2003 Ford Focus Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 0%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,216miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Ford Focus, 0% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,216 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, an odd odor could be smelled, but went away after a minute. Came back once briefly. 20 minutes later, as I was about to turn into my work's parking lot, my car turned itself off. When I tried to turn it back on, it would not turn over and all the gauges went haywire. After I stopped trying to start it, I took the key out of the ignition and the car attempted to start itself. Immediately after this, the inside of the car filled up with smoke. The fire originated near the battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562147, filed 2014-01, 109,000 miles“While driving on the interstate the traction control lights flashes along with the electronic throttle control light, then the engine light comes on and it instantly loses engine power within minutes. This has happened three times now. I have changed battery, air filter, add gas cleaner products. Yet the problem still is happening . Very dangerous while driving at highway speeds down a extremely busy interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #11076765, filed 2018-03, 73,432 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2016 | 12 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 1% |
| 2014 | 37 | 1% |
| 2013 | 36 | 2% |
| 2012 | 48 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 5 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Focus
522 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
82 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsBrakes
62 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
48 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsEquipment
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology