Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus zx3. While driving 5 MPH on 04/17/2007 a rainy day the driver hit a puddle and water was trapped inside the sport intake system which caused the engine to fail. The owners 60 day warranty has not expired. However, the dealer stated he would have to pay $6,000 to repair the engine. The current and failure mileage were 34760.
2003 Ford Focus engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was accelerated to 35 MPH; the egr tube came loose from the manifold for the second time, made a loud noise, and allowed escaping exhaust fumes to enter the passenger compartment. The service dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Updated 01/30/07.
Several parts failures, including alternator, brakes, muffler,transmission, and ignition lock cylinder
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a red light both frontal airbags deployed without warning causing the vehicle to rear end the vehicle in front. A police report was filed at the scene and seat belts were in use; no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. The dealership was alerted. On a separate occasion, the hatch back failed to close, vehicle failed to start, the interior lighting failed and the motor made a knocking sound. This occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was alerted.
Engine compartment fire started behind battery and burned down the car.
Piston in transmission deteriorated causing shift solenoid and value body to go bad at 71,000 miles, front drivers seat belt will not unbuckle, rear seat belts will periodically not buckle, now blowing massive amounts of smoke, rims are seized when trying to change tires, no matter if it was just taken off 5 minutes previously to takeoff; ignition seized and ending up having to rebuild steering column.
My purpose in submitting this letter is to notify the federal safety agency that there is an emission problem with my vehicle. There is a problem with my 2003 ford focus ztw vehicle. Emissions from the engine area are getting into the passenger area. These emissions are causing me respiratory problems. I have problems breathing. To minimize the affects I have to drive with my moon roof and windows open. I have had the exhaust system checked by a national firm and the mechanic said the system was okay. There were no leaks. I have brought my car to my local ford dealer three times and their mechanics could not find the problem. Something is wrong with this vehicle.
2003 ford focus ignition key would not turn. Vehicle also shows sign of stalling. *ts ***no answer required***
For the past 3 months I have had a problem with the engine of my 2003 ford focus zts stalling and sometimes cutting off completely. This happens under normal driving conditions and happens infrequently. It is very dangerous because the car can shut off while attempting to pull out across traffic or while in fast-moving traffic lanes. I have taken the car to my local ford dealer where they have experienced the problem first-hand but been unable to fix it. It has been there a total of 4 times, and this one with be the fifth. Every time they have seemed to isolate the problem but it always seems to resurface within 48 hours. So far, the dealer has replaced: oxygen sensor, fuel pump, fuel modulator, and a transmission sensor. Jiffy lube has also replaced the fuel filter. Although none of these parts have been covered by my extended warranty, the dealer has been kind enough to compensate me for approximately the last three repairs from them. The car is still not fixed and I plan to take it back today. I am very frustrated because this is a car with 40,000 miles on it and rated very good by consumer reports. I have also checked several online forums and people are having the same problems but no one seems to know how to fix it. I feel like I have purchased a "lemon", but the nc law does not apply since I bought it in virginia. The virginia lemon law does not help either because it applies if the vehicle was serviced at the dealer it was originally purchased. I also feel like this vehicle should be part of a recall but ford has failed to acknowledge the problem (there was a recall on 2001 models for the same issue). Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
The car hesitates while at speeds above 40 MPH. Appears to shut down and restart. The car has been back to dealer on several occasions and not repaired.
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: caller's vehicle had a defective egr tube. The welding came off, and the fumes got into the vehicle. Dealer said it was not covered by the warranty. Caller will have to pay for its replacement. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. *ak updated 1/16/2007 -
I was sitting in driver's side of 2003 ford focue, car was turned on and parked. Car shut off by itself and I then smelled smoke. I opened hood and there was a fire on rear-side of engine - no sign of any oil spillage..
Vehicle had fumes coming in. It smelled as if something was burning. Dealer checked the vehicle and could not find any defects.*ak consumer stated while driving still smell burning inside, it is pretty scary and wish something would be done about it.
