Overview & Reviews

Minor changes are in store for the 2003 Ford Focus. Two new trim levels increase the breadth of prices for Ford's economy car; a base trim for the three door hatchback renders air conditioning optional and only comes with a manual transmission. For the five door hatchback, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, front reading lights and a center console are available when you step up to the comfort trim level from the base level. Heated front seats are a new option, as is a traction control and ABS package. New colors for the exterior brighten up the color palette, and the interior is freshened with two new fabric trims. Finally, a CD/MP3 player is now standard on the ZX3 and ZX5. A SVT version of the ZX5 is also scheduled to appear later in the year.

• Thoughtful ergonomics, large interior, smooth ride, sharp steering, impressive selection of body configurations and features.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 353.00

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  Tire Hungry - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Arlie Rauch - July 23 - 10:45 am

  We bought the car because of crisp handling and because of high consumer ratings. But, it eats tires. At just about every oil change it needs either a wheel alignment or the tires balanced--they are virtually always vibrating, and the rear end is noisy at any speed. We have had to replace the trunk latch--it quit locking. The car handled miserably on winter roads, of which we have some here in Montana. I eventually solved that by buying another set of wheels on which we mounted studded snow tires (we never had that problem with a VW Rabbit we owned for years). This car has been a disappointment, and we are strongly looking at getting something different. Its gas mileage is also poor.

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  Not a good buy - 2003 Ford Focus
  By stanggirl - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car a year ago and within the past year have had nothing but problems. After exactly a year and some days my car would not run b/c the clutch switch went out. Not a good thing for a pretty new car taken well care of.

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  Rear Springs - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Stanton6xx - May 6 - 3:15 pm

  Four years of driving and my wife loves the car. Easy for her to handle. Gas milage going down over the years. Main item is rear coil springs. Both needed replacement. $615.00 resolution. Both sprins broke in the lower spring cup. One spring broke the second time. Micro-crack and mechanical break.

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  Great car to roll off a cliff - 2003 Ford Focus
  By John Berklon - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is the worst piece of trash I have seen in my life. After 2 months and 5k miles the engine blew out...Great work Ford...Living up to your name of fix or repair daily.

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  Awful - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Richard - March 27 - 12:26 pm

  Picked this up just over a year ago with 38,000 miles on it & over a year of original powertrain warranty left. Since then, its been into the shop many times. Ive spent over $3,000 repairing this vehicle, replacing the a/c compressor, the a/c condenser, the alternator, the tensioner pulley, & the front sway bars amongst other things. None of the repairs were covered by the warranty. The car now has 47,300 miles on it, & I cant wait to trade it in. In my opinion, I think that overall, its a good idea poorly executed, put together with poor quality parts.

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  Things to check - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Golfer - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The experience has been good todate. A few modifications would help this vehicle.

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  Leave it curbside with your garbage! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By nelmania - September 5 - 8:03 pm

  Ive always been wary of buying a Ford and now I know why. Its a mistake I will only make once. Hopefully its not too late for you! I purchased my 03 Focus 2 months ago with 19,000 miles. I have taken it in to the dealership 3 times now due to stalling problems and each time the dealership says there isnt a problem and does NOTHING, not even a courtesy car! My confidence in this vehicle and Ford as a whole is about as low as it gets.

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  2003 Focus ZX3 - 2003 Ford Focus
  By pmh - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I really do like the Focus, but too many problems, and I though 2003 vehicles had been fixed. I have had my car back 5 times having new rotors at 9000 miles, alignment problems, vibrations through through the steering wheel, water leaking in from the windsheild, radio, door latches sticking, exterior trim falling off. Its just not worth it...stay away from this vehicle. Ford does not accept any responsibility for the product!!!

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  Cute but not reliable - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Dr. Jane - June 19 - 8:24 pm

  Replaced brakes at 13,000. Have replaced wheels and had bearings replaced twice. Problems with vibration ever since I bought the car. Worst car for repairs I have ever owned. Bought in 2003, currently 60,000, getting ready to trade in, I am done.

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  Only a hobby car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By gukin - April 24 - 10:40 pm

  The car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it. SVT improved a few things but introduced so many more problems it made an already poor car, the Focus, worse. This car should only be considered as a hobby car. Its abysmal reliability, poor design, and engineering take it out of the realm of a daily driver. Fiddle with it for three weekends, drive it the fourth. This car is in the same category as an exotic Italian vehicle (as long as that vehicle is a Fiat.) It can be a fun car but the flaws, poor design, and engineering blunders render it an extreme source of cost and frustration.