2003 Ford Focus - Problems, Statistics, and Analysis

🔎 Common problems of the 2003 Ford Focus

1,017 problems have been reported for the 2003 Ford Focus. The following chart shows the 24 most common problems for 2003 Ford Focus. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electrical system with 495 problems. The second most common problem is related to the vehicle's engine and engine cooling (71 problems).

Table 1. Common problems of the 2003 Ford Focus

Problem Category	Number of Problems
Electrical System	495
Engine And Engine Cooling	71
Steering	48
Latches/locks/linkage	48
Air Bag	47
Service Brakes	45
Suspension	39
Equipment	36
Power Train	34
Structure	28
Seats	18
Visibility	17
Tire	16
Unknown Or Other	15
Exterior Lighting	14
Seat Belt	11
Gasoline Fuel System	11
Vehicle Speed Control	9
Wheel	7
Other Fuel System	3
Air Brake	2
Electronic Stability Control	1
Parking Brake	1
Child Seat	1

📈 PPMY Index and Problem Occurrence Trend

In our research we use the PPMY index to compare the reliability of vehicles. The PPMY index of a certain model is defined as the problems reported per thousand vehicles per Year. The total sales of the 2003 Ford Focus in the United States are 258,385 units [1]. If the total number of problems reported by Ford Focus owners in the last 21 years is 1017, and the age of the vehicle is 21, the PPMY index can then be calculated as

PPMY Index = 1017 / 258,385 / 21 * 1000 = 0.19.

For more information, refer to this page: A study of reliability comparison across Ford Focus model year vehicles.

The following chart shows the number of problems reported during each of the service years since the debut of the 2003 Ford Focus in 2003.

Table 2. PPMY Index and Problem Occurrence Trend

Service Year	Number of Problems
2024	0
2023	1
2022	1
2021	0
2020	2
2019	5
2018	7
2017	9
2016	24
2015	21
2014	18
2013	32
2012	51
2011	43
2010	77
2009	108
2008	106
2007	99
2006	117
2005	111
2004	100
2003	1

📊 Compare the 2003 Ford Focus with Other Model Years

When making the decision between buying a new or used Ford Focus, the following table can be used to compare the 2003 Ford Focus with the Ford Focus from other model years. Note that the number of problems reported for the 2003 Focus is 1,017 while the average number of problems reported for the 20 model years of the Ford Focus is 1,257.

Table 3. Compare the 2003 Ford Focus with other model years

Model Year	Number of Problems
2018 Focus	740
2017 Focus	874
2016 Focus	1,294
2015 Focus	1,126
2014 Focus	3,303
2013 Focus	2,778
2012 Focus	4,762
2011 Focus	142
2010 Focus	372
2009 Focus	294
2008 Focus	308
2007 Focus	479
2006 Focus	243
2005 Focus	505
2004 Focus	410
2003 Focus	1,017
2002 Focus	962
2001 Focus	1,819
2000 Focus	3,713
1999 Focus	11

Switch Model Year:

★ Safety Ratings of Focus Cars

✿ Fuel Economy of Focus Vehicles

☘ Focus Service Bulletins

⚑ Focus Safety Recalls

☤ Focus Defect Investigations