2003 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- 50
- 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 50 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 4 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 35 records
- turn ignition · 10 records
- wheel locked · 9 records
- ignition locked · 6 records
- steering column · 5 records
- power steering · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 19 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body · Steering · Suspension
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…
ODI 11128842
Steering
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.
ODI 11118729
Ignition · Macpherson Strut · Service Brakes · Steering · Underbody Shields
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…
ODI 10924347
Steering
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.
ODI 10852982
Steering
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10824003
Steering
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.
ODI 10808341
Steering · Suspension
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…
ODI 10559666
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Steering
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…
ODI 10747450
Electrical System · Steering
Steering wheel/key lock. The key doesn't turn in the ignition. *tr
ODI 10550443
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10534209
Steering · Suspension
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
ODI 10510287
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
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…
Crash reported · 4 injuries
ODI 10507042
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
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Steering
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
ODI 10468178
Steering
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…
ODI 10459716
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 · 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
Column · Steering
The steering column locks. I have already had it fixed once before and now it has happened again. *kb
ODI 10416698
Electrical System · Steering
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
ODI 10375498
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10456120
Ignition · Steering
MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR
ODI 10350492
Steering
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
Fire reported
ODI 10347999
Ignition · Steering
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…
ODI 10336258
Steering
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
ODI 10329727
Ignition · Steering
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…
ODI 10319939