2003 Model Year

Ford Focus

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
977
Recalls
0
Crashes
52
Severe
107

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Electrical System
Apr 2024

wiring harness fused together

Structure
Jun 2023

Vehicle has a recall for Rear Door Latches. I have attempted to take the vehicle to 2 different Cloninger Ford in Hickory and Cloninger Ford in Vald...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2020

IGNITION ISSUES. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. CANNOT START MY VEHICLE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 56,000 MILES. I...

Structure
Jun 2020

DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH JUST FLIES OPEN. *TR

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Feb 2020

2003 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL STEEL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEEL ON THE CONTROL ARMS WERE POORLY MANUF...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 2019

HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 104,000 WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING.

Engine
Mar 2019

REPLACED THE CRANK CENSOR AND IT WON'T START

Air Bags Crash
Feb 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE, CRASHED INTO...

Electrical System
Jan 2019

NEW ONSET BURNING SMELL WHILE DRIVING IN SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT. PARKED CAR, THEN IT WOULDN'T START. UPON INSPECTION FOUND BATTERY CABLES/SHEATH MELTING...

STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Dec 2018

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...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2003 Ford Focus has 977 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Electrical System. 52 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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