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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,320 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 062008

Focus

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a vacuum leak due to brake failure. The dealer repaired the failure and stated that Ford had to upgrade the computer in his vehicle, which meant that it had to be reprogrammed. Once the contact entered the vehicle, the idler increased to 1,200 RPM's and then dropped to 1,000 RPM's. he placed the vehicle in gear and it sped off. He could not stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal because the engine was pushing against the brakes. The contact drove 20 mph around the parking lot for approximately 20 minutes with no brakes. The dealer is aware of the failure and called the manufacturer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was designed that way to be compliant with the epa regarding the catalytic converter. While driving 60 mph, the gears do not change or decrease to a lower RPM. The failure mileage was 57,000.

- Fort Lupton, CO, USA

problem #8

Oct 052004

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,242 miles
Car stalls without notice. Sent daughter to emergency room one time. Stalls 2 different ways, while driving and sometimes when coming to a stop. Total loss of control happens. Has been in shop many, many times and they can't figure out problem. Started when car was 7 months old. Also, clutch prematurely went out. Has been replaced 2 or 3 times. (car has 26,000 miles currently). Also, thermostat has gone out many, many times- daughter has driven most of winter with no heat.

- Ft. Wayne, IN, USA

problem #7

Feb 132006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,319 miles
: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at 55 mph the engine shut off. Although there was no accident, the emergency brake had to be pulled to stop the vehicle and the driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. They were unable to duplicate the problem and no repairs were made. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Fort Eustis, VA, USA

problem #6

Feb 132006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,319 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at 55 mph the engine shut off. Although there was no accident, the emergency brake had to be pulled to stop the vehicle and the driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection, which the problem could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Fort Eustis, VA, USA

problem #5

Jul 152005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,000 miles
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.

- Athens, NY, USA

problem #4

Nov 222004

Focus

  • miles
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.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 102004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has stalled / sputtered while driving or idling. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 3 separate occasions and each time they said something different was wrong. The dealer replaced the idle air control valve, cleaned out the entire fuel tank, replaced the fuel pump and filter and have now replaced the transmission.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #2

May 072004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2004 Ford Focus svt *purchased new on April 30; car is less than 20 days old *engine exhibits "surging" between 2000-3500, all gears, all temperatures, light acceleration *concern that surging could the car to lunge forward, causing an accident or fatality *contacted Ford svt team (800-367-3788) and was told they are aware of the problem, but not currently working on a fix as "not enough.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #1

Feb 272004

Focus

  • 48,000 miles
While driving the engine light illuminated. Then, vehicle stalled. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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