2003FORDFOCUS

1224 complaints filed with NHTSA.

1224
Complaints
70
Crashes
23
Fires
72
Injuries
1
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION263
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM136
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH98
STEERING50
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES49
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION28
SUSPENSION26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE24
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22
AIR BAGS20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC18
ENGINE18

Recent Complaints

20191202CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE, CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND SPUN AROUND. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, FACIAL BRUISING, AND WHIPLASH. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DRIVER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE THEY REFUSE T

Mileage: 267,000

20180809CrashSUSPENSION

SKIDS TO SIDE AND SPINS ON WET ROAD EVEN IF THE TIRES ARE GOOD EVEN AT 30MPH. TOO MUCH SIDE WAYS SHIFT ON LITTLE BUMPY ROADS.

Mileage: 60,780

20160203CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 89,000

20140919FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND MELTED. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20140603SEATS

MY WIFE COMPLAINED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS SO HOT IT WAS BURNING, RESULTING IN A MILD BURN. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BACK CUSHION HEATING ELEMENT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT INTO THE SEAT CUSHION AND BACK LINING OF THE SEAT FABRIC. I HAVE PICTURES AND HAVE HELD ONTO THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE HEATING ELEMENT HAS BEEN REPLACED HOWEVER WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE READ OF OCCURRENCES OF THIS INCIDENT INCLU

Mileage: 88,000

20140402CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE CONTACT'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING AND A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED THIRTEEN STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

Mileage: 100,000

20140402CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE CONTACT'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING AND A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED THIRTEEN STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

Mileage: 100,000

20140331FireSEATS

WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER SIDE LEATHER HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE IN FLAMES. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20140129FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, AN ODD ODOR COULD BE SMELLED, BUT WENT AWAY AFTER A MINUTE. CAME BACK ONCE BRIEFLY. 20 MINUTES LATER, AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN INTO MY WORK'S PARKING LOT, MY CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND ALL THE GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE. AFTER I STOPPED TRYING TO START IT, I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE BATTERY. A

Mileage: 109,000

20140129FireENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, AN ODD ODOR COULD BE SMELLED, BUT WENT AWAY AFTER A MINUTE. CAME BACK ONCE BRIEFLY. 20 MINUTES LATER, AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN INTO MY WORK'S PARKING LOT, MY CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND ALL THE GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE. AFTER I STOPPED TRYING TO START IT, I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE BATTERY. A

Mileage: 109,000

20140129FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING, AN ODD ODOR COULD BE SMELLED, BUT WENT AWAY AFTER A MINUTE. CAME BACK ONCE BRIEFLY. 20 MINUTES LATER, AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN INTO MY WORK'S PARKING LOT, MY CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND ALL THE GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE. AFTER I STOPPED TRYING TO START IT, I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE BATTERY. A

Mileage: 109,000

20130404CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BE

20130404CrashSERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BE

20130404CrashSTEERING

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BE

20121226CrashFatalSTRUCTURE

I HAVE BEEN IN THE WRECKER BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS, THIS BEING THE SECOND FORD FOCUS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS YEAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THEREFORE PUTTING THE PASSENGERS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE LOST CONTROL, AND SLID SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND RESULTED IN A FATALITY OF THE DRIVER..THE AREA OF PROTECTION SURROUNDING TH

20120613CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT O

Mileage: 80,000

20120613CrashSEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT O

Mileage: 80,000

20120427SEAT BELTS

THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT SHOULDER STRAP HARNESS CAUSED MY PASSENGER, A YOUNG CHILD, TO ALMOST BE STRANGLED, LEAVING MARKS AND BRUISES TO THE NECK. CHILD WAS UNABLE TO UNBUCKLE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT HE PULLED WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE PART OF THE SEATBELT THAT CROSSED OVER HIS NECK, TO GET OUT, THE TENSION ON SEATBELT RELEASED, AND STRETCHED AS HE TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THEN TIGHTENED UP, THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT TO SAVE HIM. *TR

20110802CrashAIR BAGS

ON 8/1/2011, GOING 40MPH I HIT A DEER. THE WHOLE HOOD OF MY CAR IS PUSHED IN,MY RADIATOR IS PUSHED IN, I CANNOT OPEN THE HOOD, THE DEER IS DEAD AND BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER MY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LIGHT DID COME ON. WHAT A DEFECT. AT 10 MPH I COULD POSSIBLE UNDERSTAND BUT AT 40 MPH, I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2003 FOR SAFETY, NOW EVEN IF IT WERE FIXED I WOULD BE SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *KB

Mileage: 180,000

20110802CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON 8/1/2011, GOING 40MPH I HIT A DEER. THE WHOLE HOOD OF MY CAR IS PUSHED IN,MY RADIATOR IS PUSHED IN, I CANNOT OPEN THE HOOD, THE DEER IS DEAD AND BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER MY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LIGHT DID COME ON. WHAT A DEFECT. AT 10 MPH I COULD POSSIBLE UNDERSTAND BUT AT 40 MPH, I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2003 FOR SAFETY, NOW EVEN IF IT WERE FIXED I WOULD BE SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *KB

Mileage: 180,000