NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
387 reports90,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE TWO LANE PARKWAY HIT THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE BACK WHEEL. THE CAR THEN WAS DRIVEN INTO A ROCK CUT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED IN. ALTHOUGH THE FRONT END IMPACT WAS SUBSTANTIAL, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WH…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE TWO LANE PARKWAY HIT THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE BACK WHEEL. THE CAR THEN WAS DRIVEN INTO A ROCK CUT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED IN. ALTHOUGH THE FRONT END IMPACT WAS SUBSTANTIAL, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL AS CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD ON THIS ACCIDENT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10582788
37,501 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Engine
2004 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN AUGUST 2009, THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN IN JANUARY 2013, AT 56,000 MILES, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10577687
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
3/1/14: DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH UPHOLSTERY AND CAUGHT FABRIC ON FIRE, WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER FOCUS OWNERS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (04B16); WHY NO RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566563
40,000 miles · Feb 13, 2014
Service Brakes
IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND ONCE IN A WHILE. WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKES BARELY WORKED. THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PRESS AND IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ON THE "DRIVE" MODE. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. THE ONLY PATTERN HERE …
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IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND ONCE IN A WHILE. WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKES BARELY WORKED. THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PRESS AND IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ON THE "DRIVE" MODE. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. THE ONLY PATTERN HERE IS IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. IT COULD BE IN THE REVERSE OR DRIVE MODE. THE FREQUENCY SEEMED INCREASED RECENTLY WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564289
165,000 miles · Feb 10, 2014
EnginePower TrainStructureFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING SUDDENLY. MY DAUGHTER SAW STEAM OR SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS INTENSE, THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS MELTED, THE INTERIOR OF THE DASH WAS DESTROYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEY…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING SUDDENLY. MY DAUGHTER SAW STEAM OR SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS INTENSE, THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS MELTED, THE INTERIOR OF THE DASH WAS DESTROYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE MOST INTENSE FIRE AREA WAS AROUND THE FUSE PANEL. I DID CONTACT FORD THROUGH SEVERAL AVENUES BUT THEY APPEARED TO BE DISINTERESTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563681
202,354 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Air Bags
DRIVING ALONG HIT A POTHOLE AND HEARD A LOAD BANG THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE SUSPENSION BOTTOMING OUT, LOOKED TO MY LEFT AND NOTICED THAT SIDE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, FILLING THE CAR WITH NOXIOUS FUMES AND HITTING MY SHOULDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559542
120,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10556810
110,000 miles · Nov 15, 2013
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ADJUSTABLE UPPER ARM KIT WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ADJUSTABLE UPPER ARM KIT WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE CHAMBER ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10552458
160,687 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE'S TOW HITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONLY THE LICENSE PLATE HAD A DENT IN IT AND HE SUFFERED A SEVERE BURN INJURY ON HER LEFT HAND. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE'S TOW HITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONLY THE LICENSE PLATE HAD A DENT IN IT AND HE SUFFERED A SEVERE BURN INJURY ON HER LEFT HAND. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,687.
NHTSA ODI #10550841
40,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10549057
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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