8.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$700.00
Average Mileage:
77,950 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (3 reports)
- replace coil spring (3 reports)
suspension problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Focus clunking noise from front
2008Jan 03
Focus
- Manual transmission
- 80,000 miles
My car has been making this noise for over a year and I took it to a dealer who said it was nothing. Then I took it to Midas who said it was the link arm. They fixed both sides but the noise was still there. Had my dad look at it (who rebuilds cars for a living) and he said it is the coil springs and struts, so today we will be fixing them.
All 2000/2001 have been recalled due to this problem but not the 2003. I guess they want me to keep blowing out tires and end up killing myself before they recall my 2003. The government needs to look into all of this and make them do something before more people are killed over simple things that could be fixed in just a hour.
2009Mar 10
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
Car jumps when trying to get on the gas to downshift into a better passing gear,almost feels like all power lost and engine turning over under hood. I've been hearing a lot of creaking and stuff like that from the front end, like something's ready to fall off lately. Especially while turning and at low speeds in and around parking lots. What to do?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 19
Focus 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
What a headache, the front end of the car sounded so bad with every little bump in the road, i had the front end looked at & replace the small stablier arms for both sides, then came to find out that it was the front coils, & struts. Looking at a cost of $650- $800 for replacement. I had an honest mech. look at the year of the car & checked the vin. number to find out that it was covered by Ford thru a rare owner correction problem...no recall or TSB on it, it was a hush item that Ford knew was bad but wasn't willing to step up & correct unless we complained enough about it. Found on road die....it's hard to go back & buy crap like this again...
2008Sep 01
Focus ZX3 Power Premium 2.0L Zetec
- Manual transmission
- 64,000 miles
I have discovered a clunking sound coming from the front of my car. It's an annoying rattle that occurs over every crack in the road, over every curb, over rail road crossings, over the transition from the pavement into the garage. Pretty much ever road imperfection sets off a clunk/rattle from the front suspension. I have pressed up and down on the front of the car on either side and decided it's coming from the driver's side. I don't know what it is yet, but have read that Ford has installed fault strut coil springs on certain models in certain years that break. Not sure if this is it. It may be anything. Steering feels tight yet, suspension action seems the same, and nothing else per handling seems to have changed. I'm going to have to have it checked out soon. Ridiculous. I can't believe all the stuff that I have experience with my car at only 65K miles. Poorly constructed, poorly build, unrefined, and can't imagine it lasting more than 120K without some serious issues and expensive maintenance. Another thing I've heard is that the Focus is notorious for suspension not staying in alignment, and with this fancy "control blade" setup, you have to have 4-wheel alignments that usually run up to $90 or you wear out tires prematurely and reduce fuel economy. Oh, and the tire size on the focus is a notch lower than the most common size for compact cars, meaning that they COST MORE. Didn't Ford build the suspension beefy enough, or does it change geometry after running over a spider? Sorely disappointed. I should have bought a Corolla back in 2003 or waited until '06 for the new Civic.
2008Jul 27
Focus SE Wagon
- Automatic transmission
- 72,700 miles
Apparently coils spring are 'weak' on some Ford models.
I brought my car to my regular garage guy who had to fix my heat shield (whic had rusted and was dangling around) and was well-enough informed to let me in on the fact that Ford covered coils springs on my car for free.
Turns out it's not on warranty, and it's not a call back. They explained that it's just a courtesy coverage offered by Ford since they realized a weakness in the coils springs used on certain models in certain years.
I had been there for other problems and they failed to mention that small bit of info to me at those times.
hmm.
Interesting.
I have an appt tomorrow morning.. The questions is: will they replace both coil springs or will I be making another trip to Ford soon??
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 06
Focus SVT 2.0L
I first noticed the clunking noise around last January '09. At times the noise can be so loud everyone can notice it. First I 'figured' that it was the struts. So I bought the struts online. Saved money on sales tax and got free shipping. My mechanic charged me around $170 (with tax) to install them. I got my car off their shop and hit the road only to find out the noise was still there as if I had done nothing about it! I guess the struts weren't in such bad shape after all.
Someone suggested to check the ball joints and to lubricate them. Well, the ball joints on a Ford Focus were not designed to get greased on a periodic basis. There is no grease insert on them so you have to use a grease gun with a needle. You put in excess grease and it will just come right back out. It took me about 2 hours to get the job done properly and I was so disappointed that the clunking noise was still there!
The control arms look fine except for, maybe, the bushings. But I'm not going to mess with that. I am almost convinced that the coil springs are the reason for the nightmare. I will be saving my money and buy them from the same online merchant as before since they have great customer service.
What a pain this has been. The ride sucks. Sometimes I'd rather just walk to work but I can't--it's about 10 miles. There is no public transportation where I live so I am screwed.
svtfocus
Fayetteville, AR, USA
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