2003 Ford Focus consumer reviews

I bought this car in 2004 with only 1,000. It now has 225,000 and 8 years later. The car still run as good as when I drove it off the dealer ship. I've only done regular maintenance. I would buy the car again. The gas mileage averaged about 31 which is not bad for how I drive.

I haven't owned this car long enough yet to say much about its reliability - it's not even due for its first oil change - but it's treated me well so far. First and foremost, it has good fuel economy for a station wagon. We usually get 27MPG in city driving, beating the EPA's rating of 24, and our experience on the highway more or less matches their estimate of 30MPG. Some interior features aren't the highest quality, like the sun shades that stick in 2-4 set positions and the center armrest/storage compartment that falls open if tilted up, but so far I have only minor complaints. One thing to watch out for, though: The driver's headrest is positioned such that it's really hard to look over your shoulder when changing lanes. It's best to adjust your mirrors to cover as much of your blind spot as possible. There isn't much legroom in back, but it's roomy enough for two adults in front, two kids in back, and a dog in the cargo area (with room for luggage). The front seats also have a wide adjustment range, so you can create legroom in back (at the expense of the front). It looks like it would be really hard to replace about anything under the hood (the alternator is tucked away beneath the power steering fluid reservoir and the engine coolant reservoir, for example), but fortunately I haven't had to do anything like that yet.

Bought this 2003 Ford focus z-x5 used with 117 k onit. Now it has 172000 on it . The only thing i have replaced is tires and brakes. Most other cars have tierods ball-joints replaced by now nd I drive on some rough roads in Lancaster ohio.

I bought this car to drive back and forth to work and school. So I wasn't out for all the luxury. Its been a reliable little runner to go back and forth. Its a very smooth ride it has the performance I'm not used to in a little four cylinder.

The cobalt I owned. It's smooth driving and has almost no blind spots. I love the hatchback, and its got pretty good gas milage. I would recommend this car to anyone of any age.

I have owned this one for 4 years. 25-28 MPG. Rides smoothly and takes my mountain curves well at speeds up to 45 -50 MPH ( I'm a mountain boy and know how to "iron out" curves). I am 69 years old and have owned MANY cars. Read this and heed if you are young and inexperienced. This particular, smaller-sized Ford can't be beat.

I've owned my 2003 Ford Focus ZX3-5 speed manual since July of 2003. For being a lower priced vehicle I couldn't have asked for a better more reliable vehicle. I've only had two problems over the last, almost, 8 years. The first full summer I owned the vehicle the A/C went out, but was covered under warranty-no hassles. Recently I had to replace the alternator, otherwise besides routine maintenace it has been a fantastic reliable vehicle I couldn't be happier. When I bought the vehicle I was just going to college. The storage in the back of the vehicle is amazing for the size of this vehicle. I am just starting to look for a new vehicle as I would like a SUV/Crossover with 4 wheel drive. The focus handled really well especially for Wisonsin winters.

I've had my focus for almost eight years now and it's been great. I like the exterior styling and the room inside. With the 2.3 L engine it moves pretty well. It's not as quiet as I would like inside and I had to have a bit of transmission work done, but the warranty covered that problem.

We bought our 2003 ford focus, when our children were beginning to "leave the nest" we downsized for gas mileage, but we like to camp, canoe xc ski and have a large hunting dog-90 pounds. The focus ztw seemed the ticket, about 1/3 of what the passat wagons were going for, and at least half of the toyotas and no wagons there. Honda had them but finding auto trans were difficult-that's a different section. I have appreciated the safety of the focus, with a decent pair of all season radials, I put a ton of prairie winter driving, no ditches and no accidents. In Duluth, where I live now, I switched to some quality winter tires, and have made it up hills with snow that make flatlanders pale on bright sunny days. Gas mileage is ok, but nothing to skip rope for. roomy it's not, but it works, we get 4 people, there stuff for multiple days, and the dog. The roof rack extends the cargo capacity, but that tends effect the gas mileage, and we no longer use our rear mount bike rack as we've been advised that it really messes with the alignment. It passes, well, the factory radio has a great antenna, important in rural mn. But the cd player has been glitchy since we've had it. Now we can reliably open the 2 front doors, and the hatch, 2 rear doors must be opened from inside. We've replaced the rack and pinion, brakes at least 2x, the ignition switch 2x, the rear defrost doesn't work and it's also been fixed 2x. Fuel injection system, because you can't just replace the sending unit, you have replace everything-thanks ford! so for a car with no payment it costs to keep it running. Not happy about that.

I bought this car used from my mother with 276K and she used it for work. She traveled back and forth from Chicago to Beecher. Everyday for 5 years. never gave up a fight. although things came apart in side the car like the glove box breaking and falling off. My car has almost 320 thousand miles on it and still going strong. I still cant believe it. I For a car that i only had to pay 500 For its paying for itself and i love how the stereo rattles when you turn up the volume to loud. Lets me know that my car has seen better days. But its a good car i'll drive it into the ground then ill fix it to drive it another 100k.