2003 Ford FOCUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
977 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 751 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 263 of 977 complaints (26.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 130 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 92 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 45 | 4.6% |
| Engine operation | 42 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 263 |
| Electrical System | 136 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 98 |
| Steering | 50 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 49 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 28 |
| Suspension | 26 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 263; Electrical System: 136; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 98; Steering: 50; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 49; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 28; Suspension: 26; Unknown Or Other: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 135 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 175 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 188 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 107 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 107 |
| 150,000 and above | 39 |
Under 25,000: 135; 25,000 to 49,999: 175; 50,000 to 74,999: 188; 75,000 to 99,999: 107; 100,000 to 149,999: 107; 150,000 and above: 39
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (188). 226 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2004 | 95 |
| 2005 | 119 |
| 2006 | 105 |
| 2007 | 102 |
| 2008 | 118 |
| 2009 | 104 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2011 | 39 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 54; 2004: 95; 2005: 119; 2006: 105; 2007: 102; 2008: 118; 2009: 104; 2010: 84; 2011: 39; 2012: 38; 2013: 26; 2014: 28; 2015: 18; 2016: 20; 2017: 9; 2018: 8; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 130 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 92 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 47 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10033232 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 70080 MILES SUFFERED ENGINE FAILUE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL NOT REMAIN RUNNING UNLESS THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL IS HELD OFF OF IDLE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK AND STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INTERVENTION. *AK THE UNIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE PENDING REPAIR. THERE IS A RUMBLING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES (+-0.5" AT 3 HERTZ) WHEN AT 55MPH AND ABOVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062016 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR, ALL INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND WHILE BRAKE WAS BEING USED. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM (HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER 2003). THE FIRST TIME, TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, ALTERNATOR AND CONTROL MODULE WERE ALL REPLACED. ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN ONE DAY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THIS REPAIR. SECOND SERVICE VISIT, TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, SO CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020310 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. AFTER DOING THIS FOR THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PCM FAILED. THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE. *NLM *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,418 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021883 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016807 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DROPS DOWN ONE OR TWO GEARS, CRUISE CONTROL KICKS OFF, TRANSMISSION TROUBLE LIGHT IN DASH COMES ON, THEN GOES AWAY, DEALER CHECKED ON 04/28/03 AND FOUND NO CAUSE CODE, DEALER PERFORMED FLUID PUMP CHECK AND TESTED OK, TRANSMISSION DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON 04/29/03. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017583 · 2003-04-25 (April 25, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION MADE A "SHUTTERING AND FLIPPING" SOUND WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045315 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
"CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY OR STOPPED. WHEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES SPEEDOMETER JUMPS WILDLY AND DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. ELECTRICAL BUZZING NOISE FROM DASHBOARD. DEALER REPORTS THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 1,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008256 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 3 TRIES THE CAR FINALLY RESTARTED AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY SAID THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM WAS BAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 1500 MILES ON IT AND IS LESS THAN 2 MONTHS OLD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008952 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE SLIGHT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023798 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
2003 FORD FOCUS SVT. (850 MILES) CAR HAS A HIGH SPEED SURGE AND A BAD MISS OFF THE LINE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PLAY WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE GAS THE CAR ALWAYS FALLS ON ITS FACE THEN PICKS BACK UP.(REALY BAD WHEN ITS COLD) ITS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A PINCHED FUEL LINE AND THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE DROPED. 2ND TIME WAS THE SAME A PINCHED FUEL LINE. AND NOW THE 3RD TIME THEIR TELLING ME THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM AND JUST WAIT TILL FORD FIGURES IT OUT. IM PRETTY SURE IT HAD NOTHING TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 812 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025586 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
I CURRENTLY HAVE 7000 MILES ON MY FOCUS. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. ITS IN THE SHOP AGAIN. CAR STALLS CONSTANTLY. LOTS OF EXCUSES, NO SOLUTIONS. CURRENTLY RESEARCHING LEMON LAW.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025586 at NHTSA ↗