2003 Ford Focus engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 74 complaints for the 2003 Ford Focus, 6% of the complaints on file.

Complaints: 74 6% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 65,000 miles 58 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 1 and 7
Injuries and deaths: 1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Based on 58 complaints that include mileage. 48% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	16
20k to 40k miles	4
40k to 60k miles	8
60k to 80k miles	6
80k to 100k miles	7
100k to 120k miles	8
120k to 140k miles	4
140k to 160k miles	2
160k to 180k miles	2
180k to 200k miles	1
200k+ miles	0

What the data shows

Of the 58 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles, and 48% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 7 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

While driving at 35 MPH and with no warning vehicle caught on fire, heavy black smoke and flames came from under the hood. The dealer was notified. No warning light illuminated to indicate there was any kind of problem. *nlm

Reported at 3,000 miles, September 2003 Fire

Vehicle repeatedly stalls or runs coarse when cold. Vehicle misses repeatedly. This has now occured 7 times in two weeks.

Reported at 100 miles, June 2003

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models