NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
387 reports142,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA ODI #10854410
88,500 miles · Mar 31, 2016
Visibility/wiper
DRIVER WINDOW SHATTERED WITH PIECES OF GLASS FALLING ON SPOUSE. CAR WAS NOT MOVING. WINDOW WAS GOING UP. HAD INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACE WINDOW, SWITCH, REGULATOR. COST $490.
NHTSA ODI #10852690
142,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Visibility/wiper
MY CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND MY DASH LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND BEEP, MY RADIO GOES ON AND OFF BY IT SELF, THE REAR WIPER AND THIRD BRAKE LIGHT DO NOT WORK, AND NOW EVERYTHING DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10824294
88,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL: I LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER ON THE GOVT. WEBSITE MANY MONTHS AGO, AND FOUND THIS CAR HAS POTENTIALLY FAULTY TAKATA AIR BAGS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE REPLACEMENT FORWARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SINCE FORD HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THE DEALER SAYS THEY NEED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD USA A…
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TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL: I LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER ON THE GOVT. WEBSITE MANY MONTHS AGO, AND FOUND THIS CAR HAS POTENTIALLY FAULTY TAKATA AIR BAGS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE REPLACEMENT FORWARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SINCE FORD HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THE DEALER SAYS THEY NEED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD USA AND WHEN I CALL FORD USA THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON A RECALL FOR THIS AIRBAG. THE DEALER ALSO SAID I COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED A SAFE AIR BAG IF THEY JUST REPLACED THE ONE I HAVE, SINCE THE REPLACEMENT MIGHT ALSO BE FAULTY, UNLESS IT WAS A SPECIAL REDESIGNED ONE AS ISSUED IN A RECALL SETTING. I CALLED DTVSH ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF FORD USA AND THEY RECOMMENDED I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC. THE FTC CONTACT GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER: 69255063. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR WITH A POTENTIAL BOMB IN THE STEERING WHEEL, OR LOANING IT TO FAMILY MEMBERS. THE DEALER EVEN SAID I COULD JUST QUIT USING MY CAR FOR THE YEARS IT MIGHT TAKE TO WAIT FOR THE RECALL (!!!) I THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE ME A LOANER IF THEY THINK ITS THAT SERIOUS, YET THEY DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD ON STARTING A RECALL. THEY HAVE THREE MODELS OF CARS FROM THE YEAR MINE WAS BUILT THAT ARE UNDER RECALL. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL ON THE FORD FOCUS WAGON TO ENSURE IT IS REASONABLY SAFE TO DRIVE. THE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS THAT ARE KILLING PEOPLE FROM THE EXPLODING, SHRAPNEL FILLED AIR BAGS ARE LOW IMPACT AND OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE FATAL. I DON'T WANT ME OR SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY DYING BECAUSE FORD IS NOT IN RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10823621
80,100 miles · Jun 11, 2015
Steering
I PARKED THE CAR OVER NIGHT. IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT I INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED UP. THE KEY GOES INSIDE THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. I ONLY IMAGINE THE SAME SITUATION WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE, CAN IT HAPPEN? HAS IT …
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I PARKED THE CAR OVER NIGHT. IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT I INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED UP. THE KEY GOES INSIDE THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. I ONLY IMAGINE THE SAME SITUATION WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE, CAN IT HAPPEN? HAS IT HAPPEN? LET YOU BE THE JUDGE.
NHTSA ODI #10724798
147,345 miles · May 29, 2015
Electrical System
CAR WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO KEY NOT WORKING IN THE IGNITION AND EMERGENCY REPAIR SERVICE IN PARKING LOT HAD TO BE DONE. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/NEW-QUESTION/OPTIONAL-INFORMATION.ASPX?TQID=423907452&PT=630&CATID=56411&R=AUTOBEEF&RPT=220#IXZZ3BAC4IRXZ
NHTSA ODI #10722374
88,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING THE FOCUS STATION WAGON SINCE 2004. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE 'CLICKER' DID NOT ALLOW US TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK; WE FOUND THIS OUT WHEN THE CLICKER DID NOT SOUND THE 'BEEP' WE ARE USED TO. WE TRIED TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOOR, BUT THAT WAS ALSO INEFFECTIVE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS A R…
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MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING THE FOCUS STATION WAGON SINCE 2004. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE 'CLICKER' DID NOT ALLOW US TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK; WE FOUND THIS OUT WHEN THE CLICKER DID NOT SOUND THE 'BEEP' WE ARE USED TO. WE TRIED TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOOR, BUT THAT WAS ALSO INEFFECTIVE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS A REPAIR BY OUR LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR APPROXIMATELY $500.00. THERE WERE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES. THE PRIMARY ISSUE, OF COURSE, WAS THE SAFETY OF THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER. THE SECOND ISSUE WAS THE ONGOING PROBLEM OF ENTRY TO THE AUTO WHEN UNATTENDED.
NHTSA ODI #10722267
220,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FILTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA ODI #10702860
114,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RATTLING TYPE NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL AREA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK ABSORBER PUNCTURED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RATTLING TYPE NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL AREA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK ABSORBER PUNCTURED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTING AND CORROSION OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA ODI #10695122
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
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.