Five problems related to clutch have been reported for the 2003 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2003 Focus.
Clutch slips during attempts to pass vehicles, especially trucks on two lane highways. During acceleration suddenly the car looses speed and the tachometer revved up, making safe pass impossible. Had to slow down and merge again behind the vehicle. Only seemed to happen when the car has been drive more than 100 miles non-stop. No problems in city or freeway driving. Really scary when it happened so far about 9 times.
My daughter drives a 2003 Ford Focus svt. On February 28, 2007 she was returning to easton, PA from state college, PA when the transmission destroyed itself resulting in a catastrophic failure of the gearbox, flywheel,bell housing and pressure plate. This took place on I-80 . I feel you should be informed due to the amount of damage and severity of the explosion. A fire did result from the failure/explosion. I have contacted Ford (state college Ford) and their esp representative has claimed the do not cover pressure plate failure past 12,000 miles and have declined to admit this is a serious situation.
Vehicle, a 2003 Ford Focus w/ 20,000 miles, became disabled due to complete failure of clutch to reengage when I shifted - rolled to stop in evening rush hour traffic on interstate 66 in fairfax, virgiinia. Car had prevous intermittent problem with clutch not engaging and was returned from dealer two days earlier, February 2, saying the clutch was "performing ok at this time npf. " I could not maneuver from the travel lane and called 911. A virgina state polcie car was dispatched and pulled up behind me to prevent a rear end collosion until the tow truck arrived. Dealer then pronounced that the entire clutch assembly "wore out" and charged $1,840 for a complete repalcement of the pressure plate, clutch plates and fly wheel. They did not retain parts (as I had requested) and denied any warranty coverage.
In July, 2004 took vehicle to the dealership to replace the throw-out bearing and clutch plate at about 1,000 miles the same issue happened again in September.
2003 svt Ford Focus: flywheel, pressure plate, clutch assembly failure. Multiple cases have been submitted to dealers. Vehicle has been in shop for 15 business days with no end in sight. I have also heard of bellhousing cracking however I'm not sure if this was a case with my car, no information about that from dealer.