Head to head · 2000 Ford Focus vs 2003 Ford Focus

2000 Focus vs 2003 Focus

These records post indexes of 9.8 and 9.2. They share 4 usable evidence dimensions, but their relative index gap does not clear the 15 percent verdict rule. MotorCensus publishes no winner for this pair.

2000
P98 of cohort
Ford Focus · compact-sedan-1998-2002
9.8 ±0
Complaint records3,686
Median mileage at the reported problem61,313 mi
Largest component groupElectrical
Distinct narratives3,657
vs
2003
P92 of cohort
Ford Focus · compact-sedan-2001-2005
9.2
Complaint records977
Median mileage at the reported problem56,000 mi
Largest component groupElectrical
Distinct narratives974
0.6
Index points between the two records
2,709
Difference in complaint reports on file
4
Shared evidence dimensions
No call
Margin under the 15 percent verdict rule

The verdict · shared-evidence rule · Methodology

Too close to call

No published verdict for this pair: signal difference under 15 percent. These records clear the shared-dimension gate, but their relative signal-index gap stays below the verdict threshold.

Read the verdict rule

A comparison requires at least two shared usable evidence dimensions. For eligible pairs, the verdict applies a 15 percent threshold to the relative gap between the two complaint-signal indexes. It is not a mechanical failure rate or a complete reliability measure. Metrics below a sample gate show no value rather than an estimate.

Component groups · share of each record

Where each file concentrates

Failure files
2000 Ford Focus · 3,686 complaint reports2003 Ford Focus · 977 complaint reports
Electrical
27%
44%
Engine
10%
6%
Brakes
10%
6%
Fuel system
9%
0%
Latches
0%
7%
Steering
0%
6%

Bars use a 0 to 50 percent share scale. Shares are of each record's own classified reports, so the smaller file's percentages sit on fewer reports. A zero bar means the group does not appear in that record's published distribution.

From the records · loudest cluster on each file

What owners report most

How clusters are built
Stalling or shutdown · 591 reports

Reports describe the vehicle stalling or shutting off while driving

2000 Ford FocusTop cluster of 6
Steering effort · 106 reports

Reports describe steering effort or control concerns

2003 Ford FocusTop cluster of 6

Cluster summaries paraphrase recurring symptoms reported to NHTSA. They are aggregate descriptions, not individual verbatim reports.

Records through 2026-07-19Updated 2026-07-19

731 published model-years · free · no login

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Browse NHTSA complaint-signal records with visible sample sizes, intervals, and limitations. The current data snapshot is dated 2026-07-19.

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