2003 Ford Focus: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 29, 2016 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While at a stop light, the vehicle lost power without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced. The vehicle was restarted. While driving, the instrument cluster and lights became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · MA

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.

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 Dec 7, 2009 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NC

I was going do the interstate in my ford focus zx3 when all of the sudden I lose all power, im in the middle lane surrounded by 18 wheelers and other cars, and they have to swerve to avoid my car because the alternator went out! This car is terrible!

Filed Mar 26, 2007 · Engine · 149,000 miles · NC

Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving a 65 MPH the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle over. The vehicle would not restart for an hour. The vehicle had lost power four times. There was a warning light, but the contact was not able to remember which one. The failure mileage was 159,000. The contact had not taken the vehicle to dealer to be diagnosed.

Filed Mar 1, 2007 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · VA

Tl*- the contact stated that when driving the 2003 ford focus the vehicle shifted into neutral, then shifted back into drive. This would last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The contact stated that the dashboard lights and radio would flicker on and off, as well as the lighting system, including the headlights. The contact stated that the doors will also lock and she wasunable to exit the vehicle. When this happened she attempted to get out of the vehicle by manually hitting the unlock switch. The vehicle locks finally opened after approximately twenty minutes. The mechanic advised the contact to have electrical system reprogrammed, which was done in november 2006, but she continued to have the same problems. The vehicle stalled when exiting the interstate while driving at 45 MPH. There were no warning lights before the vehicle lost power. The contact was unable to restart vehicle, and had vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed contact he did not know why the vehicle lost power. The vehicle currently had 57000 miles. *ak updated 03/30/07.

Filed Jan 12, 2007 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · OH

The key insertion cylinder (located next to the steering wheel): it will eventually lock into place and will not turn -- making it impossible to turn the key and drive. The safety hazard: when my 2003 ford focus lost power and needed to be restarted on the road, the key insertion cylinder locks into place, making it dangerous to turn the wheel -- because the steering wheel locks when the key cylinder is in the "key insert/begin" position. There are several horror stories, on the internet, about ford focus vehicle owners who have been stranded because of a faulty key ignition cylinder; or their car will not turn off because their key is stuck in the start position. Ford dealerships will only cover this item if it warranted, but neglect the product design and refuse to consider a product recall. This typical item cost over $250 with labor. Eventually, even with a new key cylinder, the problem will start to exist again, costing the consumer and creating a serious hazard for our citizens on american roadways. The problem is current in my vehicle and I am authorizing the federal safety agency to use my vehicle as an investigative tool.

Filed Nov 2, 2006 · Lights · 64,980 miles · MI

After driving my 2003 ford focus 5xw (5 door hatchback) though heavy rain on the highway, the next day I noticed one head light and one fog light was out. After investigation to the cause. My fog light had just normally burned out. But the head light on the drivers side while replacing the bulb noticed all three nylon connector covers for each of the three wires had melted? Changing the lights as a set the same thing happened on the passenger side head light? With the replacement bulbs now installed the drivers side still does not light , only the passengers. There is no power coming to the drivers side head light for normal mode. It will only light with the brights on. As to the melting of the electrical connector covers I'm sure that is not normal operation.? I am still investigating where the power loss is coming from and why the insulation on the connectors of both headlights melted away? Fyi