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 will not turn in the ignition. Dealer says it will cost $300-350 to fix. This is ridiculous. My daughter's roommate has a 2004 focus which the same thing happened last year, 2007. *tr
ODI 10252609
Electrical System
Ignition switch locks and has left family members stranded.... Ignition key continues to lock, dealer recommends replacement (cost est. $450.00). *tr
ODI 10251908
Electrical System
Ignition stays locked, fails to turn to start engine. Problem is intermittent and happens without warning. Occurred over a dozen times to me. Can leave a person stranded. Very costly fix, $150 for new ignition switch, plus labor, $200 to $350 total cost for fix. Many, many, many complaints for same problem found on www.mycarstats.com and other forums. *tr
ODI 10250684
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact turned off the ignition and attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. Suddenly, the gear shift locked and became inoperative. The contact exited the vehicle and the driver's side door automatically locked without assistance. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder. The…
ODI 10251522
Electrical System
I placed my key in the ignition of my 2003 ford focus and the key would not turn. After doing much research, i found that this is a recurring problem for focus owners, even after they have had the ignition cylinder replaced. Not only is this a huge financial burden, it is also a major safety concern. Living in chicago, if i become stranded and unable to start my car, i could be in a very dangerous situation (as…
ODI 10248263
Electrical System
Had to have ignition lock cylinder replaced on an emergency basis in my 2003 ford focus; car wouldn't start (i.e., key wouldn't turn in the ignition) with either one of the two keys i have (both original keys). *tr
ODI 10245512
Electrical System
Ford focus key will not turn in. I drive a ford focus zx5 2003. The ignition locked up and would not turn. As a result,i was stranded in a parking lot it has happened few times. I contacted ford customer service at no avail. They did not recognize to be an issue even though it #1 issue as many people have complaint about it. They told me that i had to pay for the repair as the vehicle is out of warranty. There was…
ODI 10245090
Electrical System
The key in my focus would not turn in the ignition. This caused me to be stranded since i could not start my car. I recently learned this is a common problem with my car. In fact, a man in the service dept at my local ford dealership said this problem "happens way more than it should." i live in a city with high crime. Being stranded is a very scary situation. Since this is a common problem with my type of car, the…
ODI 10244187
Electrical System
Key on 2003 ford focus will not turn. Started acting up 3 months of owning. No longer under warranty since it is 5+ years old. *tr
ODI 10256071
Electrical System · Ignition
Ignition lock cylinder on ford focus is defective. The mechanism locks and is unable to turn. This yields the vehicle inoperable, posing a significant safety risk if the owner needs to use the vehicle in an emergency or the vehicle stalls on the highway. This is an issue known by ford, as evidenced by the mechanics at landmark ford, tigard, oregon stating that it is a common problem and ford has quietly updated the…
ODI 10242753
Electrical System
Ignition is stuck and wont turn. Left my wife and daughter with no way of getting home. *tr
ODI 10240280
Electrical System
The "service engine soon light" was on off and on for a about a week prior. Then i parked my car one evening and the following morning i could not turn my key in the ignition, it was locked, and therefore also i could not change gears to neutral or get it out of park. I found the same problem at a website here is the url: http://www.fordproblems.com/focus/key-wont-turn-in-the-ignition.shtml hope this helps to make…
ODI 10234201
Electrical System
We have a 2003 ford focus and apparently this type of vehicle has a reputation of having the ignition lock up and just wont start again. Apparently ford dealership is aware of the problem but there is no recall on this item yet. My daughter and granddaughter have been stranded for 4 hours trying to get this fixed. *tr
ODI 10230752
Electrical System
Keys would be hard to turn in the ignition the today keys would not turn in the ignition...left stranded. *tr
ODI 10230164
Electrical System
Comments: the ignition of my ford focus 2003 locked @ 40,000 miles. Key suddenly wouldn't turn. Unable to start engine. Had to have it towed to ford dealer by aaa tow. Aa driver said he has had many such cases. Had to get ignition cylinder replaced @ dealer for exorbitant $570.($347 labor) there are thundreds of these cases but ford will not address problem. I heard that there is a class action lawsuit. Would like…
ODI 10236473
Electrical System
In 2007, two weeks after purchasing a 2003 ford focus i was left stranded on a sunday evening in blizzard like conditions in anchorage alaska after the ignition on the focus suddenly stopped working. There was no warning prior to the part failure that there was any problem, the vehicle operated perfectly one moment, then i was unable to even turn the ignition key the second. I ultimately had to have the vehicle…
ODI 10342528
Electrical System
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date. *tr
ODI 10663791
Electrical System
When the car is parked, wheels turned, steering wheel locked, the ignition cylinder will not turn i.e. The key won't turn the ignition. This happened in the morning. When pushing in on the key, the key was able to turn the ignition. In the afternoon when the same situation occurred the key was not able to turn in ignition. I talked to two dealerships and they were both aware with the problem and the temporary…
ODI 10225785
Electrical System
My left tail signal light went out. When i went to change it according to the instructions in my manual i could not remove the taillight capsule from the housing. I went to coons ford fairfax, va to see if they could change it. I was told that the electrical output of my car melted the taillights to the lens on both sides of the car. The estimated repair is $500. I got on the phone and talked to someone at ford's…
ODI 10189256
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. *TR
ODI 10197241
Electrical System
Tl*- the contact stated that when driving the 2003 ford focus the vehicle shifted into neutral, then shifted back into drive. This would last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The contact stated that the dashboard lights and radio would flicker on and off, as well as the lighting system, including the headlights. The contact stated that the doors will also lock and she wasunable to exit the…
ODI 10183898
Electrical System
With no warning and 1000k out of the bumper to bumper warranty, the key would not turn or start the car. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership, a new ignition cylinder cost $258.44 plus tow. Consumers do not expect a car with 37k to fail on them like this. I could have been on a family outing with my son who is a diabetic. This problem has been extensively reported yet ford has not issued a recall. Dependability…
ODI 10227888
Electrical System
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date. *tr
ODI 10663790
Electrical System
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The dashboard instruments fluctuated. At times while driving, the dashboard instruments stopped working. The service dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak *jb
ODI 10133542
Electrical System · Interconnecting Assembly(Wiring)
Brakes turn to sponges and goes to floor dealer says cannot duplicate problem and kicks it out now three more problems have arisen motor shuts off at slow u-turn speed and trans downshifts hard into low gear causing a face plant in the steering wheel, lastly the air bag light comes on and then goes off after 3 hours of driving.
Crash reported
ODI 10130024
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.