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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

522 reports
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46,500 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Electrical System

FORD FOCUS NEEDED IGNITION TUMBLERS REPLACED BECAUSE THE OLD ONES LOCKED UP ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM HOME. LUCKILY I READ THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WITH A FOCUS HAS HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS; HOWEVER, FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I HAD A LOCK SMITH FIX THE PROBLEMS WHOM AAA REFERRED ME TO. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY…

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FORD FOCUS NEEDED IGNITION TUMBLERS REPLACED BECAUSE THE OLD ONES LOCKED UP ABOUT 4 HOURS FROM HOME. LUCKILY I READ THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WITH A FOCUS HAS HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS; HOWEVER, FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I HAD A LOCK SMITH FIX THE PROBLEMS WHOM AAA REFERRED ME TO. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND AM TRYING VERY HARD TO BECOME PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR IGNORING THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO TELL EVERYONE I MEET NOT TO BUY A FOCUS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF FORD BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR QUALITY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139167

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2005
Electrical System

I HAVE A FOCUS FORD 2003. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION, MY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. AFTER FEW MONTHS IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN. I JUST TAPPED THE TOP OF THE KEY AND WILL TURN, BUT TODAY IT DID NOT TURN AT ALL. I THINK IS NOT RIGHT TO PAY EXTRA FOR THAT EXPENSE, WHEN THE FIRST T…

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I HAVE A FOCUS FORD 2003. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION, MY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. AFTER FEW MONTHS IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN. I JUST TAPPED THE TOP OF THE KEY AND WILL TURN, BUT TODAY IT DID NOT TURN AT ALL. I THINK IS NOT RIGHT TO PAY EXTRA FOR THAT EXPENSE, WHEN THE FIRST THINK A CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DO IS START!!!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10138199

30,000 miles · Sep 20, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesFire

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005. THE MOTOR WAS OFF, AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID IT LOOK LIKE IT STARTED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM TWO W…

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DT: THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005. THE MOTOR WAS OFF, AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID IT LOOK LIKE IT STARTED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE STALLED BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM TWO WEEKS BEFORE, AND TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED SOME IGNITION ITEMS. ALSO, WAS HAVING LATCHES, BRAKES, AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10137043

43,500 miles · Sep 9, 2005
Electrical System

WITH JUST 43,500 MILES ON THE CAR MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERS REPAIR SHOP TO BE FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134929

9,000 miles · Sep 9, 2005
Electrical System

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS FLUCTUATED. AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS STOPPED WORKING. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10133542

52,000 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Electrical System

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS WHICH HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE IGNITION ON THE CAR HAS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD BY THEIR SERVICE DEPT. THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN ISSUED AS A RECALL BY FORD BUT THEY HAS "SEVERAL" FORD FOCUS' CO…

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I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS WHICH HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE IGNITION ON THE CAR HAS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD BY THEIR SERVICE DEPT. THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN ISSUED AS A RECALL BY FORD BUT THEY HAS "SEVERAL" FORD FOCUS' COMING IN FOR IGNITION REPAIR. FORD ASSUMES NO LIABILITY AT THIS POINT BUT THEY ARE HAPPILY CHARGING APPROX. $500 FOR THE IGNITION REPAIR AT THEIR SHOP. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED AND FEEL THAT WITH THE LARGE # OF FORD FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME COMPLAINT, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ON A LARGER SCALE AS IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MECHANICS OF THE IGNITION. A POPULAR WEB SITE THAT OFFERS ADVICE TO AUTO OWNERS IS WWW.EDMUNDS.COM AND THERE IS A LARGE POSTING OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER. THIS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA50DC PLEASE REPLY AND LET ME KNOW IF ANY ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. SINCERELY, PATRICK MILLER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135894

38,000 miles · Sep 6, 2005
Electrical System

DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION TUMBLER FAILED AT 38,000 MILES. RANDOMLY, THE KEY WAS HARD TO PUT IN AND THEN IT WENT OUT. THE BATTERY FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED AT FORD. THE BATTERY WENT OUT YESTERDAY AND THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW ONE. THE IGNITION T…

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DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION TUMBLER FAILED AT 38,000 MILES. RANDOMLY, THE KEY WAS HARD TO PUT IN AND THEN IT WENT OUT. THE BATTERY FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED AT FORD. THE BATTERY WENT OUT YESTERDAY AND THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW ONE. THE IGNITION TUMBLER STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI #10135413

38,001 miles · Sep 5, 2005
Electrical System

CAN'T TURN CAR ON , IGNITION SWITCH LOCK. ASKING 350.00 TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135321

39,000 miles · Sep 4, 2005
Electrical System

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 1 YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135313

38,000 miles · Aug 25, 2005
Electrical System

DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK GOT STUCK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE. THIS HAPPEND WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DOID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUGUST 20,…

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DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK GOT STUCK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE. THIS HAPPEND WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DOID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUGUST 20, 2005. BOTH TIMES.GNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BOTH TIMES. THERE WERE OTHER TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO START BUT IT DID START.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10134200

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.