2003 Ford Focus Steering Problems

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT DOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR MADE A SUDDEN JERKING MOTION. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE DAMAGES WERE SEVERE RUST, SUB FRAME ROTTED, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKEN, SWAY BAR BENT. THE TOW DRIVER SAID THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF MY CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THE THING THAT WENT WRONG. I PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER WITH THIS DEATH TRAP. SUPPOSEDLY THIS CAR WAS INSPECTED FEBRUARY 2018. WITH EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG WITH IT AND THE DAMAGES, I DONT SEE HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE FRAUD INVOLVED AND BELIEVE THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER FOR PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER. I PAID $3,000 FOR THIS CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF FEB. 2018. IT IS NOW AUGUST AND IT HAD INCURRED $3,000 IN DAMAGES. I SOLD THE CAR FOR SALVAGE AT $125

NHTSA ID

11128842

Incident

Aug 27, 2018

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11118729

Incident

Aug 9, 2018

Mileage

96,000 mi

THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLERS AFTER THE SWITCH LOCKED UP AND REFUSED TO WORK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS CAR. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT FOCUS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE REAR RUSTED OUT CAUSING A LOSE OF BRAKES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10924347

Incident

Oct 30, 2016

Mileage

34,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID

10852982

Incident

Mar 29, 2016

Mileage

84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10824003

Incident

Jan 31, 2016

Mileage

89,000 mi

WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT THE CURB. WE DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SPLINES ON THE SHAFT.

NHTSA ID

10808341

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

85,000 mi

WHEN RIDING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, IT CAME WITH MANY KEYS. WELL, THIS TIME WHEN IT LOCKED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE IGNITION LOCKED AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED FROM SMITHFIELD NC; APPROXIMATELY AN HOURLY FROM MY HOME. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT GET IT UNLOCKED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED TO UNLOCK IT, VICE VERSA, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. ALSO THE LIGHTING IS VERY POOR WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND I SEE THIS ON ALL THE VEHICLE FOR THAT YEAR AND MAKE AS I RIDE DOWN THE ROAD. MY CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS STEERING AND IGNITION LOCK ISSUE. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THE ISSUE. IT IS A HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE MATTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T ASSIST ME WITH IT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS NO WARRANTY. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAL DOOR LOCK. FORD DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS REPAIRED BY TEAM FORD DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE; I INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL A ISSUE GETTING THE REAR DOOR TO LOCK SECURELY AT TIMES. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE UNDER THE RECALL. THESE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2009. THEY ALL PUT ME AT RISK OF GREAT DANGER.

NHTSA ID

10747450

Incident

Dec 1, 2013

Mileage

185,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10576873

Incident

Feb 22, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR WET ROADWAYS THE HANDLING BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WANTING TO VEER/PITCH SIDEWAYS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO QUICKLY OVERSTEER TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MILES, NEW GOODYEAR TIRES. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS AND IS GETTING MORE UNSTABLE EVEN ON DRY SURFACES MAKING THE VEHICLE FEEL LIKE IT'S FOLLOWING EVERY GROOVE IN THE ROADWAY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE ON THE INTERNET. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS/INJURIES/DEATHS IS REQUIRED BEFORE FORD IS MADE TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND STOP PUTTING SUB STANDARD PARTS ON THEIR CARS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10559666

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

86,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL/KEY LOCK. THE KEY DOESN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10550443

Incident

Oct 31, 2013

Mileage

170,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534209

Incident

Jul 29, 2013

Mileage

188,500 mi

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE DRIVE, PUT IT IN REVERSE, BEGAN TO BACK UP AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, MY HUSBAND (A FORMER AUTO MECHANIC) FOUND THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BROKEN, AND THE TIRE WAS AT RISK OF DAMAGE/POTENTIALLY DAMAGED. I AM VERY, VERY GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510287

Incident

Apr 29, 2013

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!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10507042

Incident

Apr 3, 2013

I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO GOT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10475118

Incident

Sep 11, 2012

Mileage

65,000 mi

KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND NO SUCCESS. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. CAR IS JUST SITTING. *JS

NHTSA ID

10468178

Incident

Jul 2, 2012

Mileage

83,000 mi

I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY CHILD ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME. WE LEFT A STORE AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO RETURN HOME WHEN THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT BUT THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE. I TRIED RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WHICH COST ME $100 FOR 4 MILES. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AREA FOR 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT IT REALLY IS COMMON...LIKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON ONE SITE ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN RECALLED? I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH A CHILD BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WASN'T COVERED AND COST ME $374. WHY IS THAT TYPE OF MALFUNCTION ONLY IN THOSE MODEL YEARS? MAYBE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE FLAW AND CHANGED IT IN LATER YEARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT IN EVERY YEAR THEY SOLD THESE DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDERS. FOR THEM, IT WOULD BE A MINOR INCONVENIENCE AND A LITTLE MONEY TO GET THESE PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459716

Incident

Apr 28, 2012

Mileage

84,390 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO TURN WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES OF REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10456120

Incident

Nov 24, 2010

Mileage

80,000 mi

KEY FROZE SOLID IN THE IGNITION . STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN NOR THE KEY. LEFT STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO PHYSICALLY DRILL OUT THE FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRATTEC REPLACEMENT PART # 707592. LOCKSMITH REITERATED WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10444052

Incident

Jan 16, 2012

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *KB

NHTSA ID

10416698

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10375498

Incident

Jan 9, 2011

Mileage

167,000 mi

MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350492

Incident

Aug 18, 2010

THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS (2.0 LITER, DOHC) LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE IS ROUTED DIRECTLY OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347999

Incident

Aug 5, 2010

Mileage

170,000 mi

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO TURN THE CAR ON FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS MUST BE MADE AND EXCESSIVE FORCE TO ENGAGE KEY MUST BE USED. AFTER CONTACTING SEVERAL LOCKSMITHS AND BEING REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER DUE TO THE COMPUTER NEEDING TO BE PROGRAMMED TO MATCH A CHIP IN THE IGNITION AND KEY, A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. A CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT IT CAN BE REPLACED FOR $250. BUT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO GUARANTEES THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT NEED FURTHER REPLACEMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. IGNITION WILL NO LONGER TURN AT ALL RESULTING IN THE KEY SNAPPING IN THE IGNITION. ENTIRE IGNITION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336258

Incident

Jun 14, 2010

Mileage

85,624 mi

2003 FORD FOCUS HAS A LOCKED IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN EVEN TO ROLL UP WINDOWS. FROZE UP ONCE LAST WEEK AND WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE IT AND GET IT WORKING. NOW IT WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO FORD. FORD DEALERSHIP IN BOZEMAN MONTANA SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10329727

Incident

May 8, 2010

Mileage

46,000 mi

I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. JUST THIS WEEK THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED. I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED AFTER A FEW TRIES OR 10 MINUTES OR SO. TODAY I SAT IN MY CAR FOR 40 MINUTES TRYING TO GET MY KEY TO TURN; IT WOULD NOT. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE SCHOOL WHICH I WORK AT, SINCE I AM A TEACHER, AND BE PICKED UP. I HAVE JUST READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE OR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE IGNITION YET. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED AND TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET YOUR CAR STARTED IS A BIG DEAL. IF IT WAS JUST MY CAR, FINE, I WOULD GET IT FIXED WITH NO ISSUE. BUT TO READ THAT HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND FORD FOCUS' ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IS A LITTLE OUTRAGEOUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10319939

Incident

Mar 15, 2010