2003 Ford Focus problems and complaints
Owners have filed 1017 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Focus. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (535), Latches/Locks/Linkages (82), Steering (74).
Key takeaways
- 1017 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 53 involve a crash, 19 a fire, 52 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 535 | 53% |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 82 | 8% |
| Steering | 74 | 7% |
| Service Brakes | 67 | 7% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 65 | 6% |
| Power Train | 57 | 6% |
| Hydraulic | 54 | 5% |
| Suspension | 51 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 48 | 5% |
| Structure | 40 | 4% |
| Visibility | 27 | 3% |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Focus 4-DR. | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2003 Ford Focus 4-DR. Wagon | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2003 Ford Focus 2-DR. | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System - filed 2024-05-04
wiring harness fused together
Structure - filed 2023-02-06
Vehicle has a recall for Rear Door Latches. I have attempted to take the vehicle to 2 different Cloninger Ford in Hickory and Cloninger Ford in Valdese. Both dealerships claim they can not do the recall due to parts. I would like to know what steps do I need to take to get my vehicle repaired for this recall!
Unknown Or Other - filed 2020-10-26
IGNITION ISSUES. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. CANNOT START MY VEHICLE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 56,000 MILES. I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ELDERLY AND DISABLED AND IT COULD BE A SERIOUS ISSUE TO MY HEALTH IF I AM STRANDED SOMEWHERE I...
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More for the 2003 Ford Focus
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.