2003 Ford Focus Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 1%of 977 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,584miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the wheels of the 2003 Ford Focus, 1% of the 977 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,584 miles.
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.
“My 2003 Ford Focus ztw has lug nut caps that do not stay on. Every year I lose several caps as the temperature changes causing the metal to expand making the caps lose. Recently a cap flew off as my I was driving and hit the passenger side window luckily not breaking it. This is a design defect that needs to be fixed immediately before causing further damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10248479, filed 2008-11, 52,000 miles“Rear wheel bearing failure on Ford Focus 2003. This part which is usually good for 75,000 to 100,000 miles failed due to corrosion on both rear wheels. The axle was almost cut off without warning. A known problem on previous model years 2000, 2001 & 2002. After this incident I was informed by my niece and brother-in-law that there Ford Focus models of the same year had also failed in exactly the same way. Ford claims that they have no knowledge of this. This is a very serious situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10197019, filed 2007-07, 44,169 miles“I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started I was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now I can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the ignition has gone completely out. The locksmith said I was lucky I was parked.”
NHTSA complaint #10143296, filed 2005-11, 41,000 miles“Wheel stud on front, driverside broke off while car was in motion. Because of stud failure, wheel nuts and wheel flew off vehicle, crossing oncoming lane. If defect occurs on other vehicles on a hwy or at highspeeds. Severe injury could occur. Fortunately this occurred at low speed and on an empty street. Ford reported no way of checking its databases for similar defects.”
NHTSA complaint #10633436, filed 2014-09, 114,520 miles“Piston in transmission deteriorated causing shift solenoid and value body to go bad at 71,000 miles, front drivers seat belt will not unbuckle, rear seat belts will periodically not buckle, now blowing massive amounts of smoke, rims are seized when trying to change tires, no matter if it was just taken off 5 minutes previously to takeoff; ignition seized and ending up having to rebuild steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #10153418, filed 2006-03, 71,000 milesWheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% |
| 2016 | 15 | 1% |
| 2015 | 12 | 1% |
| 2014 | 21 | 1% |
| 2013 | 14 | 1% |
| 2012 | 32 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 10% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 1% |
| 2002 | 36 | 4% |
| 2001 | 28 | 2% |
| 2000 | 113 | 3% |
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 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