Five problems related to engine stall 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.
For the past 3 months I have had a problem with the engine of my 2003 Ford Focus zts stalling and sometimes cutting off completely. This happens under normal driving conditions and happens infrequently. It is very dangerous because the car can shut off while attempting to pull out across traffic or while in fast-moving traffic lanes. I have taken the car to my local Ford dealer where they have experienced the problem first-hand but been unable to fix it. It has been there a total of 4 times, and this one with be the fifth. Every time they have seemed to isolate the problem but it always seems to resurface within 48 hours. So far, the dealer has replaced: oxygen sensor, fuel pump, fuel modulator, and a transmission sensor. Jiffy lube has also replaced the fuel filter. Although none of these parts have been covered by my extended warranty, the dealer has been kind enough to compensate me for approximately the last three repairs from them. The car is still not fixed and I plan to take it back today. I am very frustrated because this is a car with 40,000 miles on it and rated very good by consumer reports. I have also checked several online forums and people are having the same problems but no one seems to know how to fix it. I feel like I have purchased a "lemon", but the nc law does not apply since I bought it in virginia. The virginia lemon law does not help either because it applies if the vehicle was serviced at the dealer it was originally purchased. I also feel like this vehicle should be part of a recall but Ford has failed to acknowledge the problem (there was a recall on 2001 models for the same issue). Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
While driving, the engine stalled intermittently. The consumer managed to restart the vehicle. Please provide more information.
Consumer noticed that after shifting vehicle into reverse and without warning, the engine stalled. Dealership wasn't able to duplicate problem. Please provide further information.
2003 Ford Focus zx3 pzev engine stalls intermittently without warning while driving. All the instruments on the dash (speedometer, odometer, tachometer, oil pressure, etc. ) become inoperative. Must bring the car to a stop, put it in park, and turn the key to the off position before car can be restarted. Problem began with less than 500 miles on the car. In the three months I've owned the car it has stalled at least 20 times. Have had it to two different Ford service centers a combined total of five times and no one has been able to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The car is still at the dealership while they wait for a special Ford technician to come and try and determine what is wrong.
Car intermittently stalls while driving. So far, all incidents have been at a low rate of speed and while brake was being used. Have brought to dealership service twice for this problem (has been in for repairs 4 times since purchase in November 2003). The first time, technician was able to duplicate problem. Battery, battery cables, alternator and control module were all replaced. Engine stalled twice in one day a few weeks after this repair. Second service visit, technician was not able to duplicate problem, so car was returned to me. Now I'm just waiting and wondering what is going to happen to me the next time the car stalls, since I lose 90% of my power steering and brakes when it happens. I feel like a should put a giant sign on the back of my car, warning drivers to keep their distance as this car can suddenly stall at any time.