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: service brakes
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Feb 23, 2005
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 6/15/04 WITH 317 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN OVER $1500 WORTH OF FACTORY WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE FROM BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, SENSOR BEING REPLACED ON TRANSMISSION. NOW THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING AT 20 MPH AND STALLING. ON FEBRUARY 16TH, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND WAS JERKING. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME. ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH THE RADIO CAME ON WITHOUT THE KEY BEING PLACED IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE FILED THE LEMON LAW AND SUGGEST OTHERS DO IT AS WELL IF THERE PROBLEMS AREN'T RESOLVED. I WAS TOLD MY CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, BUT DON'T WANT IT BACK. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND AM AFRAID SOMETHING TERRIBLE WILL HAPPEN.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Feb 21, 2005
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 4-04 AT 4800 MILES BRAKES GROVED, DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM; ROTORS CUT & NEW PAD AT 10,000 AND AT 12000 GRINDING IS BACK, ALSO A FLOPPING RUBBING NOISE IN FRONT RIGHT WHICH I THINK IS BECAUSE THE ROTOR WERE CUT TOO FAR AND NOW THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY BETWEEN PADS AND ROTOR, ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LIGHTS, DASH ICONS, DOOR LOCKS GO ON AND OFF EVEN WITHOUT A KEY. GEM MODULE & BATTERY REPLACED BUT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK AND IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, GAS GAUGE ETC. WHILE DRIVING, DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL, DASH OCCASSIONALY FLASHED ON FOR 15 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. AGENCY THINKS IT'S THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BUT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET ONE TO REPLACE IT, WE CAN'T BE SURE. THE COMPUTER WAS KICKING OUT CODES FOR EQUIPMENT THAT ISN'T EVEN ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS NEVER SAW THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 8, 2005
ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK EVERY TIME I WOULD APPLY THEY BRAKES. IT HAS CONTINUTED TO DO SO UP UNTIL EVEN THIS MORNING. THE ROTORS NOW HAVE GROOVES IN THEM ,AND THE BRAKE PADS STILL HAVE WELL OVER 50% OF THE PAD REMAINING. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE OTHER THAN TO SAY "IT MUST BE MOISTURE."*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 21, 2005
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY WITH OUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2005
WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 15, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AN D MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 7, 2004 TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES WOULD MAKE THE NOISE SUBSIDE. AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2004 THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 25, 2004, crash
THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY GO OUT EVERY 3 TO 4,000 MILES. I HIT A TREE WITH THE SIDE OF MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL AT ON POINT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR GIVES NO WARNING WITH THE BRAKES. I TALKED TO FORD ABOUT WHO WAS GOING TO BE LIABLE IF I WRECKED AND SOMEBODY GOT HURT. THEY SAY IT MY PROBLEM. I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY JUST TELL ME I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I FEEL MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD. I ALSO HAVE A 4YEAR OLD THAT I WON'T DARE PUT IN THE CAR. JUST FOR THE FACT THAT THERE MAY NO BRAKES WHEN I STOP. O DO ADMIT IN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES I USED IT FOR BUSINESS. THEY STATED MY JOB WAS THE CAUSE OF IT. BUT I NO LONGER USE THIS CAR FOR MY BUSINESS. AND EVERYTIME I CALL THE FORD HOTLINE ABOUT MY CAR'S BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY JUST ALSO BLAME IT ON MY JOB. I TOLD THEM I NO LONGER DO THE JOB IN THIS CAR. THEY JUST ASSUME I DO. I DO USE MY CAR FOR ERRANDS AND JUST DRIVING AROUND. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 4, 2004
CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2004
VEHICLE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. DRIVER HAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND JAM THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR THEN THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. THE BRAKE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTANT. OWNER SAYS THAT AN ENGINEER FROM THE MANUFACTURER CAME TO TEST THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Service brakes, Air, Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2004, crash
WHILE SLOWING TO ATTEMPT TO STOP, DEPRESSING BRAKE BECAME VERY HARD, AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED MOMENTARILY WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE, TACHOMETER SHOWED INCREASED RPM, CAR MOVED FOWARD FASTER, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS WAS 4TH TIME THIS OCCURRED WITH NEW VEHICLE, WITHIN FIRST 2000 MILES. FIRST THREE TIMES NO COLLISION OCCURRED DUE TO LUCK.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 4, 2004
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 26, 2004, crash
I RENTED A FORD FOCUS 2004 WITH JUST UNDER 12,000 MILES IN SAN FRANCISCO FROM FOX RENT A CAR. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISES WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR DOWN LOMBARD STREET THE CAR SMELLED LIKE BURNING WIRES BUT AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT SURE IF THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM OUR CAR OR ANOTHER ACR. TWO DAYS LATER I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND EXITED, DROVE ON THE SERVICE RAOD GOING NOW ABOUT 25MILES/ HOUR THEN AS I CAME TO THE OTHER CARS I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE BUT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS AND STILL THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. I THEN PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON THE BRAKE AND STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN GENTLY ROLLED INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. FOX RENT A CAR STADED IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSABLE FOR A NEWER CAR TO HAVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. I THEN CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO STATED "FORD HAS NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES." LATER I SEARCHED ON GOOGLE AND FOUND I WAS NOT ALONE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2004
I BROUGHT CAR BRAND NEW FROM FORD IN MARCH 2004. SINCE THEN THE BRAKES, AND CALIPERS, ROTORS HAVE SQUEALED HORRIBLY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES HAD NUMEROUS PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC OUTSIDE FORD WHO TOLD ME THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND GLAZED. THIS CAR IS ONLY3 MONTHS OLD. THEY ARE AT A .8 AND SHOULD BE 1 INCH. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE NVER BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH ME.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKES ARE BEING DEPRESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY TO THE LEFT FLOWING A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE VEHICLE AND REPLACE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS. *LA