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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,345 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Ford Focus electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Jun 302009

Focus

  • 100,000 miles

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

Intermittent problem with ignition on 2003 Ford Focus; the wheel locks and the key will not turn. This has been a safety issue because the first time it occurred I was pulled over on the side of the interstate. After persistently wiggling the wheel and key for twenty or so minutes, the ignition enabled the key to turn. Being that the ignition failed while on the interstate and that I was unable to get out of the way in a safe manner is potentially fatal to passengers and drivers of the Ford Focus. The consequences of the Ford Focus faulty ignition have been unpredictable introductions to being stranded and extremely dangerous provocations. The second time my ignition failed, nearly a month afterwards, the ignition failed on the Focus was a safety issue also. The wheel locked and the key would not turn while parked in a parking garage late at night. Direct results of the faulty Ford ignition put drivers and passengers in danger and moreover prevent them from leaving dangerous places. It took well over a half hour in the dangerous failure of my locks also: The third ignition failure also compounding in the security system to putter out. Actions to correct the second incident were from a mechanic to use wd 40 and try using a separate key, but the problem was much more complex and dangerous than anticipated. Using my spare key worked and the ignition no longer locked. These actions suggested by a mechanic remedied the problem, but only temporarily. The third time this has happened was yesterday, and I'm now getting estimates for replacing the ignition and the security system. In lieu of near death, I demand a recall.

- Omaha , NE, USA

problem #34

Apr 202009

Focus

  • 66,100 miles
The ignition switch lock keeps failing on my 2003 Ford Focus ZX3. I have had a locksmith fix it twice now. The cost to me so far is over $400.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #33

Jan 062009

Focus

  • 43,000 miles
The passenger door handle had to be replaced. When my daughter opened the door something popped and you could no longer open the door - I failed an inspection and received a ticket because the door wasn't working properly. My nephew went to the junkyard to get the part because I couldn't afford to replace it new at the dealership. This happened Oct of 2007. I own a 2003 Ford Focus. My daughter opened the back right side window and something again popped. The window wouldn't go up or down. A dealer said it would have to be replaced - again - that the plastic part that makes it go up and down popped. Again off to the junk yard - $8 bucks what a deal. These things started right after my warranty expired - go figure. Why are plastic parts being put into our vehicles - as a single mom I can not afford to replace all parts for the door handles and windows as they pop. We need to fix this problem.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #32

Feb 212009

Focus

  • 83,000 miles

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

Key ignition problem with 2003 Ford Focus. Not very safe when my daughter cant get her key to start her car Ford need to fix this asap.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #31

Feb 192009

Focus

  • 54,448 miles
Put key in ignition and it wouldn't turn over. Spent 20 minutes trying to get it to turn. Finally did. Two days later, when I was supposed to go to a family funeral out of town, I had the same problem. Afraid that I would have the same problem while traveling out of town, I took it to local car repair place. They couldn't fix it. I was able to work with the ignition again to drive it to the local Ford dealer. There they replaced the ignition cylinder and reprogrammed keys. I was unable to attend family funeral.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #30

Feb 122009

Focus

  • miles
I drove my car to work Thursday morning and everything was working fine with the car and ignition. As I tried to crank my car to go to lunch that day, I noticed that I could insert my key into the ignition but could not turn it to start the car. The steering wheel was locked and would not release since the key would not turn. I had to call aaa for them to send a locksmith out to repair my ignition switch in my car. I have already heard so many people complain about this issue and not even three months ago, my mom who has the exact same make and model car as me, had the same thing happen to her. My brother has the same make and model car as me also and now I am worried he is going to have the same issue occur to him soon too.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #29

Sep 182008

Focus

  • miles

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

Key on 2003 Ford Focus will not turn. Started acting up 3 months of owning. No longer under warranty since it is 5+ years old.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #28

Dec 222008

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The key will not turn in the ignition. Dealer says it will cost $300-350 to fix. This is ridiculous. My daughter's roommate has a 2004 Focus which the same thing happened last year, 2007.

- The Colony, TX, USA

problem #27

Dec 132008

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
Ignition switch locks and has left family members stranded.... ignition key continues to lock, dealer recommends replacement (cost est. $450).

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 092008

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact turned off the ignition and attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. Suddenly, the gear shift locked and became inoperative. The contact exited the vehicle and the driver's side door automatically locked without assistance. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 52,000.

