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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

What owners actually said

387 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

FORD FOCUS 2004 IGNITION LOCKED. OPENED CAR AS USUAL, INSERTED KEY IN IGNITION TO TURN AND STEERING WHEEL APPEARED TO BE LOCKED. TRIED TO TURN KEY AND MOVE STEERING WHEEL BUT BOTH WOULDN'T MOVE. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED AND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. CAR NOW NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308490

43,205 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Electrical System

FIRST OCCURRENCE,WITHOUT WARNING,(HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE) CAR SHUT OFF, IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NO START CONDITION. (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH) CONTACTED AAA AUTO CLUB, TOW TRUCK DISPATCHED, TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATES GARAGE HAS SEEN MANY 2003, 2004,2005 FOCUS WITH THIS PROBLEM…

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FIRST OCCURRENCE,WITHOUT WARNING,(HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE) CAR SHUT OFF, IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NO START CONDITION. (ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH) CONTACTED AAA AUTO CLUB, TOW TRUCK DISPATCHED, TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATES GARAGE HAS SEEN MANY 2003, 2004,2005 FOCUS WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO SHOULD BE NOTED NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON FILE WITH ALL MODEL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE. FORD DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMS REPAIR NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS CAR CAN STALL AND FAIL TO RESTART !!!!!!. ALSO FEEL THAT I WAS SOLD AN OVERPRICED "WARRANTY" WHICH I AM TOLD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR !!! WILL RETAIN OLD PART FOR INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION. NOTE : VEHICLE MILEAGE AT FAILURE 43,205. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303763

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

21,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Air BagsCrash

MY SON REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR IN A SNOWSTORM. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MILES PER HOUR AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON HIS 2004 FORD FOCUS IS NOW ON, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. HE MUST HAVE BEEN JOLTED FORWARD PRETTY ABRUPTLY BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT SPOOL IS BROKEN - THE BELT IS STUCK. HE WA…

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MY SON REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR IN A SNOWSTORM. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MILES PER HOUR AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON HIS 2004 FORD FOCUS IS NOW ON, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. HE MUST HAVE BEEN JOLTED FORWARD PRETTY ABRUPTLY BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT SPOOL IS BROKEN - THE BELT IS STUCK. HE WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I DO WONDER WHETHER THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE INFLATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302047

86,000 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86000.

NHTSA ODI #10296717

67,787 miles · Dec 18, 2009
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

ON A SATURDAY EVENING I DROVE TO GROCERY STORE. AFTER I HAD FINISHED SHOPPING I TRIED TO START VEHICLE. I COULD NOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD 67787 MILES. I HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND THEY DRILLED OUT LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT A COST OF …

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ON A SATURDAY EVENING I DROVE TO GROCERY STORE. AFTER I HAD FINISHED SHOPPING I TRIED TO START VEHICLE. I COULD NOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD 67787 MILES. I HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND THEY DRILLED OUT LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT A COST OF $385.34. TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT HE HAD TOWED THE SAME MODEL BEFORE WITH AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD SEVERAL OF THE SAME MODEL WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE PART HAD BEEN UPDATED A FEW TIMES. I AM 53 AND HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES, SOME WITH OVER 240,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECT AND IT FAILED PREMATURELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296322

99,000 miles · Dec 12, 2009
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION LOCKS WHENEVER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN WITHOUT HITTING ON THE KEY ITSELF. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE KEY BREAKING OFF IN THE LOCK. THE IGNITION LOCK APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.. I HAV…

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I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION LOCKS WHENEVER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN WITHOUT HITTING ON THE KEY ITSELF. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE KEY BREAKING OFF IN THE LOCK. THE IGNITION LOCK APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, BUT IT HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE RECENTLY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $400-500 TO FIX, AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY TIMES, THE NEW PARTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS, PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295440

140,000 miles · Dec 10, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesSteering

NO EVENTS PULLED INTO PARKING LOT LEFT CAR FOR FEW MINUTES CAME BACK AND THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. FROM WHAT I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS MINE IS A 2004. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD MAYBE NOT TO ME THIS TIME BECAUSE I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WAITED FOR OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK HOWEVER IF I WAS BROKE…

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NO EVENTS PULLED INTO PARKING LOT LEFT CAR FOR FEW MINUTES CAME BACK AND THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. FROM WHAT I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS MINE IS A 2004. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD MAYBE NOT TO ME THIS TIME BECAUSE I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WAITED FOR OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK HOWEVER IF I WAS BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FLAT TIRE AND THIS HAPPENED WHAT THEN OR IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. PROTECT THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295293

48,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Electrical System

2004 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM. COULD NOT PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295058

66,345 miles · Nov 30, 2009
Electrical System

2004 FORD FOCUS-- IGNITION KEY WON`T TURN LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293977

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.