Page 5 of 8 · complaints 201–250 of 387

2004 Ford Focus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Apr 3, 200812,980 milesOH

WENT TO START CAR TO GO TO WORK AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION ON. HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE TUMBLER ASSEMBLY REPAIRED AT A COST OF JUST UNDER $400. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 22, 200860,147 milesWA

I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 FORD FOCUS SE FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE IGNITION IN THE CAR FROZE. WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION THE KEY DOESN'T GO IN THE KEY HOLE SMOOTHLY ONCE ALL THE WAY IN IT WONT TURN. I WAS STRANDED AT WORK FOR 3 AND A HALF HOURS TRYING TO GET MY CAR STARTED FINALLY A TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME AND USED A MALLET HIT MY KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION TO GET THE CAR STARTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD THAT FORD DID A RECALL ON THIS PART. TURNS OUT THAT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I AM FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PART...I DID SOME RESEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM FORD IS NOT FIXING THIS MALFUNCTION. I AM DEPLOYING TO IRAQ FOR THE SECOND TIME AND I CAN NOT LEAVE MY FAMILY A WORKING VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A DEFECT FORD HAS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM. I FEEL AS IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD FACE AND SHOULD DO AN OFFICIAL RECALL ON. THIS IS POOR SERVICE ESP COMING FROM A LARGE VEHICLE COMPANY LIKE FORD. *TR

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Mar 15, 200855,656 milesNV

I HAD PARKED MY CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, THE WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT BECOME UNLOCKED. MYSELF AND SEVERAL PEOPLE TRIED MANY TIMES TO GET IT UNLOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 26, 2008WI

I WAS GETTING INTO MY 2004 FORD FOCUS AND PUT THE KEY IN AND TRIED TO TURN IT. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS BROKEN. I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT WORK AND LATE FOR MY SECOND JOB BECAUSE OF THE CAR TROUBLE. I AM HAVING MY CAR FIXED TODAY. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND BARELY GOT TWO WORDS OUT ABOUT THE IGNITION AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY SAID THAT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF FOCUSES. THIS HAS LEFT MANY PEOPLE STRANDED AND IN DANGEROUS PLACES. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE SO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 8, 2008NJ

2004 FORD FOCUS WITH IGNITION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 1, 200839,000 milesFL

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP OCCASIONALLY. AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY, IT WOULD ALWAYS CRANK EVENTUALLY. CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN AND THEREFORE CAR WOULD NOT START. CYLINDER IS A "DEALER ONLY" PART. FORD WILL NOT LET OTHERS SELL THIS PART BECAUSE THEN NO ONE WOULD BUY THEIR DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 30, 2008NY

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FOCUS USED THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR WILL CURRENTLY NOT LATCH SHUT. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR LATCHES OF FORD FOCUS WHICH I DID FIND. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER AND HAD THE LATCHED LUBED 1/4/2006, AT WHICH TIME IT MET RECALL REQUIREMENTS. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT AND THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE LATCH IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH PHONED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WERE ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THAT BECAUSE THEY LUBED THE LATCHES THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE REQUIRED TO DO. WHICH I FIND COMPLETELY UNSATISFACTORY. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WHICH IS WHY FORD HAS RECALLED THE LATCHES THEY SHOULD BE COVERING THIS. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN AS WELL, HOWEVER ACCORDING TO FORD BEING THAT THE LATCHES HAVE BEEN LUBED IT SHOULD BE FINE. NOW IF THE DOOR THAT WON'T SHUT IS FIXED AND MY DAUGHTERS FALL OUT OF THE OTHER DOOR THAT FORD HAS LUBED BEING THAT IS ALL FORD SAYS THAT IS REQUIRED, WHAT WILL FORD AND NHTSA SAY THEN. THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THERE RECALLS. THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THESE LATCHES THAT THEY ARE TRULY RESPONSIBLE FOR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. YOUR INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 24, 200867,947 milesIL

MY DAUGHTER WENT TO START HER 2004 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION CYLINDER WERE LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS "IGNITION CYLINDER BINDING." DEALERSHIP DRILLED OUT CYLINDER AND REPLACED AT A COST OF $425. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,947. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 18, 200816,000 milesAK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT MAY BE SMELLING NORMAL GAS FUMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN THE PAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING PASSED. THE CAUSE OF THE FUMES HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE SMELL HAS CAUSED THE CONTACT'S KIDNEYS TO HURT. FORD STATED THAT THEY WOULD HELP PAY FOR THE COST, IF THEY CAN ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE DEADLY DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,200.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 3, 2008CA

MY HORN STOP WORKING A LITTLE AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK IN 04. FORD HAS PUT ABOUT 5 NEW HORNS IN STILL NOTHING. IT WORKS FOR A BIT, THEN OUT OF NO WERE IT STOPS. THEN AROUND 34,000 MI MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 33 DAYS. AT THE TIME NO ONE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS A LEMON IF ITS IN THE SHOP FOR THAT LONG UNDER 36,000 MI THEN ITS A LEMON. THEN AT 58,000 MY ENGINE STARTS TO MAKE A NOISE. SO I TAKE IT TO FORD, YEP IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, SO THEY PUT A NEW ONE IN THERE. WELL AT 67,00 GUESS WHAT, MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP, SO NOW I'M SCREWED. I CAN BARLEY MAKE MY PAYMENTS AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE MY CAR.....AGAIN.*CN

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 2, 200877,000 milesTX

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2004 FORD FOCUS.*CN

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 27, 2007IL

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 18, 200746,810 milesFL

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 14, 2007TX

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

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 5, 200758,000 milesMI

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 30, 200750,759 milesCA

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 26, 200741,000 milesOH

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

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 14, 2007CA

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 8, 200746,000 milesNH

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. AS OF NOVEMBER 8, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 7, 200748,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME DEFECT, BUT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 22, 200714,155 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY CARTRIDGE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE THREE ORIGINAL KEYS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,155 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,200. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 3, 200750,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $150 FOR THE PART. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 24, 200753,000 milesIL

