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2003 Ford Focus visibility problems

25 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 32,000.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
32,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Windshield
    6
  • Glass, side/rear
    5
  • Windshield wiper/washer: motor
    4
  • Power window devices and controls
    4
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: rear window
    2
  • Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
    1
  • Windshield wiper/washer
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Focus visibility problems in other years

20002005201020152018

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Focus visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Ford Focus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Visibility · 121,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While the vehicle was parked there was a noise in the heater vents and the heat was not working. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The approximate mileage was 121,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2009 · Visibility · 44,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the windshield wiper motor in his vehicle would not return to the off (park) position. When he turned it off, the wipers would stop in the middle of the windshield. The federal safety agency campaign id number 01v258000 only included the 2000-2001 models. The manufacturer provided him with a reference number and refused liability. The current and failure mileages were approximately 44,000. Updated 08/04/09.

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Engine, Locks · 70,000 miles · SC

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Visibility · 69,893 miles · OK

Back in july (ish) of 07, my 4 door ford focus zx5 passenger side rear door window fell in the door while driving. On aug 8, 2008 my driver side rear window fell in the door as well. I had my 2 girls in the back seat this time. The first time this happened I took it to a ford dealership and was told that the top pulley had broken out of the door causing the window to fall. I now have 2 non functioning windows with the same thing wrong with them within almost a year from each other. Just waiting for the front windows to do the same while I'm driving down the road.

Filed Apr 16, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 5,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Visibility · 75,700 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. On three occasions, three window motor regulators have failed in the vehicle. The failure was noticed while driving 30 MPH. The front driver side and both rear windows failed and were repaired at the owner's expense. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 76,100 and failure mileage was 75,700.

Filed Apr 29, 2007 · Visibility · 55,000 miles · IL

Leaking of rain water onto the floor of the passenger's side. The car has been completely checked and nothing is wrong. They refuse to reinstall the windshield because they say it is a factory defect with the pollen filter seals not keeping water out. It is causing water damage to my car, mold is starting to form, and who knows what other damage this will cause!

Filed Mar 22, 2007 · Visibility · 66,051 miles · NC

The driver side rear electric window of my 2003 ford focus ls has malfunctioned & failed to respond to switch control. Motor function seemed to still be intact but the window didn't respond to the electrical switch on the door panel. This resulted in the window being stuck in a half down position but could be pulled back up manually with little resistance. 1 week later the passenger side rear window exhibited the exact same symptoms. After calling a few local dealerships/repair shops, I was informed that the window(s) had probably come "off track" but they could not be certain without inspection. I received an estimate of $200 just to look at the problem, the estimate did not include any additional fee's that may incur thereafter. I contacted triumph auto glass to repair the problem and was told by the technician that this is a very frequent problem with the ford focus model & that he has ran into this problem several times in recent months. He wasn't able to repair the problem at the time, but he was able to identify the problem as he had ran across it numerous times. He stated that both regulators for the window motor's had failed & estimated the repair cost to between $500-$600.00 ! I was not able to afford that expenditure at this time & opted to glue both back windows shut in the up position. So now I have essentially no rear windows (at least windows that function) & there is damage to the carpet & upholstery from the elements. Not to mention the fear of possibly having the car broken into or stolen. I did wish to make you aware of this issue as it seems to be quite frequent. I have checked your site & several others for the ford focus & was unable to find any recalls or bulletins for this problem. But it's a big problem & a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed by ford and I am obviously not the only one affected by this mechanical failure. Thank you for time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, mark williams

Filed Jan 4, 2007 · Visibility · 28,000 miles · VA

The federal safety agency previous report 01v258000 (recall id 01d-258) for ford focus windshield wiper motor problems - 2001/2002 vehicles. I have a 2003 ford focus with identical problems, wiper does not stow - as there are other reported vehicles - will the federal safety agency direct ford to "recall" or fix later model year for this same issue? The virginia safety inspection failed my car for this issue - stated ford would fix, ford dealer has no requirement, as this is not a "recalled year".

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Visibility · 25,000 miles · MI

The wipers on this car do the exact same thing my 2000 ford focus did that had a recall they don not want to return to the home position.

Questions about the 2003 Ford Focus visibility

Does the 2003 Ford Focus have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Ford Focus, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Ford Focus visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 32,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Focus visibility?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Focus have the most visibility problems?

The Ford Focus model years with the most visibility complaints are 2000 (118 complaints), 2012 (70 complaints) and 2001 (59 complaints).

Other 2003 Ford Focus problems

Electrical 522Locks 82Engine 78Steering 73Brakes 62Suspension 49Transmission 48Airbags 46Body 40Tires 22Seats 18Lights 16Seat belts 16Fuel system 15Acceleration 14Wheels 10Driver assistance 3

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