2004 Ford Focus problems
The 2004 Ford Focus has 499 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (37%) concerns electrical system. After that come brakes (9%) and engine (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 499 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 45 and 18
- Injuries and deaths
- 45 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 376 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 80 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 59 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 74 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 51 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 48 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 19 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 14 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 7 |
What the data shows
Among the 376 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 50,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 53,000 miles (137 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 45 complaints mention a crash; 18 complaints mention a fire; 45 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Ford Focus with enough data (357 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 90 MPH. The consumer attempted to apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down. Consequently, the consumer rear ended another vehicle. The police indicated to the consumer not to drive the vehicle and was towed. Please provide further information. At the time of impact the engine stalled, the power steering and power brakes went out. The consumer would like ford to pay for the expenses.
My high beam is always on. My low beam and fog light do not work. The low beam and fog light are independent switch.
My husbandand I and two other riends were driving about 45 MPH and t-boned a small car because they failed to stop. Everyone sustained very bad seat belt injuries. I was a front seat passenger and I hit the windshield with my face but did not sustain bad injuries from it and the wieldshield didnt break. The airbags never deployed!!!! I would'nt have hit the windshield if they did. The only selling point of which I bought the small car for my three children and I. I am afraid to get behind the wheel again.
While as a sole driver and occupant of a 2005 ford focus, I was stopped at a red light and rear-ended by a four door 1995 dodge intrepid at a speed of approximatley 50 miles per hour. My driver's seat collasped in the collision which jerked my neck and back into the rear seat. As a result my thorasic spine, cervical sipne was so injreud as to cause my neck and back including my both arms to suffer a degree of paralysis, and injury to the upper spinal cord.
Dt*: the contact stated the dog was placed in the rear of the vehicle through the hatch. The door ajar light illuminated, the hatch was checked and it was discovered that it would no longer latch. There was no warning prior to the problem. The manufacturer and dealer have been alerted. An appointment was made with the dealer for inspection.