Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
7725–50K
5050–75K
5575–100K
33100–150K
16150K+
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
57,000 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVES AND RE-INSERTS THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION LOCKS. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTAN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVES AND RE-INSERTS THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION LOCKS. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
NHTSA ODI #10252084
77,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE SHOE MAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE SHOE MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE SHOE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE WHEEL LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10251954
95,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Seat BeltsSteering
THE IGNITION ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP IN THE PAST AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK IT WITH A LITTLE JIGGLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. LAST NIGHT WAS NOT THE SAME. AFTER TRYING FOR 20 MINUTES, IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD WITH ME, I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THEY HAD TO TOW IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER RESEARC…
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THE IGNITION ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP IN THE PAST AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK IT WITH A LITTLE JIGGLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. LAST NIGHT WAS NOT THE SAME. AFTER TRYING FOR 20 MINUTES, IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD WITH ME, I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THEY HAD TO TOW IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I AM SHOCKED TO SEE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE FOCUS, AMONG OTHER FORD MODELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM GLAD I WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME RATHER THAN OVER 50. IT IS THESE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT DON'T GET RESOLVED THAT CAUSE CONSUMERS TO NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. ALSO, 2 OF MY 3 BACK SEATBELTS DON'T WORK ANYMORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251778
120,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Electrical System
GOT INTO THE CAR PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. A LOCKSMITH HIT IT WITH A HAMMER AND IT TURNED, NOW TO GET IT STARTED I HAVE TO HIT THE KEY WITH A HAMMER BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251531
56,000 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesSteering
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS (MANUAL TRANS) LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND PARKED IT STILL REQUIRED THE CALL OF FOUR TOW TRUCKS TO GET IT INTO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED IN A SLANTED POSITION WHEN I PARKED THE FIRST FLATBED TRUCK WASN'T ABLE TO LOAD IT. IT RE…
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THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS (MANUAL TRANS) LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND PARKED IT STILL REQUIRED THE CALL OF FOUR TOW TRUCKS TO GET IT INTO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED IN A SLANTED POSITION WHEN I PARKED THE FIRST FLATBED TRUCK WASN'T ABLE TO LOAD IT. IT REQUIRED A SECOND TRUCK TO TOW IT TO MY OWN MECHANIC. FROM THERE HE REQUIRED IT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, SAME RESULTS WITH TOW COMPANY'S. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $357 ON TOP OF THE TOWING FEE FOR IGNITION LOCK REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250409
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2008
Electrical System
2004 FORD FOCUS - LOCKED IGNITION SWITCH-LOW MILES. UNABLE TO DRIVE OR UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITUATION. CLASS ACTION FILED IN CA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248086
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2008
Electrical System
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IT TURNS OUT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE FORD FOCUS YET SO FAR FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THE FAULTY IGNITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247698
75,000 miles · Oct 31, 2008
Electrical System
MY 2004 FORD FOCUS'S IGNITION HAS FAILED. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY LEAVING ME STRANDED AT WORK FOR 2 HOURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247406
34,000 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Electrical System
MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED MULTIPLE TIMES LEAVING MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF STRANDED WHERE I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME AND HELP START MY CAR AS THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. TONIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND I HAD TO ABANDON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247315
93,116 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 25, 2008, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH INVOLVED TO TRIGGER THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 25, 2008, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH INVOLVED TO TRIGGER THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS SENDING AN APPRAISER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,116. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO CANCEL THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING, HIT SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND THEREFORE TRIGGERED THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 12/11/08
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.
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