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 9, 2008
I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER LUNCH ON DAY TO RETURN TO WORK AND WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN. I KEPT TRYING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD FOCUS I HAVE OWNED AND THE 2ND TIME THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED. I HAD TO PAY $473.20 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED, THE IGNITION LOCK REPLACED, AND A NEW KEY FITTED FOR THE CAR. THE LADY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP INFORMED US BEFORE WE TOOK THE CAR IN THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF THE PART BEING RECALLED SINCE THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY BEGAN WORK ON IT WE DISCOVERED THIS WAS NOT TRUE. I AM JUST THANKFUL I WAS NOT COMING BACK FROM COURT OR IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE ROAD. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2008
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY IGNITION FREEZING UP. I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND AFTER MY LAST STOP I GOT INTO THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE TRY, INCLUDING A AAA TOW-TRUCK WORKER. HE SAID HE SEES THIS PROBLEM A LOT IN THE FORD FOCUS, THE IGNITION CYLINDER PREMATURELY WEARS OUT AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND IS WAITING FOR REPAIR ON MONDAY. TO MY SURPRISE, I CAME AND CHECKED THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT. ALL ARE FORD FOCUS OWNERS. ALL PUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WON'T TURN. I FIND THIS STRANGE THAT THIS CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTED. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY FORD FOCUS OWNER. THERE IS FOREWARNING BEFORE THE IGNITION FREEZES UP, IT JUST HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. MY CAR WAS ONLY TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES AND IT HAPPENED TO ME. *TR
Tires, Sep 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS PIRELLI P6 TIRES. ON MARCH 2, 2005 AND DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY FLAT ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT IT WAS UNDETERMINED WHICH TIRES WERE REPLACED. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT ANOTHER TIRE HAD ROTTED AND IT WAS ALSO REPLACED. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IT WAS FOUND THAT TWO TIRES HAD SEVERE DRY ROT ON THE SIDEWALLS AND A RAPID WEAR DOWN. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED CALLING THE MANUFACTURER OF BOTH THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRES. PIRELLI TIRES WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED THE CONTACT 25% OFF THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,392 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 30,000. UPDATED 10/20/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR AND THE OHTER TIRE HAD A BULGED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REAMING TWO TIRES WERE SHOWING RAPID DETERIORATION.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX3 A YEAR AGO IN AUGUST 2007. THE CAR HAD NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. I GOT OUT OF SCHOOL AND WENT TO LUNCH WITH A FRIEND, I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE TO TURN MY CAR ON I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, I TRIED MOVING THE STIRRING WHEEL WHILE I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. I CALLED MY FRIEND AND SHE CAME OUT TO TRY TO SEE IF SHE COULD TURN IT ON, IT DIDN'T WORK FOR HER EITHER. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE I GOT MY CAR, THEY TOLD MY THAT I DID STILL HAD WARRANTY FOR MY CAR SO THE TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO TOW IT TO THEM. THEY GAVE ME A NUMBER SO THAT I COULD CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE WARRANTY, THEY LET ME KNOW THAT I DID HAVE INSURANCE FOR A TOW TRUCK. THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER OF A TOW TRUCK AND I HAD TO CALL THEM SO THAT THEY COULD PICK-UP MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND GOT MY CAR TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER MY CAR GOT THERE THE GUY TOLD ME THAT THEY WHERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHECK MY CAR UNTIL TOMORROW WHEN THE SERVICE GUYS GOT IN. THEY CALLED BCK TODAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX MY CAR AND I HAD TO PAY A 50 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE TO PICK UP MY CAR. I HAVE READ SOME MORE STATEMENTS FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FOCUSES BUT THE MOST REPORT HAVE BEEN WITH THE 2000-20003 LIKE I SAID MY CAR IS A 2004 SO FORD REALLY NEEDS TO TRY TO BETTER THERE IGNITION LOCKS BECAUSE EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION LOCK IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS AGAIN. I DIDN'T MAKE IT TO WORK YESTERDAY AND IF MY FRIEND WASN'T WITH ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH OUT A CAR, HOPEFULLY I THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND FORD DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT SOON! *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2008
