Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The piston shattered at 109,000 miles. After doing some research, I have found many more complaints of the same thing. Come to find out that there is a design flaw in the engine when it comes to the valve seat. This happened in the #3 cylinder. The walls of the cylinder wall is so scored from the damage that it will require a new engine to fix the problem. When this happened, I was in a parking lot after shopping. I turned the key and it would not start. It also made a terrible noise. Before that, it was running fine. I had no trouble with my car except having to change an alternator. That's it. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles. I bought the car used at 90,000 miles. It was from a friend who is obsessed about keeping cars maintained. He would get a tune up, serviced, and change the oil when it was time. The car was well maintained by him. …
The car stalls randomly while driving. All power is lost for steering and brakes. Highly dangerous situation and I don't feel safe driving the car. Happens in all conditions and unexpectedly. Car will restart. Appears to be a current "recall" of Ford cars for the same issues. Dealer has no idea what to fix and claims to have no knowledge of the problem. However, this appears to be a never ending problem with fords based on the information I see online. Have already replaced air hose, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, wires. It has been suggested by others online to clean the maf sensor and throttle body, but the dealer doesn't really know if that is the problem or will fix the problem. To them there is no problem. I can see from information posted by others along with the recent recall that this is not a new problem for Ford. …
While driving, an odd odor could be smelled, but went away after a minute. Came back once briefly. 20 minutes later, as I was about to turn into my work's parking lot, my car turned itself off. When I tried to turn it back on, it would not turn over and all the gauges went haywire. After I stopped trying to start it, I took the key out of the ignition and the car attempted to start itself. Immediately after this, the inside of the car filled up with smoke. The fire originated near the battery. An officer showed up less than 2 minutes after this all occurred, and he sat there and watched my car burn. He pulled out a fire extinguisher 10 minutes later so my car wouldn't create visibility issues for the cars driving past (it died in the middle of a four lane road). They told me it was most likely an electrical fire. Two weeks prior to the incident, I had my alternator replaced. …
My car lost all electrical power, but was still running then finally it died. I lost all lights and electric battery was dead so I bought new battery then it happened again, so I bought new alternator because old alternator was bad, then new alternator died within a month. Same problem, then I went online and found a forum about the hatch back Focus and its wiring problem inside the protective sleeve. So I peeled back protective sleeve and sure enough there were exposed wires just like the thousands of posts from other people, this is very dangerous luckily I was able to pull my car off the road before it died, but with severity of this problem there needs to be a recall for this problem.
Car starts but when put in gear, stalls out. Engine will run with foot on gas pedal but stalls our when placed in gear. **happens only in very hot weather temperatures. Search web for Ford Focus stalling out in hot weather. Hundreds and hundreds are reporting this problem but no solutions from anyone including Ford. Very dangerous to have car quit running at stop signs, intersections etc. No answer from Ford in spite of numerous complaints on the web. Must use two feet with one on gas pedal and one on the brake. Ford has no bulletin on this problem that effects so many Ford Focus owners.
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.
Car comes to a traffic stop and dies. Had been shaking prior and had a diagnostic done only to spend $150 to have it no better . Took it to a better mechanic who said the valve seat dropped. I owe 2K on this car and it is worthless not to mention I am a student who has to go to work and classes with absolutely no recourse here. How do I keep my job or my status in college shame on Ford you started me out with a really big problem and now I have to pay for a car that wont go anywhere and will not run on a 2K debt. And no transportation shame on Ford..
Dt: the consumer had problems with the vehicle since purchase. The vehicle caught on fire on September 16, 2005. The motor was off, and it burst into flames. The fire department came and they said it look like it started from the wiring harness. The vehicle stalled before it caught on fire. Was having the same problem two weeks before, and took it to dealer. They replaced some ignition items. Also, was having latches, brakes, and engine problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a dragging noise and pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the radiator fan was detached. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,153.
Purchased 2003 Ford Focus in September, 2003. There was not even 3,000 miles on this car. My husband drove it 2 blocks to the store on Saturday, February 7, 2004, went into the store to get one item and only in the store 5 minutes, came out and my car was on fire under the hood of the car.
Engine complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Ford Focus, 8% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is engine (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Focus engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.