Steering complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Ford Focus has 74 NHTSA steering complaints and 0 steering-related recalls.
74
Complaints
0
Recalls
10
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 10, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2018 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT DOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR MADE A SUDDEN JERKING MOTION. HAD ... |
| Aug 9, 2018 | STEERING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE S... |
| Oct 30, 2016 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACC... |
| Mar 29, 2016 | STEERING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK... |
| Jan 31, 2016 | STEERING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ... |
| Dec 1, 2015 | STEERING | WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST... |
| Jan 1, 2014 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR WET ROADWAYS THE HANDLING BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH WITH T... |
| Dec 1, 2013 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | WHEN RIDING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS L... |
| Oct 31, 2013 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | STEERING WHEEL/KEY LOCK. THE KEY DOESN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR |
| Jul 29, 2013 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | IN PAST WEEK AND A HALF, 90% OF THE TIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION IS LOCKED AND WON'... |
| Apr 29, 2013 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | I STARTED THE CAR IN THE DRIVE, PUT IT IN REVERSE, BEGAN TO BACK UP AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. AFTER SO... |
| Apr 3, 2013 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT ... |
| Sep 11, 2012 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I... |
| Jul 2, 2012 | STEERING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND NO SUCCESS. THIS ... |
| Apr 28, 2012 | STEERING | I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY CHILD ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME. WE LEFT A STORE AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO RETURN ... |
| Feb 22, 2012 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SU... |
| Jan 16, 2012 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | KEY FROZE SOLID IN THE IGNITION . STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN NOR THE KEY. LEFT STRANDED AND HAD T... |
| Aug 1, 2011 | STEERING | THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *... |
| Jan 9, 2011 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | FORD FOCUS 2003 - KEY WON'T TURN TO TURN ON CAR - IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER WAS BROKEN AND NEED TO B... |
| Nov 24, 2010 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SE... |