2003 Ford Focus Electrical System Problems
- 135
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 135 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- Ignition · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 46 |
| 100–150k mi | 29 |
| 30–60k mi | 22 |
| 1–30k mi | 14 |
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
The key won't turn in the ignition - apparently a notorious ford focus problem. The car left me stranded miles from home in freezing weather. I will never buy a ford again because they have not issued a recall. *tr
ODI 10501328
Electrical System
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date by this time the ignition started draining my battery and alternator and had to have them both replace along with new ignition kit and was told i needed new keys this lasted about a month then key got stuck on ignition again continuously at that time i called ford again and was told they have no problems with ignition and nothing…
ODI 10663799
Electrical System
Ignition switch will not turn preventing you from starting the car. My daughter got stranded at work at 11pm for 45 minutes until someone was able to help her get the key to turn. I took to a repair shop and they said a ford dealer would need to replace as the 2000-2003 focuses have a lot of ignition switch problems. The dealer wants $350 and will only warranty the part for 1 year!! *tr
ODI 10486573
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
While driving, an odd odor could be smelled, but went away after a minute. Came back once briefly. 20 minutes later, as i was about to turn into my work's parking lot, my car turned itself off. When i tried to turn it back on, it would not turn over and all the gauges went haywire. After i stopped trying to start it, i took the key out of the ignition and the car attempted to start itself. Immediately after this,…
Fire reported
ODI 10562147
Electrical System
The ignition key fails to turn. Keys are fine and hitting the key worked a few times to get the key to turn. With this problem, a person can easily become stranded in unfavorable conditions. Also, should anything happen where the engine dies while driving, the steering could become locked with no way to turn key. *tr
ODI 10479477
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also mentioned that the ignition failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.
ODI 10500645
Electrical System · Steering
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
ODI 10475118
Electrical System
Ignition key will not turn in lock. Unable to start car. Wife stranded. Brought her other keys, same problem. Finally got lock to turn by viloently wiggling and pounding on key. Drove car home. Internet search seems to indicate this is a very common problem. We are the original vehicle purchasers. *tr
ODI 10472851
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked, the contact inserted the key into the ignition but was unable to start the vehicle because the ignition cylinder would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
ODI 10472324
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that she inserted the key into the ignition but could not start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was locked and she verified that the vehicle was shifted into park. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and…
ODI 10465903
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key was not able to operate in the ignition switch and the key got stuck. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and was aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they had received numerous complaints about the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current…
ODI 10465456
Electrical System
The ignition cylinder will not turn it is locked and the car will not start. Key get stuck in the cylinder. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
ODI 10456073
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked and prevented her from inserting the key to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 85,000.
ODI 10452542
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key could not be turned in the ignition. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000.
ODI 10461006
Electrical System · Steering
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10576873
Electrical System
Leaving work at the end of the day i went to start my vehicle and the key would not turn in the ignition. It was very cold and after adjusting the steering wheel several time for about 5 minutes i was able to start the car. I have since had difficulty turning the key in the ignition of my vehicle everyday. The last incident was while at the gas station, which took almost 15 minutes to get the vehicle started again.…
ODI 10449010
Electrical System
I was on my way to work when i stopped to get gas, i got back in my car and the ignition would not turn to star the engine. I was stuck at a gas station in the winter and no one was able to help me. After twenty minutes of trying different things to get it to start it worked. The next day i got in my car and the same thing happened, except this time nothing i did would start it. I ended up paying $112 for a…
ODI 10447949
Electrical System
Key will not turn in ignition after multiple attempts by more then one person. Called ford dealership and they said the problem is really common and to tap the key with a hammer and it will turn and that i need to go in and have the ignition replaced for $500!!! Tried their hammering suggestion and the lock still won't turn! Because of this i have missed a whole day of school. *tr
ODI 10447002
Electrical System · Steering
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
ODI 10444052
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key could be inserted into the ignition would could not be turned to start the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 134,000.
ODI 10440992
Electrical System
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date. *tr
ODI 10663798
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle refused to start. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the ignition cylinder was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.
ODI 10434100
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus se. The contact stated that the key could not be turned while in the ignition and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 102,542.
ODI 10441719
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition was locked and the key would not turn to start the engine. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
ODI 10424237
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
My key will not turn over and my wheel is locked up. The problems started and i would just turn the wheel and sooner or later it would turn over. Now im stranded in my driveway with the wheel locked up and no turning the key over. Missed work and money. I searched the internet on this and the was over 300 diff people with this problem. I bought this car (ford) to save gas and money. I think this should be recalled…
ODI 10407213
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.