2004 Ford Focus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON OCTOBER 26, 2006 AT 8:00 AM I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN IGNITION LOCK AND HE SAID HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD NO TOWING SERVICE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES AWAY, I INSTEAD HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE DOWN THE ROAD. THE GARAGE INSTALLED A NEW LOCK CYLINDER. I WAS LATE FOR WORK AND HAD TO BUM A RIDE TO PICK MY CAR UP AFTER WORK. THE GARAGE CHARGED ME FOR 2 AND 1/2 HOURS OF WORK, THE TOWING AND THE PART, THE TOTAL BEING $308.62. ALL THIS ON A CAR ONLY 2 AND 1/2 YEARS OLD. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING IT TO THEM. I WROTE TO FORD HEADQUARTERS AND THEY AGAIN REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. *NM

• 12/27/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  EVENT: IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND START THE CAR. CONSEQUENCE: HANDICAP EQUIPPED CAR: EVENT LEFT MY WIFE HELPLESS IN HER CAR IN A HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR (WINTER COLD) (3) TOWING SERVICE REQUIRED, CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT, REPLACEMENT COSTS AT FORD CAR DEALERSHIP ABOUT 500 USD. *TR

• 12/22/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86000.

• 12/22/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS WHOSE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST ME A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

• 12/22/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  2004 FORD FOCUS HOOD FLEW UP SHATTERING WINDSHIELD. *TS THE HOOD LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

• 12/20/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 12/20/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND STALLED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED AN IMPROPER KEY ISSUE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE OR ANY OTHER COURSE OF ACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

• 12/18/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  ON A SATURDAY EVENING I DROVE TO GROCERY STORE. AFTER I HAD FINISHED SHOPPING I TRIED TO START VEHICLE. I COULD NOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD 67787 MILES. I HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND THEY DRILLED OUT LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT A COST OF $385.34. TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT HE HAD TOWED THE SAME MODEL BEFORE WITH AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD SEVERAL OF THE SAME MODEL WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE PART HAD BEEN UPDATED A FEW TIMES. I AM 53 AND HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES, SOME WITH OVER 240,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECT AND IT FAILED PREMATURELY. *TR

• 12/18/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PURCHASED CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND IT HAS SINCE DIED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. LAST TIME CAR DIED, SO FAR, WAS ON A BUSY ROUTE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH OUR TWO TODDLERS AND NEWBORN IN THE BACKSEAT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM OF CAR JUST DYING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WHEN WILL THIS GET THE PROPER ATTENTION IT NEEDS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR EVEN KILLED BEFORE IT'S ACTUALLY DEALT WITH. NO DEALERSHIP OR MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. HAD WE KNOWN THIS, WE WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR. WE PURCHASED IT SOLELY ON THE FACT IT WAS ABLE TO HAVE OUR THREE CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT AND IT HAD SO FEW MILES, 65K. *TR

• 12/18/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY LOCKOUT FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE TUMBLER. *TR

• 12/17/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVES AND RE-INSERTS THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION LOCKS. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

• 12/16/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE SHOE MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE SHOE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE WHEEL LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB

• 12/15/2014· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 770,714.

• 12/15/2008· STEERING,SEAT BELTS

  THE IGNITION ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP IN THE PAST AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK IT WITH A LITTLE JIGGLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. LAST NIGHT WAS NOT THE SAME. AFTER TRYING FOR 20 MINUTES, IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD WITH ME, I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THEY HAD TO TOW IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I AM SHOCKED TO SEE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE FOCUS, AMONG OTHER FORD MODELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM GLAD I WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME RATHER THAN OVER 50. IT IS THESE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT DON'T GET RESOLVED THAT CAUSE CONSUMERS TO NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. ALSO, 2 OF MY 3 BACK SEATBELTS DON'T WORK ANYMORE. *TR

• 12/15/2006· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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

• 12/15/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *JB

• 12/15/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AN D MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 7, 2004 TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES WOULD MAKE THE NOISE SUBSIDE. AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2004 THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISE. *NM

• 12/14/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS PROBLEM. IT JUST HAPPENED OUT OF NO WERE. MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR

