2003 FORD FOCUS Steering Problems

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT DOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR MADE A SUDDEN JERKING MOTION. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE DAMAGES WERE SEVERE RUST, SUB FRAME ROTTED, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKEN, SWAY BAR BENT. THE TOW DRIVER SAID THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF MY CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THE THING THAT WENT WRONG. I PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER WITH THIS DEATH TRAP. SUPPOSEDLY THIS CAR WAS INSPECTED FEBRUARY 2018. WITH EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG WITH IT AND THE DAMAGES, I DONT SEE HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE FRAUD INVOLVED AND BELIEVE THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER FOR PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER. I PAID $3,000 FOR THIS CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF FEB. 2018. IT IS NOW AUGUST AND IT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLERS AFTER THE SWITCH LOCKED UP AND REFUSED TO WORK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS CAR. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT FOCUS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE REAR RUSTED OUT CAUSING A LOSE OF BRAKES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT THE CURB. WE DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SPLINES ON THE SHAFT.

WHEN RIDING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, IT CAME WITH MANY KEYS. WELL, THIS TIME WHEN IT LOCKED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE IGNITION LOCKED AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED FROM SMITHFIELD NC; APPROXIMATELY AN HOURLY FROM MY HOME. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT GET IT UNLOCKED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED TO UNLOCK IT, VICE VERSA, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. ALSO THE LIGHTING IS VERY POOR WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND I SEE THIS ON ALL THE VEHICLE FOR THAT YEAR AND MAKE AS I RIDE DOWN THE ROAD. MY CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS STEERING AND IGNITION LOCK ISSUE. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE CONTACT'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING AND A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED THIRTEEN STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR WET ROADWAYS THE HANDLING BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WANTING TO VEER/PITCH SIDEWAYS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO QUICKLY OVERSTEER TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MILES, NEW GOODYEAR TIRES. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS AND IS GETTING MORE UNSTABLE EVEN ON DRY SURFACES MAKING THE VEHICLE FEEL LIKE IT'S FOLLOWING EVERY GROOVE IN THE ROADWAY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE ON THE INTERNET. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS/INJURIES/DEATHS IS REQUIRED BEFORE FORD IS MADE TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND STOP PUTTING SUB STANDARD PARTS ON THEIR CARS? *TR

STEERING WHEEL/KEY LOCK. THE KEY DOESN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR

IN PAST WEEK AND A HALF, 90% OF THE TIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION IS LOCKED AND WON'T RELEASE. I HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO ROCK THE KEY BACK AND FORTH MANY TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY RELEASES. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES IT AS WELL. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I OR MY DAUGHTER COULD END UP STRANDED SOME WHERE AT NIGHT. FORD HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS RAMPANT ON FOCUS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003. *TR

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE DRIVE, PUT IT IN REVERSE, BEGAN TO BACK UP AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, MY HUSBAND (A FORMER AUTO MECHANIC) FOUND THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BROKEN, AND THE TIRE WAS AT RISK OF DAMAGE/POTENTIALLY DAMAGED. I AM VERY, VERY GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BETTER NOT BE MY LOVED ONES!!! I'LL MAKE SOMEONE PAY DEARLY!!!! *TR

I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO GOT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.. *TR

KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND NO SUCCESS. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. CAR IS JUST SITTING. *JS

I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY CHILD ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME. WE LEFT A STORE AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO RETURN HOME WHEN THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT BUT THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TRIED RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WHICH COST ME $100 FOR 4 MILES. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AREA FOR 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT IT REALLY IS COMMON...LIKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON ONE SITE ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN RECALLED? I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH A CHILD BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WASN'T COVERED AND...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO TURN WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES OF REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

KEY FROZE SOLID IN THE IGNITION . STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN NOR THE KEY. LEFT STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO PHYSICALLY DRILL OUT THE FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRATTEC REPLACEMENT PART # 707592. LOCKSMITH REITERATED WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *TR

