2003 Ford Focus Automatic Transmission Problems
- 28
- 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 28 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 17 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 60–100k mi | 2 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Air Bags · Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns 2003 ford focus. The vehicle slid on an ice patch , which caused her to loose vehicle control. The vehicle spun around several times and then collided on an embankment. None of the air bags deployed. She received injuries to her neck, feet, and ribs, the passenger received injuries to the spine. The insurance company concluded that the vehicle was completely destroyed. Also the ignition switch…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10297334
Automatic Transmission
I purchased my car a year ago. It has 26,452 miles on it. I was on the interstate when a warning light came on. I pulled over, turned the car off and back on again and the light was out. I continued on. A day later the same thing happened. I took it to the garage and they pulled the codes that said the gear ratio was incorrect in 2nd and 3rd. I took it to the dealer and was told the transmission needed to be…
ODI 10241646
Automatic Transmission
The transmission was slipping,hard shifting, and not going into 4th. The car had less than 70 thousand miles. Took it to repair shop and was told that it was a solenoid. Also was told that it was a common occurrence in my type of vehicle. It may or may not fix the problem completely. When i questioned why he said that many of the focus transmissions have solenoid problems until they need to be replaced. I went…
ODI 10242773
Automatic Transmission
When driving on freeway to pass other cars the transmission drops into lower gear the the motor revs up not shifting into another gear stalling and slowing down causing cars behind to almost hit my car. At higher speeds in traffic this can cause a accident. *tr
ODI 10220142
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 ford focus that i bought brand new and drove off the lot with 60 miles on it. Not long after we purchased the car, it started to act as though the transmission was slipping when changing gears. We have always kept up on the recommended maintenance and no one has ever been able to find a problem with the car. About 3 weeks ago we were driving around the neighborhood, not on a busy street thank goodness,…
ODI 10187718
Alternator/Generator/Regulator · Automatic Transmission · Ignition · Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · Rotor
Several parts failures, including alternator, brakes, muffler,transmission, and ignition lock cylinder
ODI 10163124
Automatic Transmission · Seat Belts · Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · Tires
My boyfriend and son took my car to have it washed. When they turned the corner the steering wheel just spun. Causing them to almost crash. I have had several other things happen with the car since i bought it in may 2004 used. I have replaced the back tires 4 times in a year. They all have cupped. Every tire place we have went has said the rear of the car has a defect in it. Also, my seat belts used by my children…
ODI 10147357
Automatic Transmission · Column · Engine And Engine Cooling · Rim · Seat Belts
Piston in transmission deteriorated causing shift solenoid and value body to go bad at 71,000 miles, front drivers seat belt will not unbuckle, rear seat belts will periodically not buckle, now blowing massive amounts of smoke, rims are seized when trying to change tires, no matter if it was just taken off 5 minutes previously to takeoff; ignition seized and ending up having to rebuild steering column. *jb
ODI 10153418
Automatic Transmission · Hub · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Switch · Windshield
I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started i was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now i can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the…
ODI 10143296
Automatic Transmission
I bought a ford focus 2003 in 2005. Have had multiple problems with transmission. Acceleration issues. Now shift gear issues. This car only has 48,000 miles. Car will not shift properly. Bangs into gear. Car has had transmission service and is still happening transmission is probably going to have to be replaced. *nm
ODI 10158046
Automatic Transmission · Door · Windshield Wiper/Washer
Dt: consumer complained about transmission problems. The rear door on the wagon did not close properly and the windshield wipers did not go all the way down when turning them off. Dealer was working on the transmission. Also, dealer will take care of the door and the windshield wipers while vehicle was in the shop for transmission. *ak
ODI 10127653
Automatic Transmission
With only 59,000 miles the transmission would not change gears properly. Ford dealer and independent mechanic said the transmission had to be rebuilt. Cost $950 at independent mechanic, $1800 at dealer. *jb
