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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

Visibility complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2010
Exterior LightingVisibility

2004 FOCUS ZWT 1. LOSS OF FRONT WIPER PARK FUNCTION ! 2. LOSS OF HEADLIGHT / AUXILIARY LAMP FUNCTION ! HAPPENED AT 2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS DURING 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327359

80,000 miles · May 22, 2009
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT RETURN TO HOME POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269755

48,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

THE IGNITION LOCK AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. HAD TO BE TOWED AT MIDNIGHT FROM THE HOSPITAL IN 18 DEGREE WEATHER. DEALERSHIP SAID MANUFACTURE PART AT A COST OF $455.00. BRAKE NOISE NO ONE CAN FIND. REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM TWICE. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256490

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

2004 FOCUS BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND BATTERY FAILED. *TS THE FRONT DOOR HAD TO BE ALIGNED AND THE DOOR SEAL WAS REPLACED. THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD TO BE RE-ROUTED DUE TO THE CABLE BINDING. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LENS AND RIGHT SIDE CV AXLE WAS REPLACE…

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2004 FOCUS BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND BATTERY FAILED. *TS THE FRONT DOOR HAD TO BE ALIGNED AND THE DOOR SEAL WAS REPLACED. THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD TO BE RE-ROUTED DUE TO THE CABLE BINDING. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT LENS AND RIGHT SIDE CV AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR UNTIL THE ENGINE REVVED UP PAST 6000 RPM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SERVO PISTONS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPAIRED. THE BATTERY FAILED 5 TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177475

72,013 miles · Dec 4, 2006
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY FORD FOCUS. THEY SLOWLY STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE HOLE UNIT WENT OUT ON MY 2 YEAR OLD CAR. THERE IS SHOWING A RECALL FOR 2003 TO 2005 FORD FOCUS WIPER MOTORS BUT SOME HOW MY CAR IS NOT ON THAT RECALL. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE WIPER MOTOR . THIS IS …

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WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY FORD FOCUS. THEY SLOWLY STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE HOLE UNIT WENT OUT ON MY 2 YEAR OLD CAR. THERE IS SHOWING A RECALL FOR 2003 TO 2005 FORD FOCUS WIPER MOTORS BUT SOME HOW MY CAR IS NOT ON THAT RECALL. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED YET BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE WIPER MOTOR . THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX... THIS IS WHY WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY FOR THESE CARS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175129

6,000 miles · Nov 18, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

BRAKE PROBLEM. AT ABOUT 2000 TO 3000 MILES BREAKS STARTS TO SQUEAL AND GRIND. TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE AT DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEM, AS IT GOT WORSE AND WAS NOT NORMAL IN 6,000 MILES. WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM, ROUTINE BREAK IN. THEN AT 12,000 MILES STILL A PROBLEM. WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, SAID THE SAME THING. NOW WITH NEARL…

