2003 Ford Focus: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Dec 2, 2009 · Electrical · 75,867 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact was attempting to exit the vehicle and the key would not release from the ignition. The contact also noticed that the gears would not shift into reverse. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 75867.

Filed Oct 9, 2007 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, the clutch locked and the vehicle would not shift into gear. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his home. Ford advised the owner that the parts for this vehicle are no longer being produced. The current mileage was 38000 and the failure mileage was 33000.

Filed Apr 12, 2007 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Electrical, Steering · 44,000 miles · LA

The vehicle is a 2003 ford focus with less than 45,000 miles, the ignition cylinder locked up without warning and the car refused to start. Additionally, the car would not shift out of neutral, making a tow difficult. This is a well known problem, ford refuses to acknowledge the risk of drivers being stranded in unsafe places where they could be raped, robbed or murdered. Fortunately, this happened to my wife and I in our apartment complex, however there are reports of other people not being so lucky. Hixson ford charged us $289.69 to repair the ignition lock cylinder plus we paid $65 to tow the vehicle. Below is a list of websites documenting similar complaints of the ford focus ignition locking up and rendering the car inoperable. Some even complain of it happening while driving: http://consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_ignition.html http://www.fazmiclaw.com/focus.html http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0706/347339.html http://cbs5.com/investigates/local_story_041015136.html http://www.petitiononline.com/focusic/petition.html http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.eea50dc http://forums.treemedia.com/fb/archive/index.php/t-493.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cars/msg062031202524.html?20 http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/december/12/7.htm http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/july/5/17.htm http://forums.focaljet.com/problems-service-recalls/416401-please-post-if-your-ignition-has-locked-13.html thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Filed May 22, 2006 · Transmission · 35 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2006 · Seat belts, Steering · KS

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.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Transmission · 2,585 miles · VA

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