While waiting in a parking aisle for a car to exit a parking place the engine accelerated to very high RPM. As my car was stationary and my foot on the brake and in drive the car did not seem to move. Placing the car in neutral or park made no difference. Shut off engine and restarted with same result. After waiting several minutes while responding to an interested person I tried again and everything appeared normal. Drove the car home and left it parked. This is the only time this has occurred .
2003 Ford Focus engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the piston valves and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/29/13
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.
Bought the 2003 ford focus new from mallon ford (currently lakewood ford), in tacoma, wa. Car advertised at 27 to 36 mpg. Actual mileage on hwy was 42 mpg. Yesterday (march 14, 2013) car owner, [xxx], said car had stopped and was making lot of noise. I told her not to try and start it anymore but that I would be there in 30 minutes. So I arrived and restarted the car. I shut off the engine and raised the hood. I found a connection to the air flow sensor disconnected. Re-connected it and the engine ran but lots of noise in valve train. Like spark knock on steroids. Checked with stethoscope where the noise was coming from. It was emanating from the top of #1 and 2 cylinders. Engine oil is clean and full. So, as a long time mechanic, I am reasonably certain that the valve seats dropped and where broken by the valves in either number one or number two cylinder. That means the engine might be toast or it could be that the cylinder head is toast- - engine has not been dismantled but I am almost certain that the valve seats have dropped on one or more cylinders on the 2003 ford focus sohc 2.0 liter engine. Ford motor company should man or woman up and fix these factory defects.local ford service managers told me it was a common problem with that engine. In my opinion, that is a dangerous factory defect designed to cause catastrophic failure. It would have been simple to either pin the valve seats or use another rmethod (such as screw in and pinned) to make sure the seats stay in place. This car used no oil, got great mileage and was otherwise defect free. It is about time that ford does something about the problem before someone files a class action lawsuit. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was restarted and began to function normally. The contact also stated that the trunk latch failed to function correctly and the ignition failed; however the ignition switch was replaced. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 07/25/12 *bf a lock smith determined the lock wafers were bent, due to it being made of cheap metal. Updated 07/30/12
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.
This vehicle with 110k miles turns out the valve seat of cylinder #4 broke off inside the engine and irreparably damaged the piston, cylinder and cylinder head of which the only way to fix this is with a replacement engine. This option is more than what the car is valued. On further research of both my mechanic and I as we searched the web, it appears that this happens more frequently than it should. It seems that ford should put a recall to fix these valve seats before anymore people will have to unnecessarily spend thousands to repair the engine or lose thousands of dollars on a undrivable junk car, such as myself. Could you please investigate this matter further and let me know if this is indeed an inherent problem that needs to be corrected. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled without prior warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact that the timing belt fractured and resulted in complete engine failure. The technician stated that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Safety hazard-- upper motor mount on 2003 ford focus malfunctions/ disintegrates within three months of installation; whether by garage, dealer, or owner. In seventeen months, I have had to replace the mount (when caught) four times and found it again needs replacement. The oem parts say guaranteed but it constantly cost to remove, repackage, ship, and then replace.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated the vehicle was parked with the engine running when the engine began abnormally jumping. A local mechanic was contacted who advised that the timing belt was fractured. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where the contact was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated when starting the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the vehicle would not respond and would intermittently stall. The vehicle would sporadically start and would operate as normal until the failure would recur. The contact replaced the battery but to no avail. The dealer was not contacted nor was the vehicle taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 82,007.
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 !
2003 ford focus, early morning squeaking, mid day, vibrating, late afternoon, car starts to shake excessively and as I drive into my driveway a really loud banging noise comes from the front of the car, so loud it scared me, I turned the car off and open the hood of the car and notice that the metal mounts that hold the engine broke in half and a piece was still on the motor. My engine was hanging from the left side, you could see it from the bottom of the vehicle. My insurance company comes out to check the damages and said in his 22 years of viewing vehicles for claims he's never seen anything like this. My mileage is 59,528, I'm still paying for this car, until 2012. This should not have happened to a six year old car with this little mileage. I called ford to check if there was a recall on this situation. I was told no. I went on the internet to search for complaints regarding 2003 ford focus, found many complaints of many things wrong with this vehicle and several regarding the vibrating of the front of the vehicle relating to motor mount problems. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and was told that this incident created a problem with the axel as well. This is going to cost me a lot of money. Waiting for an estimate of repairs on 5/9/09.
