1. Ford Focus
  2. Problems
  3. 2003
  4. Seats

2003 Ford Focus Seats Problems

14
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 14 stored complaint records:

  • 3 indicate a crash
  • 5 indicate injury
  • 2 indicate fire
  • 1 indicate a death

What owners report

  • front seat · 5 records
  • seat heater · 4 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi4
100–150k mi3
150–400k mi2
1–30k mi2
30–60k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • October 2, 2015 · 152,300 miles

    Electrical System · Seats

    I was using my passenger seat heater while i was driving to pick something up from the mall when i started smelling a burning smell. When i got to the mall,i looked over to find a large scorch mark on the passenger side front seat

    ODI 10779588

  • May 31, 2014 · 88,000 miles

    Seats

    My wife complained that the front driver side heated seat was so hot it was burning, resulting in a mild burn. I investigated the problem and found that the driver side back cushion heating element had malfunctioned and burnt into the seat cushion and back lining of the seat fabric. I have pictures and have held onto the defective part. The heating element has been replaced however we are concerned that the…

    1 injury

    ODI 10595759

  • March 30, 2014 · 140,000 miles

    Seats

    While driving passenger side leather heated seat caught on fire filled the car with smoke in flames. *tr

    Fire reported

    ODI 10575768

  • April 19, 2012 · 159,000 miles

    Seats

    The seat back adjustment to recline the front drivers seat broke, therefore we are unable to incline or recline the position of the seat. *tr

    ODI 10553625

  • July 1, 2011 · 100,000 miles

    Seats

    Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the bracket for the front driver's seat fractured and caused the seat to lean to one side abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. A local mechanic attempted to repair the seat but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.

    ODI 10452761

  • January 14, 2011 · 89,000 miles

    Seats

    My daughter and wife were out shopping and turned on the seat warmers in the front seat. As my daughter was driving she began to complain of a smell of something burning in the car. Soon after realized her back side was hot ! Summary- driver side seat burn marks visible and her winter coat ruined; it burned it too. Why hasn't this been addressed with ford? Several complaints have been filed stating this exact…

    ODI 10376836

  • October 15, 2009 · 55,000 miles

    Seats

    The driver's seat 2003 ford focus wagon ztw (purchased new in 7/2003, currently 55k miles) seems to have had a seat heater malfunction and burned through the seat cover, and the clothes of the driver at the time. The seat heater button would not turn the heater off. The fuse had to pulled to get it to turn off. There was never a problem with the seat heater before this event. The dealer (quirk ford in quincy ma)…

    Fire reported

    ODI 10289850

  • June 30, 2009 · 80,000 miles

    Seats

    I have a 2003 ford focus. Since i had the car from 2004 on, i have had to replace the driver side front seat because the seats driver door side back welding failed. The broken welding causes the seat to twist to the right. Seat was replaced at my cost and replacement also broke at the same place. Dealer refuses to acknowledge issue. I believe that may have also been a major contributing factor to a recent injury of…

    1 injury

    ODI 10312491

  • January 1, 2008 · 101,000 miles

    Seats

    Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard a loud noise. He arrived home and felt as if the driver's seat back rest was leaning more than normal. He checked the seat and found that it had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a defective factory welding caused the seat bolt to fail. The contact will need to replace the entire seat and he feels that the…

    ODI 10225413

  • May 18, 2007 · 101,000 miles

    Seats

    Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the driver seat welds have failed and the back of the driver seat came apart. The vehicle has never been in a crash. The engine size and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.

    ODI 10192538

  • September 6, 2003

    Seats

    Driver's seat had a piece of metal which was exposed, as a result, the consumer cut her leg. *ak (several others had been hurt as well) the metal was only exposed when the driver's seat was pushed forward to allow the passenger in the back to exit. If the seat was backed for a tall driver, it would be extremely impossible for the passenger to become injured. *scc *jb

    2 injuries

    ODI 10040080

  • May 15, 2003

    Air Bags · Seat Belts · Seats

    Representing jesus rosales/ requesting information on recalls in regards to seatbelts, air bags and or saftey restraint system for the for focus years 1990-2003.*mr *cb the vehicle was traveling about 45 mph at time of the offset frontal crash. The driver's seat broke from its seat bottom attachements to the floor pan causing fatal injuries. Front seat passenger walked away from the crash. Cw

    Crash reported · 1 death

    ODI 10031365

  • January 31, 2003 · 3,500 miles

    Seats

    Sedan was rear-ended resulting in limited flexible bumper damage. Substantial spinal damage to the healthy, 22 year old driver who was securely seat-belted into the driver's seat. What was lacking in the seat design to protect the driver from such injuries? Ph

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 10007554

  • January 31, 2003 · 3,500 miles

    Seats

    A stopped 2003 focus sedan was rear-ended at a traffic light by a mazda 626 resulting in limited flexible bumper damage to the ford focus, but substantial spinal damage to the healthy, 22 year old driver who was securely seat-belted into the driver's seat. What was lacking in the seat design to protect the driver from such injuries?

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 10007553