Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Ford Focus recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 7
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,017
Latest campaign: Feb 24, 2012

Recall summary by component7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	4	May 11, 2009	09E025000 09E012000 08E050000 06E026000
Equipment	1	Feb 24, 2012	12E007000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Jun 13, 2006	06E056000
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Feb 1, 2005	05V030000

Safety recalls7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 24, 2012Latest campaign


Feb 24, 201212E007000	Equipment IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. DetailsHide details for campaign 12E007000 What's wrong RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT. Risk IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903. Campaign NHTSA 12E007000 · Feb 24, 2012
May 11, 200909E025000	Exterior lighting: headlights DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E025000 What's wrong DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS. Risk DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798. Campaign NHTSA 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Apr 7, 200909E012000	Exterior lighting DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E012000 What's wrong SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS. Risk DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589. Campaign NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Aug 11, 200808E050000	Exterior lighting: headlights WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 08E050000 What's wrong K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." Risk WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992. Campaign NHTSA 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008
Jun 13, 200606E056000	Fuel system, gasoline FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. DetailsHide details for campaign 06E056000 What's wrong CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED. Risk FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Remedy UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876. Campaign NHTSA 06E056000 · Jun 13, 2006
Mar 23, 200606E026000	Exterior lighting WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. DetailsHide details for campaign 06E026000 What's wrong CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. Risk WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988. Campaign NHTSA 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component1,017

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,017Complaints filed

53Involving a crash

19Involving a fire

52Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	535	53	5	7	5
Latches/locks/linkages	82	8	0	1	0
Steering	74	7	5	1	10
Service brakes	66	6	4	1	5
Engine and engine cooling	65	6	1	6	1
Power train	57	6	3	2	3
Hydraulic	54	5	2	1	0
Suspension	51	5	7	1	2
Air bags	48	5	33	1	27
Structure	40	4	2	0	0
Visibility	27	3	0	0	1
Unknown or other	26	3	0	0	0
Tires	25	2	3	1	1
Equipment	23	2	1	0	1
Seats	20	2	2	5	7

16 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“wiring harness fused together”
Filed 05/04/2024 · ODI 11586972
Structure
“Vehicle has a recall for Rear Door Latches. I have attempted to take the vehicle to 2 different Cloninger Ford in Hickory and Cloninger Ford in Valdese. Both dealerships claim they can not do the recall due to parts.”
Filed 02/06/2023 · ODI 11505755
Unknown or other
“Ignition issues. The key will not turn in the ignition. Cannot start my vehicle or turn the steering wheel. My car only has just over 56,000 miles.”
Filed 10/26/2020 · ODI 11366467

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2003 Ford Focus recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Focus have?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Focus. The most recent, 12E007000 (reported February 24, 2012), concerns equipment. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Ford Focus recalls for?

The largest group is exterior lighting, with 4 campaigns. Others: equipment (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), latches/locks/linkages (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Ford Focus?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 535 complaints out of 1,017 filed with NHTSA (53%). Across all complaints, owners reported 53 crashs and 19 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Ford Focus?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

Check a specific Ford by VIN

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