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6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,204 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #9

May 112006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

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

: the contact stated there was a rumbling noise coming from the front brakes at various speeds. The dealership determined the front brake pads were worn out on the inner side and only half worn on the outer side. Both the pads and rotors were replaced. 06/01/06 updated - consumer believes brake calipers are defective.

- Jasper, GA, USA

problem #8

Mar 062006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,800 miles
: the contact stated while applying the brakes, there is a metal to metal sound. At 10,000 miles the pads were replaced. The vehicle is making the same metal to metal noise again. An independent mechanic determined the outer pads were at 35%, but the inner brakes were metal to metal. The pads were replaced a second time.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #7

Jun 012005

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Ford Focus. When the vehicle was first purchased front window came out. The dealership fixed it. Then, the trunk started popping open, the vehicle was fixed at the dealership where she purchased it. The vehicle was taken to another dealership, because she moved. They stated the vehicle needsednew brake pads. Te consumer told the dealership the vehicle made a noise on the passenger side by the front tire. The dealership did nothing about it. The vehicle was then taken to a tire company, they found the front rotors wore out, and this was a manufacturering problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership and they stated the vehicle needed new rotors and brake pads. Also a piece was coming off the vehicle between the two doors on the driver side between the windows. This vehicle just went over 15,000 miles when she was leaving the dealership. In addition, there iwas something wrong with the steering wheel, it was too hard to pull back, and it swerved in the other lane. The trunk was still coming open.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #6

Apr 042005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While applying the brakes a loud squeaking noise came from the vehicle. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that left and right brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 202003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
There is serious problems w/ the front end of this vehicle. It was purchased approx. 17 months ago. Since then, I have had 3 major brake jobs. Twice, the pads were replaced and once both the pads and the rotors have had to be replaced. The vehicle also resonates at high speeds. Everything shakes including the sterring wheel and the states. It appears my two front tires are out of round. Ford originally said it was defect in the tire, which I replaced, however the new tire is out of round as well. An independent garage says that there is a problem with the front struts. Ford has numerous complaints from me reguarding both the brakes and the suspension system. Also the vehicle is very loud and it appears to be air coming in when. Ford initially resealed the windshield, however the problem has persisted.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #4

Oct 232004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
Back at about 18000, I took my car to the dealer to have the brakes checked. They were squeaking and had excessive dust on rims. At times I would get a grinding noise. They said "all was fine." I took my car back again with the same issues, at about 20000 miles and was told that I needed new brakes and since the rotors were "so thin" they needed to be replaced also. I asked about the service bulliten that is out on this issue and was told that "Ford" was not going to replace them. I am mad beyond belief that there is a "bulliten" on this issue and they refuse to fix it. This new of car should not have gone threw the brakes this quick. That is exactley what I was told on my independent evaluation. Now I am stuck paying for this even though Ford is well aware of this problem.

- University Place, WA, USA

problem #3

Aug 282004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Every since I bought the car the brakes have squeaked. When I took it in for the first service, I informed the mechanic of my concern about the squeaking brakes and the overwhelming amountof brake dust on my wheels and rims. After that check up I was told my brakes were fine and I pleaded with the mechanic to be sure and again and again he told me everything was fine. This past Saturday, August 28 2004, just over 16,000 miles, I took my car in for service and again complained of the brake dust and sqeaking sound and now grinding sound I here. I have been informed that I need new front brakes metal to metal pads and the front rotors must be replaced!!!! this is craziness and I am outraged!!!

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #2

May 142004

(reported on)

Focus

  • 40 miles
Brake pads and rotors wear out prematurely. When the brake pedal is depressed it makes a metal to metal noise. Dealership replaced the brake pads and rotors 3 times.

- Colonia, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jun 242003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes at any speed a squeaking sound was heard. Dealer replaced front pads, then on second occurrence, front rotors were replaced. This did not resolve the problem.

- Lafayette, AL, USA

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