2003 Ford Focus: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Lights · 197,253 miles · NC

Due to poor design the bulb melted the surrounding headlight assembly resulting in the entire unit having to be replaced.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 185,000 miles · NC

When riding down the road the doors will automatically lock by themselves. The steering wheel has locked several times over the years. When I bought the car used, it came with many keys. Well, this time when it locked, the steering wheel locked and the ignition locked and I had to get it towed from smithfield nc; approximately an hourly from my home. The mechanic can not get it unlocked because the steering wheel has to be turned to unlock it, vice versa, and the steering wheel is locked. Also the lighting is very poor with the head lights and I see this on all the vehicle for that year and make as I ride down the road. My car is parked because I cant afford to fix it. I have found many complaints about this steering and ignition lock issue. I am wondering why this vehicle has not been recalled for the issue. It is a hazard. I have contacted the ford manufacturer concerning the matter and was told that they can't assist me with it because my car has no warranty. Also, there was a recall on the real door lock. Ford dealership informed me that it was repaired by team ford dealership prior to me owning the vehicle; I informed him that the problem was still a issue getting the rear door to lock securely at times. He informed me that it could only have been fixed once under the recall. These issues have occurred repeatedly since I bought this vehicle in 2009. They all put me at risk of great danger.

Filed Feb 22, 2008 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · DC

I own a 2003 ford focus zx3 with 27,000 miles. For the past year and a half the dashboard lights go out suddenly. This is not a fuse problem, as the way to get them back on is to turn off the headlights and then turn them back on. Often this problem will occur several times during one trip; at other times it will "solve" the problem for months. It has happened on high-speed highways and it is disconcertingly dangerous, especially when it is critical to know one's speed. I believe (from the internet) that others have had this problem with the focus. Ford, however, did not acknowledge a problem, or how to fix it other than taking it to a dealer at my expense.

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 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

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · Lights · AL

Headlights malfunctioned while driving at night. Vehicle was taken to dealer numerous times, but was unable to resolve the problem.