2003 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 5%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford Focus, 5% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 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 have had two complete transmissions rebuilt on this vehicle, the first at around 18,000 miles, the second at around 50,000. It is beginning the same sequence of events, failure to engage in 4th gear (automatic). Dealer will not do anything until complete failure. I understand the 2003 transmission to have relatively frequent failure occurrence based on web and other investigation. Date of first incident below is approximate.”
NHTSA complaint #10213068, filed 2007-12, 18,000 miles“2003 svt Ford Focus: flywheel, pressure plate, clutch assembly failure. Multiple cases have been submitted to dealers. Vehicle has been in shop for 15 business days with no end in sight. I have also heard of bellhousing cracking however I'm not sure if this was a case with my car, no information about that from dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10045601, filed 2003-11, 7,894 miles“. The national highway traffic safety administration. On october 31 of 2003, I purchased Ford Focus se, brand new.. For five month I own this vehicle, I was in the shop for all kind different problems 9 times. It was: constant very strong vibration while driving at any speed, constant grounding noise comes from engine site and transformed to an ultrasound noise at hire speed, the squealing has intensified and sounds horrible! …”
NHTSA complaint #10068068, filed 2004-04, 1 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017922Jun 7, 2005Difficult or unable to shift into 5th gear.
- 10014667Mar 1, 2005Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10014656Mar 1, 2005VENT LEAK.
- 10018945Jan 1, 2005Mtx-75 premature clutch failure.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014596Dec 1, 2004Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10013391Nov 1, 2004Transaxle noise at idle in neutral with clutch pedal released premature clutch.
- 10013367Nov 1, 2004Difficulty changing gears - unable to engage gears.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Focus
522 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
82 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsBrakes
62 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSuspension
49 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