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.
Steering
2003 ford focus steering wheel lock. With the key inserted, the ignition cannot be turned on. Believe to be a tumbler problem. I have read hundreds of these problems in the last two days. This should be recalled. *tr
ODI 10296631
Ignition · Steering
I own a 2003 ford focus zx5 that has an issue with the key turning in the ignition. At random times and locations when returning to the car, i will find that i am no longer able to turn the key in the ignition. I must work at it (longest has been an hour) to get the key to turn. This creates really big problems when you are stranded with kids at different locations and you never know when it is going to occur. From…
ODI 10296534
Steering
Steering wheel locked, ignition locked and shift gear locked!!!! *tr
ODI 10284668
Ignition · Steering
I own a 2003 ford focus. I just hit 70k miles yesterday, and starting today my ignition is completely locked up. My car is in park, the tires are not turned, etc. I went back in the house to try and find a solution and upon searching i found site after site, complaint after complaint about 2000-2003 ford focus' locking up like this after 70k miles, and that it costs $500 to fix. My car is no longer under warranty.…
ODI 10281695
Ignition · Steering
I have a ford focus 2003 in which the ignition key will not turn and everytime i need to start the car i have to rock the steering wheel real hard right to left. One occasion the car locked up on me while back but fortunately i was able to stop it as i was moving very slow. This ignition problem is a very real safety issue and steps need to be taken to make ford fix the problem before someone gets killed. You only…
ODI 10280942
Ignition · Steering
The key won't turn in the ignition and i was stranded at a walmart parking lot. *tr
ODI 10279760
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
I was stranded many miles from a highway because i could not get my ignition key turned, steeringwheel turned or automatic shifter moved. All blocked. Luckily, i was able to get a ride back to where i could use my cellphone. A friend checked the internet on the problem and he found the suggestion to hit the key. Later many taps this actually worked and i was able to drive home. *tr
ODI 10275893
Steering
Key will not turn in 2003 ford focus. Dealership says it appears to be linkage in the steering column. *tr
ODI 10256291
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
I have a 2003 ford focus zx5 and the rear hatch latch does not always engage so have to slam it down a few times to get it to latch. I noticed the recall, but i live in nebraska and the recall does not apply there. I believe this needs to be expanded. Also the door latches are getting harder and harder to open, is there any recall on them. Also i have a problem with the steering column adjustment lever it will not…
ODI 10293967
Steering
Went to start my car and the key would not turn and the steering wheel was locked. I tried every trick in the book. I have had this happen in the past, and by turning the steering wheel, i was able to start the car. Not this time... *tr
ODI 10254043
Ignition · Steering
My car refuses to start. You cannot turn the ignition switch to get it to come on. After searching the internet i saw dozens of complains from people having the same problem. I simply cannot afford to make the repairs and since my car is out of warranty my dealership will not help me. Ford customer service hung up on me twice. The only fix is to leave the key in the ignition. I managed to use a hammer to hammer it…
ODI 10251887
Steering
This is the second time i have had my key fail to work in a locked ignition of my 2003 ford focus. The first occurred when the car wa purchased in 2004 and now it has recurred. The first was under warranty but this is not. Apparently ford is quite familiar with the problem as several focus owners have fixed this compliant on line. Why is there no recall? Why should ford get a bail out when they leave their consumers…
ODI 10251020
Ignition · Steering
The key will not turn in the ignition. The ignition barrel is completely stuck, impeding any use of any vehicle functions. Has occurred daily or every other day for a few weeks. A few minutes of jostling may allow it to work. A few times it has been stuck for hours until finally working. This may strand some travelers in winter conditions, like myself. Very stressful and potentially dangerous situation. *tr
ODI 10252975
Steering
I have a 2003 ford focus and was stranded and had to have my car towed because the steering wheel locked and i couldn't get the key to turn over. The care repair cost was $551 and the ignition and starter cylinder inside of the steering column had to be replaced. I believe this is a manufacturing flaw and ford motor co. Should pay for the repairs as a recall problem. It's my understanding that many 2000-2003 ford…
ODI 10246157
Steering
The wheel/ignition locked as turned the wheel to park on a hill. This is the first time it has happened on this car and could not unlock it. I took it to the dealership and they said it would $340 that the whole cylinder would have to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10238481
Engine · Steering
I currently drive a 2003 ford focus hatchback 2.3l. After the engine is turned off the ignition and steering wheel lock completely. When attempting to turn on the vehicle, my car key will not turn and the wheel remains locked, in turn the vehicle becomes completely unusable. I call to ford road side assistant prompted me to quickly move the steering wheel left and right while turning the ignition forwards and…
ODI 10232951
Ignition · Steering
Key would not turn in the ignition. This has happened several times. After some repeated attempts to start, eventually the key would work. This time, it has refused to budge. Seems to be connected to the steering wheel being turned but that locks up too, so it can't resolve itself. Research on internet such as consumer's report shows this to be a frequent complaint with this model. Defective ignition! The other day…
ODI 10229479
Steering
Rack and pinion developed a leak. I bought my car in feb 2004 and everything was fine on it. Last spring i noticed my car was making an odd sound and i raised the hood and found the power steering fluid level very low and filled it up. The noise went away. While changing the brakes on it my husband found the rack and pinion leaking fluid. The warranty was only good up to 36,000 miles and at the time this happened…
ODI 10258153
Ignition · Steering
Ignition key mechanism would jam and not turn -preventing turning the key and locking the steering wheel. Unable to tow car (luckily all 2-3 times this happened i was close enough to dealer for flatbed tow). Was able to remove the ignition key and the car was still running. Last occurrence that was not under warranty and ford would not reimburse even though other focus owner had this problem - some up to 10…
ODI 10274338
Ignition · Steering
(1) not sure (2) steering wheel and ignition are locked and can not be moved anymore (3) new lock *tr
ODI 10202730
Steering
Rattle anf thumbing sound coming from under front of vehicle when going over every bump. Reported to ford service department on three occasions. (10/11/06, 04/05/07 and 06/26/08 ) on 06/26/2008, ford charged me $288.56 to install a front end stabilizer kit. Old parts are not available. *tr
ODI 10234966
Steering
While driving, the steering system became difficult to control, which resulted in an severe accident. *jb
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10166070
Ignition · Lock · Steering
I am the owner of a 2003 ford focus and i have several issues. In the last year i have experienced problems with the ignition locking and as well as the steering wheel, i contacted the dealer carey paul ford in decatur, ga and was told that i had to pay for repairs, which i did, after being stranded with my son. This cost me 260.00, i am a single mother and cannot afford to spend money on problems that the…
ODI 10155441
Steering
Dt: the contact stated steering wheel locked and she could not get the steering wheel to turn. It locked while the vehicle was parked. A neighbor was able to unlock the steering wheel by maneuvering the steering wheel with the key in the ignition. *ak updated 1/19/2006 - the vehicle was repaired at the dealer. *nm
ODI 10146111
Steering · Suspension
Vehicle has been taken to have repairs done three times and vibration problems has not been resolved.*mr the consumer expects ford to repurchase the vehicle under the provisions of the applicable lemon law in the state of maryland, because of consistent problems with the vehicle. *cb the consumer stated the vehicle had a defective tie rod bushing, bearing assembly, axle shaft and joint, front end alignments and…
ODI 10037869