Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 owns a 2003 Ford Focus equipped with Firestone primewell pz900 tires, size: p205/50z/16 (na). While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a roar and felt a vibration from the front passenger side of the vehicle. Upon examination of the tire, the contact noticed a large crack on the sidewall of the tire and replaced it with the spare tire. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the tires were not replaced. The tires were replacement tires. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 124,000 and the tire failure mileage was 25,000.
Dt: the contact stated that while traveling at 60 MPH heard a loud pop and then lost control of the vehicle. The car started spinning around and hit an exit sign. The vehicle was totaled. Upon impact, both airbags deployed. The tire came completely off the rim. Both insurance and police reports were taken. There has been no contact with Goodyear. These were the original tires that came on the vehicle. There were no injuries.
Driving to work, no rain, no ice on road, normal but cold conditions (30f) and couldn't stop my vehicle with low roll resistance tires. When I applied brakes my car immediately went into a slide/skid and I hit another vehicle from behind. Was going around 35 MPH and should have had plenty of space to stop.
Dt: the contact states she owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The rear tires kept going bald on the outside of the tire only. The vehicle is a front wheel drive. This happened four times. Vehicle has 61,000 miles on it. The dealer had to replace the back frame two kits, one on each side due to an engineering notice put out on the tires. This did not fix the problem. The contact had to have the springs, struts, and shocks replaced recently with approximately 55,000 miles on the car, and the problem recurred. Car bounced, and when she hit a bump the car picked up, and the rear end moved to the right or to the left. She had to have the car realigned at least six or seven times. Sometimes the contact would have to go back the very next day to have it aligned again, and the dealer would not charge them for the service.. …
I was driving my 2003 Ford Focus on the road when this incident happened. Suddenly I heard a crash sound in the right front side of my vehicle. I felt there was a force on the right front side tire. Then I noticed black smokes behind my car and then I stopped. I called aaa to have roadside assistant. The aaa guy came and checked my car and told me the coil spring was broken and the broken part damaged my tire too. I found there was a recall for the coil spring on 2000-2003 Focus then I called a local Ford dealer to get it fixed. However, the local Ford dealer told me my Focus was not eligible for the recall. Clearly this is the fault of Ford. The aaa guy told me if this happened on the freeway, I would probably be killed. I urged the NHTSA to contact Ford about this issue before this actually killed lots of people. …
Rear wheel bearing failure on Ford Focus 2003. This part which is usually good for 75,000 to 100,000 miles failed due to corrosion on both rear wheels. The axle was almost cut off without warning. A known problem on previous model years 2000, 2001 & 2002. After this incident I was informed by my niece and brother-in-law that there Ford Focus models of the same year had also failed in exactly the same way. Ford claims that they have no knowledge of this. This is a very serious situation. While the service department inspected the vehicle they also found a broken front spring; from corrosion; which Ford acknowledges and is paying for the replacement of the springs; due to a previous recall. This is a very expensive repair at $323.00 for the axle and additional costs for alignment etc. After the parts are replaced.
First incident occurred when a pothole was struck with the right front, causing a blister to the sidewall and a slight bend to the rim. Upon review of the shallow depth of the pothole, I could not believe it caused a problem. One week later, the rear tire on the same side showed a blister. The rim was fine and have no recallection of hitting anything. Another week and another pothole. This time a flat, on the same front. Now a severely bent rim; on the inside. The rim was repaired and the tire reinstalled. However, no new blister occurred on the inside wall. I have made this same commute for 10 years with other vehicles shod with off-brand tires, and never had an incident of any kind.
Front wheel aloy rim is bent due to faulty Firestone firehawk gta 02 205/50r16 tires with weak sidewalls. Tire has bubble on sidewall dealer stated Firestone problem not Ford problem. The dealer refused to replaced the tire and rim under the warranty because they believed the dented rim came from the vehicle hitting a rock or pothole. The bent rim caused the tire to have bubble on it. The dealer ultimately replaced the tire but not the rim. The new tire was good for about two weeks and while driving on the interstate it punctured and destroyed. The bottom line is that the firehawk tires have design flaws and should be recalled.
Bought 2003 Ford Focus August 2003; March-April 2004 heard thumping noise off rear tires. (please note: I put on 3,000 miles monthly and change my oil monthly as well as rotate my tires every other oil change.) treads are wearing in coaster size spots, but under 25%. Goodyear is replacing only one tire under the "warranty" "nuisance" clause. Will monitor all tires. The old tire is wavy, unlike the others, which are fine thus far. Gy suggested possible suspension, but doubted due to the youth of the car and tires and also suggested alignment. Had the new tire put on...free..and had a "free" alignment analysis performed.
Dt*: the contact stated there was premature wear on the rear tires. The tires have been replaced twice, and need replacing a third time. The brand of tire has been changed. The manufacturer determined the tires should be rotated every other oil change, but the tires had never been rotated. Updated 3/17/2006 - the first set of tires went bald at 22568 miles. The second set went bald at 31500. The dealer aligned the rear to specs and aligned the front end and straightened the steering wheel.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford Focus, 3% of the model year's 977 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Focus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.