NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
82 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 17, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
MY KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER AND MY WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND I WOULD JUST TURN THE WHEEL AND SOONER OR LATER IT WOULD TURN OVER. NOW IM STRANDED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND NO TURNING THE KEY OVER. MISSED WORK AND MONEY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS AND THE WAS OVER 300 DIFF PEOPLE WITH THIS P…
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MY KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER AND MY WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND I WOULD JUST TURN THE WHEEL AND SOONER OR LATER IT WOULD TURN OVER. NOW IM STRANDED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND NO TURNING THE KEY OVER. MISSED WORK AND MONEY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS AND THE WAS OVER 300 DIFF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CAR (FORD) TO SAVE GAS AND MONEY. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407213
108,200 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
LATE NIGHT 35 MILES FROM HOME. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AND HAD A LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK WITH A STRATTEC IGNITION LOCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404437
160,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN ONES AND MINE ISN'T ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH ALL FOUR OF MY HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THE DOOR HANDLES WAS I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT A STORE AND LEFT MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING TO GET A PAPER, AN…
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THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN ONES AND MINE ISN'T ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH ALL FOUR OF MY HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THE DOOR HANDLES WAS I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT A STORE AND LEFT MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING TO GET A PAPER, AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS WERE LOCKED (BECAUSE THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR). I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND WAS STRANDED AT THE STORE WITH MY DAUGHTER LOCKED IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. AND THEN, ON MAY 27TH 2011, I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AND I USUALLY KEEP THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN BECAUSE THE ONLY DOORS THAT WE CAN OPEN ARE THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND ONLY FROM THE INSIDE. BUT ON THIS DAY IT HAD RAINED SO I PUT THE WINDOW UP AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE I HAD ALREADY WENT OUTSIDE AND WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE "PROCEDURE" OF GETTING THE BACK DOOR OPENED SO I COULD PUT MY 3 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR AND I GUESS WHEN I WENT BACK INSIDE TO GET HIM, THE DRIVERS DOOR GOT BLOWN CLOSED BY THE WIND, BECAUSE WHENEVER I PUT HIM IN AND SHUT HIS DOOR, I WENT AROUND TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WAS SHUT AND MY 3 MONTH OLD WAS STUCK IN THE CAR!! IT TOOK 30 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET TO THE HOUSE (BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL HIM HOME FROM WORK) AND HE HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE TRUNK AND MANOVER THE CARSEAT OUT OF THE WAY SO HE COULD WIGGLE IN THERE AND GET THE BABY OUT. MY SON WAS COVERED IN SWEAT FROM HEAD TO TOE AND WAS HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING WHENEVER WE GOT HIM OUT BECAUSE HE ALREADY HAS BREATHING PROBLEMS AND HE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS UP FOR 30 MINUTES. I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD FIX OUR DOOR HANDLES BECAUSE IF THAT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403902
120,000 miles · May 30, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION WINDOWS DOWN IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403707
56,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION, STALLED THE CAR AND THEN COULD NOT TURN THE CAR BACK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ON CHRISTMAS EVE NONE THE LESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392665
86,331 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, CO…
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THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS, THUS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A CALL TO THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A FORD FOCUS". WHEN ARRIVING, THE LOCKSMITH PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE STOCK IGNITION SWITCH OF MY CAR IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN, COMPARING TO A NEW SWITCH THEY WERE ABOUT TO INSTALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE ITEM. I DID FIND, HOWEVER, PLENTY OF COMPLAINS OF FORD OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT JEOPARDIZES THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368133
49,580 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE KEY IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE KEY IS FINE..THE ACTUAL IGNITION MECHANISM IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359863
90,050 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,050.
NHTSA ODI #10357857
119,623 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK-UP. EVERY TIME THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND THEN REINSERTED, IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO UNLOCK TO TURN AND START. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS DURING 110 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WE WILL HAVE TO EITHER REPLACE THE IGNITION OR CALL A LOCKSMITH. THIS I…
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2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK-UP. EVERY TIME THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND THEN REINSERTED, IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO UNLOCK TO TURN AND START. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS DURING 110 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WE WILL HAVE TO EITHER REPLACE THE IGNITION OR CALL A LOCKSMITH. THIS IS AN EVERYDAY PROBLEM NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353681
50,000 miles · Aug 29, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD HAS APPARENTLY USED DEFECTIVE LOCK CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. I WALKED UP TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST 350 TO REPAIR THE CAR. (NOT INCLUDING CHARGES FOR GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THEM) THIS HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING A CAR THAT I A…
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MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD HAS APPARENTLY USED DEFECTIVE LOCK CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. I WALKED UP TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST 350 TO REPAIR THE CAR. (NOT INCLUDING CHARGES FOR GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THEM) THIS HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING A CAR THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352564
Official recalls
1Feb 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.