NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
387 reports93,878 miles · Feb 13, 2017
SeatsFire
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED. THERE WAS A FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF: TSB 04B16. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEATHER SEAT AND HEATING MECHANISM. FORTUNATELY ONLY A…
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PASSENGER HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED. THERE WAS A FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF: TSB 04B16. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEATHER SEAT AND HEATING MECHANISM. FORTUNATELY ONLY A PURSE WAS INJURED AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE SEAT DAMAGE. THE CAR ALSO SMELLS OF SMOKE. THE EXPERIENCE WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND AWFUL.
NHTSA ODI #10954254
96,000 miles · Jan 30, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME/CROSSMEMBER/K-FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10948564
42,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017
Electrical System
SHORTED BRAKE WIRES IN TRUNK AREA BLOWN FUSE NO START NO BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10940198
169,800 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Tires
BOUGHT FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES TWO YEARS AGO, AND ON MY REAR TIRE THE SIDEWALL BLEW A 4.5 " CHUNK OUT OF IT WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE HAD MY ALIGNMENT CHECKED TWICE SINCE BUYING THE TIRES AND THEY ARE ROTATED EVERY 5-5.5K MILES. THE TIRES ARE 195/60/15. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPON…
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BOUGHT FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES TWO YEARS AGO, AND ON MY REAR TIRE THE SIDEWALL BLEW A 4.5 " CHUNK OUT OF IT WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE HAD MY ALIGNMENT CHECKED TWICE SINCE BUYING THE TIRES AND THEY ARE ROTATED EVERY 5-5.5K MILES. THE TIRES ARE 195/60/15. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #10928736
170,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHIPLASH, AND BURNS TO THE RIGHT AR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHIPLASH, AND BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM FROM THE AIR BAGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND STOMACH BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHICH ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10904242
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2016
Electrical System
THE CAR HAS HAD 5-6 REPAIRS OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WONT RESTART WITHOUT A JUMPSTART, IS DEAD RANDOMLY OR ONLY CLICKS.JUST SPENT ANOTHER $200 ON AN ALTERNATOR WHEN THE KEY WONT TURN AND THE REAL PROBLEM OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS COME TO LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATI…
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THE CAR HAS HAD 5-6 REPAIRS OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. THE CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WONT RESTART WITHOUT A JUMPSTART, IS DEAD RANDOMLY OR ONLY CLICKS.JUST SPENT ANOTHER $200 ON AN ALTERNATOR WHEN THE KEY WONT TURN AND THE REAL PROBLEM OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS COME TO LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE CAR JUST DIEING WHEREVER AND WHENEVER.
NHTSA ODI #10899327
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Engine
WE HAD PURCHASE A 2004 FORD FOCUS AND WE HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS NOW. FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICE THAT THE CAR OVERHEATS WELL THE NEEDLE WILL SHOOT UP TO THE HOT AND YOU CAN HEAR THE FAN/ENGINE WHATEVER OTHER COMPONENTS RUNNING LOUD AS IF ITS REVVING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN SCARED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE IT WOULD ALSO STALL …
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WE HAD PURCHASE A 2004 FORD FOCUS AND WE HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS NOW. FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICE THAT THE CAR OVERHEATS WELL THE NEEDLE WILL SHOOT UP TO THE HOT AND YOU CAN HEAR THE FAN/ENGINE WHATEVER OTHER COMPONENTS RUNNING LOUD AS IF ITS REVVING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN SCARED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE IT WOULD ALSO STALL LIKE ITS ABOUT TO GO OFF AND A COUPLE TIME IT HAS WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. WONDERING IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE? THE OVERHEATING HAPPENS VERY OFTEN IT HAPPEN DURING A SHORT DRIVE OR LONG DRIVE LIKE 12 TO 16 MILES. IT ALSO SEEMS TO DO IT A LOT WHEN I'M AT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WHEN YOU SIT THERE FOR 3 LIGHTS TURNS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF CARS I NOTICE IT OVERHEATS THEN. ALSO, ALWAYS OVERHEATS WHEN I GO TO COSTCO TO BUY GAS. DUE TO THE LONG WAIT FOR MY TURN TO PUMP GAS IT OVERHEATS THEN. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER OF THE WEATHER BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN COOL IN THE MORNINGS AND IT HAS DONE THAT AND ALSO DONE SO DURING HIGH NOON. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE IT DURING NIGHT TIME. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE? WE BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE PARTY SO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. RECENTLY I CAN START THE CAR UP GO ONE BLOCK FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WILL OVERHEAT. VERY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10898116
101,000 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK PANEL DID NOT LATCH INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TRUNK PANEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS FOR THE TRUNK PANEL TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCHES WERE DEFECTIVE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK PANEL DID NOT LATCH INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TRUNK PANEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS FOR THE TRUNK PANEL TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCHES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE NEARLY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10892602
100,000 miles · Jul 12, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10884387
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2016
Unknown Or Other
WHILE LEAVING WORK, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP, AND I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO START. I LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. I AM A POLICE OFFICER IN MY UNIFORM AND IT IS VERY UNNERVING TO BE STRANDED…
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WHILE LEAVING WORK, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP, AND I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO START. I LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. I AM A POLICE OFFICER IN MY UNIFORM AND IT IS VERY UNNERVING TO BE STRANDED LIKE THAT.
NHTSA ODI #10873856
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.