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 71 through 80 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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  Extreme Fun! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Stryford - January 21 - 2:00 am

  My ZTS is amazingly fun to drive! Ive owned several cars over the years, but the Focus is the best handling car Ive ever owned. It handles as well, or better, than many European cars. For a small car, the interior is very roomy and comfortable. The seat height adjustment with the tilt and telescoping steering wheel really makes finding the right seating position easy. I would definitely recommend a Focus if you want a small, dependable, great handling car. I have test driven a Dodge Neon, a Honda Civic, and a Mazda Protege, and only the Mazda comes close to the complete small car package of the Ford Focus. As if you couldnt tell, I love my car!

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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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  Ford is a good car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Artemenko Aleksandr - January 1 - 2:00 am

  When I saw this vehicle I knew that Im going to get it. Than I went to dealers to find one. I found a good deal in Ford of Montebello. Its a really beautfull and nice car. Its smooth,fast,nice looking vehicle. I love it. It was a good experience!!! thank u Ford.

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  Love my car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By chuckangerstein - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I have only had one problem with my Ford Focus ZX3, the check engine light stays on, Ive had it fixed multiple times and it just comes right back on. Other than that its been great. Ive driven it all over California. It handled the curves and turns on narrow Highway 1 like a $30,000 sports car and it can haul so much stuff its amazing. Its the perfect blend of utility and fun for me.

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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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  Fab Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By chekmarc - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value for the money. Solid construction, well equipped as standard and very comfortable for a small car. I purchased several options because I spend a lot of time in my car (heated seats/mirrors, spoiler, leather, 6-disc in-dash CD, low- profile tires, power moon roof). It was worth it. I also like the european styling. The ZTS/ZTW has plenty of power with the 2.0 litre. Next model year available with 2.3 litre, even better.

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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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  So far so good - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Yemats - November 8 - 11:10 am

  This car performs better than I expected for the cost. The mileage is somewhat disappointing with the automatic -- only about 25, mostly highway. It has plenty of power and handles great, very smooth and quiet. The only problem I have experienced is a malfunctioning hatch release.