• 12/14/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  08/15/06 I PURCHASED USED 2004 FORD FOCUS. 10/24/06 CAR DIES ON ME WHILE DRIVING. IT DIES AND AN "EXCLAMATION POINT" INDICATOR COMES ON IN THE DASH. THIS IS A VERY ABRUPT HALT WHENEVER IT DIES. IT ALMOST FEELS AS THOUGH SOMEONE HITS YOU FROM BEHIND. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY REPLACED THE TR SENSOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 11/06/06 PICKED CAR UP AND ON THE WAY HOME IT DIED ON ME TWICE. TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAY THAT THEY FOUND WIRES THAT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CHEWED BY AN ANIMAL. THEY REPLACED THESE WIRES AND THE CAR HAS NOT DIED AGAIN SINCE. **THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE YOUR CAR JUST DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. *JB

• 12/12/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION LOCKS WHENEVER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN WITHOUT HITTING ON THE KEY ITSELF. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE KEY BREAKING OFF IN THE LOCK. THE IGNITION LOCK APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK.. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, BUT IT HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE RECENTLY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $400-500 TO FIX, AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY TIMES, THE NEW PARTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS, PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

• 12/12/2006· STEERING

  I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FOCUS A YEAR AGO AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS GOING OUT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED PLACES SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COLD BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS ITEM SOON AT THE COST TO ME OF $250. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SINCE MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY SO MUCH MY HAND HURTS. *NM

• 12/11/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  GOT INTO THE CAR PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. A LOCKSMITH HIT IT WITH A HAMMER AND IT TURNED, NOW TO GET IT STARTED I HAVE TO HIT THE KEY WITH A HAMMER BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST. *TR

• 12/11/2004· TIRES

  I WISH TO REPORT A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE TIRE. ON NOV 20, 2004,I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FOCUS SE. WITH 5.914 MILES. ON 12/9/04, WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY, MY CAR'S TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON EXAMINATION, THERE WAS SEVERAL BLOWOUT TEARS ALONG THE OUTER SIDES OF THE TIRE. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO REFERRED ME TO GOODYEAR. GOODYEAR SAID THEY BELIEVED THE TIRES FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY TIRE "UNDER PRESSURE" AND A NAIL PUNCTURE. THE GOODYEAR TECHNICIAN MADE A DETERMINATION UPON VISUAL INSPECTION BASED ON RIPPLES ALONG THE TEAR MARKS WERE CAUSED BY UNDER PRESSURE. THE FORD DEALER MADE THE SAME EXPLANATION AS DID GOODYEAR. HOWEVER, I DISAGREE WITH THE OPINIONS OF BOTH FORD AND GOODYEAR. REQUEST AN EXAMINATION OF MY TIRE TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY TIRE OR BELT MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. MY TIRE IS A GOODYEAR EAGLE, RSA VERSION, SIZE P195/60/R15. MY TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION TO DETERMINE FAILURE.*JB

• 12/10/2009· STEERING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  NO EVENTS PULLED INTO PARKING LOT LEFT CAR FOR FEW MINUTES CAME BACK AND THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED SOLID. FROM WHAT I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS MINE IS A 2004. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD MAYBE NOT TO ME THIS TIME BECAUSE I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WAITED FOR OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK HOWEVER IF I WAS BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FLAT TIRE AND THIS HAPPENED WHAT THEN OR IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. PROTECT THE CONSUMER. *TR

• 12/09/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM. COULD NOT PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS STRANDED. *TR

• 12/08/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3: THE TUMBLERS OF THE IGNITION ARE JAMMED. THE KEY HAS A ROUGH TIME GOING INTO THE MECHANISM AND OFTEN GETS STUCK ON THE WAY IN OR OUT. ONCE IN, THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. THE CAR NOW HAS TO BE TOWED TO BE WORKED ON. *JB

