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2003 Ford Focus Lights Problems

11 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

11
Complaints
4
Recalls
Jan 2004Dec 2012
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Lights Recalls (4)

RECALLCampaign #09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

RECALLCampaign #08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

RECALLCampaign #09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

RECALLCampaign #06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Owner Complaints (11)

highEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2017

Your headlight bulb overheated and melted the plastic housing around it due to poor design, which means the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced rather than just the bulb. This happened because the bulb gets too hot in its current location.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11043991
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2017

THE BACK DOOR LOCKS ON THIS CAR DO NOT WORK. THEY SAY A LUBRICANT WAS USED TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUE, HOWEVER, IF THAT WAS THE FIX, IT DID NOT WORK AND THE LOCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THAT FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS IS INSANE TO ME, AS DOOR LOCKS SHOULD NOT JUST GO LIKE THAT. THE "FIX" WAS NOT A FIX AT ALL. ALSO, THE LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE HORRIBLE. IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT IN AN UNLIT AREA. THERE IS NO VISIBILITY. I WAS TOLD ONCE A RECALL WAS PERFORMED IT WAS THEN DONE, HOWEVER, I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LOCK WAS TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY, THEREFORE, I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS. I HAVE APPLIED THE LUBRICANT AS THEY INSTRUCTED TO THE DOORS AND THIS DOES NOTHING. NEITHER DOOR WILL STAY CLOSED & OPENS IF DRIVEN.WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. WE WERE VERY LUCKY WE WERE IN A 25 MPH ZONE AND WERE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER. THE DOORS HAVE TO BE CORDED SHUT UNTIL A LOCK IS INSTALLED. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO CARRY THE BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY SAY A LUBRICANT CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS MY OPINION THE LOCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED DURING THE RECALL, NOT JUST SPRAYED WITH A LUBRICANT. I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT FORD SAYING THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED IS FAR FROM INCORRECT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THIS RIGHT. AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND ONCE A RECALL IS COMPLETED IT IS CLOSED, HOWEVER, I FEEL YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO FORD HAVING NOT REALLY COMPLETED THIS RECALL, AS THE ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED. ALL THEY DID WAS PUT A TEMPORARY BAND-AID ON IT AND DID NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY.WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS FORD TOOK THE CHEAPEST WAY OUT AT THE TIME AND DID NOT TRULY FIX THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT TAKE THEIR FULL RESPONSIBILITY. DOORS THAT WERE RECALLED AND ARE NOT WORKING WERE NOT FIXED.I HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH FORD WITH NO SOLUTION

NHTSA #: 11020509
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2014

REAR CENTER MOUNTED STOP LIGHT FAILED AND THE TRUNK LATCH MECHANISM WOULD OPERATE WHILE DRIVING. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE WIRING HARNESS HAS FAILED AT THE TRUNK LID JUNCTION. WIRES ARE SHORTING TOGETHER CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10604894
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE TAIL GATE MECHANISM WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA #: 10487441
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2010

BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE BULB SOCKET AND THE LIGHT HOUSING. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AND HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THE VEHICLE'S CHARGING SYSTEM IS PUTTING OUT ABOUT 15.5 VOLTS TO EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL HE ALSO SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CABIN FILLS WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER ALSO AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS IS NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10367954
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2010

2003 FORD FOCUS SE 4 DOOR SEDAN -- RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL SOCKET HAS MELTED TO TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHERE IT CANNOT BE REMOVED. BOTH TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND SOCKET HAVE TO BE REPLACED. LEFT REAR APPEARS TO BE DAMAGED ALSO, BUT BULB IS NOT OUT YET. IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD? IT DOES CREATE A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S TAKEN MY GARAGE AND THE FORD DEALER 3 WEEKS TO FIND THE CORRECT SOCKET TO FIT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10335772
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2007

2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON, TAIL LIGHTS MELTED BOTH SIDES WHERE YOU REPLACE THE BULB, CANNOT REPLACE THE BRAKE, RUNNING, TURN, BULB BECAUSE YOU CANNOT PULL THE BULB HOUSING OUT OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. FORD SERVICE DEPT. SAID TO LONG ON THE BRAKE PEDAL $160 EA. *JB

NHTSA #: 10203707
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOR FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 38,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. BUT, WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE AT DEALER FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLE MELTED, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. *AK

NHTSA #: 10186572
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2006

AFTER DRIVING MY 2003 FORD FOCUS 5XW (5 DOOR HATCHBACK) THOUGH HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED ONE HEAD LIGHT AND ONE FOG LIGHT WAS OUT. AFTER INVESTIGATION TO THE CAUSE. MY FOG LIGHT HAD JUST NORMALLY BURNED OUT. BUT THE HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHILE REPLACING THE BULB NOTICED ALL THREE NYLON CONNECTOR COVERS FOR EACH OF THE THREE WIRES HAD MELTED? CHANGING THE LIGHTS AS A SET THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT? WITH THE REPLACEMENT BULBS NOW INSTALLED THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL DOES NOT LIGHT , ONLY THE PASSENGERS. THERE IS NO POWER COMING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT FOR NORMAL MODE. IT WILL ONLY LIGHT WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. AS TO THE MELTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COVERS I'M SURE THAT IS NOT NORMAL OPERATION.? I AM STILL INVESTIGATING WHERE THE POWER LOSS IS COMING FROM AND WHY THE INSULATION ON THE CONNECTORS OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS MELTED AWAY? FYI

NHTSA #: 10172506
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR RUNNING THE BRAKES LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA #: 10096785
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2004

HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10054011

Other 2003 Ford Focus Issues