2004 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 387 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 34 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 34 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
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.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
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."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
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.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
183 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2007
FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND ARE CURRENTLY FILING A REPORT. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE DRIVER SIDE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED OTHER VEHICLES LIKE HIS AND NOTICED A PATTERN OF FIRE RELATED FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE IGNITION LOCKS UP. AS A RESULT, SHE IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, DOORS, START THE VEHICLE, OR OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN ANY CAPACITY. FORD ADVISED HER TO SHAKE THE VEHICLE AND MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. FORD ALSO ADVISED HER HUSBAND TO TAKE A MALLARD AND STRIKE THE IGNITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO RELEASE THE KEY. IF NONE OF THOSE SOLUTIONS WORKED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PART IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HEEDED FORD'S INSTRUCTIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, HOWEVER, THE PLATEAU OF CONCERN IS NOT GREAT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $432 AND THAT THE PART IS DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2007
WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE 2004 FORD FOCUS BEGAN TO STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I AM CURRENTLY ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IF I SPEND A FEW MINUTES MANIPULATING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNING THE KEY.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2007
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2004 FORD FOCUS, 3 YEARS AGO. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT (WE'RE AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES). OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS, WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AND ONCE IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WONT TURN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT TOOK JUST A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND THEN IT TURNED. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, AND HAS TAKEN UP TO 5 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN. EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM AROSE, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THIS TIME IT TOOK 10 MINUTES TO GET TO KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN. THAT SAME NIGHT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A FRIENDS HOUSE, AND AGAIN THE KEY HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO THE IGNITION, AND ONCE IN IT WONT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, AND I'M STUCK. MY HUSBAND HAS ANOTHER KEY TO THE CAR, SO WE TRIED ALTERNATING THE KEYS. WE SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 30 MINUTES, TRYING BOTH KEYS ALTERNATELY, AND THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. WE HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME AND ARE WITHOUT A CAR NOW. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME CAR LAST WEEK, AND IT COST THEM $420 FOR PARTS/REPAIRS. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK WHEN WE CAN AFFORDS THE REPAIRS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR (FORD FOCUS, SEVERAL YEARS/MODELS) SOME OF THEM EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME PART MORE THAN ONE TIME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY PART, AND FORD SHOULD BE CONDUCTING SOME SORT OF RECALL TO FIX THE PART. *TR
Electrical system, May 4, 2007
2004 FORD FOCUS. IGNITION GOT STUCK KEY WON'T TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2007, fire
I PURCHASED A 2004 SVT FOCUS 10/06. IN 12/06, THE COIL PACK WENT BAD, THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. ON 3/9/07 AS I WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE, THE SAME SYMPTOMS HAPPENED TO ME AS THIS PAST DECEMBER, THEN WENT AWAY VERY QUICKLY. I MADE THE DECISION TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE HOME AND CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I NEVER MADE IT HOME. ABOUT A 1/4 MILE FROM MY FRIENDS HOUSE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER VERY VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE COIL PACK THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED WAS GLOWING RED AND SHOOTING SPARKS AND BEGAN TO NOT ONLY CATCH ITSELF ON FIRE, BUT STARTED SETTING ALL THE CABLES AND OTHER THINGS ON FIRE.AT THE SAME TIME THE CLUTCH ALSO EXPLODED AND BLEW THROUGH THE BELLHOUSING. WHICH THERE IS A TSB ISSUED BY FORD ON. ALSO, AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL TRYING TO RUN ALL ON ITS OWN, AND THE KEYS WERE IN MY POCKET. I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT IT WAS NOT DONE BY ANYTHING THAT I WAS DOING OR HAD DONE TO THE VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS 35,900 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SIDE NOTE, AFTER THE WHOLE INCIDENT WITH THE COIL PACK BACK IN DECEMBER, I JUST RECENTLY DECIDED TO PULL UP THE HISTORY ON MY VEHICLE FROM FORD'S DATABASE. IN DECEMBER I WAS BROUGHT INTO THE OFFICE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ALMOST BLAMED FOR ABUSE OF THE COIL BECAUSE IT WAS SO DESTROYED. YET, WHEN I LOOKED UP MY HISTORY IT SAYS THAT ALL THAT WAS REPLACED WAS A CONNECTOR ON THE COIL, NOT THE COIL ITSELF. SO, THE COIL WAS NEVER ACTUALLY REPLACED, BUT I WAS ALMOST BEING BLAMED FOR DESTROYING MY COIL. I AM STILL FIGHTING TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND BEING TREATED VERY POORLY. I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I'M BEING TALKED TO AND TREATED LIKE A 5 YEAR OLD ANYTIME I TRY TO GET ANSWERS. THEY ARE STILL NOT TAKING RESPONSIBLITY FOR THE MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THEIR VEHICLE THAT THEY CLAIMED TO FIX. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2007
YESTERDAY I GOT INTO MY CAR (A 2004 FORD FOCUS), PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE KEY CYLINDER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS, BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THE AFFECTED MODELS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAD TO PAY OVER $200 FOR IT. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2007
THE KEY FOR MY 2004 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON ISN'T WORKING RIGHT. I TURN IT BACK AND FORTH IN THE IGNITION AND IT TAKE 5 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. IT ISN'T ON RECALL BUT SHOULD BE. THERE ARE LOTS OF THE SAME ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 23, 2007
CAR STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE. SENT DAUGHTER TO EMERGENCY ROOM ONE TIME. STALLS 2 DIFFERENT WAYS, WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL HAPPENS. HAS BEEN IN SHOP MANY, MANY TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. STARTED WHEN CAR WAS 7 MONTHS OLD. ALSO, CLUTCH PREMATURELY WENT OUT. HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES. (CAR HAS 26,000 MILES CURRENTLY). ALSO, THERMOSTAT HAS GONE OUT MANY, MANY TIMES- DAUGHTER HAS DRIVEN MOST OF WINTER WITH NO HEAT. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2007
