general problems of the 2003 Ford Focus

Emergency brake locks up. Car has to either be forced to move by either gunning the engine, or rocked by a person until it releases. Car had to be towed due to brake lock up after mechanic could not release it at my home. New brake was installed. Continues to lock up. Car had been in park for all incidents. This vehicle has a standard transmission, which for safety requires the use of an e-brake. This has happened more often in last 5-7 years. I thought the problem would resolve after new e-brake was installed. . . . It hasn't.

My drivers side rear brake drum separated at the bearing and my entire wheel assembly flew off of the vehicle and caused me to lose control temporarily and also become totally stranded and immobile. There seems to be no direct cause for this as the bearing inside the drum was not seized or malfunctioning. The mechanic that serviced the repair has over 30+ years experience and could not recall ever seeing this happening on any vehicle ever. I frequently drive this vehicle on highways and interstates (and had done so just an hour prior this day) and I am thankful to the powers above that this did not happen at highway speeds or this could have been catastrophic for me and my family. This type of failure should have never occurred as this is of primary importance that the wheels of the vehicle stay on the vehicle during normal driving conditions. My car is just 10 years old and has only 133k miles (avg of 12,000 miles per year), this is something that should not happen even at twice the mileage !!!! I am now fearful that this could happen again to the other rear wheel as this shearing of the brake drum just cannot be explained.

This vehicle has been plagued with electrical issues since the day it was purchased. Now last night the engine, steering and brakes lost all power. The result is now 4 people getting injured and 2 cars damaged. No fatalities but all 4 experienced their first car accident. They are all sore and bruised. I cannot believe that Ford has not recalled these cars to fix this obvious issue. I guess someone may have to lose their loved one before Ford will acknowledge that they made a lot of bad cars! better not be my loved ones!!! I'll make someone pay dearly!!!!.

I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus in February of 2012. Immediately after purchasing it, I had to spend $700. 00 to fix the motor mounts, bearings in the front wheel, something regarding a cover for the tail pipe/muffler area, a/c, (twice repaired, and went out). Fuel pump, door jambs in front (2 door), locks on the doors would automatically lock whether you wanted them locked or not. Door on passenger side refuses to open from the outside. Spent over $4,000 in fixing, replacing, engine & body parts. Etc. Just when I bought a second set of new tires last week and did the 3 month oil change, it konked out on me, after a shrilling, high-pitched noise. Just got off the expressway. Found out from a repair shop that this model, especially the 2003 is known for transmission, shoddy parts, and is a safety hazard! the pump inside the transmission broke. This car came with 124,000 miles and over 2 years, spent $4,000. 00 on top of the used private purchase of $2,400. 00. Car repair shop wants $2,400 (what I paid for it) to put a new transmission in. One thing after the other went wrong. Iplaint sexperienced, and it has cost me so much money, I feel Ford needs to replace every penny us consumers paid on this model. Never again need to recall the whole car, it is a death trap.

: the contact stated after driving for 30 to 45 minutes the rear passenger side hub is hot to the touch. The rear brakes are making a squealing noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where both rear brakes and wheel bearings were replaced. However this did not correct the problem. The dealer and manufacturer have been alerted.

Te consumer is experiencing a problem with extended stopping distance when applying the brakes in a sudden stop. Intermittently the pedal would feel soft when this occurred. The vehicle has been to the dealer on several occasions and they were unable to locate a problem.