2003 Ford Focus brakes problems

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Body, Brakes · 34,000 miles · PA

The sub frame broke while driving the car. Entire sub frame had to be replaced. Almost caused an accident. Struts had to be replaced. Caliper and rotor had to be replaced. Control arm had to be replaced. Just replaced the ignition switch tumblers after the switch locked up and refused to work. There are no recalls listed for this car. Service manager said that focus are notorious for these problems. Car has 34,000 miles on it. The brake line running from the front of the car to the rear rusted out causing a lose of brakes. The car is dangerous.

Filed Sep 2, 2016 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · NH

Emergency brake locks up. Car has to either be forced to move by either gunning the engine, or rocked by a person until it releases. Car had to be towed due to brake lock up after mechanic could not release it at my home. New brake was installed. Continues to lock up. Car had been in park for all incidents. This vehicle has a standard transmission, which for safety requires the use of an e-brake. This has happened more often in last 5-7 years. I thought the problem would resolve after new e-brake was installed.... It hasn't.

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 126,000 miles · IL

I purchased a 2003 ford focus in february of 2012. Immediately after purchasing it, I had to spend $700.00 to fix the motor mounts, bearings in the front wheel, something regarding a cover for the tail pipe/muffler area, A/C, (twice repaired, and went out). Fuel pump, door jams in front (2 door), locks on the doors would automatically lock whether you wanted them locked or not. Door on passenger side refuses to open from the outside. Spent over $4,000 in fixing, replacing, engine & body parts.etc. Just when I bought a second set of new tires last week and did the 3 month oil change, it konked out on me, after a shrilling, high-pitched noise. Just got off the expressway. Found out from a repair shop that this model, especially the 2003 is known for transmission, shoddy parts, and is a safety hazard! The pump inside the transmission broke. This car came with 124,000 miles and over 2 years, spent $4,000.00 on top of the used private purchase of $2,400.00. Car repair shop wants $2,400 (what I paid for it) to put a new transmission in. One thing after the other went wrong. I plaint experienced, and it has cost me so much money, I feel ford needs to replace every penny us consumers paid on this model. Never again need to recall the whole car, it is a death trap.

Filed Jun 13, 2013 · Brakes · 133,066 miles · AZ

My drivers side rear brake drum separated at the bearing and my entire wheel assembly flew off of the vehicle and caused me to lose control temporarily and also become totally stranded and immobile. There seems to be no direct cause for this as the bearing inside the drum was not seized or malfunctioning. The mechanic that serviced the repair has over 30+ years experience and could not recall ever seeing this happening on any vehicle ever. I frequently drive this vehicle on highways and interstates (and had done so just an hour prior this day) and I am thankful to the powers above that this did not happen at highway speeds or this could have been catastrophic for me and my family. This type of failure should have never occurred as this is of primary importance that the wheels of the vehicle stay on the vehicle during normal driving conditions. My car is just 10 years old and has only 133k miles (avg of 12,000 miles per year), this is something that should not happen even at twice the mileage !!!! I am now fearful that this could happen again to the other rear wheel as this shearing of the brake drum just cannot be explained.

Filed Apr 4, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · FL · crash · 4 injuries

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! Better not be my loved ones!!! I'll make someone pay dearly!!!!

Filed Jan 9, 2013 · Brakes · 35,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and applying the brakes, the brake pedal traveled completely to the floorboard. The vehicle also would not stop. The contact was able to avoid a crash. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the brake pads had become detached from the metal plate. The contact attempted to call the dealer but was unable to do so. The contact then replaced the brakes and rotors on both the passenger and driver's side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 35,500.

Filed Jun 25, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 118,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the rear passenger wheel emitted a loud whining noise, overheated, and caused the engine rpms to increase. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic several times for the failure. The local mechanic replaced the rear passenger wheel drum assembly several times. The failure was not corrected. The rear passenger wheel continued to emit a loud whining noise, overheat and cause the rpms to increase. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage 121,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Brakes · MI

Manufacturing defect places the plastic inner fender against the front left brake line. The plastic inner fender is allowed to rub a hole in the front left brake line. The front left brake line leaked due to wear caused by the plastic inner fender. Loss of brakes due to a hole in the front left brake line.

Filed Mar 4, 2012 · Brakes · 118,365 miles · MI

Leaking brake line. The leak was caused by the front left plastic inner fender rubbing against the brake line. I have digital pictures available.

Filed Oct 1, 2010 · Brakes · 68,000 miles · MI

Brake lockup under ABS. When the vehicle is engaged in a braking event sufficient to activate the ABS system, all four brakes lockup and do not release until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. This has happened under winter conditions (snow/ice), in the rain and in the dry. The incident in the rain occurred when attempting to take an exit ramp off of an interstate. The car briefly hydroplaned enough for the ABS to activate, and then went out of control with the tires locked up. The car slid off of the exit ramp and into the grass, where it finally came to rest. Luckily no one was hurt. The incidents in the dry took place during an auto-cross on a closed course and were sufficient to severely flat-spot the tires. This happens every time ABS is engaged under hard braking. Occasionally, it is possible to down-shift and "drive through" the brakes without coming to a complete stop. There is no dash light or anything to indicate a problem. The rear-wheel tone rings have been replaced and the front-wheel tone rings have been cleaned. All four sensors have been cleaned and electrical connections checked for looseness.