I own a 2003 ford focus and back in february 2006 I took the car in for a recall to fix door hinges that become hard to open or actually break. They completed the work. As I was driving the other day my rear passenger door just swung open and the door will no longer latch. I called ford and they said since they put some grease or something like that on my door back in 2006 (they never put a new latch on the car) that I am out of luck and have to pay the $336 myself to fix the latch that I feel they should have replaced under the recall in the first place. Two of my other three doors are getting hard to open and I feel it is only a matter of time before they completely break also. I have two children and thank god one of them was not in the back seat the day the car door just decided to swing open.
2003 Ford Focus locks complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 82, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I purchased a 2003 ford focus for my daughter and she was stranded after driving it to work when she couldn't get the steering wheel unlocked to use her key. The dealership told her it is common in ford focuses of this year. This has resulted in the shaft needing to be replaced for $500 and there is not guarantee that it won't happen again because of this make/model of car. This is ridiculous since ford has known about this for years and as far as I know, there has been no recall issued to date. Unacceptable!
The car has been having issues with the locks for a while now. We can not put the key into the door to unlock it because it wont always work. The handle on the front driver side door has broke once and was replaced. Now the key for the ignition will not turn to start the car. The steering wheel has locked and will not allow the key to turn to start the car.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact turned off the ignition and attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. Suddenly, the gear shift locked and became inoperative. The contact exited the vehicle and the driver's side door automatically locked without assistance. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 52,000.
No initial indications of the problem until it happened, a sudden onset. One day, I got in my car, tried to start the engine, and the key would not turn. I tried turning the wheel to get the key to turn, and still no ability to turn the key in the lock and start the car. I tried a second key that is not used, just in case it was a worn key, but still no ability to turn the key in the column lock. Finally, after about 15 minutes of trying to jiggle and finagle the key to turn, it did. Since then, I have found that if the key is removed, and the steering wheel it turned until a positive clunk is heard and felt, indicating that the steering wheel lock has engaged, the problem repeats every single time. If I remove the key and make sure to not turn the wheel so that the steering wheel lock is not engaged then I can reliably insert the key and turn it in the ignition lock and start the car. I called ford to attempt to request a "good will repair" because I have been a good and long term ford customer (I have owned a ford pinto, a ford focus, a ford contour, and a ford escape before this ford focus) but the agent threw up a load of resistance. Now I am told that they will do nothing until I take it to a ford dealer and pay for an inspection to verify the problem. This "service" to verify what I can reliably reproduce every and any time, is unnecessary and will cost approximately half of what it will cost me to have my local garage effect the change and make the repair. I am just another one of thousands of people who suffer due to this design defect that ford must know about.
The lock cylinder froze in my 2003 ford focus two months after the warranty expired. The repairs totaled $343.
I got into my 2003 ford focus last sunday and the key would not turn. It had been acting up in recent days but on this day nothing would work. Therefore my car was rendered useless. Long story short...towed it to the dealer they took the lock tumbler cylinder out and sure enough--defective mechanism. Ford refuses to cover it in a warranty or extended service plan and now I am out of pocket $400 plus the tow to even get my car to turn on. Did some "internet research" and we found this is a common issue.
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.
The ignition has locked up on my 2003 ford focus each time I have tried to start the car for the past 3 days. I have been stranded in some dangerous places (including a parking structure in downtown los angeles at 1:30am) for up to 40 minutes trying to get the car to start.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked in the backyard, the contact started the vehicle and the rear window blew out. The dealer repaired the window. A few days later, the locks on the passenger side door would not unlock. The dealer repaired that failure as well. Afterwards, the ignition cylinder began to fail. The contact took the vehicle in for repair and had to pay $300. The current and failure mileages were 5,000. Updated 05/21/08 *bf the consumer stated the trunk needed to be repaired as well. Updated. 05/20/08.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was purchased, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side door was tied shut because it would not latch properly. The dealer stated that her vehicle had previously been repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v030000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch) and she would be liable for the repair costs. The manufacturer did not assist. The vehicle has not been repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 96,000 and current mileage was 96,748. Updated 05/06/08 *bf updated 05/06/08
On january 22, 2008 the key would not start the car, it would not turn to release the steering wheel lock. This had happened a number of time previously but we were able to turn it after considerable effort. This was an extremely cold day in michigan and could have been a serious problem if I did not get some help from my daughter. We called several locksmiths and finally one mobile locksmith came and replaced the lock.