FORD FOCUS 2004 KEY IGNITION PROBLEMS. THE KEY WONT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS IN FOCUS 2000-2003, BUT MINE IS A 2004 AND I JUST SPENT $400.00 IN REPAIRS. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT REPAIRED HOPING FORD WOULD FINALLY ISSUE A RECALL, AND I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK. THE ONE I HAVE WILL PROBABLY BREAK AGAIN IN A FEW YEARS, FOR ANOTHER $400. THIS IS TERRIBLE. I HAD THE CARD TOWED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2008
MY IGNITION SWITCH ON MY FORD FOCUS 2004 WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I WAS ONLY IN A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FOR 5 MINUTES AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, THE IGNITION LOCK AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. WENT ON INTERNET AND HAVE RESEARCHED THOUSANDS OF FORD FOCUS LOCKED CYLINDER COMPLAINTS. WHEN WILL THIS BECOME A RECALL? I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I WILL BE OUT OF BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR FORD TO NOT PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2008
IGNITION ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. THE LATEST I HAD TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION TO GET THE CAR HOME. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2008
THERE WERE NO DIFFICULTIES LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY IGNITION. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2004 FORD FOCUS AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT WAS THE CYLINDER IGNITION SWITCH. HE CHECKED ONLINE AFTER SEEING MY CAR AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN FOCUS' SINCE 2000. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN AND FOUND THE SAME THING. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME ALOT OF FOCUS' HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A NEW KEY AND NO ONE ELSE COULD DO THAT. I HAVE NOT TOTALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. THE MECHANIC WHO SAW MY CAR PUT WD-40 IN THE IGNITION AND BANGED A SCREW DRIVER IN IT AND THEN IT TURNS ON. I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS. *TR
Seats, Aug 22, 2008, fire
HEATED SEAT PAD IN BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAD TO BE STOPPED ON SIDE OF ROAD AND BOTTLED WATER POURED ON SMOLDERING SEAT. FUSE FOR HEATED SEATS HAD TO BE PULLED, FUSE DID NOT BLOW ON ITS OWN. FORD TRAVELLING ENGINEERS INSPECTED SEAT AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR SEAT AS CAR IS 16000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. ADVICE FROM FORD WAS TO CLAIM THROUGH OWNERS COMPREHENSIVE AND LET INSURANCE COMPANY RECOVER MONEY FROM FORD. AFTER SEEKING LEGAL COUNSEL DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED TO REPAIR DRIVER'S SEAT AND INSPECT PASSENGER SEAT. PARTS ARE ON ORDER, OLD PARTS WILL BE RETAINED IN MY POSESSION. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2008
1. NOTHING LED UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION 3. PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I DRIVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS. MY IGNITION CYLINDER HAS GONE OUT. I SPENT 1/2 HOUR LATE AT NIGHT TRYING TO GET HOME FROM WORK. THE KEY WONT TURN. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SCARY! *TR
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2008
PURCHASED 2004 FORD FOCUS ON 8-5-08. ON 8-19-08 THE IGNITION LOCKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS! *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2008
I COULDN'T START MY CAR AFTER PUTTING GAS IN AT A GAS STATION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER TRYING FOR OVER 10 MINUTES, I CALLED FOR HELP. MY DAUGHTER WENT ON LINE AND FOUND THAT FORD FOCUS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND YOU NEED TO TAP THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. I TAPPED IT AND WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AND I DECIDED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT TODAY AT THE FORD DEALER. THEY SAID IT IS COMMON IN THE FORD FOCUS BUT THEIR WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT. THEY SAID I NEED TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR $375.00 W/O KEYS OR $525.00 WITH NEW KEYS. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT, FORD SHOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 25, 2008
2004 FORD FOCUS..CHANGED THE AIR FILTER AND NOTICED OIL IN AND UNDER THE OLD FILTER AND CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS ON THE NORMAL LEVEL. ABOUT THREE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR SHUT OFF, NOW IT WILL DO NOTHING, THE MOTOR WON'T EVEN TURN OVER. CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2008
