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2004 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

293 reports with mileage · 94 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports13 fire reports24 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

18 reports
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155,000 miles · Jun 27, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A CAR HORN SOUND WHILE BEING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. AN INVESTIGATOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A CAR HORN SOUND WHILE BEING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. AN INVESTIGATOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11001698

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 27 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BRUISE KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 27 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BRUISE KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10694581

90,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690592

105,500 miles · Jan 29, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHEN SHE PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULD NOT RESUME THE REGULAR POSITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. SHE EXPERIENCED NO ISSUES WITH THE PEDAL SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SHE HAD NOT SP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHEN SHE PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULD NOT RESUME THE REGULAR POSITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. SHE EXPERIENCED NO ISSUES WITH THE PEDAL SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 116,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,500. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10303252

54,102 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS 54,000MI AND DRIVEN WITHIN NORMAL DRIVING LIMITS. THE HINGE PEG THAT CREATES A PIVOT POINT FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE ON ONE END CAUSING IT TO FALL COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PEDAL AND BRACKET. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM HAS …

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THE VEHICLE HAS 54,000MI AND DRIVEN WITHIN NORMAL DRIVING LIMITS. THE HINGE PEG THAT CREATES A PIVOT POINT FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE ON ONE END CAUSING IT TO FALL COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PEDAL AND BRACKET. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED HAPPENING ONLY HOURS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286376

69,000 miles · Apr 30, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #10226324

19,800 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND HAVING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED, AND TRAVELED INTO THE INTERSECTION. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT STRUCK A PASSING SUV. END RESULT WAS MY CAR WAS TOTAL…

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UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND HAVING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED, AND TRAVELED INTO THE INTERSECTION. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT STRUCK A PASSING SUV. END RESULT WAS MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE SUV SUFFERED HEAVY DAMAGE. I CONTACTED FORD IN DEARBORN, MI BUT THEY WERE NO HELP. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR WHEN THE OFF BUTTON WAS PRESSED. UPDATED 10/10/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201758

97,000 miles · May 8, 2007
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECENT TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AAA AND THE DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECENT TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AAA AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10190133

41,500 miles · Apr 20, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN DEPRESSED IT AGAIN FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND PROPERLY. WEATHER AND SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,500. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188450

39,000 miles · Jan 21, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

1) ACCELERATOR STICKING UPON PUSHING ON THE PEDAL 2) PUSHING HARD ON THE PEDAL, IT EVENTUALLY RELEASES, SOMETIMES SQUEALING THE TIRES AND LAUNCHES THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHICH HAS ALMOST MADE ME HIT PEOPLE OR UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC WHERE OTHERS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME. 3) DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE CABLE BUT ALSO SAID TH…

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1) ACCELERATOR STICKING UPON PUSHING ON THE PEDAL 2) PUSHING HARD ON THE PEDAL, IT EVENTUALLY RELEASES, SOMETIMES SQUEALING THE TIRES AND LAUNCHES THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHICH HAS ALMOST MADE ME HIT PEOPLE OR UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC WHERE OTHERS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME. 3) DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE CABLE BUT ALSO SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THROTTLE BODY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10179291

Official recalls

1

05V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.