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *KB

FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS (2.0 LITER, DOHC) LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE IS ROUTED DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO TURN THE CAR ON FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS MUST BE MADE AND EXCESSIVE FORCE TO ENGAGE KEY MUST BE USED. AFTER CONTACTING SEVERAL LOCKSMITHS AND BEING REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER DUE TO THE COMPUTER NEEDING TO BE PROGRAMMED TO MATCH A CHIP IN THE IGNITION AND KEY, A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. A CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT IT CAN BE REPLACED FOR $250. BUT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO GUARANTEES THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT NEED FURTHER REPLACEMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. IGNITION WILL NO LONGER TURN AT ALL RESULTING IN THE KEY SNAPPING IN THE IGNITION. ENTIRE IGNITION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2003 FORD FOCUS HAS A LOCKED IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN EVEN TO ROLL UP WINDOWS. FROZE UP ONCE LAST WEEK AND WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE IT AND GET IT WORKING. NOW IT WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO FORD. FORD DEALERSHIP IN BOZEMAN MONTANA SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. JUST THIS WEEK THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED. I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED AFTER A FEW TRIES OR 10 MINUTES OR SO. TODAY I SAT IN MY CAR FOR 40 MINUTES TRYING TO GET MY KEY TO TURN; IT WOULD NOT. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE SCHOOL WHICH I WORK AT, SINCE I AM A TEACHER, AND BE PICKED UP. I HAVE JUST READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE OR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE IGNITION YET. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED AND TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET YOUR CAR STARTED IS A BIG DEAL. IF IT WAS JUST MY CAR, FINE, I WOULD GET...

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE KEY TURNING IN THE IGNITION. AT RANDOM TIMES AND LOCATIONS WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR, I WILL FIND THAT I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I MUST WORK AT IT (LONGEST HAS BEEN AN HOUR) TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. THIS CREATES REALLY BIG PROBLEMS WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH KIDS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO OCCUR. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, MANY OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND THE FIX HAS BEEN TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH (SOMETHING ABOUT TUMBLERS NOT ENGAGING) AND THE FORD SERVICE TEAMS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE REPAIRS. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY CONSUMERS MUST PAY FOR A WIDE REACHING MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

2003 FORD FOCUS STEERING WHEEL LOCK. WITH THE KEY INSERTED, THE IGNITION CANNOT BE TURNED ON. BELIEVE TO BE A TUMBLER PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE PROBLEMS IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 AND THE REAR HATCH LATCH DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE SO HAVE TO SLAM IT DOWN A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO LATCH. I NOTICED THE RECALL, BUT I LIVE IN NEBRASKA AND THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY THERE. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. ALSO THE DOOR LATCHES ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN, IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THEM. ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER IT WILL NOT STAY, IT RELEASES AS YOU ARE DRIVING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. NOT SAFE. *TR

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION LOCKED AND SHIFT GEAR LOCKED!!!! *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I JUST HIT 70K MILES YESTERDAY, AND STARTING TODAY MY IGNITION IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. MY CAR IS IN PARK, THE TIRES ARE NOT TURNED, ETC. I WENT BACK IN THE HOUSE TO TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION AND UPON SEARCHING I FOUND SITE AFTER SITE, COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ABOUT 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS' LOCKING UP LIKE THIS AFTER 70K MILES, AND THAT IT COSTS $500 TO FIX. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD AND HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS AND NOW MY CAR IS USELESS AND CAN'T EVEN BE MOVED. I CAN ONLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF EITHER WAY AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2003 IN WHICH THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN AND EVERYTIME I NEED TO START THE CAR I HAVE TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL REAL HARD RIGHT TO LEFT. ONE OCCASION THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE BACK BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT AS I WAS MOVING VERY SLOW. THIS IGNITION PROBLEM IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO MAKE FORD FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. YOU ONLY HAVE TO GO TO THE INTERNET AND PUT IN THE SEARCH WINDOW "FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEMS" AND IT WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. IN FACT I FOUND OUT IN CALIFORNIA THERE IS A CLSS ACTION SUITE AGAINST FORD FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LOCKSMITH FIX THE IGNITION AS I DON'T WANT TOPAY DOUBLE TO THE FORD DEALER....

THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS STRANDED AT A WALMART PARKING LOT. *TR

I WAS STRANDED MANY MILES FROM A HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY IGNITION KEY TURNED, STEERINGWHEEL TURNED OR AUTOMATIC SHIFTER MOVED. ALL BLOCKED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD USE MY CELLPHONE. A FRIEND CHECKED THE INTERNET ON THE PROBLEM AND HE FOUND THE SUGGESTION TO HIT THE KEY. LATER MANY TAPS THIS ACTUALLY WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *TR

IGNITION KEY MECHANISM WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN -PREVENTING TURNING THE KEY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. UNABLE TO TOW CAR (LUCKILY ALL 2-3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DEALER FOR FLATBED TOW). WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST OCCURRENCE THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE EVEN THOUGH OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAD THIS PROBLEM - SOME UP TO 10 OCCURRENCES AND FORD SAID NOT A DEFECT. I ONLY HAD TWO KEYS ON MY KEY RING SO NOT A WEIGHT ISSUE. *TR

RACK AND PINION DEVELOPED A LEAK. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN FEB 2004 AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON IT. LAST SPRING I NOTICED MY CAR WAS MAKING AN ODD SOUND AND I RAISED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL VERY LOW AND FILLED IT UP. THE NOISE WENT AWAY. WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES ON IT MY HUSBAND FOUND THE RACK AND PINION LEAKING FLUID. THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD UP TO 36,000 MILES AND AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CURRENTLY HAVE ONLY 39,962 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE OBVIOUSLY SINCE IT IS A 2003 AND WHEN WE BOUGHT IT FEB 2004 IT ONLY HAD 19,221 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND AS I SAID I HAVE ONLY PUT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT IN 5 YEARS. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM...

