2003 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 263
- 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 263 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- turn ignition · 50 records
- ignition turn · 21 records
- steering wheel · 17 records
- ignition switch · 16 records
- common problem · 15 records
- ignition cylinder · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 92 |
| 60–100k mi | 66 |
| 100–150k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 19 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed. The failure recurred several times. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. The approximate failure…
ODI 11062430
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
Ignition
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *TR
ODI 10560327
Engine · Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the piston valves and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/29/13*lj
ODI 10538561
Ignition
The ignition has gone out on my 2003 ford focus. I attempt to turn the key and it seems locked. I attempt to turn the key back and forth and no success. If i hit the key a few times it might turn. This is a safety issues because without being able to turn the key, i have to access to anything power in this vehicle and i could become stranded at anytime without warning. I hear this is a very common problem with these…
ODI 10545276
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition and the contact had to use excessive force to retrieve the key. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to a…
ODI 10496486
Ignition
When i try to start my car, the key won't turn when i put it in the ignition. This happened three times just today. I can wiggle the key back and forth and luckily it's ended up working, but this is not the first time this has happened. I've read online that this is a problem with the focus. This should be recalled. *js
ODI 10462467
Ignition
The ignition wouldn't turn, although the key can go in and out of it. Hired a locksmith before i knew the dealership might fix it for free because i needed it fixed quickly. *tr
ODI 10461245
Body · Engine · Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was restarted and began to function normally. The contact also stated that the trunk latch failed to function correctly and the ignition failed; however the ignition switch was replaced. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the…
ODI 10490733
Ignition
The ignition cylinder will not turn. A key can be inserted into the ignition, but it can not be set into the "on or acc" position. The car cant be started and is now, in effect, a one ton paper weight. After researching the problem online, it seems to be very common. *tt
ODI 10444563
Ignition
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION/ IGNITION STUCK. *TT
ODI 10444469
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that in an attempt to turn the key in order to start the vehicle, it refused to turn. A local mechanic replaced the ignition and reprogrammed the key and door locks. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairing the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10442491
Ignition
Ignition switch locks and cannot turn key to start vehicle. Have to use hand or something to hit the key to start the car. Happens at random and without warning. Get in the car and can't start it. Understand that this is a very common problem but ford refuses to do anything about it. *tr
ODI 10446908
Ignition
I purchased a used 2003 ford focus se/4 door/automatic. The ignition key cylinder has been acting up for sometime. On three different occasions the cylinder with the key when turned to the off position will completely come out of the steering column when removing the key. Again, this has happen on at least three occasions and could happen at any time. I have not been to a dealer to repair the problem yet. But that…
ODI 10396932
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the exterior and interior lighting flashed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that all of the ignition cable cords needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.
ODI 10637173
Ignition
Failure to be able to turn ignition. Had to take it to a dealer and spent $400! Inconvenience? Yes! *kb
ODI 10441809
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The key would not turn in the ignition of my 2003 ford focus zts, thus, the vehicle would not start. After a call to the local locksmith, i was surprised to hear "this is a common problem for a ford focus". When arriving, the locksmith proceeded to explain to me why the stock ignition switch of my car is a defective design, comparing to a new switch they were about to install. Upon further research online, i could…
ODI 10368133
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The key in my 2003 ford focus will not turn the ignition. We were stranded in the middle of nowhere. The key is fine..the actual ignition mechanism is locked and will not turn. *tr
ODI 10359863
Ignition
Failure to turn ignition switch with key...takes several attempts (at times for 1/2 an hour) and happens several times a day and getting worse. After a quick search on-line, i noticed that their was a class action lawsuit in california and that many other focus owners have had similar problems. I will first contact ford customer service, but based on other focus owners, i do not expect much and hopefully soon will…
ODI 10359596
Ignition · Steering
MY IGNITION IS LOCKED UP/STEERING WHEEL. *TR
ODI 10350492
Ignition
My 2003 ford focus has ignition problems. My key could not turn in the ignition. And as i search online, a lot of ppl have the same problems. This is a recurrent problem with ford focus and specifically 2003 ford focus. This is very severe. Image you're in a hurry to start the car, the key could not turn and you are stuck. So why is there is nothing done about it by ford? I just asked the dealership and they told me…
ODI 10350314
Ignition
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN NOW. *TR
ODI 10349036
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Ignition cylinder locked unable to drive ford focus 2003. Cost of ignition cylinder, new key (1), reset of computer = $480.00. *tr
ODI 10346487
Front · Ignition · Tires · Tread/Belt
July 2010 ignition is locked, key will not turn in ignition. It was happening every now and then but today, july 7, 2010, it will not turn at all even with tapping lightly on the end of the key and pulling the steering wheel down while turning the key nothing has yet to be done as i am still waiting for ford to decide if they want to pick it up! June 2010 driverside spring coil snapped - no letter to the owner of…
ODI 10341822
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I have a 2003 ford focus and the ignition and the key suddenly won't turn in the ignition. I have looked this problem up online and it looks like a far too common problem. My wife is 8.5 months pregnant, and i thank god this didn't happen any later as it is our only vehicle. Please take prompt action against ford and make them issue a recall! Thank you. *tr
ODI 10339209
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.