This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have had issues with the ignition locking. I'm going on my 3rd repair for the same exact issue. First the ignition was re-keyed and/or replaced. Next the ignition again was replaced. The steering column had to removed. This time, I'm imaging the same thing. I'm very upset that Ford has never offered to repair at discounts or to repair at all. Very upset that they never recalled it, knowing this was stacking up for buyers, as an issue. I come from a family with faithful Ford, Lincoln/Mercury ties, which include employees, retirees, and a family that supports Ford, no doubt. As a Focus owner, I am very disappointed how this has been handled.
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.
- Morgantown , WV, USA
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Everything shuts off. Has happened multiple times. Most of the time it will start again in approx. 3 seconds. Now it is happening more frequently. It has even happened while the car is running. I made a right turn, and the car totally died. I quickly put on my flashers, put the car in park, and luckily it started. This has happened twice. Right now my car is in my parking lot and is totally blank. No power whatsoever. I took the car in once to my auto mechanic, he did a diagnostic (and since the car was up and running) he found nothing wrong and all he did was clean the mass air flow sensor. I know GM is having problems right now, but I don't think mine is an ignition switch problem (but what do I know!) I was thinking of having the car towed to the Ford dealership but I'm afraid that this would cost me an arm and a leg. Any thoughts? thank you.
While driving, an odd odor could be smelled, but went away after a minute. Came back once briefly. 20 minutes later, as I was about to turn into my work's parking lot, my car turned itself off. When I tried to turn it back on, it would not turn over and all the gauges went haywire. After I stopped trying to start it, I took the key out of the ignition and the car attempted to start itself. Immediately after this, the inside of the car filled up with smoke. The fire originated near the battery. An officer showed up less than 2 minutes after this all occurred, and he sat there and watched my car burn. He pulled out a fire extinguisher 10 minutes later so my car wouldn't create visibility issues for the cars driving past (it died in the middle of a four lane road). They told me it was most likely an electrical fire. Two weeks prior to the incident, I had my alternator replaced. The new alternator was a Ford manufactured part.
TL - the contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition preventing her from turning the vehicle on. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.
Key cannot turn - vehicle cannot be started. Unacceptable and hazardous condition with a poorly designed and/or low quality part on all Ford Focus and likely other Ford products. I got around this by pounding on the key with a small hammer I keep in the glove box - I had lived with this for more than 3 years. Same thing happened to my brother-in-law's car (he removed all the tumblers so any key can start his car). It is obvious from reading through the complaints that this is a very significant percentage (>50%?) of all of the numerous complaints against this vehicle. Dealerships want $400 to fix it - that's bs. Actions by NHTSA or a class action lawsuit against Ford is appropriate. It appears that Ford is using this design defect as an opportunity to profit after having put 1000S of consumers in dangerous situations.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked with the key in the ignition, the key failed to turn. After two hours of repeated attempts, the key was finally able to be turned to the accessory position. The vehicle was no longer being driven due to the safety hazard the contact stated was involved with the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch could not be engaged. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 72,000.
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.
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!!!!
The key won't turn in the ignition - apparently a notorious Ford Focus problem. The car left me stranded miles from home in freezing weather. I will never buy a Ford again because they have not issued a recall.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also mentioned that the ignition failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.
Ignition switch will not turn preventing you from starting the car. My daughter got stranded at work at 11pm for 45 minutes until someone was able to help her get the key to turn. I took to a repair shop and they said a Ford dealer would need to replace as the 2000-2003 focuses have a lot of ignition switch problems. The dealer wants $350 and will only warranty the part for 1 year!!
The ignition key fails to turn. Keys are fine and hitting the key worked a few times to get the key to turn. With this problem, a person can easily become stranded in unfavorable conditions. Also, should anything happen where the engine dies while driving, the steering could become locked with no way to turn key.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dubuque, IA, USA