The federal safety agency campaign id 05v030000 regarding recall of ford focus models 2000-2005 for rear door latch problems (ford recall 05s27) identifies vehicles manufactured at the wayne assembly plant from may 22, 2002 through january 26, 2005 as potentially affected. My vehicle was not identified as affected by ford for this recall. However, my vehicle was manufactured at the wayne assembly plant in june 2003 and I have experienced the same door latch problems described in the recall notice. I feel that my vehicle should have been included in the recall and that ford motor company should address this problem. So far they have refused to take any action to remedy my complaint.
Door latches are very difficult to open, both from the outside and inside, sometimes leaving me sitting in the car wondering how I am going to get out. Before my warranty was up, the dealer told us that this was just typical of our model of car and that there was nothing that could be done about it.
Ref. The federal safety agency 05v030000 my daughter took her car to reemy ford of johnson city tn. To have the safety recall taken care of. Reemy ford said they complied with the recall. Since then the door will not latch. The recall states if the latches do not pass the evaluation they will be replaced. When reemy was call to fix the problem they told my daughter that they had complied with the recall and that was not the problem. Latch does not latch, sounds like the recall notice.
Ignition key switch would not turn to start key. I had to replace the lock assembly on 2003 ford focus I bought brand new 12/31/2003. Told by scott reynolds of reynold's ford that even one of his mechanic's wife had same problem as a number of people have.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact pressed the unlock button to open the passenger side door and it failed to open. She had to manually pull the door three times before it opened. Ford stated that her vehicle was not included in recall # 05v030000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The current and failure mileages were 46,898.
Dt*: the contact stated while parked, the steering wheel would not unlock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the trunk would not close. The dealer was not contacted.
1st- trunk latch does not disengage, I have taken it to the dealership in my nearest town. After 3-4 times of adjusting and oiling, it still does not release correctly, when you push the dashboard release, open the trunk it closes the latch on its own, you cant close the trunk unless you repress the dash release, which is difficult with arms full, or pull the safety release provided for not getting locked in the trunk, this has been going on since I purchased my car. 2nd- my ignition froze up yesterday morning. No for warning. Hadn't had any problems. Now I have to get back to my car and get it to the garage. Being newer to the area and no other vehicle at my disposal it is definitely going to cost me not to mention the repair cost. 3rd- oh my god--- I just read about the back door problems people have been having, I transport very precious cargo back there, my grand children, being that there are 3 of them two have to be by the door. I will have the service area check my doors when they fix the ignition. Why wasn't I told about this.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the starter failed. There were no warning signals for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the flywheel and the starter had to be replaced. After the first incident, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer thirty times for the following failures: brakes rotors were replaced four times; battery and alternator had to be replaced; the transmission had to be replaced after the second attempt to repair it. The electrical wiring under the dashboard had to be rewired. The air conditioning was repaired three times with the replacement of defective valves; the rear door latches were repaired according to recall # 05v300000. The dealership had not corrected the noises from the steering column. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to cooperated in finding a suitable resolution. The last problem found by the dealership was the required replacement of the engine heads. The engine heads were attached to the vehicle frame.
Owner of a ford focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45.00) as well as pay for repairs ($183.00). Called ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem I was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they will positioned at the right place. The representative seem to only care to hear about one of the problem (ignition switch) and not the other one. I was put on hold for a while and when rep return she told me to call company that was repairing my focus and they will help me in this matter. I called the company and the guy that eagerly took my money stated that he will do a claim for me and he stated that I will get some of my money but not all of it back. In checking the recalls I see ignition switch lockup is one of them. I only have had my car for a little over a year. My windshield is cracked and insurance says I must pay $250 before they fix it, when turning on air conditioner, driving seem difficult (hard to pull), liftgate water leaks, and upon purchasing my car, brakes were squeaking; I mentioned this to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that the brakes were new and had to be broken in. Well they are still squeaking after a year in a half. I need all of these things fixed on my car, right now I am a month behind in car payments (good record on making my payments), had to use the money to get the ignition switch repaired.
