2003 Ford Focus: won't start

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Engine · 160,000 miles · TX

Replaced the crank censor and it won't start

Filed Jan 20, 2019 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · OH

New onset burning smell while driving in suburban environment. Parked car, then it wouldn't start. Upon inspection found battery cables/sheath melting. Replaced battery, car started. Car parked and 1 hr later wouldn't start- new battery is dead. Replaced with 2nd new battery, hooked up cables and sparks came from battery (installed correctly). Car still won't start.

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key did not start the vehicle. The driver contacted an independent mechanic who gently tapped the key several times until it turned. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was driven home and parked. The vehicle would not restart. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2015 · Engine · 109,000 miles · FL

The piston shattered at 109,000 miles. After doing some research, I have found many more complaints of the same thing. Come to find out that there is a design flaw in the engine when it comes to the valve seat. This happened in the #3 cylinder. The walls of the cylinder wall is so scored from the damage that it will require a new engine to fix the problem. When this happened, I was in a parking lot after shopping. I turned the key and it would not start. It also made a terrible noise. Before that, it was running fine. I had no trouble with my car except having to change an alternator. That's it. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles. I bought the car used at 90,000 miles. It was from a friend who is obsessed about keeping cars maintained. He would get a tune up, serviced, and change the oil when it was time. The car was well maintained by him. I found out there was a design flaw in the engine. But yet, there is no recall to fix the flaw. And when calling ford, they say that there is no recall and has no intent at opening one for the faulty engine.

Filed Jan 29, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 109,000 miles · MI · fire

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.

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 Apr 23, 2012 · Electrical · 69,000 miles · WA

The ignition cylinder will not turn it is locked and the car will not start. Key get stuck in the cylinder. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 17, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · OH

My key will not turn over and my wheel is locked up. The problems started and I would just turn the wheel and sooner or later it would turn over. Now im stranded in my driveway with the wheel locked up and no turning the key over. Missed work and money. I searched the internet on this and the was over 300 diff people with this problem. I bought this car (ford) to save gas and money. I think this should be recalled if this many people are having this problem. I don't know why it hasn't yet.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 86,331 miles · NY

The key would not turn in the ignition of my 2003 ford focus zts, thus, the vehicle would not start. After a call to the local locksmith, I was surprised to hear "this is a common problem for a ford focus". When arriving, the locksmith proceeded to explain to me why the stock ignition switch of my car is a defective design, comparing to a new switch they were about to install. Upon further research online, I could not find any information about a recall for the defective item. I did find, however, plenty of complains of ford owners having the exact same problem. I am surprised such a critical component has not been recalled since it jeopardizes the reliability of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 29, 2010 · Locks · 50,000 miles · OH

My 2003 ford focus will not start due to the fact that ford has apparently used defective lock cylinders on the 2003 ford focus. I walked up to my local ford dealership and was told that it would cost 350 to repair the car. (not including charges for getting the vehicle to them) this has prevented me from driving a car that I am still making payments on.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Electrical · 53,600 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated when he placed his key in the ignition, the ignition switch locked and would not turn over. The dealer was contacted and advised him to bang on the steering column to allow the key to turn the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ignition switch was replaced. The failure mileage was 53,600 and the current mileage was 53,850. Updated 7/20/10 *cn updated 07/23/10

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 75,000 miles · ME

My 2003 ford focus has a ignition switch problem all of a sudden the key will not start the car it has left us stranded and has taken us as long as 30 minutes to start car. We have tried several remedies like silicone spray, tapping on key so it will start this problem has effected a host of focus owners with costly repairs and we will soon have to spend money to repair this obviously flawed design.