Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2003 Ford Focus

The alternator was replaced less than a week ago. Now, it is needing replaced again. There seems to be an issue with the electrical wiring in these vehicles! there are multiple complaints.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure occurred on six occasions where the battery and alternator were replaced each time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

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. The new alternator was a Ford manufactured part.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus zx3 at 37000 miles the alternator and battery went bad and had to be replaced at a cost of $700. 00. Now at 67000 miles they have both gone bad again and must be replaced at a new cost of $800. 00. Additionally I had a 2000 Ford Focus and at 55000 miles both the alternator and battery had to be replaced. Also we have a 2006 Ford Focus and at 16000 miles it needed both an alternator and battery. It is worth noting that the car was three years old and out of warranty when the failure occurred, it is a very low mileage car, and is only drive 10 miles a day. We really like the Focus as it is a great value and a fun car to drive but after having to replace 4 alternators in 18 months we are rethinking our love of this little car. I will be filing complaints for my other two foci as well.

I was going do the interstate in my Ford Focus zx3 when all of the sudden I lose all power, im in the middle lane surrounded by 18 wheelers and other cars, and they have to swerve to avoid my car because the alternator went out! this car is terrible!.

The weekend of July 28th I had family in town. We were doing the attractions. The car started everytime we were going or leaving anywhere. Went to go home and the car wouldn't start. We had the battery jumped and it wouldn't hold a charge. Purchased a new battery and made it home. The next day replaced the alternator. Car ran fine for 1 week. Went to leave work on the 6th of August and it wouldn't start at all. The battery was completely dead. Took the car to have the new battery and alternator tested. Nothing wrong w/either one. Took the car to Ford dealership they spent 1 1/2 hours on it and said they couldn't find the problem. Something is pulling on my battery causing it to die. Took it back home and now it maybe the computer. Have 110,000 miles on it. I wouldn't think this would start happening already.

Several parts failures, including alternator, brakes, muffler,transmission, and ignition lock cylinder.

Numerous occasions where the battery light would flicker and flash and the car would stall. . Read more...

While driving vehicle shut down. Consumer had the battery and the altenator changed, and the problem recurred. Took the vehicle back to the dealer, and the vehicle was currently being serviced.

: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the starter failed. There were no warning signals for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the flywheel and the starter had to be replaced. After the first incident, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer thirty times for the following failures: brakes rotors were replaced four times; battery and alternator had to be replaced; the transmission had to be replaced after the second attempt to repair it. The electrical wiring under the dashboard had to be rewired. The air conditioning was repaired three times with the replacement of defective valves; the rear door latches were repaired according to recall # 05v300000. The dealership had not corrected the noises from the steering column. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to cooperated in finding a suitable resolution. The last problem found by the dealership was the required replacement of the engine heads. The engine heads were attached to the vehicle frame.