My door handle on my driver side of my car has broke again and I can't open it from the outside. It won't open from the inside sometimes either. Back in 2005 both the driver's side and passengers side handles on my vehicle broke. I have a two door and had to climb through the trunk to get my car to the dealership. I had to pay for the repairs which were very pricey considering the parts were less than $50.00. I now am having the issue again and I refuse to pay out of my pocket to fix it. I want to know if there has been a recall and why the ford dealership is telling me that I am going to have to pay for it. I take very good care of my vehicle and this has become a very frustrating experience.
I am the owner of a 2003 ford focus and I have several issues. In the last year I have experienced problems with the ignition locking and as well as the steering wheel, I contacted the dealer carey paul ford in decatur, ga and was told that I had to pay for repairs, which I did, after being stranded with my son. This cost me 260.00, I am a single mother and cannot afford to spend money on problems that the manufacturer clearly was aware of. The trunk on the vehicle just randomly opens at any given moment, you're riding along the road and the trunks just opens for no reason. This I find just annoying but would also like to have corrected. My latest issue is that on yesterday 04/16/06, while driving along the steering wheel just became loose and I could barely control the car, I made it to a firestone dealer that recommended that I take the vehicle to the dealer, which I will do first thing in the morning. I can't stop thinking that I or someone else on the road could have been seriously injured or killed. I can't understand how a manufacturer can continue to market a product as safe when clearly there are issues with it. I have found numerous web sites and personally spoken with focus owners with the same problems, what will it take to get ford to take responsibility for it's product. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
One day may car just didn't start, the ignition cylinder has been replaced- the car has under 49000- and it has already had several problems! The master cylinder( for the brakes) , the ignition cylinder, and several pieces have already had to be replaced on my 2003 ford focus!!! Please recall this car! The parts put in the ford focus 2003 during the manufacturing are obviously defective!!!! At the consumers expense they must replace these parts and deal with all the consequences. The ford company should take responsibility for their mistakes! Details on problems: 1- my car shuttered started smoking from the hood a bit- and smelled as if something had burned underneath the hood. ( the ignition light came on ) at almost 30000 miles. Took it into the deal- they replaced a coil- name unknown. 2- this took several trips into the ford service dept- because it kept happening- before they would actually replace the coil!!! 3- the master cylinder ( brake system) malfunctioned within 30000 miles as well!!! And had to be replaced. 4- the ignition cylinder- with 49000 miles on the car- now has been replaced- no thanks to ford!!! 5- the trunk has never closed properly. I slam it once to close, then I pull up on it to check it's actually locked, it hasn't- maybe on the third time after slamming it shut- it will actually catch and close. These parts are all defective, and it's unjust to the consumers!!!!!
Back doors are difficult to open when I pull the handles it will (pop) open. I am afraid that the doors will not latch properly when closed.
My 2003 ford focus has had problems with the trunk latch for about a year now. When I go to close the trunk it does not shut. It will shut if I pull on the safety latch they have in case somebody gets locked in the trunk,however even when it closes that way whenever it rains my trunk when I open it gets all wet!I had a bunch of christmas presents in the back and when I opened the trunk they were soaked! Also the door latches sometimes lock on their own. Twice I have been locked out of my car. I no longer ever leave my car without my keys!
Consumer complaint regarding 2003 ford focus recall work not done, because there were no parts. *ts (recall # 05v030000)
Rear latch malfunctions. Registers that trunk is shut when it is not and not when it is. While going over speed bump trunk pops open due to latch not hitching properly.
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.
The rear doors were difficult to unlock on the consumers 2003 ford focus. *jb on 2 separate occasions, the rear door opened by itself. The rear passenger door is now being held shut with bungee cords. *jb
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