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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Other
2005-02-14 · campaign 2005-025
Certain four door (sedan and wagon) and five door vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario may have faulty rear door latches. Corrosion build-up at the pawl pivot area of the latch can cause the latch to bind. The owner may experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door may not latch properly. If not latched properly the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rear door latches. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced.
Owner complaints (977)
Owners filed 977 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Focus (52 crashes, 17 fires, 51 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 20 model years of this model, it ranks #8 for the most complaints (median 900).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 522 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 82 | |
| Steering | 73 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 60 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 51 | |
| Suspension | 49 | |
| Power train | 48 | |
| Air bags | 46 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Focus.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Ford Focus 2-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Ford Focus 4-DR. Wagon | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Ford Focus 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford Focus version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Focus 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Focus 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Focus 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Focus 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Focus 2.0 L Manual 6-spd | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Focus 2.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Focus 2.3 L Manual 5-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Focus Station Wagon 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Focus Station Wagon 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Focus Station Wagon 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Focus Station Wagon 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Focus Station Wagon 2.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.