Clutch slips during attempts to pass vehicles, especially trucks on two lane highways. During acceleration suddenly the car looses speed and the tachometer revved up, making safe pass impossible. Had to slow down and merge again behind the vehicle. Only seemed to happen when the car has been drive more than 100 miles non-stop. No problems in city or freeway driving. Really scary when it happened so far about 9 times.
2003 Ford Focus transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 48, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2003 ford focus that I bought brand new and drove off the lot with 60 miles on it. Not long after we purchased the car, it started to act as though the transmission was slipping when changing gears. We have always kept up on the recommended maintenance and no one has ever been able to find a problem with the car. About 3 weeks ago we were driving around the neighborhood, not on a busy street thank goodness, when the car shifted very hard as we slowed down for a stop sign. When we attempted to begin driving again, the car would not shift out of first gear. We promptly took it to a transmission shop where they have been working on it for nearly 3 weeks. They have pulled the transmission out to rebuild it twice and have still not found what is causing the problem. The mechanics have even taken it over to the local ford dealership and they cannot figure it out. I now have a 4 year old car with 53000 miles on it that does not run. If that had happened while we were driving on the highway we certainly would have been hit by a car behind us. This is not normal wear and tear, there is a serious problem with the transmission or the computer system. If this car ever actually gets fixed, I will certainly not feel safe driving it as the performance of the car is unreliable and there is no telling when it will suddenly quit working again.
My daughter drives a 2003 ford focus svt. On february 28, 2007 she was returning to easton, pa from state college, pa when the transmission destroyed itself resulting in a catastrophic failure of the gearbox, flywheel,bell housing and pressure plate. This took place on I-80 . I feel you should be informed due to the amount of damage and severity of the explosion. A fire did result from the failure/explosion. I have contacted ford (state college ford) and their esp representative has claimed the do not cover pressure plate failure past 12,000 miles and have declined to admit this is a serious situation.
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.
Several parts failures, including alternator, brakes, muffler,transmission, and ignition lock cylinder
I bought a ford focus 2003 in 2005. Have had multiple problems with transmission. Acceleration issues. Now shift gear issues. This car only has 48,000 miles. Car will not shift properly. Bangs into gear. Car has had transmission service and is still happening transmission is probably going to have to be replaced.
Piston in transmission deteriorated causing shift solenoid and value body to go bad at 71,000 miles, front drivers seat belt will not unbuckle, rear seat belts will periodically not buckle, now blowing massive amounts of smoke, rims are seized when trying to change tires, no matter if it was just taken off 5 minutes previously to takeoff; ignition seized and ending up having to rebuild steering column.
My calipers have failed twice on my 2003 ford focus sedan. I bought it new in 2004 as a end of model year and have lots of brake and acceleration issues. My brake light comes on all the time when I am driving. The car won't accelerate and makes a loud revving noise. I have about 27k miles on it and the calipers failed at 10k and the second time at 22k. It was covered under warranty but the ford mechanics said they didn't know why it has happened. So the reason it fails has never been repaired but they replace the calipers. How they have failed to repair the brake lights from coming on was to replace the parking brake (but didn't fix the problems). The brakes make a squealing metallic noise and I was told that was 'normal' by the mechanics. After bringing it to the dealership over 10 times I was told by the mechanic to bring my problem to ford co. When I said the car is not safe and that I want it repaired or for them to buy it back they said I was 'doing' something to make the calipers fail. I was also told that they would not cover it under the warranty!
My boyfriend and son took my car to have it washed. When they turned the corner the steering wheel just spun. Causing them to almost crash. I have had several other things happen with the car since I bought it in may 2004 used. I have replaced the back tires 4 times in a year. They all have cupped. Every tire place we have went has said the rear of the car has a defect in it. Also, my seat belts used by my children do not always work properly. Last jan, the transmission wouldn't shift out of first. Ottawa ford did fix this issue as a speed control sensor wiring problem. With the steering issue the car is undrivable and I am a single mom with no other transportation or means of income to fix. I need some help with this.
