2003 Ford Focus SE from North America - Comments

The fuel economy is horrendous on this car. When I bought it in summer of 08, I was trying to replace my Cadillac Seville with something that had better fuel economy and took regular gas. Every review I read said that the Focus would give me between 30 and 35 mpg. I bought this car and the mileage has been well under expectation from the start: 15-21 mpg.

I brought this to the attention of the dealership. They told me that since it wasn't throwing a code, there was nothing wrong with it. I then called Ford Corporate Canada to get this resolved. They said they would call the dealership to see what could be done and call me back. I waited 2 days and called corporate back. At that time, I was told by a different rep that the dealership had never been called. The new rep made the call.

I was told to bring the car in at my convenience to have them take another look at it. When I took the car in, one of the used car guys changed the air filter and suggested I put in some fuel injector cleaner. Awesome service. None of that worked.

A few weeks later, I went back in a third time and spoke to the service manager stating that the Focus I purchased for the great gas mileage was getting the same gas mileage as my Cadillac and Chevy Blazer. If I'm getting the same mileage, might as well be comfortable and drive a Caddy. To be brief, he told me that if the computer showed no codes, there was no way to figure out what was going wrong. I contacted corporate who told me there was nothing they could do.

The car has not had any mechanical issues per se, however I will not be buying a Ford anything again. I can't see the logic in supporting a car company (American or not) that will not support me and at least try to investigate a problem with a newly purchased vehicle.

I plan on spreading the word about Ford's lack of customer care by selling this car as soon as the weather breaks to someone else who will no doubt complain to Ford as well. If Ford ends up being the only US automaker to survive this recession intact, I will be buying foreign for the rest of my life.

You should have any car with 98000 on it checked by a mechanic before you buy it. Sounds like you have a dishonest dealer there.

Of course checking before buying is best, but no guarantee either.

Still, take your car to an independent mechanic for a full inspection. Maybe something shows up. Ask for estimates on needed repairs.

Also be critical of your driving style. I can't be, because I don't know how you drive.

I feel your pain. I had a Ford Windstar. It spent most of the time in the shop. Before it had 50,000 miles on it, I put over $9000.00 into it. At 90,000 miles it ended up in the junk yard. Ford could care less. They know they made a horrible car and would not back it. Please don't buy a Ford, and let them know they can't sell junk and get away with it. Take care...

I am with you - no Fords for me either.

It is a pity, because with the state of Chrysler & GM, and with Ford being what they are - I guess it will be imports for me.

I agree with the above commentor. I owned a 2003 Windstar that I purchased brand new, and it was in the shop the next week for a faulty alternator. Many other repairs followed (intake manifold twice, starter, alternator again, and numerous electrical problems that Ford never actually fixed) and the total came to $6,300 in total repair costs for an ownership of 3 years. I sold it to a junk dealer at 98,000 miles because the transmission kicked the bucket. Last Ford I'll ever buy.

We've never had ANY problems with any Fords we've ever owned, including several that made over 200,000 miles and one that made 300,000 before being traded (for another Ford of course). We currently own 2 Fords and 2 GM's. None of them has ever required any repairs. The only cars we had repeated problems with were our two Japanese cars. Neither made 100,000 miles.