2003 Ford Focus steering problems

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Body, Steering · 109,000 miles · PA

I was leaving a parking lot doing no more than 5 MPH when the car made a sudden jerking motion. Had the car towed to a garage. The damages were severe rust, sub frame rotted, right front axle broken, right front control arm broken, sway bar bent. The tow driver said the wheels could have fallen off my car and I could have been seriously injured or killed because of the thing that went wrong. I put myself and my family in danger with this death trap. Supposedly this car was inspected february 2018. With everything that went wrong with it and the damages, I dont see how it could have been. I believe there to be fraud involved and believe this matter should be investigated further for putting lives in danger. I paid $3,000 for this car in the middle of feb. 2018. It is now august and it had incurred $3,000 in damages. I sold the car for salvage at $125

Filed Aug 9, 2018 · Steering · 96,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Body, Brakes · 34,000 miles · PA

The sub frame broke while driving the car. Entire sub frame had to be replaced. Almost caused an accident. Struts had to be replaced. Caliper and rotor had to be replaced. Control arm had to be replaced. Just replaced the ignition switch tumblers after the switch locked up and refused to work. There are no recalls listed for this car. Service manager said that focus are notorious for these problems. Car has 34,000 miles on it. The brake line running from the front of the car to the rear rusted out causing a lose of brakes. The car is dangerous.

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Steering · 84,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to unlock the steering wheel when attempting to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Steering · 89,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford focus. While driving 55-60 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a retaining wall. The contact stated that both air bags were deployed. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained an injury to the right knee, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2015 · Steering · 85,000 miles · IN

While parking the car on a city street the steering wheel came loose and control of the car was lost. Was able to brake and stop the car at the curb. We determined that the bolt that holds the steering wheel on the shaft had loosened to the point where the steering wheel was no longer making contact with the splines on the shaft.

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 Apr 2, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · WV · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact lost all control of the vehicle and crashed into a guard rail. The front passenger was thrown into the windshield and as a result of the impact, the contact's hip was dislocated and she sustained severe bruising and a laceration that required thirteen stitches. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer and the dealer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 13, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 86,000 miles · MO

When driving on snow or wet roadways the handling becomes very unstable at speeds over 35 MPH with the rear of the vehicle wanting to veer/pitch sideways causing the driver to have to quickly oversteer to avoid oncoming traffic. Vehicle has 85,000 miles, new goodyear tires. This car is not safe to drive in these conditions and is getting more unstable even on dry surfaces making the vehicle feel like it's following every groove in the roadway. Numerous complaints seem to be everywhere on the internet. How many accidents/injuries/deaths is required before ford is made to take this seriously and stop putting sub standard parts on their cars?

Filed Oct 31, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 170,000 miles · SD

Steering wheel/key lock. The key doesn't turn in the ignition.