2003 Ford Focus: engine overheating

Filed Feb 12, 2013 · Body, Engine · 1,500 miles · AL

This vehicle is a total lemon.at 4,900 miles 5 disc cd player had to be replaced. At 15,000 miles the vehicle began leaking coolant and had to have the radiator replaced, luckily it was still under warranty. At 22,000 the vehicle needed a new alternator because it would not crank. At 24,000 miles the key became stuck in the ignition and would not even turn over so the ignition was replaced. 26,000 the center console broke of hinges. 27,356 miles the car would not turn over the starter had to be replaced.32,000 miles the air conditioner went out. 36,000 miles alternator went out again and had to be replaced.38,000 miles complications with the air conditioner again. Had no problems until 54,000 then everything spiraled out of control. The water pump went out, the pump housing was leaking. The starter coil was bad a few fuses had blown that I hadn't know about. I had a full tune up, sparkplugs and new wires and also purchased a new battery. 61,000 the window lever to roll windows up on passenger side completely broke off, the door handle on passenger and driver side became very stiff and had to be aggressively opened until the passenger door handle broke and does not open from the inside or out. 68,000 miles waterpump adapter cracked and sprayed antifreeze everywhere. 72,000 light oil leak from the top of the engine, coolant leaked into the spark plug compartment and only days later the alternator went out. So this little problematic baby is parked in my garage with only 73,263 miles on it because I cut her off at nearly $4k in repairs. I don't know what to do with it besides send it to the junk yard because I would hate to sale it and pawn this money consuming vehicle off on someone else. Ford should just buy it back from me.

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 13, 2011 · Engine · 107,800 miles · VT

I have a 2003 ford focus and the thermostat housing unit is cracked. When it cracked, and started to leak, it caused a lot of smoke, and when it started to leak, due to the temperature of the coolant inside, it burned through other hoses attached and almost started a fire. The part is made out of plastic (should be made of some type of metal such as aluminum due to the high temperatures involved consistently), and 4 certified auto technicians that I talked to said that they replace dozens of them on ford focus every year. They say that "it is a known problem with ford's various focus years, and should have been recalled a long time ago." even the ford dealership said the following "yeah, ford knows it's a problem; that's why we always keep that particular part in stock." literally, there are tens-of-thousands of online complaints regarding this part, and how it has caused serious harm and damage. The problem starts by some coolant leaking slowly, and within a week (even after continuously adding coolant), the leak becomes larger and larger, causing the damage listed above, and causing the heater to not work. Why is this a very well-known problem to ford; a problem that can cause serious safety issues, yet they do nothing for the tens-of-thousands of people that have encountered this problem? The part is $75 from ford and then you have to pay labor too, which is about $150-$200. The ford replacement part# for the defective part is rh157. I have the old part available for inspection if needed.

Filed Aug 14, 2009 · Engine · 89,000 miles · FL

Coolant leak and engine overheating. Fortunately noticed it before the engine seized. Stopped vehicle and topped up with fluid to just make it back to home. Diagnosis indicated that none of the hoses were defective. Performed an internet search for the problem. Many people have documented this problem on the internet - its a leak form the thermostat housing. Defective part !

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Engine, Locks · 70,000 miles · SC

I have replaced the transmission, the water pump, the thermostat, and all radiator hoses. The car overheats daily still. The stereo cuts on and off and can't be turned off by the power button. The rear left seatbelt is stuck where it can't be used. The driver window fell into the door, when the panel was removed it showed that the whole wire system had snapped. The driver door also can only be opened from the inside.

Filed Aug 8, 2004 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · GA

2003 ford focus - front brakes caused overheating of rotors and severe wear of pads - at 20,000 miles.