Owner of a ford focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45.00) as well as pay for repairs ($183.00). Called ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem I was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they will positioned at the right place. The representative seem to only care to hear about one of the problem (ignition switch) and not the other one. I was put on hold for a while and when rep return she told me to call company that was repairing my focus and they will help me in this matter. I called the company and the guy that eagerly took my money stated that he will do a claim for me and he stated that I will get some of my money but not all of it back. In checking the recalls I see ignition switch lockup is one of them. I only have had my car for a little over a year. My windshield is cracked and insurance says I must pay $250 before they fix it, when turning on air conditioner, driving seem difficult (hard to pull), liftgate water leaks, and upon purchasing my car, brakes were squeaking; I mentioned this to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that the brakes were new and had to be broken in. Well they are still squeaking after a year in a half. I need all of these things fixed on my car, right now I am a month behind in car payments (good record on making my payments), had to use the money to get the ignition switch repaired.
2003 Ford Focus visibility complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 25 of 25, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition locked up and the vehicle was taken to the dealership. The ignition tumbler was replaced. The ignition locked up again, and the dealership determined the key needed to be replaced because they would not work with the new ignition tumbler. Also, the windshield has been replaced three times. The windshield cracked when hit by an object on the highway and overnight, with the source unknown.
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.
Consumer complaint regarding defect in ford focus windshield. *ts the windshield had come loose in the center about 12 inches.
Dt: 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was first purchased front window came out. The dealership fixed it. Then, the trunk started popping open, the vehicle was fixed at the dealership where she purchased it. The vehicle was taken to another dealership, because she moved. They stated the vehicle needsednew brake pads. Te consumer told the dealership the vehicle made a noise on the passenger side by the front tire. The dealership did nothing about it. The vehicle was then taken to a tire company, they found the front rotors wore out, and this was a manufacturering problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership and they stated the vehicle needed new rotors and brake pads. Also a piece was coming off the vehicle between the two doors on the driver side between the windows. This vehicle just went over 15,000 miles when she was leaving the dealership. In addition, there iwas something wrong with the steering wheel, it was too hard to pull back, and it swerved in the other lane. The trunk was still coming open.
Dt: the consumer states he took his vehicle to a mechanic and was told the vehicle needed a new window regulator. When he called the dealership they stated that the part was on back order and would not be available until august 15. The power windows on his vehicle was rising sideways. If this continues to happen, the mechanic stated it would eventually break.
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.
Failure of intermittent function on windshield wipers in 2003 ford focus. This was a problem with an earlier (2001) model year and was suposedly fixed by ford, but I am having the problem with my 2003 focus zts 4 dr sedan.
Rear window was shattered for no known reason while driving 65-70 MPH. The shattered glass flew fell the vehicle while child was sleeping in a child safety seat. No injuries were reported. Dealer was notified.
While drivingand upon turning the air conditioner on right rear window shattered.
Consumer was driving and windshield exploded. Glass filled the front driver's side.
After leaving my auto, I returned to find the rear window shattered, but in tact/in place. There no signs of any impact or attempted entry. The police were called and they said they could not find any evidence of anything striking the window and appeared it might be a faulty window. Upon bringing it to the dealer's sevice shop, the manager said he would notify his ford rep of this problem. He said normally they would not do anything but since the auto was so new, he would try to see what he could do. Upon investigating if there was a ford recall or similar regarding this problem, I came accross at least one other occassion where the window just shattered and was replaced by ford under warranty. The individual said ford claimed it was due to welding irregularities and such. When I was speaking to the service manager at ford, he claimed that the 2003 ford focus rear defroster was changed and they had given it a higher amp to make it hotter. Since it has been about 6 dgrees outside, it could have been hot and shattered when cooling quickly - he did not know and was just searching for answers. Regardless, the auto had 440 miles on it and was only about 10 days old when this occurred. It could have been serious if this windowed shattered and blew out while driving, possibly causing harm to any passengers in the back - or anywhere for that matter. I believe this needs to be checked out to prevent any possible harm to anyone. The auto is a 2003 ford focus se sedan. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The rear window in my 2003 ford focus sedan zts spontaneously shattered overnight while parked in the driveway. The next morning it was found completely intact with no sign of impact or forced entry. Ford refused to pay for the repair stating that I should contact my insurance company and have them sue ford.
My wife barbara purchased a new 2003 ford focus. She brought it home on fri. Oct.10th. 2003, she put on about 100 miles. She parked it in our driveway. On monday oct. 13, 2003 when I went out to the car I noticed that the rear window was crazed. With a closer inspection I saw that the window was completely cracked. The window was intact with no sign of impact. I called the dealer and they asked me to bring it in to their service center. I did and they are repairing it. We live in a remote area with no trafic. The car was parked in a driveway with the rear window facing away from the road. The temperture was 38 deg. F.at night and 70 deg. F daytime. We live in alpine, az ellevation 8050 ft.
After leaving my auto, I returned to find the rear window shattered, but in tact/in place. There no signs of any impact or attempted entry. The police were called and they said they could not find any evidence of anything striking the window and appeared it might be a faulty window. Upon bringing it to the dealer's sevice shop, the manager said he would notify his ford rep of this problem. He said normally they would not do anything but since the auto was so new, he would try to see what he could do. Upon investigating if there was a ford recall or similar regarding this problem, I came accross at least one other occassion where the window just shattered and was replaced by ford under warranty. The individual said ford claimed it was due to welding irregularities and such. When I was speaking to the service manager at ford, he claimed that the 2003 ford focus rear defroster was changed and they had given it a higher amp to make it hotter. Since it has been about 6 dgrees outside, it could have been hot and shattered when cooling quickly - he did not know and was just searching for answers. Regardless, the auto had 440 miles on it and was only about 10 days old when this occurred. It could have been serious if this windowed shattered and blew out while driving, possibly causing harm to any passengers in the back - or anywhere for that matter. I believe this needs to be checked out to prevent any possible harm to anyone. The auto is a 2003 ford focus se sedan.
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