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
I am a woman who was left sitting when my ignition locked up and the key would not turn in my 2003 ford focus. I called triple a and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for repairs at a cost of $278.00 i have since discovered that this is a problem that apparently has not been fixed by ford and could easily happen again. Of course, this would result in another large amount of out of pocket expense for a neglecting…
ODI 10314004
Electrical System
My 2003 ford focus with only 40,000 miles on it would not start. Apparently the ignition has a defect leaving me stranded at work. As a soldier there are many people that rely on me to be at a certain place at a certain time. This is a safety issue and should be recalled. Apparently the defect is widely reported for ford focus years 2000 to 2003. It could cost me dearly if i was stranded in weather, a remote…
ODI 10303313
Electrical System
To whom it may concern,recently i was stranded on the road late at night when the ignition switch on my 2003 ford focus failed to turn over. I later found out this is an all too common problem with the ford focus. As a female stranded alone this could have led dire consequences! Now i find that the ford dealership wants to charge me some$500 to repair the switch..to be put in jeopardy then charged an obscene amount…
ODI 10302353
Electrical System
Ignition in 2003 ford focus fails to work. Know issue with ford focus which should be a recall issue due to potential safety factors. *tr
ODI 10300456
Electrical System
I am an owner of a 2003 ford focus that has had ignition problems for the last 1.5 years. The key will not turn in the ignition, leaving me stranded now three times. I have called ford motor company and reported this issue to them asking them for a "good will" repair, and to no avail. I am not the only owner of a ford focus to have this problem, and wish that the nhtsa would get involved and seek out ford motor…
ODI 10296780
Electrical System
I was preparing to run some errands on a saturday, but when i went out to start my car, the steering wheel was locked and i could not get the key to turn in the ignition. After around 15 minutes of working the steering wheel i was able to get the key to turn so i could start the car. This kept happening all day off and on, until finally the next day i was out at the grocery store with my mother and when we went to…
ODI 10295886
Electrical System
I was going do the interstate in my ford focus zx3 when all of the sudden i lose all power, im in the middle lane surrounded by 18 wheelers and other cars, and they have to swerve to avoid my car because the alternator went out! This car is terrible! *tr
ODI 10294829
Electrical System
I own a 2003 ford focus and the key would not turn in the ignition this happened to me 3 times already why is this not a recall???? It seems to be a big problem.... *tr
ODI 10295511
Electrical System
I went to put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn while in the ignition. This has happened me approximately 3 times. After several attempts to start my car the key finally turns and the car starts. My fear is, that i may get stuck in a bad area when traveling and will be unable to start the car. *tr
ODI 10297961
Electrical System
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date. *tr
ODI 10663794
Electrical System
I have a 2003 ford focus. A few months ago the key would not turn in the ignition at times. Usually after a few tries it would finally turn over. This past tuesday while at a grocery store my luck run out. Now the key will not work at all. The ignition is locked up. I called the dealerships and they said this was a common problem with this car. If it is a common problem then why isn't something being done about it?…
ODI 10283655
Electrical System
Ignition key cannot be extracted from vehicle and we couldn't turn the engine off for a period then, couldn't restart it afterwards. *tr
ODI 10403678
Electrical System
I own a 2003 ford focus and the key will not start the car until it is gently tapped with a hammer (i learned how to do this by reading all the complaints about this problem on the internet) this is a safety problem for instance a person is alone in an unlit area after working the late shift they cant start their car cause the ignition mechanisms are defective ford recognizes the problem but for some reason has not…
ODI 10283111
Electrical System
My 19 year old son a full time college student, was stranded in a parking lot a distance from home because the key would not turn in the ignition. A few times he has had to, jiggle the key to start the car. And now it will not turn at all. The car is still stranded in a parking lot because it happened on the weekend. I am in fear for my sons safety, heading back to college 6 hours from home. *tr
ODI 10282379
Electrical System
Been having problems for the last four months with the ignition cylinder sticking. On aug 13, 2009 i went to start the car and the cylinder was stuck. I have a new cylinder to replace the old one. *tr
ODI 10280515
Electrical System
My brake lights and cruise control failed: the result of the wiring harness being constantly abraded in the hinge of the hatchback. All of the wires were exposed, and it caused not only a driving safety hazard, but a fire hazard as well. In the year 2000, this same problem caused a recall of the 2000 ford focuses, but i have written to ford and they deny any responsibility for my car. "thank you for contacting the…
ODI 10279899
Electrical System
2003 ford focus ignition key and tumbler switch. I put the key in the ignition and it won't turn. I have been stranded numerous times. I understand the repairs are $400 +. *tr
ODI 10286679
Electrical System
Car parked at mall later at night. When to try and start car but the key would not turn in the ignition. This failure caused me to have my car towed to the dealership and the ignition switch replaced which cost $427.00. The ignition switch was faulty but was most likely replaced with the same type of switch which will fail again. I was also left stranded for several hours. Luckily, i was not in a deserted area or…
ODI 10278797
Electrical System
Ford focus ignition switch froze up in my 2003 ford focus. Could not start car , turn wheel or take out of park. Ford company would not pay for their faulting ignition. This is dangerous especially for women who travel alone. They need to recall this part........... *tr
ODI 10278651
Electrical System
Intermittent problem with ignition on 2003 ford focus; the wheel locks and the key will not turn. This has been a safety issue because the first time it occurred i was pulled over on the side of the interstate. After persistently wiggling the wheel and key for twenty or so minutes, the ignition enabled the key to turn. Being that the ignition failed while on the interstate and that i was unable to get out of the way…
ODI 10275512
Electrical System
The ignition switch lock keeps failing on my 2003 ford focus zx3. I have had a locksmith fix it twice now. The cost to me so far is over $400. *tr
ODI 10266073
Electrical System
Key ignition problem with 2003 ford focus. Not very safe when my daughter cant get her key to start her car ford need to fix this asap. *tr
ODI 10259599
Electrical System
Put key in ignition and it wouldn't turn over. Spent 20 minutes trying to get it to turn. Finally did. Two days later, when i was supposed to go to a family funeral out of town, i had the same problem. Afraid that i would have the same problem while traveling out of town, i took it to local car repair place. They couldn't fix it. I was able to work with the ignition again to drive it to the local ford dealer. There…
ODI 10259516
Electrical System
I drove my car to work thursday morning and everything was working fine with the car and ignition. As i tried to crank my car to go to lunch that day, i noticed that i could insert my key into the ignition but could not turn it to start the car. The steering wheel was locked and would not release since the key would not turn. I had to call aaa for them to send a locksmith out to repair my ignition switch in my car.…
ODI 10258557
Electrical System
The passenger door handle had to be replaced. When my daughter opened the door something popped and you could no longer open the door - i failed an inspection and received a ticket because the door wasn't working properly. My nephew went to the junkyard to get the part because i couldn't afford to replace it new at the dealership. This happened oct of 2007. I own a 2003 ford focus. My daughter opened the back right…
ODI 10263608
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.