I was seating in a tacobell drivethru, when all of the sudden my engine had a catastrophic engine failure.
No events LED to this ignition will not turn - happens each time I attempt to start the car - at times it will turn with enough jiggling - has left me stranded with no ride taking it to dealership for replacement, but this is a known ford focus problem.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start in the mornings and it would idle extremely roughly. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure and remedy the issue. In addition, the motor mounts had to be replaced and the air conditioner would not blow cold air. The contact is in the process of determining the cause of the failures. The failure mileage was 10 and current mileage was 85,000.
After placing the down payment of $1500 and completing the paperwork. Not even a week later the car began to stall on the freeway and eventually stopped on me in the middle of rush hour traffic. The car was able to restart and I drove it to freeway ford here in houston, tx. Each time they couldn't find what the problem was. I hadn't enjoyed the car over a month because the car was given me problems when I had it and it stayed at the dealership. I spoke to the service manager and the dealership assistant manager and neither had an answer.
I currently drive a 2003 ford focus hatchback 2.3l. After the engine is turned off the ignition and steering wheel lock completely. When attempting to turn on the vehicle, my car key will not turn and the wheel remains locked, in turn the vehicle becomes completely unusable. I call to ford road side assistant prompted me to quickly move the steering wheel left and right while turning the ignition forwards and backwards. I had been able to turn on the car up to 5 times using this system although once at the mechanic the car will no longer turn on, the mechanic must now drill a hole inside the steering wheel causing property damage. This started on my vehicle on sunday june 29th. This is a major safety concern as a car that does not allow the motorist to turn on the ignition can lead to possible crashes if the car becomes stalled in a highway etc.
I had a crack in the coolant reservoir that I took to get repaired. I drove my car there, turned the car off while waiting for the customer in front of me to pull up. I turned the car back on and pulled it up to where the serviceman was waiting. I turned the car off. I gave them my information. The serviceman then took my car, started it, and drove it into the service bay. They did the work on the car and then without warning the ignition would not turn over. They tried and tried. It wouldn't turn. I had absolutely no warning or anything that there was a problem. I went to the ford dealer and asked them how this happens, if it happened over time, or what. The guy told me that it could happen at any time and then it would cost $400 to get repaired. Just out of the blue without warning he said that the ignition could go out! I took the car to another mechanic and he only had to repair the ignition switch at virtually half the price using ford dealer parts! It doesn't make any sense that something as vital as the ignition can just stop at any time!
Vehicle caught on fire on april 12th, 2008. 2-3 hs after being parked on the street the vehicle was on fire. The cause has not been determined yet, but according to the fire investigation unit the fire apparently started near the console area.
2003 ford focus car has (2) different type spark plugs installed at factory causing car not to run normal. Ford motor co. Does not have a answer for problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. After driving the vehicle between 10-30 minutes, the vehicle will not restart after it has been turned off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the entire coolant system. Two weeks later, the failure recurred three different times. He took the vehicle back to the same dealer and they stated that due to the mileage, the contact would have to pay for the same repair again. The vehicle has not been repaired again. The failure mileage was 72,000 and current mileage was 73,371.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that she heard a noise coming from the dashboard and the steering wheel would shake while the vehicle idled. The vehicle was inspected on four occasions by four different mechanics and they stated that the motor mounts caused the failure. As of january 3, 2008, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 54,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the engine made a very loud noise when she started the vehicle. A mechanic stated that the exhaust pipe separated, but the vehicle could still be driven. The contact stated that there was no difference in the vehicle, other than it sounding like a harley davidson motorcycle. The repair would cost approximately $900. The VIN and purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
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