2003 Ford Focus SE 2.3 l4

Summary:

Money pit?

Faults:

At 2500 miles, the car started to stall right after it was started. Sometimes, it takes about 3 minutes to get it to fire. Dealer can't find any code in the computer, so they won't fix it.

AT 4000 miles, the heating system had to be replaced. (it leaked water inside the heat box) When I would start it in the winter and turn on the heat, water would blow into the car and immediately freeze everything!!!

At 6250 miles, the driver side wiper started skipping across the windshield. First, the dealer adjusted the wiper arm. Then about 2 days later it happened again. Took it back and they replaced the blade. At 10,500 miles and 5 trips back to the dealer it is still skipping across the windshield!!!

The car has been out of alignment since the first week. Pulls hard left. Dealer can't find any problem.

The blaupunkt radio always has static in all the radio stations. I can't get a clear signal from anywhere.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable and I love to drive it. But I don't know if I can live with the constant problems it is giving me!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th May, 2004

21st Jun 2004, 19:52

Your problems are EXACTLY why I've become very shy of the North American manufacturers. Too bad their attitude is "What's gone wrong is your fault".

Contrast that with the Nissan / Toyota / Honda approach: "There is a problem with this car, let's fix it."

There's some interesting new North American product out there, but the same old dealers with the same old attitudes are delivering it.

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2003 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0 Zetec

Summary:

This car is a love and hate battle, don't buy it unless you can stand headaches

Faults:

So far the fuel gauge has quit a few times and had to have parts replaced under warranty.

The engine doesn't always like to start and will stall out.

I had the radio replaced.

And now, the worst of all, Ford found a problem with the alignment, but we don't know which wheel it is because the clowns rotated the tires without inspecting the tires first.

General Comments:

I overall love the car. I enjoy driving it, I love the way it looks and I enjoy the roominess and cargo space.

But the problems make me hate the car.

Ford won't even fix the alignment problem because I've driven it over 12,000 miles now. So, my bumper-to-bumper warranty hopped over my suspension and I will have to deal with it.

Maybe I'll get the Better Business Bureau to help me out if possible because I've bought a lemon before and I'll be darned if I'm gonna buy another one.

I hate the customer service of the Ford place I go to because I'm just getting the run-around instead of help.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th March, 2004

23rd Sep 2004, 08:14

I love your comments about the focus. I also have a 2003 zx3 with a lot of problems that are constantly repeating themselves. Stalling and sputtering is the biggest problem for me. The ford dealership cannot seem to find the problem, but your right it is a love hate relationship. I love the car. I am getting to like the loaner mustang that I have had for the last 2 weeks. Stick with it if you like the car enough you can get all the bugs worked out before the 100,000 power train warranty runs out.

30th Oct 2004, 02:11

100,000 power train warranty? I just got the junk 3 year or 37,000 mile warranty. I didn't know I could have gotten anything better. I practically live in my car. I drive 50 miles per day because I work 26 miles out of town.

I have had my car for 1 year and 5 months on NOV. 2nd of 2004. I bought it new with only 34 miles on it. I now have over 28,800 miles. I think I'm going to try another few dealers to see if they can stop the shuddering at stops, stalling and long starts before my warranty is up.

20th Feb 2005, 07:36

Many ZX3's are made in Mexico, might explain quality issues with this particular model. Other Focus models are made in the U.S. To tell them apart, look at the first number of the VIN--- if the 1st number is 1, it is built in the U.S., if the 1st number is 3, it is made in Mexico.