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-
Poor Quality & Engineering-Ford Cops Out - 2003 Ford Focus
By Cold Mainer - June 3 - 5:30 pmFun car with great gas mileage if driven correctly. I average 34 MPG on the highway at 60 MPH. A major flaw of this vehicle has been the rear suspension. It has too much negative rear camber and not enough toe. This causes wear to the inside edges of the rear tires. This is not adjustable and must be accomplished with the use of aftermarket parts. It cost me $350.00 to get this problem fixed. It has stopped eating tires now and has improved the safety of the vehicle. I have 48,000 miles on my latest set of tires now. This vehicle was very dangerous when operated in snow and wet conditions. It always wanted to spin around before I got the rear end problem fixed. Trunk latch, ignition rp
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Mediocrity at its best! - 2003 Ford Focus
By monkeyfinger - February 22 - 8:21 pmMy 2003 Ford Focus has seen its share of problems: Alternator, Thermostat Housing, AA Solenoid, Fuel Pump, Water Pump, Drive Belt, Timing Belt and Engine Mounts. I Love the compact design however, this causes astronomical labor charges or very difficult self repairs. You actually have to go under the car to change the headlight bulbs. Overall, I like my Focus, but I wish Ford had put more thought into the quality. For example, a thermostat housing that is not made of plastic. If yours has not failed yet, then it soon will. Or a better set of engine mounts. One thing that the focus will do is help you become a great mechanic.
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My Ford Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
By Europop2500 - February 10 - 12:42 pmBought it w/ about 87k on it. 1st thing to replace it was the radio, couldnt read very well w/ the lines through it. Trunk latch doesnt work properly. To close the trunk I have to pull the safety lever in the trunk. It had fairly new tires on it when I bought it, they are already bald 7k miles later. A dome light towards the rear seats would be Nice, @night I cant see a thing back there. I get about 22 mpg all town. It would be Nice to put the rear seats down from the car, not just the trunk. The ignition cyl. Went out, Ford charged $270! Rip off. Only the drivers door has a keyhole and when its colder than 32 degrees the keyhole freezes and u cant get the key in, or turn it. Ive tried many options
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Focus owner - 2003 Ford Focus
By dreed - December 12 - 1:47 amI bought this affordable car brand new and put 86k miles on it. It really is a great, efficient vehicle but I started encountering problems around 60k. miles. Great car but not extremely reliable after 80k miles.
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Great Little Vehicle - 2003 Ford Focus
By Mr. Clean - November 28 - 10:00 amI have had my Focus about a month now and like it better every day. Handling is great - surprisingly comfortable and more room than might be expected from this sharp looking small vehicle. The mileage hasent gotten up yet but I know it will. Planning on a fairly long trip with this car shortly and really looking forward to it.
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Very pleased with my 03 ZTS - 2003 Ford Focus
By relish1t - October 22 - 4:13 amI purposely downgraded from years of full size pickups into a smaller vehicle. From the moment I drove the car home I have thoroughly enjoyed driving this car. Its quick, responsive, easy on the gas AND much easier to park than the pickups. I have not missed them at all, In fact, this car has enough room in it, that it has become my "truck". Ive hauled everything from grass clippings bags, bags of mulch, plants, shrubbery and paving stones to 6 step ladders and not once have I ever had to leave something behind.
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Good car. - 2003 Ford Focus
By dirkaelder - June 16 - 10:00 amI have only driven the car 2000 miles but it has done a good job. The engine is weak but sufficient. Gas mileage drops off drastically at speeds above 65 mph. At 72mph I was getting about 25 miles per gallon. This is only slightly better than my WRX. The car rides great but seems a bit floaty. The handling is excellent. I wouldnt try to many passes on a two lane highway. Overall I am satisfied so far. I was a bit hesitant at first with reading some of the prior recalls and problems with the brakes. This seems to have been resolved.
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4dr Sedan - 2003 Ford Focus
By allee - June 11 - 10:00 amI purchased my car end of June 2003 and so far I love it...I traded in a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta that gave me nothing but problems the day I bought it...I am hoping that my Focus gives me a much happier life... I am alittle hesitant to give my focus a full rating on reliability until I have had it a year or so...then I can give a true rating. But thus far its fun to drive and I am happy at the moment!
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Focus review - 2003 Ford Focus
By domain11 - April 10 - 2:00 amSteering is very hard to contol at low speed with full acceleration. Mechanincal windows hard to crank. Car is fun to drive, has plenty of power, get reasonable milage(28.5)
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Ive had enough of Ford - 2003 Ford Focus
By karen - March 11 - 11:56 amAt first I loved this car, but now.. It eats tires, Ive have 2 solenoids replaced, shocks replaced twice. Fuel Filter, enertia switch replaced and still I find myself at least once a week with a dead car. If I let it sit about 30 min then it starts fine, mechanic cant find the problem but it sure stinks to sit in the daycare or walmart parking lot while I wait the 30 min. Im looking for a new car and I can assure you it will not be a Ford product.