Purchased this car in 11-05 with 32600 miles on it from creditable dealer. 6 days after purchase, car was towed back to dealer who had to have car taken to ford dealer to have entire transmission and clutch replaced. Dealer tried to lay the blame on the driver as "abuse" - in 6 days!!!! 2 days ago, the check engine light has come on, but has since gone out. Had I known what I know now about this ford 2003 svt, I would have never purchased it. I am afraid it is turning out to be a complete and total failure and lemon (even though still covered under factory warranty) and I will fight tooth and nail to have ford pay for repairs.
I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started I was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now I can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the ignition has gone completely out. The locksmith said I was lucky I was parked.
With only 59,000 miles the transmission would not change gears properly. Ford dealer and independent mechanic said the transmission had to be rebuilt. Cost $950 at independent mechanic, $1800 at dealer.
I have a 2003 zts with a 5 speed. After driving roughly 40 miles nonstop when the temperature is 85 and above, the first time I push the clutch pedal in the pedal is really stiff, like a super duper heave duty clutch. By the 2nd or 3d time I press it in it's normal again. The car shift fine.. Just has this really stiff pedal for 1 or two pushes after an 40 mile trip in hot temperatures. Ford agreed, after a ton of complaining, to replace the clutch master cylinder, but it never helped. The car has 35,000 and 95% of those miles are on the interstate so there "should be" next to no wear on the clutch itself. This started happening at about 28,000 miles. Now that the temperatures have fallen back to mid 70's for daytime hi's the problem is almost non-existent.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. While approaching a stop sign driver began to slow down, applied the brakes, and vehicle suddenly surged forward. Driver had both feet on the brakes. Driver has to turn off the engine to get the vehicle to slow down to a stop. *ak the vehicle also jerked went the consumer reached speeds of 55 MPH and higher.
Dt: consumer complained about transmission problems. The rear door on the wagon did not close properly and the windshield wipers did not go all the way down when turning them off. Dealer was working on the transmission. Also, dealer will take care of the door and the windshield wipers while vehicle was in the shop for transmission.
Vehicle, a 2003 ford focus w/ 20,000 miles, became disabled due to complete failure of clutch to reengage when I shifted - rolled to stop in evening rush hour traffic on interstate 66 in fairfax, virgiinia. Car had prevous intermittent problem with clutch not engaging and was returned from dealer two days earlier, february 2, saying the clutch was "performing ok at this time npf." I could not maneuver from the travel lane and called 911. A virgina state polcie car was dispatched and pulled up behind me to prevent a rear end collosion until the tow truck arrived. Dealer then pronounced that the entire clutch assembly "wore out" and charged $1,840 for a complete repalcement of the pressure plate, clutch plates and fly wheel. They did not retain parts (as I had requested) and denied any warranty coverage.
Buy the car in livingston montana 09-28-2002 the VIN [xxx] the car had only like 20 miles we drove it off the lot. We went on vacation that summer we had a blow out on the rear driver side. We called the ford company in livingston ,montana we were in id so they said that they could not do any thing for us. We had to drive to the next town about 14 miles back . We got back we took it to ford company. The car was pulling to the left and shaking really bad and the trunk will not lock (it will not lock if we push the button ) we do not use the trunk still ,the clutch pops out them told us to double clutch and it ( still pops out went you back up sometimes). We took the car back to they ,them on 09-24-2003 they had the car for two weeks almost I have a listed of thing want was wrong an still wrong with the car ,we told them we want an new car but they still would not give us one or would not work with us , them said I'm sorry but we could not do that. I know you folks had a lot of trouble with the car but I can not do anything. I was mad an still we bought about four sets of tires for that car . The car was only has 48003 miles, we had many outs ,we had a back blow again in nov- 2004 . My wife will not drive it much because she is scared of it. It pulls you all over the road in the bad weather we lived in whitehall , montana very small town if we want to go shopping you have to drive 20 mins plus away, she waits on the weekends to take my car. She only drives the car to take our child to school which is a mile there and back. Please help us a get different car. That my wife will not be scared of. *nm updated 07/24/2012
The consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the rear brake drums. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the rear drum brake pads were defective, parts and compound were missing, trim under the steering column was missing, the transmission was slipping in first, second and third gear, and the ignition was damaged. *sc
Three transmission failures and replacements. The engine, starter/ignition and 1 gear shift all replacements and other various problems. *bf four cd player replacements, the brakes failed, and 1 alarm failure. *sc the engine was also replaced.