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN 2003 FORD FOCUS. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE LINKAGE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I TRIED EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN THE PAST, AND BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. NOT THIS TIME... *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION BARREL IS COMPLETELY STUCK, IMPEDING ANY USE OF ANY VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. HAS OCCURRED DAILY OR EVERY OTHER DAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. A FEW MINUTES OF JOSTLING MAY ALLOW IT TO WORK. A FEW TIMES IT HAS BEEN STUCK FOR HOURS UNTIL FINALLY WORKING. THIS MAY STRAND SOME TRAVELERS IN WINTER CONDITIONS, LIKE MYSELF. VERY STRESSFUL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

MY CAR REFUSES TO START. YOU CANNOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO COME ON. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SAW DOZENS OF COMPLAINS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY MY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HUNG UP ON ME TWICE. THE ONLY FIX IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I MANAGED TO USE A HAMMER TO HAMMER IT IN. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD MY KEY FAIL TO WORK IN A LOCKED IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WA PURCHASED IN 2004 AND NOW IT HAS RECURRED. THE FIRST WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS IS NOT. APPARENTLY FORD IS QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AS SEVERAL FOCUS OWNERS HAVE FIXED THIS COMPLIANT ON LINE. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? WHY SHOULD FORD GET A BAIL OUT WHEN THEY LEAVE THEIR CONSUMERS WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRING A PROBLEM OF THEIR MAKING? *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN OVER. THE CARE REPAIR COST WAS $551 AND THE IGNITION AND STARTER CYLINDER INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS A RECALL PROBLEM. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS HAVE THIS FLAW. *TR

THE WHEEL/IGNITION LOCKED AS TURNED THE WHEEL TO PARK ON A HILL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED ON THIS CAR AND COULD NOT UNLOCK IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD $340 THAT THE WHOLE CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

RATTLE ANF THUMBING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER EVERY BUMP. REPORTED TO FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON THREE OCCASIONS. (10/11/06, 04/05/07 AND 06/26/08 ) ON 06/26/2008, FORD CHARGED ME $288.56 TO INSTALL A FRONT END STABILIZER KIT. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK 2.3L. AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK COMPLETELY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, MY CAR KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED, IN TURN THE VEHICLE BECOMES COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. I CALL TO FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT PROMPTED ME TO QUICKLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS. I HAD BEEN ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR UP TO 5 TIMES USING THIS SYSTEM ALTHOUGH ONCE AT THE MECHANIC THE CAR WILL NO LONGER TURN ON, THE MECHANIC MUST NOW DRILL A HOLE INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS STARTED ON MY VEHICLE ON SUNDAY JUNE 29TH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS A CAR THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE MOTORIST TO TURN ON THE IGNITION CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE CRASHES IF THE...

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER SOME REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START, EVENTUALLY THE KEY WOULD WORK. THIS TIME, IT HAS REFUSED TO BUDGE. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED BUT THAT LOCKS UP TOO, SO IT CAN'T RESOLVE ITSELF. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SUCH AS CONSUMER'S REPORT SHOWS THIS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLAINT WITH THIS MODEL. DEFECTIVE IGNITION! THE OTHER DAY IT LEFT ME STRANDED WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I WOULD CLASSIFY THAT AS A SAFETY CONCERN! *TR

(1) NOT SURE (2) STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION ARE LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE MOVED ANYMORE (3) NEW LOCK *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING AND AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL, I CONTACTED THE DEALER CAREY PAUL FORD IN DECATUR, GA AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WHICH I DID, AFTER BEING STRANDED WITH MY SON. THIS COST ME 260.00, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY ON PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLEARLY WAS AWARE OF. THE TRUNK ON THE VEHICLE JUST RANDOMLY OPENS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, YOU'RE RIDING ALONG THE ROAD AND THE TRUNKS JUST OPENS FOR NO REASON. THIS I FIND JUST ANNOYING BUT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE CORRECTED. MY LATEST ISSUE IS THAT ON YESTERDAY 04/16/06, WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE STEERING WHEEL JUST BECAME LOOSE AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR, I MADE IT...

DT: THE CONTACT STATED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. IT LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BY MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. *NM

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD BUSHING, BEARING ASSEMBLY, AXLE SHAFT AND JOINT, FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND NUMEROUS WHEEL AND TIRE ADJUSTMENTS *JB