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 31 through 40 of 353.00

• 

  Swaying Impressions - 2003 Ford Focus
  By WrstPirateever - August 10 - 8:28 pm

  For a 2 door, this thing is fun to drive. Pretty good acceleration, and plenty of trunk space once the back seat is folded down. I couldnt believe it when I fit my new 42 inch TV in there and noone else could either! The back seat is useless for passengers unless they have no legs. Very tight quarters back there. Now for the bad. Ive never had so much trouble with traction especially on wet roads. I also have less than 60,000 miles and Ive already had to have a brand new transmission put in (luckily covered under warranty) and new tie rod ends. Now Im having issues with what I believe is the air intake control. Finally, this thing eats through tires like crazy

• 

  A great car for the money - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Anonymous - August 8 - 11:36 am

  I love my Ford Focus! The brakes do squeal, which Ive heard many times is normal in a Focus. Had them replaced at about 15,000 miles, and havent been a problem since then. Also, had a problem with the tie-rod, as well as a rough idle. But, once these problems were fixed, the car has been great! I drive my wifes Toyota Camry too, and my car is so much nicer! Its at the just right comfort level, so I dont fall asleep on long road trips. Also, it speeds up nicely. Has a couple dings, but I love my car, and will run it into the ground. Bought it new, and been driving it for 5 years now. I love the fact that I get 5 more mpg on highways than my wife, so we regularly take my car to Washington

• 

  2.3 PZEV ZX3 Focus 5 speed - 2003 Ford Focus
  By shopwrd - June 8 - 10:36 pm

  This car has been great. 63,000 miles (owned since new) and the engine has yet to sputter with hesitation. Average low 30s mpg and the highest Ive got so far is 41mpg from San Diego to San Jose. More than adequate power and it has never had one problem!

• 

  One year later. - 2003 Ford Focus
  By gukin - May 12 - 1:20 pm

  Its been a year since my SVT spent nearly 30 days in the shop getting virtually everything fixed; the dealer made good on finishing what Ford started. Ive had a lot of Fords and theyve all started off a basket case but with a lot of work & patience a Ford can be a decent car. If you can get past the depreciation & initial quality problems, the true nature of what the SVT guys were trying to do comes out. The SVTF is THE best equipped mini-sport car available below $30,000. Theyre comfortable, ride nice and are very competent. Theyre NOT drag cars, but still fast enough to be fun.

• 

  Good First Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Equinox - May 5 - 4:50 pm

  Bought it with 48,000 miles on it. Apart from regular oil changes and one bad heater coil ($100) it has run quite well. Fun to drive in summer but need to be careful in winter.

• 

  The Ambiguous Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Zetec - May 4 - 9:24 pm

  I loved this car from the start and began to modify it. Lowered racing suspension and rims with high qaulity tires made it handle great, best car I ever had, good power but not great, its not really a sports car after all. Replaced front wheel bearings at 60k after some vibration. After that at 72k i turned on the AC and the blower motor caught fire under the dash and burned the interior pretty badly before it was put out, as I was driving it was considered a car accident not a auto fire and I wasnt covered, total loss. I am however getting a new Focus. Ill roll down the windows

• 

  Exceeds expectations - 2003 Ford Focus
  By P K - April 17 - 11:11 pm

  Bought this car at 1 yr/8k thinking I would sell it in a year or two. But it has been a great car for four years and now 50k miles. It has been reliable and drives pretty sporty for 130 hp. The premium stereo is amazing for a factory model. The interior is larger than you would expect for a car this size when the rear seat is down. I have only two gripes. The brakes have always been squeaky and the gas mileage of the automatic is not as good as you would expect from a small car. Small complaints compared to the value of this car. I have been very happy with this car.

• 

  Tires - 2003 Ford Focus
  By crap - April 8 - 10:40 pm

  This car gets great gas mileage but has cost me a fortune in tires. I bought the ZTW focus 2.0l 5sp wagon new and it no has 88,000 mi on it. I get no more than 15,000 mi out of a set of 15" tires whether cheap or expensive (back have gotten as little a 10K). Called Ford up they said "never heard of that before" but yet supplies my dealer w/ alignment kits to try and cure. Struts blew at 10k . On 3rd set of rear seat belts. Rear latch changed under recall- new latch worse-latch sometimes opens when hit bump-things fall out. Can no longer read LCD #s on blaupunct radio. Dashboard different color than rest of plastics. ps pump leak at 30k.

• 

  Great Value - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Penny Lane - March 17 - 10:50 pm

  I am a private investigator and I use my vehicle for work. I drive around 30k miles per year so fuel economy and durability are important to me. So far I have 65k miles on the vehicle and it has never been in for repair since the first month I owned it. That issue turned out to be a faulty spark plug. Sometimes I need to drive in alleyways or other rough terrain. I admit I do abuse this poor vehicle but it has taken it all and still is ready to go every morning. I recommend this car for young drivers or anyone needing cheap reliable transport.

• 

  Too Few Made For Ford To Care - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Sloopy98 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  With only 4800 made for the US, Ford does not want to invest in fixing an idle problem common to many SVTs. Lots of little problems - stalling, poor low-end torque, fog lamp with condensation, loose plastic buzzing in engine compartment, backfires on deceleration.