In july, 2004 took vehicle to the dealership to replace the throw-out bearing and clutch plate at about 1,000 miles the same issue happened again in september.
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where they rebuilt the transmission. Currently, vehicle was still having transmission problems. Took the vehicle back to the dealer, who claimed there was nothing wrong with transmission. Consumer was furies.
Consumer can shift gears without pushing the shift release button. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak on several occasions, the consumer accidentally shifted into neutral when driving and at highway speeds. On another occasion when the vehicle was shifted from neutral to drive without knowledge of having done so until the vehicle suddenly lunged forward.
The vehicle was parked and not running. Then, the vehicle jumped out of gear without warning and collided into a building. Both front air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the problem could not be duplicated. Please fill in additional information.
Transaxle disengages while driving on highway. Transaxle re-engages below 30 MPH.
While driving engine/battery light illuminated. Then, transmission slipped out of gears. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
. The federal safety agency. On october 31 of 2003, I purchased ford focus se, brand new.. For five month I own this vehicle, I was in the shop for all kind different problems 9 times. It was: constant very strong vibration while driving at any speed, constant grounding noise comes from engine site and transformed to an ultrasound noise at hire speed, the squealing has intensified and sounds horrible! Transmission locked up while I drove on the highway at 70 MPH, had to use tow track.( dealer sad they cannot duplicate the problem ) ,but transmission still locks and jerking constantly, squeal noise from breaks, (dealer replaced front pads and resurface drum, but refused to repair rear breaks and noise and pulsation is still there., dealer found defective rims, defective tires, throttle problems, brakes problems. Problems with my car intensified. I got my cruse control accelerated by it self in the middle of a highway, transmission locks up and jerking intermittently, brakes squealing and pulsate the ford dealer sales and service people said that I should not return for service and waist any bodys time, he said that what I hear and fill in my ford focus is normal . Ford warranty is not worth a paper it is written on. So, ford wont fix my car and I cannot do it other wise. As a result of strong vibration and squealing noise I am loosing balance, have severe headache, all body eking, I have pain in booth of my arms, and I have difficulty to walk and my right leg become num. I have to use walking cane and knee and ankle support. I scared to even drive it anymore. I am pleading to you, to help .me to get a full refund from ford motor company for its defective product, plus a compensation for all expenses incurred as a result of this ordeal.
While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled twice, but always started back up after a few minutes. On one occasion, the dealer replaced the starter and on the another occasion, the transmission was replaced. *ak the starter was found faulty, the transmission was inoperative and there was a vibration while going 40 MPH due to shifting, the clock display was inoperative, and the engne light stayed on. *sc
While driving the vehicle suddenly began to jerk. As a resulted the consumer lost control of the van and hit a tree. The van was totaled. *nm
On saturday morning I bought the car - a brand new 2003 ford focus se wagon. On sunday morning, I was traveling about 50mph when I applied the brake due to the traffic conditions of the moment. Instantly, the back end of the car swerved to the right in a jack-knife manner. The car spun around and threw itself onto the shoulder of the road. The front end wound up pointed in the direction of the oncoming traffic. Fortunately the car landed in a sandy spot with no damage to the vehicle or to me. It was as if I had hit black ice, except that driving conditions that day were perfect - 50 degrees, sunny and dry with good road surface. In my opinion, this incident may be the result of poor design: that is the rear end of the focus se wagon is too light to hold the road when the brakes are applied at highway speeds, or the brakes failed, causing the car to spin. In any event, this was a near death experience for me. I think that this car is a death trap for me and a hazard for everyone else near it on the road.
When coming to a stop, transmission operated poorly. It was hard to shift gears or gears did not shift at all. The dealership was notified, but the problem was not resolved.*ak
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