Problems · by component
2003 Ford Focus steering problems
74 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Focus cite steering, 7% of all 1,017 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
74
7% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
What owners say about the steering
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT DOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR MADE A SUDDEN JERKING MOTION. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE DAMAGES WERE SEVERE RUST, SUB FRAME ROTTED, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKEN, SWAY BAR BENT. THE TOW DRIVER SAID THE WHEELS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF MY CAR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THE THING THAT WENT WRONG. I PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER WITH THIS DEATH TRAP. SUPPOSEDLY THIS CAR WAS INSPECTED FEBRUARY 2018. WITH EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG WITH IT AND THE DAMAGES, I DONT SEE HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE FRAUD INVOLVED AND BELIEVE THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER FOR PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER. I PAID $3,000 FOR THIS CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF FEB. 2018. IT IS NOW AUGUST AND IT HAD INCURRED $3,000 IN DAMAGES. I SOLD THE CAR FOR SALVAGE AT $125”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.”
“THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLERS AFTER THE SWITCH LOCKED UP AND REFUSED TO WORK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS CAR. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT FOCUS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE REAR RUSTED OUT CAUSING A LOSE OF BRAKES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.”
“WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT THE CURB. WE DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SPLINES ON THE SHAFT.”
Showing 6 of 74 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.