Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Focus. While the contact's husband was driving 60 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle began to hydroplane, crashed into a guardrail, and spun around. The vehicle came to a stop in the middle of a highway. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's husband sustained back injuries, facial bruising, and whiplash. The following day the driver sought medical attention for his injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where they refuse the contact to view/take photos of the vehicle unless a fee was paid. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 267,000.
On feb 11, 2015 I was driving to go to the vet. I had not been down that road in about 6 months. I came upon an area that was a very bad chunk of road...patches over patches and very bumpy. Then all of a sudden my car tilted to the right and there was a loud bang. It took me a couple seconds to realize what had happened. My airbag on the passenger side (side airbag) had deployed. Scared me! I had no idea why it had gone off. But the car seemed to be driving OK still so I continued to the vet about 1-2 miles away. I wondered if a deer had hit the side of my car but when I got to the vet and checked my car, there was no damage to the side of my car. Since then I have read on the internet that others have had their airbags deploy when hitting a pothole. The next day I went back and took pictures of that area and a video.this was by a guardrail with a huge drop off on the side. …
Dt: the contact's vehicle collided on 9-29-05 with an automobile that came across the medium at a stop sign. The automobile was going approximately 60 MPH when it went through the stop sign. The contact's vehicle hit the other car while going between 48-50 MPH. It hit the right side panel immediately in the middle of the car. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. He did not notice any lights illuminating on the dash prior to this incident. The dealer told the contact that they would give him a statement in writing explaining why the air bags did not deploy. The contact wanted a statement from Ford headquarters in dearborn, michigan , but Ford refused. Initially, told him to have the car towed to a dealership and the dealer would turn this incident into their legal department. …
Dt: 2003 Ford Focus - August 11, 2005 the vehicle was involved in accident, the air bags did not deploy. The car was totaled. Ford dealership requested that the manufacturer to investigate the accident. On September 6, 2005 the manufacturer said they would not investigate the accident. Consumer called the Ford manufacture five times with no results, could get the manufacturer to colloborate on this matter. While driving lost control of vehicle and went into the ditch, hit two rocks, a tre, and came to rest at the third rock. This was a frontal impact. There were no indicator lights on before the accident indicating the airbags were not working. The dealership could not tell the consumer why the airbags did not deploy. A police report was taken. There was one injury.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side and the contact's vehicle spun around. The air bags did not deploy and the front driver's seat belt did not restrain the contact. The contact sustained bruises, contusions, a tear to her spine, a broken rib, and heart problems as a result of the impact to her chest. In addition, the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash was injured. A police report of the incident was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was declared destroyed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns 2003 Ford Focus. The vehicle slid on an ice patch , which caused her to loose vehicle control. The vehicle spun around several times and then collided on an embankment. None of the air bags deployed. She received injuries to her neck, feet, and ribs, the passenger received injuries to the spine. The insurance company concluded that the vehicle was completely destroyed. Also the ignition switch had to be replaced at an expense of $450.00. She also paid $300.00 to repair the door locks. The transmission needs to be replaced. The sheriff report number was 09004117. The failure and current mileages were 94,000.
The vehicle hit a pot hole with the passenger side tire , causing the air bags to deploy on its own. The owner informed the manufacturer that the vehicle was involved in a side impact accident a year prior to this incident, and the air bags did not deploy. Another issue was that the left rear rotor had broken while the vehicle was in motion and the rear sensor assembly/ABS was replaced. The root of this problem stemmed from the left rear wheel bearing which had fallen apart and damaged the rotor and the wheel sensor. The left rear knuckle was replaced along with the left rear rotor.
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a red light both frontal airbags deployed without warning causing the vehicle to rear end the vehicle in front. A police report was filed at the scene and seat belts were in use; no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. The dealership was alerted. On a separate occasion, the hatch back failed to close, vehicle failed to start, the interior lighting failed and the motor made a knocking sound. This occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was alerted.
I was in a car accident with my 2003 Ford Focus zts. My airbag did not deploy. The fire dept. And police dept. Both expressed disbelief that the airbag did not deploy. My car sustained extensive damage to the front end. The whole front end has to be replaced including both the frame rails, as well some engine components. I will know more when the repairs start. The vehicle I was involved in the accident with had both of their airbags deploy. If I were not wearing my seatbelt, I would have had serious injuries.
Dt*: the contact stated the air bags did not deploy during a frontal impact collision. While driving 35 MPH, a vehicle ran a stop sign and the contact's vehicle hit the side of the other vehicle. There was braking before impact. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The entire front end was damaged and the insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The seat belt was worn and there were no injuries. Updated 3/20/2006 -
Airbag complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Focus, 5% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Focus airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Ford Focus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Focus airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 32 crashes, 0 fires and 26 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.