MY CAR (2004 FORD FOCUS) WAS JUST ABOUT DUE FOR ITS 30,000 MILE TUNE UP WHEN IT FIRST ACTED UP. IT STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY-NO POWER, NOTHING. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND HAD IT CHECKED AND THE 30,000 MILE TUNE UP DONE. NO PROBLEMS FOR 1 MONTH. WHILE DRIVING IT DID THE SAME THING WHEN I EXITED MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, TAKING OUT THE KEY, THEN RE-STARTING THE ENGINE IT SEEMED TO BE OK SO I HEADED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY WHILE DRIVING AT THE BACK OF A LINE OF TRAFFIC, INCLUDING 2 FULLY LOADED LOGGING TRUCKS, IT HAPPENED WHEN I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 50 MPH. I GOT IT OVER TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE STATION AND AGAIN THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THIS TIME THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY TO TELL ME THAT FORD HAD A BULLETIN ON FIXING THIS TYPE OF ISSUE, APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RE-PROGRAMMED! SO I CALLED THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP 29 MILES AWAY AND TRIED TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH THEM. I CALLED ANOTHER FORD DEALER AND WAS QUOTED 3 TIMES AS MUCH. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND GOT THE SAME BLASE ATTITUDE ABOUT THE SITUATION. NO ONE THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT OWNERS NEEDED TO BE NOTIFIED. BUT 4 TIMES IN TOTAL, MY LIFE AND MY FIANCE'S LIFE WERE IN DANGER. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE OF FORD'S NEGLIGENCE. REMEMBER THE FIRESTONE TIRES??? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 14, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRES WOBBLED AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE REAR TIRES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TIRE BEARING. THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS THAT IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE CAR, AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS. I PARKED MY VEHICLE AT CHURCH ON SUNDAY AND WHEN I CAME OUT - I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR AND IT WAS LOCKED UP. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY OR START MY CAR. I CALLED MY BROTHER-IN-LAW TO COME HELP ME. HE TRIED TO AND NOTHING WORKED. HE HAD THE SUGGESTION TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET - TO LOOK UP FORD FOCUS AND KEY WON'T TURN ON GOOGLE. I DID JUST THAT - AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE THAT HAD FORD FOCUS'S. A SUGGESTION ON THERE - WAS TO GET A SMALL HAMMER OR THE END OF A SCREW DRIVER AND WHILE YOU PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - PUSH IT REAL HARD AND HIT THE KEY WITH A HAMMER. IT WORKED! MY KEY MOVED TO THE START POSITION AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME. THE WEBSITE THAT TOLD US TO TRY THAT SAID - IT WOULD WORK TO GET THE CAR TO WHERE YOU WANTED IT TO GO - BUT THAT YOU WOULD NEED A NEW PART FOR THE IGNITION AND IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD COST QUITE A LOT. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS - SO I JUST LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES - AND USE MY SPARE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS - AS MANY, MANY PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE COMPLAINED - IT SAID FORD FOCUS FROM YEARS 200-2004 (MINE IS A 2004). A PERSON CAN BECOME STRANDED AS THIS CAN HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ANYWHERE THEY PARK THEIR CAR. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - HOWEVER, MY WARRANTY HAS LONG PASSED. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS - SINCE EVERYONE IS HAVING PROBLEMS - I BELIEVE IT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER. TRICIA WALTER
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2008
FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT WITH 2 CHILDREN FOR OVER AN HOUR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM! THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!! *TR
Equipment, Jun 8, 2008
MY 2004 FORD FOCUS ZTS WITH 79,000 MILES ON IT IGNITION FROZE AND LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK FOR 1 HOUR IN 90 DEGREE HEAT. I CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I'M LUCKY THAT I HAVE NOT REPLACED MY IGNITION AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITH 79,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE IGNITIONS FALL APART AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY TO PROTECT ME AGAINST THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I ALSO GOOGLED FORD FOCUS IGNITIONS AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LUCKY I HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED THIS ONCE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RELATED TO IGNITION FAILURE FOR THE FORD FOCUS. DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE, THE REPAIR COULD COST BETWEEN $300-$600. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED OTHER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE FORD FOCUS AND IGNITION FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,000.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2008
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH. CANNOT TURN. CANNOT BE REMOVED. *TR
Electrical system, May 22, 2008
IGNITION SWITCH FROZEN, THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE QUOTED BY FORD DEALERSHIP WAS $361.00, THE COST BY A LOCKSMITH IS $300-$350. 2004 FORD FOCUS Z3. *TR
Electrical system, May 12, 2008
HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION LOCK ON A 2004 FORD FOCUS REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. *NJ
Vehicle speed control, Apr 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WORKED PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2008
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION LEAVING ME STRANDED AT NIGHT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR(FORD FOCUS) ACCORDING TO INTERNET QUERIES. *TR