Ford Focus

Name: 2003 Ford Focus
Brand: Ford

EPA MPG: 28 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 28 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Focus manages to be both logical in its design as well as fun to drive. This European-developed car offers ride comfort and agility on par with respectable sport sedans. Access, rear seat room and trunk space belie the fact that this is a small sedan. Interior quality and pronounced road noise mar this otherwise capable package though.

2003 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Ford Focus

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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2003 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2003 Ford Focus

$2,925 - $4,150

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic

$2,975 - $4,900

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Insight

$3,300

EPA MPG 65 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Accent

$2,850 - $2,925

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Elantra

$2,775 - $3,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Rio

$2,850 - $2,875

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Spectra

$2,725 - $2,750

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mazda Protege

$3,050 - $4,625

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mini Cooper

$3,075 - $3,375

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,850 - $11,050

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Nissan Sentra

$2,950 - $3,200

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Pontiac Vibe

$3,100 - $3,350

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Saturn Ion

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Subaru Impreza

$3,025 - $5,225

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Corolla

$4,050 - $4,325

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Matrix

$3,500 - $4,200

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Prius

$3,400

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

$ NA

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Golf

$3,075 - $4,375

EPA MPG 45 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $4,550

EPA MPG 38 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

wagon

4-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 (110 hp)
2-liter 4 (130 hp)
2-liter 4 (170 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2012-2018

2012 Redesign Year

Model year 2012 brought sporty handling and a nice interior back to the Focus. It also debuted an electric version of the Ford subcompact. Focus Electric has all the underlying qualities of the internal combustion-powered Focus models we love to like; including taut handling, good ride and nicely finished interior. It also provides the many benefits of an electric powertrain. These include silent running, cheap operation and effortless acceleration. Unfortunately, it also shares some of the Focus's basic flaws, including a very cramped back seat and the frustrating MyFord Touch radio controls. Standard safety features include stability control, traction control, and antilock brakes.

2000-2011

2000 Redesign Year

The original Focus was nimble and fun to drive, with quick and communicative steering and a comfortable ride. It had lots of interior room and easy access, but performance and fuel economy were only average. Body styles included a sedan, a roomy wagon, and a hatchback. A sporty, crisp-handling SVT performance-oriented hatchback was offered from 2002 to 2004. Without its optional side airbags, the Focus received a Poor in the IIHS side-crash test, so you'll want to avoid models without them. After the model year 2008 revision, handling isn't as crisp, interior quality dropped off and the cabin got noisier. On the plus side though, a coupe version arrived in 2008.