2003 Ford Focus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System:ignition (209) · Electrical System (108) · Electrical System:ignition:switch (92)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Focus model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
750 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2012-02-24 · campaign 12E007000 · 10,006 vehicles
Defect: RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALL
Risk: IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Service bulletins (109)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-04-21 · 16-0067 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2000-2005 focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 safety recall 05s27 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear door latches may experience corrosion in the pawl pivot area preventing proper engagement of the pawl into the c
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2014-09-09 · TSB-14-0163 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm (lca) can separate from forward attachment of subframe. model 2001-04 escape. *pe
Structure:body:door 2014-09-09 · TSB-14-0162 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. model 2000-05 focus. *pe
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2014-08-11 · TSB-14-0148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: on some vehicles, operating for an extended time in high corrosion area, a safety recall 05s27 was issued, where rear door latches experience corrosion in pawl pivot area preventing proper engagement of pawl into catch. model 2000-05 focus. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-02-27 · 06166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. *kb
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service tip. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 109 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-02-06 · Structure:body“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! …”
2020-10-26 · Unknown Or Other · 56,300 mi“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 in bad weather…”
2020-06-24 · Structure:body · 175,000 mi“drivers side rear door will not latch just flies open. *tr…”
2020-02-26 · Suspension“2003 ford focus. consumer writes in regards to inadequate structural steel. *ld the consumer stated the steel on the control arms were poorly manufactured. while driving the vehicle, it suddenly dead stopped, turned right, making a cracking noise. the control arm had snapped and dug into the tar, braking the tie rod and creasing the breakline. *…”
2019-12-02 · Air Bags · 267,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 foll…”
2019-07-11 · Unknown Or Other“had to replace transmission at 104,000 went out without any warning.…”
2019-03-19 · Engine · 160,000 mi“replaced the crank censor and it won't start…”
2019-01-20 · Electrical System · 125,000 mi“new onset burning smell while driving in suburban environment. parked car, then it wouldn't start. upon inspection found battery cables/sheath melting. replaced battery, car started. car parked and 1 hr later wouldn't start- new battery is dead. replaced with 2nd new battery, hooked up cables and sparks came from battery (installed correctly). car …”
2018-12-09 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi“2003 ford focus automatic lock malfunctioned doublelocking the door creating a deadlock effect resulting in not being able to open the door…”
2018-09-12 · Suspension · 109,000 mi“i was leaving a parking lot doing no more than 5 mph when the car made a sudden jerking motion. had the car towed to a garage. the damages were severe rust, sub frame rotted, right front axle broken, right front control arm broken, sway bar bent. the tow driver said the wheels could have fallen off my car and i could have been seriously injured or …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.