After a two-week vacation, I was going to drive my 2003 ford focus to work. As I was backing out of the garage, I noticed that the brakes were extremely soft. The repair shop that diagnosed and repaired the problem told me that I had a total failure of the master cylinder which controls both the clutch and brakes. They also said that this is the second incident that they were aware of. Repair included a new master cylinder and replacement brake fluid. I do not know if it was coincidence or not, but they also discovered that my rear wheel cylinders had also "exploded." repair required cylinder and disc replacement. Old parts have been retained.
2003 Ford Focus brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 62, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rotors and brake pads wear down faster than I can afford to fix them. Rotors only last 1-2 months then before warping then I ride them out for another month (no money to keep replacing) this has been an ongoing problem for 2 years. I have receipts and mechanics proof. Its crazy. I have also verified same problem on other car complaint web sites with people and ford focus' - brakes pads and rotors should not wear out monthly. I cant afford the repairs but I cant afford to have my brakes go out completely and risk the harm to myself and others on the road. Please help
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the starter failed. There were no warning signals for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the flywheel and the starter had to be replaced. After the first incident, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer thirty times for the following failures: brakes rotors were replaced four times; battery and alternator had to be replaced; the transmission had to be replaced after the second attempt to repair it. The electrical wiring under the dashboard had to be rewired. The air conditioning was repaired three times with the replacement of defective valves; the rear door latches were repaired according to recall # 05v300000. The dealership had not corrected the noises from the steering column. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to cooperated in finding a suitable resolution. The last problem found by the dealership was the required replacement of the engine heads. The engine heads were attached to the vehicle frame.
Several parts failures, including alternator, brakes, muffler,transmission, and ignition lock cylinder
Owner of a ford focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45.00) as well as pay for repairs ($183.00). Called ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem I was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they will positioned at the right place. The representative seem to only care to hear about one of the problem (ignition switch) and not the other one. I was put on hold for a while and when rep return she told me to call company that was repairing my focus and they will help me in this matter. I called the company and the guy that eagerly took my money stated that he will do a claim for me and he stated that I will get some of my money but not all of it back. In checking the recalls I see ignition switch lockup is one of them. I only have had my car for a little over a year. My windshield is cracked and insurance says I must pay $250 before they fix it, when turning on air conditioner, driving seem difficult (hard to pull), liftgate water leaks, and upon purchasing my car, brakes were squeaking; I mentioned this to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that the brakes were new and had to be broken in. Well they are still squeaking after a year in a half. I need all of these things fixed on my car, right now I am a month behind in car payments (good record on making my payments), had to use the money to get the ignition switch repaired.
Dt*: the contact stated there was a rumbling noise coming from the front brakes at various speeds. The dealership determined the front brake pads were worn out on the inner side and only half worn on the outer side. Both the pads and rotors were replaced. 06/01/06 updated - consumer believes brake calipers are defective.
Dt*: the contact stated after driving for 30 to 45 minutes the rear passenger side hub is hot to the touch. The rear brakes are making a squealing noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where both rear brakes and wheel bearings were replaced. However this did not correct the problem. The dealer and manufacturer have been alerted.
My calipers have failed twice on my 2003 ford focus sedan. I bought it new in 2004 as a end of model year and have lots of brake and acceleration issues. My brake light comes on all the time when I am driving. The car won't accelerate and makes a loud revving noise. I have about 27k miles on it and the calipers failed at 10k and the second time at 22k. It was covered under warranty but the ford mechanics said they didn't know why it has happened. So the reason it fails has never been repaired but they replace the calipers. How they have failed to repair the brake lights from coming on was to replace the parking brake (but didn't fix the problems). The brakes make a squealing metallic noise and I was told that was 'normal' by the mechanics. After bringing it to the dealership over 10 times I was told by the mechanic to bring my problem to ford co. When I said the car is not safe and that I want it repaired or for them to buy it back they said I was 'doing' something to make the calipers fail. I was also told that they would not cover it under the warranty!