While driving, the engine stalled intermittently. The consumer managed to restart the vehicle. Please provide more information.
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.
Vehicle idles roughly. Engine skips , and the front end shakes.
While driving at 60 MPH the consumer heard a loud grinding sound coming from beneath the vehicle. The dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the wheel bracket and bearing on the right front side of the vehicle. Now the problem is occurring again on the exact same side of the vehicle. Also when the vehicle is at a stop sign the engine will rev up severely, even when the consumer's foot is on the brakes.
Consumer noticed that after shifting vehicle into reverse and without warning, the engine stalled. Dealership wasn't able to duplicate problem. Please provide further information.
Consumer noticed after depressing the gas pedal to merge on to freeway vehicle started hesitating and shifted into full throttle. Please provide further information.
. The federal safety agency. On october 31 of 2003, I purchased ford focus se, brand new.. For five month I own this vehicle, I was in the shop for all kind different problems 9 times. It was: constant very strong vibration while driving at any speed, constant grounding noise comes from engine site and transformed to an ultrasound noise at hire speed, the squealing has intensified and sounds horrible! Transmission locked up while I drove on the highway at 70 MPH, had to use tow track.( dealer sad they cannot duplicate the problem ) ,but transmission still locks and jerking constantly, squeal noise from breaks, (dealer replaced front pads and resurface drum, but refused to repair rear breaks and noise and pulsation is still there., dealer found defective rims, defective tires, throttle problems, brakes problems. Problems with my car intensified. I got my cruse control accelerated by it self in the middle of a highway, transmission locks up and jerking intermittently, brakes squealing and pulsate the ford dealer sales and service people said that I should not return for service and waist any bodys time, he said that what I hear and fill in my ford focus is normal . Ford warranty is not worth a paper it is written on. So, ford wont fix my car and I cannot do it other wise. As a result of strong vibration and squealing noise I am loosing balance, have severe headache, all body eking, I have pain in booth of my arms, and I have difficulty to walk and my right leg become num. I have to use walking cane and knee and ankle support. I scared to even drive it anymore. I am pleading to you, to help .me to get a full refund from ford motor company for its defective product, plus a compensation for all expenses incurred as a result of this ordeal.
While driving 5 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Car intermittently stalls while driving. So far, all incidents have been at a low rate of speed and while brake was being used. Have brought to dealership service twice for this problem (has been in for repairs 4 times since purchase in november 2003). The first time, technician was able to duplicate problem. Battery, battery cables, alternator and control module were all replaced. Engine stalled twice in one day a few weeks after this repair. Second service visit, technician was not able to duplicate problem, so car was returned to me. Now I'm just waiting and wondering what is going to happen to me the next time the car stalls, since I lose 90% of my power steering and brakes when it happens. I feel like a should put a giant sign on the back of my car, warning drivers to keep their distance as this car can suddenly stall at any time.
2003 ford focus zx3 pzev engine stalls intermittently without warning while driving. All the instruments on the dash (speedometer, odometer, tachometer, oil pressure, etc.) become inoperative. Must bring the car to a stop, put it in park, and turn the key to the off position before car can be restarted. Problem began with less than 500 miles on the car. In the three months I've owned the car it has stalled at least 20 times. Have had it to two different ford service centers a combined total of five times and no one has been able to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The car is still at the dealership while they wait for a special ford technician to come and try and determine what is wrong.
Purchased 2003 ford focus in september, 2003. There was not even 3,000 miles on this car. My husband drove it 2 blocks to the store on saturday, february 7, 2004, went into the store to get one item and only in the store 5 minutes, came out and my car was on fire under the hood of the car.
While driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic. Please provide any additional information.
Engine cuts out while driving for no apparent reasons and with no warning.
While driving at 35 MPH and with no warning vehicle caught on fire, heavy black smoke and flames came from under the hood. The dealer was notified. *ak no warning light illuminated to indicate there was any kind of problem.
While traveling at highway speed vehicle shut down. Vehicle was towed to ford.
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