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6.0

fairly significant

Typical Repair Cost:

$275.00

Average Mileage:

57,000 miles

Total Complaints:

4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
Ford Focus accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Focus door handles are hard to open from outside

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #4

2004Nov 24

Focus ZX3 Power Premium 2.0L Zetec

  • Manual transmission
  • 28,000 miles

The door handles seem to require a good yank to pop the door latch mechanism open. This is worse on the passenger side because it doesn't get used much beings I'm single. The driver's side handle opens fine, but it will stay cocked in the open position sticking out unless I push it back in. Seems like a poor inconsistency issue to me. Probably needs lubed, but should cause problems this early in the ownership. Cheap plastic this-that-n-the-other stuff. Couldn't Ford have used a little metal in this car?

rosten

Rockford, MN, USA

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problem #3

2008Jul 01

Focus ZX3 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

i bought my 2003 ZX3 winter '07, i'm the second owner. the passenger side door started acting up (hard to open) soon after i bought it. it opens OK via the inside lever. today, the driver side door started exhibiting the same problem. however, it will not open via the interior lever.

i guess i'll see about getting the doors fixed at the same shop visit when i get the infamous ignition-key-not-turning issue fixed.

i like this car, it's fun to drive. but it's hard to actually drive it when you can't get in, and when you do, the key won't turn.

Dan K.

Saugerties, NY, USA

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problem #2

2008Jun 15

Focus ZTS 4

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I don't now if anyone has found a fix for the door handles of the car sticking but my car is now to the point that one of my doors won't open anymore. And of course that's just one of many problems with the car. Anyone know a fix that I can do from home that would be great.

Thanks!

Nicole R.

West Bend, WI, USA

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problem #1

2006Jul 05

(reported on)

Focus SE

  • 50,000 miles

I have left several other reports about this car and I have talked to other ford focus owners and have found out that this issue AGAIN is a recall issue but not for my cars year. Its hard as hell to open the car from the outside. You have to pull on the door handles with all of your might to get them to open. AGAIN this is a recall issue for cars 20001-2002 and not for 2003 so again I am stuck paying for this out of pocket. NOT REALLY-----THE REPO MAN IS COMING TO GET THIS PIECE OF ****

Ann D.

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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