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
387 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 6, 2007
AT 40,000+ MILES MY 2004 NEEDS TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED: COST-$130.25 + TAX AND $94 LABOR. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SERVICE CENTER HAS HAD HIS FORD FOCUS THROTTLE BODY REPLACED 3X WITH 40,000 MILES. I AM TOLD THE PART IS BEING RE-DESIGNED. THE REASON I AM AWARE OF IT IS THAT SOMEONE CALLED IN ON CAR TALK ABOUT THE SAME CONCERN AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT. AT 58 MILES AN HOUR I NOTICE THE HESITATION. THE SERVICE CENTER SEEMS TO HAVE TWO VOICES--ONE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THE OTHER TO LEAVE IT BE UNTIL IT GETS WORSE. IS THIS PART GENERALLY NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THE BRASS AND PLASTIC INTERFACE? HOW DANGEROUS IT IT NOT TO GET THIS ITEM FIXED IMMEDIATELY. IS THE DESIGN FLAWED?THE PART NUMBER TO BE REPLACED IS: 3S4Z 9E926 AC: BODY ASY CARBUR EP. *NM
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
Steering, Dec 12, 2006
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FOCUS A YEAR AGO AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS GOING OUT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED PLACES SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COLD BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS ITEM SOON AT THE COST TO ME OF $250. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SINCE MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY SO MUCH MY HAND HURTS. *NM
Visibility, Dec 4, 2006
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY FORD FOCUS. THEY SLOWLY STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE HOLE UNIT WENT OUT ON MY 2 YEAR OLD CAR. THERE IS SHOWING A RECALL FOR 2003 TO 2005 FORD FOCUS WIPER MOTORS BUT SOME HOW MY CAR IS NOT ON THAT RECALL. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE WIPER MOTOR . THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX... THIS IS WHY WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY FOR THESE CARS. *NM
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
Steering, Nov 8, 2006
DEAR SIR, DURING A NORMAL RIDE THE STEERING WAS BLOCKED-OUT. I WAS CLOSE TO A CRASH. CAR IS A FORD FOCUS C-MAX, AND HAS ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS AROUND 30000 KM (MINE IS 50000 KM) AND FORD RECOMMEND "NOT TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ERROR APPEAR MORE OFTEN". WHEN MY CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM FORD JUST RESET THE COMPUTER AND THEY SAID CAR IS OK NOW. I ASK IF THE PROBLEM WILL APPEAR AGAIN, AND ANSWER WAS "IF IT APPEAR WE WILL CHANGE THE MODULE" . USUAL AFTER SUCH ISSUE YOU HAVE NOT THE SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE IT, AND AFTER CRASH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE ERROR. I HAVE PAPERS PRINTED FROM FORD COMPUTER WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ERROR. *JB
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 $265...*NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 25, 2006
I HAD MY CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR A FUEL PROBLEM WHICH WAS SOLVED BY A COMPUTER UPDATE AND WHILE IT WAS THERE, I HAD THE DEALER DO AN OIL CHANGE. FOR SOME REASON THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THAT MY LEFT FRONT BRAKES WHERE GONE. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND I TOLD THEM TO PUT THE OLD PARTS IN MY CAR. UPON MY OWN INSPECTION OF THE OLD PARTS, 3 OF THE PADS STILL HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF PAD LEFT WHILE THE INNER DRIVER SIDE PAD HAD NOTHING LEFT TO IT. THE DRIVER SIDE ROTOR ALSO HAD SIGNIFICANT WEAR TO IT WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL LOOKED AND FELT FINE. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2006
IGNITION STARTED GETTING HARD TO TURN, EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. LEAVING ME STRANDED OUT OF TOWN. HAD TO SPEND 350$ 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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 6, 2006, crash
FRONT END COLLISION, AIR BAG PUT OUT POWDER AND LIGHT INDICATES DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OCCURRED. MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER FOR CRASH REPAIR I HAVE YET TO HEAR THEIR DETERMINATION REGARDING THE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE FADED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THIS IS THE SECOND BRAKE FADE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY FOUND AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *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.
Suspension, Aug 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT AN UNDISCLOSED FREEWAY SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BECAME WOBBLY. THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL, AND WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO THE RESIDENCE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT JACKED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BROKEN WELD IN THE REAR AND THE TIRE WAS BEING HELD ON WITH THE A-ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND TRANSCEIVER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 26, 2006
AT 15,000 MILE I REPLACED MY REAR BRAKE SHOES AND THEN TWO DAYS AFTER THAT THEY STARTED TO SQUEAL VERY BADLY LIKE THEY WHERE WORN OUT AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALER IN WHICH I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WHO HAD REPLACED THE BRAKES THEY REAPPLIED LUBE TO THE SHOES AND DRUM. THAT WORKED FOR THREE DAYS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN THEY SQUEAL AGAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES AGAIN AT 25,000 MILES AND THEY STILL SQUEAL AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKES WHERE REPLACED THEY WERE DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO MAYBE PURCHASED NEW DRUMS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT ONES BUT I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO DO SUCH A THING ON A CAR THAT IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD. PLEASE HELP. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jul 22, 2006
I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS 18,000 MILES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE REPLACED TWICE; AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, THE THROTTLE BEGINS TO STICK AND IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO APPLY LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDDLE. THE THROTTLE WILL STICK AND AS I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE GAS, THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE FORCE FINALLY OVERCOMES THE THROTTLE STICKING. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS IN COMMUTE STOP/GO TRAFFIC AS I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE SURGE. *NM
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2006
2004 FORD FOCUS. KEY DOES NOT TURN IN IGNITION. STRANDED IN REMOTE AREA. HAD TO WALK AND HITCH-HIKE HOME. FOUND HUDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF SUCH BASIC AND FUNDAMETAL SAFETY/SECURITY EQUIPMENT IS INHERANTLY DANGEROUS. CONSUMERS SHOULD BE WARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *NM
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2006
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I TRIED TO START MY 2004 FORD FOCUS, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER ABOUT 10 TRIES IT FINALLY WORKED. THIS AFTERNOON I WENT TO MY CAR TO PICK UP MY WIFE FROM WORK AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED FOR OVER TWO HOURS AND NO RESULTS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE BUT RATHER THE NORM. EVEN FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FROM THE FORD COMPANY, IN FACT THEY ARE ACTIVELY DENYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *NM