2003 FORD FOCUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,224
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
28
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD FOCUS
The 2003 FORD FOCUS has received a total of 1,224 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 28 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignition (263 complaints), Electrical System (136 complaints), and Electrical Systemignitionswitch (98 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD FOCUS
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 FORD FOCUS, potentially affecting up to 781,253 vehicles.
Recall 12E007000 — EQUIPMENT
| 10,006 vehicles affected
Defect: RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A...
Consequence: IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
View full details →Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
View full details →Recall 06E056000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 58,640 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 05V030000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 589,932 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH...
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD FOCUS
1,224 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD FOCUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
wiring harness fused together
Vehicle has a recall for Rear Door Latches. I have attempted to take the vehicle to 2 different Cloninger Ford in Hickory and Cloninger Ford in Valdese. Both dealerships claim they can not do the recall due to parts. I would like to know what steps do I need to take to get my vehicle repaired for this recall!
IGNITION ISSUES. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. CANNOT START MY VEHICLE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 56,000 MILES. I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ELDERLY AND DISABLED AND IT COULD BE A SERIOUS ISSUE TO MY HEALTH IF I AM STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN BAD WEATHER
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH JUST FLIES OPEN. *TR
2003 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL STEEL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEEL ON THE CONTROL ARMS WERE POORLY MANUFACTURED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY DEAD STOPPED, TURNED RIGHT, MAKING A CRACKING NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED AND DUG INTO THE TAR, BRAKING THE TIE ROD AND CREASING THE BREAKLINE. *JS
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD FOCUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD FOCUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD FOCUS
Ford Motor Company has issued 28 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD FOCUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
19009 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DTC P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303 AND/OR P0304 - SERVICE TIP. *TT
18352 — AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT IN WITH ALL OR ANY COMBINATION OF DTC B1881 B2434 B2438 AND OR C1947. *EH
042113 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
STALL AFTER COLD START IN EXTREME LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. *EH
04152 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER OR WIPER PARK FUNCTION. *TT
04B16 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
UPDATE SUPPLEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B16. THE FRONT SEAT HEATER ELEMENT PADS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY BONDED TO THE FOAM CUSHIONS. THIS MAY RESULT IN SHIFTING OR FOLDING UP OVERTIME, RESULTING IN UNEVEN HEATING OF THE SEAT SURFACES. ATTACHMENTS I-III. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT
17920 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. SERVICE TIP. *TT
0481 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CLUNKING OR RATTLE NOISE IN THE TRANSAXLE, MAINLY AT IDLE IN NEUTRAL, WITH CLUTCH PEDAL RELEASED. *TT
17778 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOSS OF POWER, HESITATION AND/OR MISFIRE AFTER COLD START. *TT
17593 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2195 AND/OR STALL AT IDLE AFTER A COLD START. *TT
17505 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RUNS ROUGH AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON CONDITION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P402 AND/OR P0403 (EGR FLOW EXCESSIVE DETECTED/EGR CONTROL CIRCUIT) IN WET WEATHER OR IN A CAR WASH. *TT
Showing 10 of 28 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD FOCUS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD FOCUS
- 1999 FORD FOCUS — 15 complaints
- 2000 FORD FOCUS — 5,152 complaints
- 2001 FORD FOCUS — 2,361 complaints
- 2002 FORD FOCUS — 1,198 complaints
- 2003 FORD FOCUS (current)
- 2004 FORD FOCUS — 499 complaints
- 2005 FORD FOCUS — 599 complaints
- 2006 FORD FOCUS — 269 complaints
- 2007 FORD FOCUS — 524 complaints
- 2008 FORD FOCUS — 333 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints
- FORD MUSTANG — 11,551 total complaints