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BRAKE PROBLEM. AT ABOUT 2000 TO 3000 MILES BREAKS STARTS TO SQUEAL AND GRIND. TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE AT DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEM, AS IT GOT WORSE AND WAS NOT NORMAL IN 6,000 MILES. WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM, ROUTINE BREAK IN. THEN AT 12,000 MILES STILL A PROBLEM. WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, SAID THE SAME THING. NOW WITH NEARLY 18,000 MILES, ROTORS ARE GROOVED VERY BAD. EVIDENCE AND WARNING WAS EVIDENT IN THE EARLIER MILES AS WELL. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP. I FEEL THEY OWE ME A NEW PAIR OF ROTORS AND PADS. ALSO, COMPLAINED OF CLUTCH NOISE PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD OF A TSB CLAIMING CERTAIN 2004 FOCUS HAVE A TRANSAXLE MISALIGNMENT CAUSING PRE-MATURE CLUTCH WEAR AND NOISE. WIPER SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED BY RC LACY FORD, BETTER SERVICE, BUT THEY WON'T SERVICE ME ANYMORE, SINCE I DID NOT BUY IT THERE, AND RAVENA IS SO CLOSE. I NEED TO CONTACT CROSSROADS ABOUT ALL FUTURE WARRANTY ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS. DOORS IN THE REAR ALSO STICK, AND WEAR OF DOOR STRIKER IS EVIDENT. TIRES HAVE ALSO BEEN WORN PRETTY BAD PIRELLI 195/60 R15. BACK PAIR ARE TOTALLY BALD, AND ONLY HAVE HAD LIKE 18,000 MILES, I THINK IT WAS A ALIGNMENT ISSUE, WHICH FOR A CAR 17 MONTHS OLD SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. I NOTICED WEAR AT AROUND 13,000 MILES. DURING MY SECOND TIRE ROTATION. HAVE HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS NEW VEHICLE. ALSO ISSUES WITH EXTREME CHIPPING AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELL. ALSO HAVE HAD A HESITATION PROBLEM AT ABOUT 25 MPH. #RD GEAR USED TO BE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. I GOT NOWHERE WITH THE DEALERS MYSELF. THE VIN IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE VIN. MY CAR IS A 2004 ZX5 DURATEC 2.3E 5 SPD. ALMOST ALL OPTIONS INCLUDED. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143114

4,324 miles · Mar 13, 2005
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR GOES IF IT GETS CLOGGED UP WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW. THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED WHEN YOU BRUSH THE CAR OFF FROM SNOW, SOME OF IT LODGES INTO AREA THAT IS HARD TO GET THE SNOW OUT OF, WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON THE MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. HAD THIS REPLACED APPROX 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED A…

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WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR GOES IF IT GETS CLOGGED UP WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW. THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED WHEN YOU BRUSH THE CAR OFF FROM SNOW, SOME OF IT LODGES INTO AREA THAT IS HARD TO GET THE SNOW OUT OF, WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON THE MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. HAD THIS REPLACED APPROX 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE DEPT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER FOCUS OWNERS. I HAVE OWNED MANY DIFFERENT CARS OF VARYING MAKES AND MODELS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, IT IS DEFINATELY A DESIGN FLAW. SOME TYPE OF GUARD NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED TO PROTECT IT FROM SNOW AND ICE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114016

4,900 miles · Aug 27, 2004
Visibility

REAR WINDOW DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS WITHOUT BEING STROKE BY AN OBJECT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE STRESS CRACKS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A DEFECT, BUT THE MANUFACTURE FAILED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW UNDER WARRANTY. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089928

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
VisibilityInjury

FORD SPORT KA HAS PRODUCED A COMMERCIAL SHOWING A CAT BEING DECAPITATED AS ITSHEAD IS LOOKING INTO THE VEHICLE VIA THE POWER SUN ROOF.*AK AS THE SUNROOF CLOSES THE CAT'S HEAD IS SEVERED. THIS COMMERCIAL WHILE MEANT TO BE HUMOROUS ONLY TO FORD CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE CLEAR DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH TO PETS AND CH…

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FORD SPORT KA HAS PRODUCED A COMMERCIAL SHOWING A CAT BEING DECAPITATED AS ITSHEAD IS LOOKING INTO THE VEHICLE VIA THE POWER SUN ROOF.*AK AS THE SUNROOF CLOSES THE CAT'S HEAD IS SEVERED. THIS COMMERCIAL WHILE MEANT TO BE HUMOROUS ONLY TO FORD CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE CLEAR DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH TO PETS AND CHILDREN. I FORMALLY REQUEST THAT THIS COMMERCIAL BE SCENE AND REVIEWED AS A DEMONSTRATION BY FORD THAT IT'S SUNROOFS ON THIS VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY OTHER FORD VEHICLES IS INHERANTLY UNSAFE TO CHILDREN BUT NOT PROVIDING A RESISTANCE MECHANISM THAT WOULD RETRACT THE MOVING ROOF WHEN MET WITH RESISTANCE E.G. A CHILDS HEAD OR BODY PART.

NHTSA ODI #10067637

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.