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 21 through 30 of 353.00

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  Good ride for the $$$ - 2003 Ford Focus
  By VS - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2.3L 5SPD ZX5 for about 3 months now. Overall its a VERY well equiped car for the money with Fords rebates ($3K.) One of the very few 5 doors hatchbacks on the market it offers a lot of cargo space with the back seats (which fold virtually flat) down. One major gripe is the drivers seat. Dont know who designed it but the shape is HORRIBLE. Im average hight and build and cannot make it comfortable... tried all possible adjustments.

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  Horrible Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By nellaru15 - January 13 - 11:22 pm

  Bought this car with just under 15,000 miles at about 20,000 the problems began. Gone through 2 sets of tires, 4 wheel bearings, sway bar links, 2 alignments, many wheel balancing and still shakes all the time. Just going through a brake light problem-cant figure out what it is, not bulbs fuses or brake light switch. Not to mention the interior lights and headlights flicker all the time. If under 20 degrees outside the headlights go out when turning down from high beam. Radio screen has lines going through it so you can barely read it sometimes, and occasinally turns itself up and down, and mute button works on occasion. Doors very hard to open. Horrible car at least this years model.will never buy a Ford again. Very dangerous car. Wouldnt recomend to anyone.

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  not the best car...... - 2003 Ford Focus
  By designgrl - December 9 - 2:00 am

  bought this car 5 months ago, has been in the shop 4 times, and will be back again next week! electrical problem, brake problem at 400 miles(!), the windshield motor was broken when i drove it off the lot, a strange ticking noise in the dash that they cant seem to fix, and a defective tire that they wont replace- 1 tire badly damaged after only 6k for no reason (no curbs, potholes). also, during 1 repair, dealer broke my transmission dipstick while trying to force in, will not replace!

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  2003 Competition Orange SVT 2 door hatch - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Marc Ceniceros - November 25 - 6:53 am

  Love the Comp. Orange color, always the only 1 in a parking lot. The car is about balance. Adequate acceleration, good grip, excellent handling, fantastic brakes. I dont trust my Ford dealer so have not had the clutch knocking fixed but it continues to function otherwise so Ill wait to repair it. Euro package brings nice accessories, but body treatment adds useless weight to a car already weak on torque. Id trade 15/20 Bhp for 5/10 more lbs./ft. Base car weighs less than SVT! Wrong. Im 70" tall and my hair rubs the sunroof. Wish it had 16" wheels for improved ride/comfort without diminishing the turn in. 45 series rubber is ridiculous off track. Car is noisy on many surfaces.

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  Took the crash well - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Tom - November 13 - 6:16 am

  My wife bought this car new. In the time she had it there was very little maintenance done on it. Had to replace a tail light that had melted to the plastic holder. Had to drill the old one out. Car ran smooth. A couple of weeks ago another driver pulled out in front of her and my wife and 9 month baby hit them head on at over 45 MPH. The good news is they both walked away. Minor injuries. Insurance did not give is much money for it but they car crumbled and not my family. Other problems with the car was the radio stopped working but could not be turned off. It just blinked, and the tailgate release button was not working had to use the keypad.

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  Go slow to enjoy!! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Big "L" - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my ZTW and took a small trip across the state. The cars handles well but the noise level at highway speed is terrible, I had to constantly raise the volume of the radio in order to hear it. At city driving speeds its more tolerable.On my first tank of gas which was this trip I got 24.9mpg mostly 65-80 mph. I was hoping for better gas mileage, since Ford Web site says 26-36. Sticker says 25-30, who is lying??One good thing is that I got it for an out the door price of $14,300.00 Maybe because it was 8-31-2003 ?? Save thousands compared to Matrix-Vibe (less trunk).

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  2003 Focus ZTW - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Roger - October 12 - 5:53 pm

  I now have 135000 miles on this car. I have owned it from new. Only problem is that it wears out a lot of tires. Doesnt seem to help to align and rotate. last set of tires lasted 20,000 miles. Perhaps because they are the low profile 16 inch. Otherwise car uses no oil, averages 23mpg combined city and highway.

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  Fun Little Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By James - September 27 - 5:06 pm

  I bought this car because I was traveling long distance to work, at first 120 miles on way now about 60. The gas mileage is good. I avergave about 30 mpg. I have really enjoyed having it. No major problems. I did have to replace the ignition switch once and the engine light stays on, Im told its because of where I buy my gas. I just find this a fun little car. My entire family enjoys the car. It goes good in the snow and wet roads as long as I take it nice and easy. Ford must have done something right with this one because I see lots of them on the road.

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  Focus Review - 2003 Ford Focus
  By joao - August 20 - 2:00 am

  The Focus ZX5 is an excellent inexpensive alternative to large or fuel inneficient vehicles. The focus is ergonomically built from the ground up, leaving you with a positive "big-car- like" sensation all around. Ford credit was able to offer a cahs back incentive with ZERO down. Great job!

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  Great Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By 2112Rush - August 15 - 5:33 pm

  This Focus has been the most reliable and fun car that we have had so far. Its is great with gas. Only big problem that weve had with it is something with the timing belts. But overall it has been a great car, very, very reliable. And the price isnt bad either.