2003 Ford Focus seats problems

Filed Oct 4, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 152,300 miles · IN

I was using my passenger seat heater while I was driving to pick something up from the mall when I started smelling a burning smell. When I got to the mall,I looked over to find a large scorch mark on the passenger side front seat

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Seats · 88,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

My wife complained that the front driver side heated seat was so hot it was burning, resulting in a mild burn. I investigated the problem and found that the driver side back cushion heating element had malfunctioned and burnt into the seat cushion and back lining of the seat fabric. I have pictures and have held onto the defective part. The heating element has been replaced however we are concerned that the passenger side may have the same issue. I have read of occurrences of this incident including reports of fires.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Seats · 140,000 miles · PA · fire

While driving passenger side leather heated seat caught on fire filled the car with smoke in flames.

Filed Nov 24, 2013 · Seats · 159,000 miles · CA

The seat back adjustment to recline the front drivers seat broke, therefore we are unable to incline or recline the position of the seat.

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · Seats · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the bracket for the front driver's seat fractured and caused the seat to lean to one side abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. A local mechanic attempted to repair the seat but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Seats · 54,677 miles · OH · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left unattended for approximately fifteen minutes with the engine running and the defroster activated. When the contact arrived back to the vehicle and opened the front drivers door, smoke began pouring from the drivers seat. The contact stated that she did not realize the heated seat was activated as well. The contact burned two of her fingers as a result of attempting to extinguish the fire. The contact then poured water on the seat and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that there were no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure mileage was 54,677. Updated 3/8/11 *cn updated 03/14/11

Filed Jan 16, 2011 · Seats · 89,000 miles · NH

My daughter and wife were out shopping and turned on the seat warmers in the front seat. As my daughter was driving she began to complain of a smell of something burning in the car. Soon after realized her back side was hot ! Summary- driver side seat burn marks visible and her winter coat ruined; it burned it too. Why hasn't this been addressed with ford? Several complaints have been filed stating this exact description.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Seats · 150,000 miles · MN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH with the passenger side heated seat activated, she noticed smoke. She cut out the foam in the seat and removed the entire passenger side seat. The contact called the dealer who referred her to the manufacturer. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2010 · Seats · 80,000 miles · NH · 1 injury

I have a 2003 ford focus. Since I had the car from 2004 on, I have had to replace the driver side front seat because the seats driver door side back welding failed. The broken welding causes the seat to twist to the right. Seat was replaced at my cost and replacement also broke at the same place. Dealer refuses to acknowledge issue. I believe that may have also been a major contributing factor to a recent injury of my lower back since I had not received any trauma from any other source that I am aware of. A cursory review of the internet turns up dozens of complaints for the same issue. Please note the date provided for the incident is the approximate date the second seat broke. The first one broke in 2006. Both seats are available for your inspection should you want to review.

Filed Oct 26, 2009 · Seats · 55,000 miles · MA · fire

The driver's seat 2003 ford focus wagon ztw (purchased new in 7/2003, currently 55k miles) seems to have had a seat heater malfunction and burned through the seat cover, and the clothes of the driver at the time. The seat heater button would not turn the heater off. The fuse had to pulled to get it to turn off. There was never a problem with the seat heater before this event. The dealer (quirk ford in quincy ma) says it's only an out-of-warranty repair and wants to charge $600 to fix it. I think this is a major safety hazard that could have caused a significant fire and personal injury.