NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
387 reports14,155 miles · Oct 22, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY CARTRIDGE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE THRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY CARTRIDGE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE THREE ORIGINAL KEYS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,155 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,200. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA ODI #10206490
50,000 miles · Oct 3, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $150 FOR THE PART. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10204775
53,000 miles · Sep 24, 2007
Electrical System
I WAS STRANDED OVER THE WEEKEND AT A GAS STATION IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE MY KEY WOULDN'T TURN, IT SEEMED LOCKED IN MY IGNITION. I REALLY NEEDED MY CAR TO START TO GET OUT OF THERE BUT COULDN'T AND WAS APPROACHED BY A MENTALLY INSANE MAN ASKING ME FOR A RIDE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T OPEN U…
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I WAS STRANDED OVER THE WEEKEND AT A GAS STATION IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE MY KEY WOULDN'T TURN, IT SEEMED LOCKED IN MY IGNITION. I REALLY NEEDED MY CAR TO START TO GET OUT OF THERE BUT COULDN'T AND WAS APPROACHED BY A MENTALLY INSANE MAN ASKING ME FOR A RIDE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T OPEN UNTIL MONDAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203924
42,000 miles · Sep 20, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS KUMHO, SIZE 195/60R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE SCRAPED THE CURB AND BLEW OUT. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA ODI #10203535
42,000 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Electrical SystemSteering
THE SHIFTER, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION KEY ALL LOCK UP ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS. I SIMPLY GUIDE MY CAR TO WHERE I WANT TO PARK IT. STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR AGAIN, EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET IT UNLOCKED. I ALMOST HAVE TO BREAK OFF THE KEY TO GET IT STA…
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THE SHIFTER, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION KEY ALL LOCK UP ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS. I SIMPLY GUIDE MY CAR TO WHERE I WANT TO PARK IT. STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR AGAIN, EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET IT UNLOCKED. I ALMOST HAVE TO BREAK OFF THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203387
37,800 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE SHIFTING AT 30 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH, HOWEVER, THEY NEGLECTED TO REINSTALL ONE OF THE BOLTS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800.
NHTSA ODI #10202818
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
21,000 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Tires
MY DAUGHTERS FORD FOCUS 2004 HAS ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAKING NOISES WE CHECKED THE TIRES PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON P205/50R 16 87 H M+S AND THE REAR BACK TIRE CORDS WERE BROKE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR OVER A YEAR AGO AND THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR THEY SAID THEY WONT DO ANYTHING WHAT IF IT WOULD OF BLOWN OUT THINK …
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MY DAUGHTERS FORD FOCUS 2004 HAS ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAKING NOISES WE CHECKED THE TIRES PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON P205/50R 16 87 H M+S AND THE REAR BACK TIRE CORDS WERE BROKE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR OVER A YEAR AGO AND THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR THEY SAID THEY WONT DO ANYTHING WHAT IF IT WOULD OF BLOWN OUT THINK THEY SHOULD BE CALLED IT HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TIRES LOOKED UP COMPLAINT ON INTERNET, WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DID NOT TRUST THE OTHER TIRES NOW THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA SURPRISE. WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD OF HAD A BLOW OUT????????? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. CLICK HERE: COMPARE PRICES AND READ REVIEWS ON PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASONS PASSENGER/PERFORMANCE TIRE AT EPINIONS.COM --- CLICK HERE: NEWS IN BRIEF.(BRIEFS)(BRIEFS ON PIRELLI TIRE NORTH AMERICA, TOYO TIRE (USA) CORP., COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO.) - JO *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200856
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2007
Electrical System
FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200728
48,073 miles · Aug 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY FORD FOCUS ZX5 STALLED ON ME ON THE HIGH WAY JULY 27, LUCKY FOR ME THE TRAFFIC WAS SLOW. TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. COST ME $600 TO REPLACE IT. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON AUGUST 1, AND TWO DAYS LATER ON AUGUST 3, IT STALLED AGAIN. TOW IT BACK TO DEALER ON AUGUST 7, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AGA…
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MY FORD FOCUS ZX5 STALLED ON ME ON THE HIGH WAY JULY 27, LUCKY FOR ME THE TRAFFIC WAS SLOW. TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. COST ME $600 TO REPLACE IT. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON AUGUST 1, AND TWO DAYS LATER ON AUGUST 3, IT STALLED AGAIN. TOW IT BACK TO DEALER ON AUGUST 7, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN, THEY SAID THE NEW FUEL PUMP THEY REPLACED TWO DAYS AGO WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THEY HAD IT FIXED ON AUGUST 8, AND ONE DAY LATER ON AUGUST 9, IT STALLED AGAIN. TOWED BACK TO DEALER THE THIRD TIME. ON AUGUST 13, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP. (WHAT? SO THEY DIDN'T SERIOUSLY CHECK THE CAR, AND PUT ME INTO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN???) ON AUGUST 17, THEY CALLED TO INFORM ME IT WAS THE INERTIA SWITCH. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. RENTAL COST (I ASKED FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE RENTAL AND THEY REFUSED). I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE CAR'S SAFETY CONCERN AND THEIR MECHANIC'S INCOMPETENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER KEPT SAYING THE SECOND TIME THE NEW PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SWITCH PROBLEM DIDN'T SHOW UP UNTIL THE THIRD TIME. I REALLY DOUBT IT, BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT SHOWED ME THE SAME PROBLEM. AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIND THE INERTIA SWITCH PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. I ALSO CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND ASKED FOR TO BE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR. I TOLD HER ABOUT MY SAFETY CONCERN, AND SHE INFORMED ME AS LONG AS I AM STILL NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO . WHAT? DO I NEED TO BE INJURED OR DEAD TO GET THEIR ATTENTION? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200269
Official recalls
1Feb 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
1AQ10001 · 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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