2003 Ford Focus Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 1%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Ford Focus, 1% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,250 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“. 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 miles“I recently purchased a 2003 Ford Focus zx3 with low mileage. I have an intermittment problem with it stopping. The engine surges and when you press the brake pedal it is stiff. It has always done it in heavy traffic. I have had it to a Ford dealer three times. The first time they couldn't find what was wrong with it and said they were calling Ford to talk to the engineers. Ford informed them they had several complaints on this problem, but no recall. They replaced the brake booster on it the second time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189928, filed 2007-05, 27,000 miles“Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. While approaching a stop sign driver began to slow down, applied the brakes, and vehicle suddenly surged forward. Driver had both feet on the brakes. Driver has to turn off the engine to get the vehicle to slow down to a stop. The vehicle also jerked went the consumer reached speeds of 55 MPH and higher.”
NHTSA complaint #10117831, filed 2005-08, 3,000 miles“Car had sudden acceleration that was almost uncontrollable--aug 2004 causing crash with 1 injury & car accelerated uncontrollably in reverse causing crash with damage to house...both accidents could have been fatal..owner was accused of careless driving but was not at fault either time.”
NHTSA complaint #10214935, filed 2008-01, 8,000 miles“Consumer can shift gears without pushing the shift release button. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. On several occasions, the consumer accidentally shifted into neutral when driving and at highway speeds. On another occasion when the vehicle was shifted from neutral to drive without knowledge of having done so until the vehicle suddenly lunged forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10083925, filed 2004-09, 19,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 27 | 3% |
| 2017 | 37 | 4% |
| 2016 | 36 | 3% |
| 2015 | 42 | 4% |
| 2014 | 164 | 6% |
| 2013 | 112 | 5% |
| 2012 | 166 | 4% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 50 | 17% |
| 2009 | 33 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 27 | 7% |
| 2006 | 25 | 12% |
| 2005 | 45 | 10% |
| 2004 | 18 | 5% |
| 2003 | 14 | 1% |
| 2002 | 21 | 2% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 170 | 5% |
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 31, 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