- Clinton, OH, USA

problem #25

Dec 022008

Focus

  • 83,000 miles

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

Ignition stays locked, fails to turn to start engine. Problem is intermittent and happens without warning. Occurred over a dozen times to me. Can leave a person stranded. Very costly fix, $150 for new ignition switch, plus labor, $200 to $350 total cost for fix. Many, many, many complaints for same problem found on www.mycarstats.com and other forums.

- Beacon Falls, CT, USA

problem #24

Nov 082008

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
I placed my key in the ignition of my 2003 Ford Focus and the key would not turn. After doing much research, I found that this is a recurring problem for Focus owners, even after they have had the ignition cylinder replaced. Not only is this a huge financial burden, it is also a major safety concern. Living in Chicago, if I become stranded and unable to start my car, I could be in a very dangerous situation (as could many other owners in different locations).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #23

Oct 132008

Focus

  • 23,000 miles
Had to have ignition lock cylinder replaced on an emergency basis in my 2003 Ford Focus; car wouldn't start (I.e., key wouldn't turn in the ignition) with either one of the two keys I have (both original keys).

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #22

Oct 092008

Focus

  • 102,000 miles
Ford Focus key will not turn in. I drive a Ford Focus ZX5 2003. The ignition locked up and would not turn. As a result, I was stranded in a parking lot it has happened few times. I contacted Ford customer service at no avail. They did not recognize to be an issue even though it #1 issue as many people have complaint about it. They told me that I had to pay for the repair as the vehicle is out of warranty. There was no reason for these ignitions to fail. I consider to be a safe issue. There is no public transportation so I have to rely on my vehicle for transportation regardless of circumstances.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #21

Oct 012008

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The key in my Focus would not turn in the ignition. This caused me to be stranded since I could not start my car. I recently learned this is a common problem with my car. In fact, a man in the service dept at my local Ford dealership said this problem "happens way more than it should." I live in a city with high crime. Being stranded is a very scary situation. Since this is a common problem with my type of car, the manufacturer certainly should recall and fix this part to prevent people like me from being left in dangerous situations.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #20

Sep 172008

Focus

  • 56,013 miles
Ignition lock cylinder on Ford Focus is defective. The mechanism locks and is unable to turn. This yields the vehicle inoperable, posing a significant safety risk if the owner needs to use the vehicle in an emergency or the vehicle stalls on the highway. This is an issue known by Ford, as evidenced by the mechanics at landmark Ford, tigard, Oregon stating that it is a common problem and Ford has quietly updated the cylinder. In addition, there are numerous internet forums with this same complaint. All owners of Focus vehicles will have this failure, it is just a matter of time. The repair is $300+. a recall should be required of Ford to address the issue.

- Sherwood, OR, USA

problem #19

Aug 282008

Focus

  • 98,125 miles
Ignition is stuck and wont turn. Left my wife and daughter with no way of getting home.

- Moline, IL, USA

problem #18

Mar 282005

Focus

  • 59,497 miles
After placing the down payment of $1500 and completing the paperwork. Not even a week later the car began to stall on the freeway and eventually stopped on me in the middle of rush hour traffic. The car was able to restart and I drove it to freeway Ford here in houston, tx. Each time they couldn't find what the problem was. I hadn't enjoyed the car over a month because the car was given me problems when I had it and it stayed at the dealership. I spoke to the service manager and the dealership assistant manager and neither had an answer.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Mar 272008

Focus

  • 40,546 miles
Comments: The ignition of my Ford Focus 2003 locked @ 40,000 miles. Key suddenly wouldn't turn. Unable to start engine. Had to have it towed to Ford dealer by aaa tow. Aa driver said he has had many such cases. Had to get ignition cylinder replaced @ dealer for exorbitant $570.($347 labor) there are thundreds of these cases but Ford will not address problem. I heard that there is a class action lawsuit. Would like to get more info on how to join in lawsuit or other means to get Ford to issue a recall and/or pay for this part failure.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 122008

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
The "service engine soon light" was on off and on for a about a week prior. Then I parked my car one evening and the following morning I could not turn my key in the ignition, it was locked, and therefore also I could not change gears to neutral or get it out of park. I found the same problem at a website here is the url: www.fordproblems.com/Focus/key-wont-turn-in-the-ignition.shtml hope this helps to make this a safety issue worthy of recall. I'm blessed this happened to me at my apartment, but what would happen were I to get stuck elsewhere. I plan to call a locksmith tonight to try and fix my problem. Thank you.

- Boise, ID, USA

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