Dt*: the contact stated while applying the brakes, there is a metal to metal sound. At 10,000 miles the pads were replaced. The vehicle is making the same metal to metal noise again. An independent mechanic determined the outer pads were at 35%, but the inner brakes were metal to metal. The pads were replaced a second time.
One day may car just didn't start, the ignition cylinder has been replaced- the car has under 49000- and it has already had several problems! The master cylinder( for the brakes) , the ignition cylinder, and several pieces have already had to be replaced on my 2003 ford focus!!! Please recall this car! The parts put in the ford focus 2003 during the manufacturing are obviously defective!!!! At the consumers expense they must replace these parts and deal with all the consequences. The ford company should take responsibility for their mistakes! Details on problems: 1- my car shuttered started smoking from the hood a bit- and smelled as if something had burned underneath the hood. ( the ignition light came on ) at almost 30000 miles. Took it into the deal- they replaced a coil- name unknown. 2- this took several trips into the ford service dept- because it kept happening- before they would actually replace the coil!!! 3- the master cylinder ( brake system) malfunctioned within 30000 miles as well!!! And had to be replaced. 4- the ignition cylinder- with 49000 miles on the car- now has been replaced- no thanks to ford!!! 5- the trunk has never closed properly. I slam it once to close, then I pull up on it to check it's actually locked, it hasn't- maybe on the third time after slamming it shut- it will actually catch and close. These parts are all defective, and it's unjust to the consumers!!!!!
In april I had my 30,000 mile maintenance check-up. At the end of november my speedometer failed and I took my car to the dealership. I was told I needed my brake pads replaced, which I agreed to. They also replaced my rotors. When I questioned the dealership with regard to the rotor wear, which I could not understand since I had the car inspected 3,000 miles earlier and the brakes were fine, I was told that this kind of wear is normal on this vehicle, and to expect to have to replace my pads and rotors every 15,000 miles. This problem is a safety hazard and needs to be resolved. In addition, I found out today that there are two tsb's (16685/17278) addressing this issue.
I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started I was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now I can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the ignition has gone completely out. The locksmith said I was lucky I was parked.
I purchased this car in sept. 2003, brand new. This spring, with only 23000 miles on it, the car began making an awful grinding noise. I took it to the dealership the next day, and they had to replace the front rotors, at a price tag of near $400. Of course my warranty did not cover it. I am very disappointed in this car, and in ford for selling a car that obviously has a faulty, poorly made braking system. Only 4 months after the initial repair, I have begun having problems with the car again. I will absolutely never purchase another ford again. I am very unimpressed with them.
I currently have a 2003 ford focus, which in general has been a pretty good car to me, if you take away the worries I've had about stopping! The brakes have squeaked since about 6 months after I got the vehicle (brand new) and when I took it in they said the pads and the rotors were gone. Not surprised since I had grinding and squeaking, but yet amazed that the car was so new with so little miles and the brakes are already having an issue. When the car was finished, it didn't squeak or grind for a couple of days - but then went right back to grinding and squeaking. I talked to another girl with an 03 focus with the same issues. Why can't all of us with the 2003 ford focus get together and complain together? I am still worried everytime I drive it that one day it won't stop or something. This should not be an issue, for I pay for this vehicle every month and it should be serviced correctly. I also encounter many ford engineers in dearborn michigan that say they have heard many reports such as this. Can I ask why nothing has been done about it? They say that the newer models have better break systems... How does that help the 2003 model owners?????? Something should be done about this.
Dt: the consumer had problems with the vehicle since purchase. The vehicle caught on fire on september 16, 2005. The motor was off, and it burst into flames. The fire department came and they said it look like it started from the wiring harness. The vehicle stalled before it caught on fire. Was having the same problem two weeks before, and took it to dealer. They replaced some ignition items. Also, was having latches, brakes, and engine problems.
