Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Ford Focus

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 1,224 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V030000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
589,932
Reported to NHTSA
2005-02-01
Owners notified
2005-03-09

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition26358,450 mi
Electrical system13680,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch9845,500 mi
Steering5083,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages4974,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2810,453 mi
Suspension2641,000 mi
Unknown or other2563,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2434,760 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2440,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2359,528 mi
Air bags: frontal2249,500 mi
Air bags2072,000 mi
Engine18109,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1848,000 mi
Equipment1345,000 mi
Seats1389,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1318,000 mi
Steering: column1341,203 mi
Structure: body13100,000 mi
Tires1331,500 mi
Seat belts1180,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1048,720 mi
Vehicle speed control1010,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock930,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads918,000 mi
Structure91,500 mi
Suspension: front921,500 mi
Exterior lighting8115,000 mi
Suspension: rear855,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module760,000 mi
Service brakes7118,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid728,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery624,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly620,700 mi
Power train: manual transmission67,894 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip622,900 mi
Visibility: windshield615,000 mi
Air bags: side/window58,500 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator524,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner51,500 mi
Tires: sidewall57,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear51,480 mi
Wheels544,169 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel438,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module450,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash41,150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system440,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights438,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline457,375 mi
Power train470,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler454,677 mi
Structure: body: door459,246 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal48,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls466,051 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor428,000 mi
Wheels: rim48,500 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly3700 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk341,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system372,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control31,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery33,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper310,453 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum319,000 mi
Structure: frame and members355,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields320,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt312,100 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)273,432 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility283,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.21,500 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights264,980 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump22,000 mi
Seat belts: front260,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads21 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages210,200 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs244,169 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly221,565 mi
Visibility2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window2440 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module140,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module153,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert1—
Child seat1160,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring145,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood154,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1105,153 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys13,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices125,770 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1812 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail12,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly122,997 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Interior lighting156,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch162,500 mi
Parking brake: indicator light110,453 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)11,418 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift119,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing19,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)128,000 mi
Power train: driveline: center support bearing1—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly133,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly112,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor117 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)116,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper11 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum115,102 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder130,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections17,000 mi
Steering: linkages16,200 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate156,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments145,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm110,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut134,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing110,000 mi
Tires: bead11 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1121,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer135,930 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring124,000 mi
Wheels: hub141,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.