• 12/05/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 2004 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED (IT WOULDN'T TURN) LEAVING ME STRANDED AND REQUIRING A TOW AND NEARLY $300 IN REPAIRS. I'VE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND WAS IDENTIFIED BY FORD OVER 7 YEARS AGO AND YET NO STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT IT. THE FACT THAT THIS DEFECT CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED PRETTY MUCH AT RANDOM (ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME) MAKES THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. AMONG OTHER THINGS, NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE KEY ALSO MEANS I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IS SIMPLY APPALLING. *TR

• 12/04/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE HAD MY 2004 FORD FOCUS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, AND I HAD BOUGHTEN IT USED. IT HAS RUN VERY WELL WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL UP UNTIL RECENTLY. I HAVE GONE TO START MY CAR, AND THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK AND NOT TURN OVER AND THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN FINE. YESTERDAY IT TOOK ME ALMOST 2 HOURS TO TURN THE KEY OVER TO GET MY CAR TO START. TODAY I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION. *NM

• 12/04/2006· 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 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

• 12/03/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH SMELL OF GAS IN VEHICLE. EXPERIENCE BAD ACCELERATION AND CAR BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF GAS. *BF THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO COAST AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT HAD COME ON. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHEN THE CONSUMER VIEWED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM OUT OF THE MUFFLER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. *SC

• 12/01/2008· STEERING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS (MANUAL TRANS) LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND PARKED IT STILL REQUIRED THE CALL OF FOUR TOW TRUCKS TO GET IT INTO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED IN A SLANTED POSITION WHEN I PARKED THE FIRST FLATBED TRUCK WASN'T ABLE TO LOAD IT. IT REQUIRED A SECOND TRUCK TO TOW IT TO MY OWN MECHANIC. FROM THERE HE REQUIRED IT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, SAME RESULTS WITH TOW COMPANY'S. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $357 ON TOP OF THE TOWING FEE FOR IGNITION LOCK REPLACEMENT. *TR

• 12/01/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB

• 12/01/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT FAILED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE IGNITION SWITCH HARD IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO COME OUT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND APPOINTMENT.*AK

• 11/30/2016· 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 RESPONSE.

• 11/30/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 FORD FOCUS-- IGNITION KEY WON`T TURN LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED. *TR

• 11/30/2007· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BOTH BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHEN THE SPEED IS BELOW 55 MPH, THE SHAKING WILL STOP OR DECREASE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD METAL ON METAL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,019 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,759. UPDATED 01/02/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SQUEAKED AND VIBRATED AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS REPLACED, DUE TO IT BEING BROKEN. THE SHIFTER SQUEAKED. THE RIMS WERE BENT AND THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. UPDATED*JB

• 11/30/2005· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR WITH 07 MILES ON IT. AT 9,000 MILES, ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT BEGAN TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS. REPEATEDLY RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT WAS GREETED WITH REFUSAL TO FIX THE VEHICLE AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES. WAS GIVEN FAULTY/DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT VEHICLES AS PART OF WARRANTY WHEN CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND UNDERGOING REPAIRS. FORD REFUSED TO FIX VEHICLE AT ONE POINT, AND NEW DEALERSHIP WAS INVOLVED. NEW DEALERSHIP VERIFIED PROBLEMS OCCURING, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND/OR FIX VEHICLE. REFUASAL UPON FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO BUY BACK AND/OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW VEHICLE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH THE TEXAS LEMON LAW AT MY OWN EXPENSE IN ORDER TO FIND RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *NM

• 11/28/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT TRIED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 11/26/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ONE MONTH AGO I NEEDED TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED, AND ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE LIGHT CAME ON THIS WAS AN INDICATOR. AFTER BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID WAS STILL DISAPPEARING. I ALSO FOUND A DRIP ON MY PEDAL FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE DASH, AFTER MY FOOT SLIPPED ON THE CLUTCH FROM SLICK BRAKE FLUID, AND NEARLY WRECKED MY CAR ON I-70 WHEN I NEEDED TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR AFTER MY FOOT SLID RIGHT OFF THE PEDAL. TURNS OUT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING. MY CAR IS ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD, AND ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT TOTAL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC, IT IS A FORD MANUFACTURED ONLY PART, AND WITH PARTS AND LABOR IS COSTING ME $450+ TO REPAIR THIS ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR NOT EVEN PAID FOR YET. STILL NOT A SAFE SITUATION WHEN YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE PEDAL. *TR

