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EnginePart report

2003 Ford Focus Engine Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
2%of 977 total for the year
Median mileage
111,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford Focus, 2% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My car lost all electrical power, but was still running then finally it died. I lost all lights and electric battery was dead so I bought new battery then it happened again, so I bought new alternator because old alternator was bad, then new alternator died within a month. Same problem, then I went online and found a forum about the hatch back Focus and its wiring problem inside the protective sleeve. …”

NHTSA complaint #10871987, filed 2016-06, 92,000 miles

“The car stalls randomly while driving. All power is lost for steering and brakes. Highly dangerous situation and I don't feel safe driving the car. Happens in all conditions and unexpectedly. Car will restart. Appears to be a current recall of Ford cars for the same issues. Dealer has no idea what to fix and claims to have no knowledge of the problem. However, this appears to be a never ending problem with fords based on the information I see online. Have already replaced air hose, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, wires. …”

NHTSA complaint #10852855, filed 2016-04, 80,000 miles

“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 waiting in a parking aisle for a car to exit a parking place the engine accelerated to very high RPM. As my car was stationary and my foot on the brake and in drive the car did not seem to move. Placing the car in neutral or park made no difference. Shut off engine and restarted with same result. After waiting several minutes while responding to an interested person I tried again and everything appeared normal. Drove the car home and left it parked. This is the only time this has occurred .”

NHTSA complaint #10604809, filed 2014-06, 26,692 miles

“I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus in february of 2012. Immediately after purchasing it, I had to spend $700.00 to fix the motor mounts, bearings in the front wheel, something regarding a cover for the tail pipe/muffler area, A/C, (twice repaired, and went out). Fuel pump, door jams in front (2 door), locks on the doors would automatically lock whether you wanted them locked or not. Door on passenger side refuses to open from the outside. Spent over $4,000 in fixing, replacing, engine & body parts.etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10520993, filed 2013-06, 126,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201823228%
201723026%
201623420%
201517317%
201444217%
201334416%
201247513%
201133%
20104215%
2009167%
2008146%
200762%
200621%
2005112%
2004133%
2003182%
2002162%
2001322%
2000160%

Other parts of the 2003 Ford Focus

Electrical system
522 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
82 complaints
Steering
73 complaints
Brakes
62 complaints
Engine cooling
60 complaints
Suspension
49 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
48 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Body and structure
40 complaints
Other or unknown
26 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaints
Equipment
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