2003 Ford Focus Engine Problems
- 24
- 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 24 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 4 records
- steering wheel · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated when starting the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the vehicle would not respond and would intermittently stall. The vehicle would sporadically start and would operate as normal until the failure would recur. The contact replaced the battery but to no avail. The dealer was not contacted nor was the vehicle taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or…
ODI 10334052
Engine
No events led to this ignition will not turn - happens each time i attempt to start the car - at times it will turn with enough jiggling - has left me stranded with no ride taking it to dealership for replacement, but this is a known ford focus problem. *tr
ODI 10250508
Engine
I was seating in a tacobell drivethru, when all of the sudden my engine had a catastrophic engine failure. *tr
ODI 10261773
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
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that she heard a noise coming from the dashboard and the steering wheel would shake while the vehicle idled. The vehicle was inspected on four occasions by four different mechanics and they stated that the motor mounts caused the failure. As of january 3, 2008, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was…
ODI 10213553
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus zx3. While driving 5 mph on 04/17/2007 a rainy day the driver hit a puddle and water was trapped inside the sport intake system which caused the engine to fail. The owners 60 day warranty has not expired. However, the dealer stated he would have to pay $6,000 to repair the engine. The current and failure mileage were 34760. *ak
ODI 10188167
Engine
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving a 65 mph the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle over. The vehicle would not restart for an hour. The vehicle had lost power four times. There was a warning light, but the contact was not able to remember which one. The failure mileage was 159,000. The contact had not taken the vehicle to dealer to be diagnosed. *ak
ODI 10186151
Engine · Frontal · Hatchback/Liftgate · Ignition · Interior Lighting
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a red light both frontal airbags deployed without warning causing the vehicle to rear end the vehicle in front. A police report was filed at the scene and seat belts were in use; no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. The dealership was alerted. On a separate occasion, the hatch back…
Crash reported
ODI 10158796
12v/24v/48v Battery · Engine
Engine compartment fire started behind battery and burned down the car. *nm
Fire reported
ODI 10158089
Engine
For the past 3 months i have had a problem with the engine of my 2003 ford focus zts stalling and sometimes cutting off completely. This happens under normal driving conditions and happens infrequently. It is very dangerous because the car can shut off while attempting to pull out across traffic or while in fast-moving traffic lanes. I have taken the car to my local ford dealer where they have experienced the…
ODI 10145156
Engine
The car hesitates while at speeds above 40 mph. Appears to shut down and restart. The car has been back to dealer on several occasions and not repaired. *nm
ODI 10139161
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Engine · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Module
Dt: the consumer had problems with the vehicle since purchase. The vehicle caught on fire on september 16, 2005. The motor was off, and it burst into flames. The fire department came and they said it look like it started from the wiring harness. The vehicle stalled before it caught on fire. Was having the same problem two weeks before, and took it to dealer. They replaced some ignition items. Also, was having…
Fire reported
ODI 10137043
Engine · External · Ignition · Power Train · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Starter Assembly
Three transmission failures and replacements. The engine, starter/ignition and 1 gear shift all replacements and other various problems. *bf four cd player replacements, the brakes failed, and 1 alarm failure. *sc the engine was also replaced. *jb
ODI 10107088
Engine
Engine cuts out while driving for no apparent reasons and with no warning. *ak
ODI 10051108
Engine
2003 ford focus zx3 pzev engine stalls intermittently without warning while driving. All the instruments on the dash (speedometer, odometer, tachometer, oil pressure, etc.) become inoperative. Must bring the car to a stop, put it in park, and turn the key to the off position before car can be restarted. Problem began with less than 500 miles on the car. In the three months i've owned the car it has stalled at least…
ODI 10056971
Engine
While driving at 35 mph and with no warning vehicle caught on fire, heavy black smoke and flames came from under the hood. The dealer was notified. *ak no warning light illuminated to indicate there was any kind of problem. *nlm
Fire reported
ODI 10039948
Engine
My 2000 ford focus with 70080 miles suffered engine failue while at highway speed. The engine will not remain running unless the accellerator pedal is held off of idle. The engine will not crank and stay at idle without operator intervention. *ak the unit has been removed from service pending repair. There is a rumbling sound from the right front of the vehicle and the steering wheel shakes (+-0.5" at 3 hertz) when…
ODI 10033232
Engine
Problems with water in vehicle's engine.*mr consumer drove over a puddle and vehicle was splashed on by another vehicle in the opposite lane. Approx. 50 feet from a traffic light, the vehicle cut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. The next morning someone from the service dept. Stated the engine was flooded and needed to be replaced at $5000. This…
ODI 10041869
Engine
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning check engine light appeared on the dashboard. *ak
ODI 10030013
Engine
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle shut down. *ak
ODI 10029904
Engine
Vehicle repeatedly stalls or runs coarse when cold. Vehicle misses repeatedly. This has now occured 7 times in two weeks.*ak
ODI 10025195
Engine
Car intermittently stalls while driving. So far, all incidents have been at a low rate of speed and while brake was being used. Have brought to dealership service twice for this problem (has been in for repairs 4 times since purchase in november 2003). The first time, technician was able to duplicate problem. Battery, battery cables, alternator and control module were all replaced. Engine stalled twice in one day a…
ODI 10062016
Engine
The vehicle stalled, which caused consumer to lose slight control of the vehicle.*jb
ODI 10008952
Engine
While traveling at highway speed vehicle shut down. Vehicle was towed to ford. *ak
ODI 10040550