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.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2004
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAN'T START CAR. HAD TO TAKE A HAMMER AND POUND KEY TO GET STARTED, AS A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TOLD ME ALL THESE FORD FOCUSS ARE DOING THIS. *AK
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2004
WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION FAILED TO START UP THE VEHICLE, AND THE KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *AK
Steering, Sep 28, 2004
VEHICLE WAS NOT NOT PERFORMING ADEQUATELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE, VEHICLE CHANGED LANES ON ITS ON. THE DEALER STATED NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GUARANTEED TO START. SOMETIMES THE CONSUMER HAS TO TURN THE KEY 10 TIMES. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION IS SLOW THEN FAST THEN MUTED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE RIGHT AND LOOSES POWER. THE VEHICLES STEERING IS VAQUE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGES LANES WITHOUT THE CONSUMER STEERING THE VEHICLE IN THAT DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON TWICE AND THE DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2004, crash, fire
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB AT THE TIME OF IMPACT THE ENGINE STALLED, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO PAY FOR THE EXPENSES. *TC *JB
Structure, Sep 20, 2004
THE REAR DOORS ARE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. THEY SOMETIMES JAM AND WILL NOT OPEN, AND THEN THERE ARE TIMES THE WON'T SHUT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING THAT DOOR WILL JUST OPEN ON IT OWN.*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.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2004
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER.*AK
Air bags, Sep 11, 2004, crash
MY HUSBANDAND I AND TWO OTHER RIENDS WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND T-BONED A SMALL CAR BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO STOP. EVERYONE SUSTAINED VERY BAD SEAT BELT INJURIES. I WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY FACE BUT DID NOT SUSTAIN BAD INJURIES FROM IT AND THE WIELDSHIELD DIDNT BREAK. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!!!! I WOULD'NT HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD IF THEY DID. THE ONLY SELLING POINT OF WHICH I BOUGHT THE SMALL CAR FOR MY THREE CHILDREN AND I. I AM AFRAID TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 3, 2004
BOTH REAR DOORS INTERMITTENTLY OPENED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Visibility, Aug 27, 2004
REAR WINDOW DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS WITHOUT BEING STROKE BY AN OBJECT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE STRESS CRACKS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A DEFECT, BUT THE MANUFACTURE FAILED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW UNDER WARRANTY. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Air bags, Aug 24, 2004
DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT ROUND LANE MARKER AT ABOUT 40 MPH.*AK
Air bags, Aug 23, 2004, crash
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A PEDESTRIAN WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TO AVOID HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
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
Structure, Aug 4, 2004
THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AFTER BEING PUSHED IN GETTING HOT POPPED OUT OF THE HOLDER AND LANDED EITHER ON THE OCCUPANT'S LAP OR ON THE CARPETING. WHEN THIS WAS SHOWN TO THE RENTAL COMPANY, AND A DEMONSTRATION WAS DONE, THE LIGHTER BURNED THE REPRESENTATIVE'S LEGS. THIS WAS A BUDGET RENTAL VEHICLE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2004
VEHICLE HAS STALLED / SPUTTERED WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING.*MR THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THEY SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT WAS WRONG. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, CLEANED OUT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER AND HAVE NOW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2004
LOCK CYLINDER WILL NOT OPERATE TO START CAR. KEY WILL NOT TURN. I PURCHASED CAR USED WITH 24161 MILES AS USED WITH BALANCE OF NEW CAR WARRENTEY. FIRST HAPPENED AT 30810 MILES , 35500 MILES,40211 MILES, AND AT 42152 MILES. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *JB
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
Interior lighting, Jun 22, 2004
THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. *AK *NM
Air bags, Jun 18, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH A DEER. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.*AK
Suspension, Jun 16, 2004
WHEN THE CAR HAD ~ 3000 MILES ON IT, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHIMMY LIKE IT HAD MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES. WE PULLED OFF AND LOOKED FOR PROBLEMS BUT THE TIRES WERE FINE AND NOTHING WAS OBVIOUS. WHEN WE BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND FEATHERING ON ALL TIRES AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND REBALANCED THEM. ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A LOUD BANG SOUNDED IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND IT AGAIN BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHIMMY. AGAIN AFTER GETTING OFF THE ROAD AND LOOKING IT OVER, THE CAR SEEMED OK. WE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND REBALANCED THE FRONT TIRES. ABOUT 2000 MILES LATER AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE LOUD BANG AND VIBRATION RE-OCCURRED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE CAR ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL, SLIDING AND FEELING LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER. WE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY DID NO WORK AND SAID THERE WAS NOT AN IDENTIFIABLE PROBLEM WITH IT. WE INFORMED FORD MOTOR OF THE PROBLEMS AND ARE WORKING WITH A LAWYER ON A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AS THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.*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
Power train, May 25, 2004
MANUAL TRANSMISSION REVERSE AND FIRST GEAR FAILED, CAUSING CAR TO OVER REV ENGINE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD A PIN CLAIMED LOSE IN THE CLUTCH. DURING TOWING OF VEHICLE, TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT YET RESOLVED. *NM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, May 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. *AK