ODI 10140589
Automatic Transmission
I have had two complete transmissions rebuilt on this vehicle, the first at around 18,000 miles, the second at around 50,000. It is beginning the same sequence of events, failure to engage in 4th gear (automatic). Dealer will not do anything until complete failure. I understand the 2003 transmission to have relatively frequent failure occurrence based on web and other investigation. Date of first incident below is…
ODI 10213068
Automatic Transmission
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where they rebuilt the transmission. Currently, vehicle was still having transmission problems. Took the vehicle back to the dealer, who claimed there was nothing wrong with transmission. Consumer was furies. *ak
ODI 10094485
Automatic Transmission · Frontal
The vehicle was parked and not running. Then, the vehicle jumped out of gear without warning and collided into a building. Both front air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the problem could not be duplicated. Please fill in additional information. *la
Crash reported
ODI 10083430
Automatic Transmission · Caliper · Indicator Light
My calipers have failed twice on my 2003 ford focus sedan. I bought it new in 2004 as a end of model year and have lots of brake and acceleration issues. My brake light comes on all the time when i am driving. The car won't accelerate and makes a loud revving noise. I have about 27k miles on it and the calipers failed at 10k and the second time at 22k. It was covered under warranty but the ford mechanics said they…
ODI 10153076
Automatic Transmission
Transaxle disengages while driving on highway. Transaxle re-engages below 30 mph. *nm
ODI 10073149
12v/24v/48v Battery · Air Conditioner · Alternator/Generator/Regulator · Automatic Transmission · Column · Interior/Under Dash · Latch · Rotor · Starter Assembly
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the starter failed. There were no warning signals for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the flywheel and the starter had to be replaced. After the first incident, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer thirty times for the following failures: brakes rotors were replaced four times; battery and alternator had to be…
ODI 10168765
Automatic Transmission
While driving engine/battery light illuminated. Then, transmission slipped out of gears. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
ODI 10071994
Automatic Transmission · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
On saturday morning i bought the car - a brand new 2003 ford focus se wagon. On sunday morning, i was traveling about 50mph when i applied the brake due to the traffic conditions of the moment. Instantly, the back end of the car swerved to the right in a jack-knife manner. The car spun around and threw itself onto the shoulder of the road. The front end wound up pointed in the direction of the oncoming traffic.…
ODI 10060746
Automatic Transmission · Vehicle Speed Control
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. While approaching a stop sign driver began to slow down, applied the brakes, and vehicle suddenly surged forward. Driver had both feet on the brakes. Driver has to turn off the engine to get the vehicle to slow down to a stop. *ak the vehicle also jerked went the consumer reached speeds of 55 mph and higher. *jb
ODI 10117831
Automatic Transmission · Suspension
While driving the vehicle suddenly began to jerk. As a resulted the consumer lost control of the van and hit a tree. The van was totaled. *nm *sc
Crash reported
ODI 10055841
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Starter Assembly
While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled twice, but always started back up after a few minutes. On one occasion, the dealer replaced the starter and on the another occasion, the transmission was replaced. *ak the starter was found faulty, the transmission was inoperative and there was a vibration while going 40 mph due to shifting, the clock display was inoperative, and the engne light stayed on. *sc *jb
ODI 10059791
Automatic Transmission
When coming to a stop, transmission operated poorly. It was hard to shift gears or gears did not shift at all. The dealership was notified, but the problem was not resolved.*ak *nm
ODI 10053363
Automatic Transmission · Bead · Caliper · Engine And Engine Cooling · Pads · Vehicle Speed Control
. The national highway traffic safety administration. On october 31 of 2003, i purchased ford focus se, brand new.. For five month i own this vehicle, i was in the shop for all kind different problems 9 times. It was: constant very strong vibration while driving at any speed, constant grounding noise comes from engine site and transformed to an ultrasound noise at hire speed, the squealing has intensified and sounds…
1 injury
ODI 10068068