IGNITION LOCK ON 2004 FORD FOCUS FAILED (FROZE UP). THIS IS THE SAME SCENARIO THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR WHICH FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. FORD DID REPAIR THIS UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE TO ME, BUT SINCE THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE CHRONIC, I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE INCIDENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS RECORDED. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2006
ON OCTOBER 26, 2006 AT 8:00 AM I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN IGNITION LOCK AND HE SAID HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD NO TOWING SERVICE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES AWAY, I INSTEAD HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE DOWN THE ROAD. THE GARAGE INSTALLED A NEW LOCK CYLINDER. I WAS LATE FOR WORK AND HAD TO BUM A RIDE TO PICK MY CAR UP AFTER WORK. THE GARAGE CHARGED ME FOR 2 AND 1/2 HOURS OF WORK, THE TOWING AND THE PART, THE TOTAL BEING $308.62. ALL THIS ON A CAR ONLY 2 AND 1/2 YEARS OLD. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING IT TO THEM. I WROTE TO FORD HEADQUARTERS AND THEY AGAIN REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. *NM
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2006
2004 FOCUS BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND BATTERY FAILED. *TS THE FRONT DOOR HAD TO BE ALIGNED AND THE DOOR SEAL WAS REPLACED. THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD TO BE RE-ROUTED DUE TO THE CABLE BINDING. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LENS AND RIGHT SIDE CV AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR UNTIL THE ENGINE REVVED UP PAST 6000 RPM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SERVO PISTONS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPAIRED. THE BATTERY FAILED 5 TIMES. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2006
08/15/06 I PURCHASED USED 2004 FORD FOCUS. 10/24/06 CAR DIES ON ME WHILE DRIVING. IT DIES AND AN "EXCLAMATION POINT" INDICATOR COMES ON IN THE DASH. THIS IS A VERY ABRUPT HALT WHENEVER IT DIES. IT ALMOST FEELS AS THOUGH SOMEONE HITS YOU FROM BEHIND. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY REPLACED THE TR SENSOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 11/06/06 PICKED CAR UP AND ON THE WAY HOME IT DIED ON ME TWICE. TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAY THAT THEY FOUND WIRES THAT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CHEWED BY AN ANIMAL. THEY REPLACED THESE WIRES AND THE CAR HAS NOT DIED AGAIN SINCE. **THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE YOUR CAR JUST DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY 2004 FORD FOCUS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, AND I HAD BOUGHTEN IT USED. IT HAS RUN VERY WELL WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL UP UNTIL RECENTLY. I HAVE GONE TO START MY CAR, AND THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK AND NOT TURN OVER AND THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN FINE. YESTERDAY IT TOOK ME ALMOST 2 HOURS TO TURN THE KEY OVER TO GET MY CAR TO START. TODAY I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION. *NM
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2006
LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2006
IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED TO TURN DURING START UP. KEY WOULD BOTTOM OUT IN CYLINDER AS REQUIRED, BUT UPON ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE IN ANY DIRECTION THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. COULD NOT GET KEY TO ROTATE AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DO SO OVER A 12 HOUR PERIOD. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 2000. THE PARTICULAR FAILED IGNITION CYLINDER INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE LISTED HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES IN THE PAST, BUT EACH TIME RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITHIN MINUTES. NOT THIS TIME. IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE DISASSEMBLY, IE THE CYLINDER LOCK NEEDED TO BE DRILLED AND REPLACED. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2006
I NOTICED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2004 FORD FOCUS THAT IT HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY NOT TURNING THE IGNITION OVER. I RECENTLY WAS STRANDED BECAUSE MY KEY DIDN'T TURN OVER AND I TOOK IT THE SHOP WHO CONFIRMED IT WAS MY IGNITION LOCK THAT FROZE. THE COST $265...*NM
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2006
IGNITION STARTED GETTING HARD TO TURN, EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. LEAVING ME STRANDED OUT OF TOWN. HAD TO SPEND 350$ TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN 9 MONTHS LATER. AND NOW IT'S BEGINNING AGAIN, WHEN I TAKE THE KEY OUT IT KEEPS BEEPING LIKE I HAVEN'T. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2006
2004 FORD FOCUS, NOW 2 YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES. WHEN LEAVING THE STORE TODAY MY KEY WOULD GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WOULD NOT TURN AND MY WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION FACING LEFT. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP COSTING ME $68 AND AN ADDITIONAL $98 FOR FORD TO LOOK AT IT. I AM SURE IT WILL BE CONFIRMED TOMORROW THAT I WILL NEED MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED AS HAVE MANY FOCUS OWNERS. WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $300. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2006
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.. FORTUNATE THAT THE EVENT HAPPENED WHILE AT HOME. I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DETRIMENTAL IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE ON DUTY. FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH, REFUSED TO COVER THE COMPONENT. WHILE THE PLAN CLEARLY STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS COVERED. FORD'S COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $365.00. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2006
I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS LX AND THE IGNITION LOCKED FROZE. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING MY VEHICLE TO START NO MATTER WHAT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT AND IS FAIRLY NEW. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THERE IS EVEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT GOING ON IN CALIFORNIA. FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE. IF MY CAR DOESN'T START IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS, THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND MOST OF THEM SAY THAT THEY HAD TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN A 3 YEAR TIME PERIOD. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THUS FAILING TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 4TH FAILURE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE SEEN FALLING OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE REPAIR SHOP FOR INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STARTER ASSEMBLY CONTINUED TO FAIL, NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO TURN OR RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE LOCKED POSITION. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.