2003 Ford Focus Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 4%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,246miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Ford Focus, 4% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,246 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Both rear doors on my 2003 Ford Focus do not stay latched and will fly open during driving maneuvers. I cannot have passengers in the back seat of my vehicle because of fear that they could fall out while driving. My model and year were recalled by Ford in 2005 for this issue. When I recently took my vehicle to the Ford dealer to have the issue evaluated I was told there was no issue with the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10992393, filed 2017-05, 190,000 miles“Upon opening, three hard clicks are heard - and lock opens on occasion. Often refusing to latch and on many occasions, I am unable to open the door. It appears to be as stated in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v030000 I have spoken with dealer and Ford on many occasions the past several years, and they insist this car was not part of the campaign and refuse to inspect, or view, or assess.”
NHTSA complaint #10439905, filed 2011-12, 42,495 miles“I was leaving a parking lot doing no more than 5 MPH when the car made a sudden jerking motion. Had the car towed to a garage. The damages were severe rust, sub frame rotted, right front axle broken, right front control arm broken, sway bar bent. The tow driver said the wheels could have fallen off my car and I could have been seriously injured or killed because of the thing that went wrong. I put myself and my family in danger with this death trap. Supposedly this car was inspected february 2018. With everything that went wrong with it and the damages, I dont see how it could have been. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128842, filed 2018-09, 109,000 miles“The driver side exterior door handle is not working. This has happened before and lasted a few days then somehow started working again but now it is back. When I try to pull it open it is as if there is nothing attached to the other side. I pull it out and it stays out and loose. We have had a recall on this same vehicle for the rear doors having this same exact issue except we have never had a problem with the rear doors, only the front. My dealer says they can fix the rear doors for free but I will be charged for the front. …”
NHTSA complaint #10500839, filed 2013-02, 52,000 miles“The left rear door doesn't latch properly, causing the door to fly open on it's own. Thank goodness kids were not in the car when this occurred. Since the first incident, the door will not latch and is now tethered with rope and can't be used. Ford know about this problem as they have a current recall notice NHTSA campaign id number: 05v030000 Ford claims that my vehicle is not covered. The issue for my vehicle is that it was purchased in the state of florida in 2003 and registered in the state of florida in feb of 2005 when the recall came out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484469, filed 2012-11, 62,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058100Sep 9, 2014Ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm (lca) can separate from forward attachment of subframe. Model 2001-04 escape.
- 10058099Sep 9, 2014Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. Model…
- 10205032Jan 26, 2005Safety recall 05S27 - Rear door latch corrosion - requests for recall service action - built on or before 01/26/2005
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% |
| 2014 | 63 | 2% |
| 2013 | 84 | 4% |
| 2012 | 332 | 9% |
| 2011 | 14 | 12% |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% |
| 2008 | 41 | 16% |
| 2007 | 24 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 7% |
| 2005 | 43 | 10% |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% |
| 2003 | 40 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 5% |
| 2001 | 60 | 3% |
| 2000 | 138 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
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 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsEquipment
22 complaintsTires
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