT FENDER OF VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NEITHER WILL CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10032396
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2003
Unknown Or Other
MY 2003 FOCUS STATION WAGON WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE (THE ENTIRE CAR) AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 - 60 MPH WHEN BOTH REAR WINDOWS ARE OPEN ALL THE WAY AND ALL OTHER WINDOWS SHUT, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME ALARMED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW W/AIR FLOW, WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE CAR TO RESONATE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030842
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Tires
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAS STRESS MARKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031882
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE SHAKES AND VIBRATES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031879
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Structure
THE SUN'S REFLECTION ON THE DIAL SYSTEM MADE IT HARD TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10026446
5,785 miles · Jul 29, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
TRUNK LATCH FAILED TO WORK, UNABLE TO CLOSE TRUNK ONCE OPEN AND UNABLE TO OPEN TRUNK ONCE CLOSED. CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE 2ND TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM, ORDERING NEW TRUNK LATCH MECHANISM FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REPLACE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED PART WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10030350
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10030013
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029904
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
THE ACCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON 5/29/03 INVOLVED A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON DRIVEN BY MY SON. THERE WAS IMPACT WHERE A PARKED CAR AND A TREE WAS INVOLVED,AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I THOUGHT AIRBAGS WERE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD HELP PREVENT BODILY INJURIES. I WROT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY YET I HAVE R…
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THE ACCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON 5/29/03 INVOLVED A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON DRIVEN BY MY SON. THERE WAS IMPACT WHERE A PARKED CAR AND A TREE WAS INVOLVED,AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I THOUGHT AIRBAGS WERE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD HELP PREVENT BODILY INJURIES. I WROT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY YET I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. I ALSO SPOKE TO ONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES BY THE NAME OF "MARY" WHO WAS SUPPOSE TO BE GIVING THE INFORMATION TO THE ENGINEERING STAFF THAT HANDLES THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS,"YET NO RESPONSE. WHEN THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED I DIDN'T EXPECT MECHANICAL FAILURE TO OCCUR. I'AM NOT PLEASED AT ALL THAT FORD MOTOR HAS NOT CONTACTED ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT ARE NOW SUING MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MYSELF DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THEN WHEN SPEAKING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE SHE STATED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILTY TO GET THE CAR OVER TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS INSPECTED,"I DONT'T THINK SO". I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF AIRBAG MECHANICAL FAILURE. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND I MYSELF REFUSE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENDS SOMEONE TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE.*AK
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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