• 11/26/2004· SUSPENSION

  WHEN BRAKING THERE WOULD BE A SQUEAKING AND A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/25/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY GO OUT EVERY 3 TO 4,000 MILES. I HIT A TREE WITH THE SIDE OF MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL AT ON POINT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR GIVES NO WARNING WITH THE BRAKES. I TALKED TO FORD ABOUT WHO WAS GOING TO BE LIABLE IF I WRECKED AND SOMEBODY GOT HURT. THEY SAY IT MY PROBLEM. I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY JUST TELL ME I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I FEEL MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD. I ALSO HAVE A 4YEAR OLD THAT I WON'T DARE PUT IN THE CAR. JUST FOR THE FACT THAT THERE MAY NO BRAKES WHEN I STOP. O DO ADMIT IN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES I USED IT FOR BUSINESS. THEY STATED MY JOB WAS THE CAUSE OF IT. BUT I NO LONGER USE THIS CAR FOR MY BUSINESS. AND EVERYTIME I CALL THE FORD HOTLINE ABOUT MY CAR'S BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY JUST ALSO BLAME IT ON MY JOB. I TOLD THEM I NO LONGER DO THE JOB IN THIS CAR. THEY JUST ASSUME I DO. I DO USE MY CAR FOR ERRANDS AND JUST DRIVING AROUND. *AK

• 11/24/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN PARKING A 2004 FORD FOCUS, THEY ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER IF YOU PARK TO CLOSE TO A CURB STOP THE OIL FILTER CAN BE HIT AND KNOCKED OFF THE CAR. ALL OF THE OIL DRAINED OUT AND WITHIN LESS THAN 4 MILES THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. FORD MOTOR LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND CLAIMED THE OWNER WOULD NEED TO COME UP WITH $5300 TO FIX THE CAR. THEY CLAIMED THE CONSUMER WAS LIABLE AND IT WAS HER FAULT AND NOT A DESIGN DEFECT, CLAIMING THE MOTOR FROZE AFTER 2-4 MILES AND NO OIL LIGHT EVER COMING ON. *NM

• 11/20/2009· SEAT BELTS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE SEATING IN A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT, THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO TIE THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY JUST LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER CONTACTED NHTSA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85342. UPDATED 12/22/09.*LJ THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE STRAP. UPDATED 12/29/09.*JB

• 11/19/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

• 11/18/2005· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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

• 11/17/2014· ENGINE

  THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS , OUNCE WHILE DOING 60MPH, THE OTHER TIME DOING 35MPH. *TR

• 11/17/2011· STRUCTURE

  THE DOOR HANDLES, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, FAIL TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT, AND CAN BE SOMETIMES BE MITIGATED BY USING A KEY TO LOCK AND THEN UNLOCK THE DOOR, THOUGH THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SAFETY AND SECURITY, IN THE EVENT THAT ONE CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE.

• 11/15/2013· 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 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.

• 11/14/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION TUMBLER. OVER A COURSE OF A FEW DAYS THE KEY BEGAN TO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD ONLY TURN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER A FEW DAYS, IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I WAS STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT AFTER WORK FOR NEARLY AN HOUR UNTIL SOMEONE COULD GET ME. I THEN HAD TO GET A RIDE TO WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY (50 MI EACH WAY). BEFORE HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE, I CONTACTED SOMEONE AT A FORD DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HARD OBJECT (I USED A POCKET KNIFE) WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND IT WORKED! SO THE CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN GET IT STARTED AGAIN TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $450.00 AND THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST TO RE-KEY. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS 2004 FORD FOCUS (WE BOUGHT THEM ON THE SAME DAY) AND IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION TUMBLER--HOW COINCIDENTAL IS THAT? SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS DEFECT TO ME. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FORD COMPANY ISN'T TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. I OWN 3 FORDS AND WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN! *TR

• 11/13/2017· SUSPENSION

  THE BOTTOM OF MY SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS BECAUSE OF THE AREA I LIVE IN THE VEHICLE HAS 151239 MILES