2003 Ford Focus Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 5%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Focus, 5% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 6 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.
“I was turning and I heard a very loud snap! My car then began to pop extremely loud everytime I turned. It turned out to be a snapped front coil spring. This is very dangerous because the spring could very easily have ripped into the tire causing a blow out which leads to accidents in many occasions!! The more I talk about it, the more people who say they have had the same thing happened on their Focus!”
NHTSA complaint #10371220, filed 2010-12, 150,100 miles“I had a front right suspension spring break while the car sat in my driveway overnight. This could have killed me if it happened on the road as a jagged point was engaged with the tread of the tire. Dealer admits this to be a common problem with the Focus and the taurus, but would not cover the part or labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10213072, filed 2007-12, 76,000 miles“I took my car to have a oil change, and my mechanic saw that the left side rear suspension cross stabilizer bar is rusted and the bolts are rusted. He said to call Ford there should be a recall. There is not so I called Ford and they just filed a complaint.I can not take my car on the interstate or go over 40 MPH if I did my mechanic said if the right side broke off the car would flip. My concern is does something have to happen first I transport my grand kids but I can't go over 40. Can you help me with this.”
NHTSA complaint #10654150, filed 2014-11, 151,000 miles“Driving under normal conditions at 45 MPH I heard a pop followed by a grinding noise from the front passenger side wheel. I immediately pulled over to find my car leaning noticeably to the front passenger side. Car was towed to Ford dealership and I was told that both front coil springs as well as the front right tire needed replaced due to coil spring corrosion and resulting failure of the front right coil spring.”
NHTSA complaint #10232937, filed 2008-07, 79,370 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 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.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 0% |
| 2014 | 19 | 1% |
| 2013 | 15 | 1% |
| 2012 | 28 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 19 | 7% |
| 2009 | 25 | 11% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 23 | 6% |
| 2006 | 10 | 5% |
| 2005 | 27 | 6% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 49 | 5% |
| 2002 | 109 | 12% |
| 2001 | 150 | 9% |
| 2000 | 390 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Focus
522 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
82 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsBrakes
62 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
48 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsBody and structure
40 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 29, 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