2003 Ford Focus Seat belts Problems

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS COMING TO PIECES. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS CHEWING ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10789810

Incident

May 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND RETRACTOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID

10501377

Incident

Jan 5, 2013

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10461688

Incident

Nov 21, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT SHOULDER STRAP HARNESS CAUSED MY PASSENGER, A YOUNG CHILD, TO ALMOST BE STRANGLED, LEAVING MARKS AND BRUISES TO THE NECK. CHILD WAS UNABLE TO UNBUCKLE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT HE PULLED WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE PART OF THE SEATBELT THAT CROSSED OVER HIS NECK, TO GET OUT, THE TENSION ON SEATBELT RELEASED, AND STRETCHED AS HE TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THEN TIGHTENED UP, THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT TO SAVE HIM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456680

Incident

Apr 22, 2012

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE, CAN NOT PUT SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE. PULLED ON BELT IT WILL NOT BUDGE.

NHTSA ID

10380448

Incident

Jan 28, 2011

Mileage

153,896 mi

MY DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY CLICKING SHUT, SO THE SEATBELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372723

Incident

Dec 20, 2010

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DOREL CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-391MLO, MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2005. (N/A) THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, AND OBSERVED THE CHILD IN A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT REMOVING THE WARNING LABEL AND EATING IT. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC FROM THE CHILD'S MOUTH. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10361693

Incident

Oct 21, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND 3 OUT OF 5 OF MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT SOMETIMES HAS TO BE RIPPED OUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO COME UNBUCKLED WHICH COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE DYING IF THEY CANNOT UNBUCKLE AFTER A CRASH. TWO OF MY BACK SEAT BELTS WILL NOT BUCKLE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED. I HOWEVER FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ONLINE THAT OTHERS HAVE THESE SAME SEAT BELT ISSUES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. THANKFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN NO WRECKS YET SO NO ONE WAS STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BUT I AM VERY FEARFUL OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE EVEN TRIED CLEANING OUT THE BUCKLES AND IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273540

Incident

Jun 11, 2008

I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE WATER PUMP, THE THERMOSTAT, AND ALL RADIATOR HOSES. THE CAR OVERHEATS DAILY STILL. THE STEREO CUTS ON AND OFF AND CAN'T BE TURNED OFF BY THE POWER BUTTON. THE REAR LEFT SEATBELT IS STUCK WHERE IT CAN'T BE USED. THE DRIVER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR, WHEN THE PANEL WAS REMOVED IT SHOWED THAT THE WHOLE WIRE SYSTEM HAD SNAPPED. THE DRIVER DOOR ALSO CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10242182

Incident

Jan 25, 2007

Mileage

70,000 mi

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS AGAINST THE PASSENGER AND DOES NOT ALLOW SLOW GENTLE MOVEMENT IN A NON-CRASH ENVIRONMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT WORKS FINE AND LIKE NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TO ORIGINATING DEALER TWICE TO CORRECT - NO CHANGE IN OPERATION. SAFETY DEFECT AS CRUSHING LOAD CAUSES PASSENGER TO HOLD BELT PHYSICALLY OUT WHEN SEATED OR OTHERWISE DEFEATING BELTING ARRANGEMENT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171297

Incident

Mar 6, 2004

Mileage

17 mi

TRIED TO PUT ON DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND FOUND IT TO BE LOCKED IN PLACE. FULL SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10170536

Incident

Apr 3, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS/2003. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED ($45.00) AS WELL AS PAY FOR REPAIRS ($183.00). CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED. I ALSO MENTIONED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY GAUGES. UPON STARTING CAR, GAUGES ARE ALL OUT OF WACK, SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND LANDING ON ZERO. AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES THEY WILL POSITIONED AT THE RIGHT PLACE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SEEM TO ONLY CARE TO HEAR ABOUT ONE OF THE PROBLEM (IGNITION SWITCH) AND NOT THE OTHER ONE. I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR A WHILE AND WHEN REP RETURN SHE TOLD ME TO CALL COMPANY THAT WAS REPAIRING MY FOCUS AND THEY WILL HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THE GUY THAT EAGERLY TOOK MY MONEY STATED THAT HE WILL DO A CLAIM FOR ME AND HE STATED THAT I WILL GET SOME OF MY MONEY BUT NOT ALL OF IT BACK. IN CHECKING THE RECALLS I SEE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKUP IS ONE OF THEM. I ONLY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED AND INSURANCE SAYS I MUST PAY $250 BEFORE THEY FIX IT, WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER, DRIVING SEEM DIFFICULT (HARD TO PULL), LIFTGATE WATER LEAKS, AND UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING; I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THAT THE BRAKES WERE NEW AND HAD TO BE BROKEN IN. WELL THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AFTER A YEAR IN A HALF. I NEED ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED ON MY CAR, RIGHT NOW I AM A MONTH BEHIND IN CAR PAYMENTS (GOOD RECORD ON MAKING MY PAYMENTS), HAD TO USE THE MONEY TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10162343

Incident

Jul 1, 2006

PISTON IN TRANSMISSION DETERIORATED CAUSING SHIFT SOLENOID AND VALUE BODY TO GO BAD AT 71,000 MILES, FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE, REAR SEAT BELTS WILL PERIODICALLY NOT BUCKLE, NOW BLOWING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE, RIMS ARE SEIZED WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE TIRES, NO MATTER IF IT WAS JUST TAKEN OFF 5 MINUTES PREVIOUSLY TO TAKEOFF; IGNITION SEIZED AND ENDING UP HAVING TO REBUILD STEERING COLUMN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153418

Incident

Jan 7, 2006

Mileage

71,000 mi

MY BOYFRIEND AND SON TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT WASHED. WHEN THEY TURNED THE CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN. CAUSING THEM TO ALMOST CRASH. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER THINGS HAPPEN WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY 2004 USED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BACK TIRES 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THEY ALL HAVE CUPPED. EVERY TIRE PLACE WE HAVE WENT HAS SAID THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS A DEFECT IN IT. ALSO, MY SEAT BELTS USED BY MY CHILDREN DO NOT ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. LAST JAN, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST. OTTAWA FORD DID FIX THIS ISSUE AS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR WIRING PROBLEM. WITH THE STEERING ISSUE THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION OR MEANS OF INCOME TO FIX. I NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147357

Incident

Jan 8, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ALL OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT BUCKLE, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THIS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS AGO.*AK

NHTSA ID

10136476

Incident

Sep 14, 2005

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH A DOG RAN INTO THE STREET AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE DOG. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE BAGS DEPLOYED, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, IT LOCKED THE DRIVER IN AFTER THE IMPACT. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND REAR SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10044570

Mileage

8,500 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME UNLATCHED WHEN DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE CHILD SEAT TO BE TRHOWN INTO THE BACK OF FRONT SEAT .*AK

NHTSA ID

10024911

Mileage

12,000 mi