Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power, and the battery and engine lights illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the hazer light failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
2003 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 2 of 19: complaints 11 to 40 of 522, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that after the ignition key would not turn to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 05/11/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure occurred on six occasions where the battery and alternator were replaced each time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the contact noticed that the battery was dead. A tow truck was called to jump start the vehicle. The failure recurred the following day. The oil and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was not caused by the battery. The technician diagnosed that a cluster under the dashboard, which controlled all the light signals, was faulty and needed to be "repaired or replaced." the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000. Updated 04/08/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start. In addition, the key was not able to turn. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I was using my passenger seat heater while I was driving to pick something up from the mall when I started smelling a burning smell. When I got to the mall,I looked over to find a large scorch mark on the passenger side front seat
When riding down the road the doors will automatically lock by themselves. The steering wheel has locked several times over the years. When I bought the car used, it came with many keys. Well, this time when it locked, the steering wheel locked and the ignition locked and I had to get it towed from smithfield nc; approximately an hourly from my home. The mechanic can not get it unlocked because the steering wheel has to be turned to unlock it, vice versa, and the steering wheel is locked. Also the lighting is very poor with the head lights and I see this on all the vehicle for that year and make as I ride down the road. My car is parked because I cant afford to fix it. I have found many complaints about this steering and ignition lock issue. I am wondering why this vehicle has not been recalled for the issue. It is a hazard. I have contacted the ford manufacturer concerning the matter and was told that they can't assist me with it because my car has no warranty. Also, there was a recall on the real door lock. Ford dealership informed me that it was repaired by team ford dealership prior to me owning the vehicle; I informed him that the problem was still a issue getting the rear door to lock securely at times. He informed me that it could only have been fixed once under the recall. These issues have occurred repeatedly since I bought this vehicle in 2009. They all put me at risk of great danger.
Key will not turn in ignition. Again! Has happened several times.
Key locks inside the igniton doesn't allow the car to start I replaced the igniton lock 3 times but the problem still happens...
I have been having a problem with my ignition not turning. I looked up and saw over 300 complaints since 2011 on this problem.. I contacted ford motor company and they stated that they could not assist me. I am now taking my car to a company that handles this problem and I have to pay over $150.00!!! I believe this is a big problem with no recall. The owner has stated that he is fixing at least one car (ford focus) a week with the same problem, yet there is not recall!!!!!!
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after getting it replaced again I put up with it until dec5 and had ir replaced again 1 day later keys is stuck in ignition again its a total of 7 ignitions I have replaced and ford again says there is no problem with ignition,. I have seen hundreds of blogs about same problem and ford doesn't replay to any of them what can be done? I am tired opf paying 250-200.00 to replace this.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date by this time the ignition started draining my battery and alternator and had to have them both replace along with new ignition kit and was told I needed new keys this lasted about a month then key got stuck on ignition again continuously at that time I called ford again and was told they have no problems with ignition and nothing they will do for me. My nephew went to ford school to become a mechanic and told me ford has know about this problem since 2002 and doesn't want to do a recall.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new.
I have had issues with the ignition locking. I'm going on my 3rd repair for the same exact issue. First the ignition was re-keyed and/or replaced. Next the ignition again was replaced. The steering column had to removed. This time, I'm imaging the same thing. I'm very upset that ford has never offered to repair at discounts or to repair at all. Very upset that they never recalled it, knowing this was stacking up for buyers, as an issue. I come from a family with faithful ford, lincoln/mercury ties, which include employees, retirees, and a family that supports ford, no doubt. As a focus owner, I am very disappointed how this has been handled.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the exterior and interior lighting flashed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that all of the ignition cable cords needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.
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. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Everything shuts off. Has happened multiple times. Most of the time it will start again in approx. 3 seconds. Now it is happening more frequently. It has even happened while the car is running. I made a right turn, and the car totally died. I quickly put on my flashers, put the car in park, and luckily it started. This has happened twice. Right now my car is in my parking lot and is totally blank. No power whatsoever. I took the car in once to my auto mechanic, he did a diagnostic (and since the car was up and running) he found nothing wrong and all he did was clean the mass air flow sensor. I know gm is having problems right now, but I don't think mine is an ignition switch problem (but what do I know!) I was thinking of having the car towed to the ford dealership but I'm afraid that this would cost me an arm and a leg. Any thoughts? Thank you.
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. An officer showed up less than 2 minutes after this all occurred, and he sat there and watched my car burn. He pulled out a fire extinguisher 10 minutes later so my car wouldn't create visibility issues for the cars driving past (it died in the middle of a four lane road). They told me it was most likely an electrical fire. Two weeks prior to the incident, I had my alternator replaced. The new alternator was a ford manufactured part.
Key will not turn in ignition.
Tl - the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition preventing her from turning the vehicle on. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000. Pm
Key cannot turn - vehicle cannot be started. Unacceptable and hazardous condition with a poorly designed and/or low quality part on all ford focus and likely other ford products. I got around this by pounding on the key with a small hammer I keep in the glove box - I had lived with this for more than 3 years. Same thing happened to my brother-in-law's car (he removed all the tumblers so any key can start his car). It is obvious from reading through the complaints that this is a very significant percentage (>50%?) of all of the numerous complaints against this vehicle. Dealerships want $400 to fix it - that's bs. Actions by the federal safety agency or a class action lawsuit against ford is appropriate. It appears that ford is using this design defect as an opportunity to profit after having put 1000s of consumers in dangerous situations.
Ignition lock cylinder stuck leaving us stranded.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while parked with the key in the ignition, the key failed to turn. After two hours of repeated attempts, the key was finally able to be turned to the accessory position. The vehicle was no longer being driven due to the safety hazard the contact stated was involved with the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Steering wheel/key lock. The key doesn't turn in the ignition.
The ignition has gone out on my 2003 ford focus. I attempt to turn the key and it seems locked. I attempt to turn the key back and forth and no success. If I hit the key a few times it might turn. This is a safety issues because without being able to turn the key, I have to access to anything power in this vehicle and I could become stranded at anytime without warning. I hear this is a very common problem with these cars. I believe the manufacturer should take responsibility to fix this issue at no cost to the car owners.
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