2004 Ford FOCUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
387 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 293 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 74 of 387 complaints (19.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 59 | 15.2% |
| Steering behavior | 56 | 14.5% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 7.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 74 |
| Electrical System | 62 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 34 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 20 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 74; Electrical System: 62; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 34; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 20; Steering: 20; Air Bags: 16; Engine: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 62 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 77 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 50 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 55 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 62; 25,000 to 49,999: 77; 50,000 to 74,999: 50; 75,000 to 99,999: 55; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 16
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 94 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 45 |
| 2006 | 42 |
| 2007 | 40 |
| 2008 | 53 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 49; 2005: 45; 2006: 42; 2007: 40; 2008: 53; 2009: 44; 2010: 29; 2011: 17; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 13; 2015: 9; 2016: 11; 2017: 7; 2018: 3; 2019: 7; 2020: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 59 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 56 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10057472 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061189 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061423 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062033 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THE MATERIAL USED IN THE REAL WHEEL COVERS OF THE 2004 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. I BELIEVE THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING OBJECTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063419 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064816 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL ION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065073 · 2004-03-29 (March 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065790 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
IGNITION CYLINDER / LOCK SEIZED AND PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM STARTING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 64,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065790 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V030000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2005-02-01 (February 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