Dt: 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was first purchased front window came out. The dealership fixed it. Then, the trunk started popping open, the vehicle was fixed at the dealership where she purchased it. The vehicle was taken to another dealership, because she moved. They stated the vehicle needsednew brake pads. Te consumer told the dealership the vehicle made a noise on the passenger side by the front tire. The dealership did nothing about it. The vehicle was then taken to a tire company, they found the front rotors wore out, and this was a manufacturering problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership and they stated the vehicle needed new rotors and brake pads. Also a piece was coming off the vehicle between the two doors on the driver side between the windows. This vehicle just went over 15,000 miles when she was leaving the dealership. In addition, there iwas something wrong with the steering wheel, it was too hard to pull back, and it swerved in the other lane. The trunk was still coming open.
I have had two front end aliments in 20,000 miles and my car has 23.454 miles on it . Also now it needs new brakes and rotors and they refuse to replace them under warranty . This is an ongoing problem with ford focus that should be fixed .
Brakes turn to sponges and goes to floor dealer says cannot duplicate problem and kicks it out now three more problems have arisen motor shuts off at slow u-turn speed and trans downshifts hard into low gear causing a face plant in the steering wheel, lastly the air bag light comes on and then goes off after 3 hours of driving.
I drive to work at the speed limit and I use the brakes very softly. I was parking at work and my brakes started to really grind. Took the car into the deealership and sure enough the car which had 18,000 miles on it, had to get new brake pads.
When braking at low speed there was extended stopping distance. Dealership repaired the front/rear brake system. *ak the brakes vave consumer problems since they brought the car. Had new rotors, never stopped like they should. Finally all the brakes went out. Dealer kept saying they kept getting the wrong parts. Still don't drive as it should. Defective master cylinder.
While applying the brakes a loud squeaking noise came from the vehicle. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that left and right brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to corrosion.
Abs braking light appeared on the dashboard and remained. Driver noticed that while applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor, and vehicle skidded off the road. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle. Took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem .
Vehicle was taken to dealer for regular check up, and results showed that the rotors needed to be replaced because they were worn out. Consumer will notify manufacturer.
Request reimbursement for brakes and fuel filter replacement on 2003 ford focus. *bf the consumer traded the vehicle.
While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. Driver applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated. *ak the dealer told the consumer that the brakes are not the problem.
My 2003 focus ztw wagon has been in for brakes 3 times in the last year. Ford standing by this as a "wear" item not covered under warranty. Could I have 2002 parts in my vehicle? I have had brake inspections done with oil changes indicating everything in the "green zone". The rotor warping is sudden and unpredictable. 3 brake jobs in one year is excessive and problematic. I do not feel safe in this vehicle even with the brakes being fixed.
Te consumer is experiencing a problem with extended stopping distance when applying the brakes in a sudden stop. Intermittently the pedal would feel soft when this occurred. The vehicle has been to the dealer on several occasions and they were unable to locate a problem.
There is serious problems w/ the front end of this vehicle. It was purchased approx. 17 months ago. Since then, I have had 3 major brake jobs. Twice, the pads were replaced and once both the pads and the rotors have had to be replaced. The vehicle also resonates at high speeds. Everything shakes including the sterring wheel and the states. It appears my two front tires are out of round. Ford originally said it was defect in the tire, which I replaced, however the new tire is out of round as well. An independent garage says that there is a problem with the front struts. Ford has numerous complaints from me reguarding both the brakes and the suspension system. Also the vehicle is very loud and it appears to be air coming in when. Ford initially resealed the windshield, however the problem has persisted.
The consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the rear brake drums. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the rear drum brake pads were defective, parts and compound were missing, trim under the steering column was missing, the transmission was slipping in first, second and third gear, and the ignition was damaged. *sc
Three transmission failures and replacements. The engine, starter/ignition and 1 gear shift all replacements and other various problems. *bf four cd player replacements, the brakes failed, and 1 alarm failure. *sc the engine was also replaced.
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