I WAS STRANDED OVER THE WEEKEND AT A GAS STATION IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE MY KEY WOULDN'T TURN, IT SEEMED LOCKED IN MY IGNITION. I REALLY NEEDED MY CAR TO START TO GET OUT OF THERE BUT COULDN'T AND WAS APPROACHED BY A MENTALLY INSANE MAN ASKING ME FOR A RIDE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THEY AREN'T OPEN UNTIL MONDAY. *TR

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Sep 20, 200742,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS KUMHO, SIZE 195/60R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE SCRAPED THE CURB AND BLEW OUT. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Sep 18, 200742,000 milesVA

THE SHIFTER, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION KEY ALL LOCK UP ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS. I SIMPLY GUIDE MY CAR TO WHERE I WANT TO PARK IT. STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR AGAIN, EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP AND TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET IT UNLOCKED. I ALMOST HAVE TO BREAK OFF THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Sep 12, 200737,800 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE SHIFTING AT 30 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH, HOWEVER, THEY NEGLECTED TO REINSTALL ONE OF THE BOLTS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlCrash
Filed Sep 4, 200719,800 milesNC

UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND HAVING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED, AND TRAVELED INTO THE INTERSECTION. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT STRUCK A PASSING SUV. END RESULT WAS MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE SUV SUFFERED HEAVY DAMAGE. I CONTACTED FORD IN DEARBORN, MI BUT THEY WERE NO HELP. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR WHEN THE OFF BUTTON WAS PRESSED. UPDATED 10/10/07. *JB

Tires
Filed Aug 27, 200721,000 milesOH

MY DAUGHTERS FORD FOCUS 2004 HAS ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS MAKING NOISES WE CHECKED THE TIRES PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASON P205/50R 16 87 H M+S AND THE REAR BACK TIRE CORDS WERE BROKE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR OVER A YEAR AGO AND THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR THEY SAID THEY WONT DO ANYTHING WHAT IF IT WOULD OF BLOWN OUT THINK THEY SHOULD BE CALLED IT HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TIRES LOOKED UP COMPLAINT ON INTERNET, WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DID NOT TRUST THE OTHER TIRES NOW THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA SURPRISE. WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD OF HAD A BLOW OUT????????? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. CLICK HERE: COMPARE PRICES AND READ REVIEWS ON PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASONS PASSENGER/PERFORMANCE TIRE AT EPINIONS.COM --- CLICK HERE: NEWS IN BRIEF.(BRIEFS)(BRIEFS ON PIRELLI TIRE NORTH AMERICA, TOYO TIRE (USA) CORP., COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO.) - JO *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 24, 2007IL

FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 21, 200748,073 milesCT

MY FORD FOCUS ZX5 STALLED ON ME ON THE HIGH WAY JULY 27, LUCKY FOR ME THE TRAFFIC WAS SLOW. TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. COST ME $600 TO REPLACE IT. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON AUGUST 1, AND TWO DAYS LATER ON AUGUST 3, IT STALLED AGAIN. TOW IT BACK TO DEALER ON AUGUST 7, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN, THEY SAID THE NEW FUEL PUMP THEY REPLACED TWO DAYS AGO WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THEY HAD IT FIXED ON AUGUST 8, AND ONE DAY LATER ON AUGUST 9, IT STALLED AGAIN. TOWED BACK TO DEALER THE THIRD TIME. ON AUGUST 13, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP. (WHAT? SO THEY DIDN'T SERIOUSLY CHECK THE CAR, AND PUT ME INTO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN???) ON AUGUST 17, THEY CALLED TO INFORM ME IT WAS THE INERTIA SWITCH. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. RENTAL COST (I ASKED FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE RENTAL AND THEY REFUSED). I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE CAR'S SAFETY CONCERN AND THEIR MECHANIC'S INCOMPETENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER KEPT SAYING THE SECOND TIME THE NEW PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SWITCH PROBLEM DIDN'T SHOW UP UNTIL THE THIRD TIME. I REALLY DOUBT IT, BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT SHOWED ME THE SAME PROBLEM. AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIND THE INERTIA SWITCH PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. I ALSO CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND ASKED FOR TO BE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR. I TOLD HER ABOUT MY SAFETY CONCERN, AND SHE INFORMED ME AS LONG AS I AM STILL NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TH

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v BatteryFire
Filed Aug 13, 200732,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND ARE CURRENTLY FILING A REPORT. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE DRIVER SIDE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED OTHER VEHICLES LIKE HIS AND NOTICED A PATTERN OF FIRE RELATED FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 17, 200736,000 milesHI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jul 13, 200755,000 milesDE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE IGNITION LOCKS UP. AS A RESULT, SHE IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, DOORS, START THE VEHICLE, OR OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN ANY CAPACITY. FORD ADVISED HER TO SHAKE THE VEHICLE AND MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. FORD ALSO ADVISED HER HUSBAND TO TAKE A MALLARD AND STRIKE THE IGNITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO RELEASE THE KEY. IF NONE OF THOSE SOLUTIONS WORKED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PART IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HEEDED FORD'S INSTRUCTIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, HOWEVER, THE PLATEAU OF CONCERN IS NOT GREAT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $432 AND THAT THE PART IS DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 5, 200777,000 milesWI

WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE 2004 FORD FOCUS BEGAN TO STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I AM CURRENTLY ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IF I SPEND A FEW MINUTES MANIPULATING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNING THE KEY.*AK

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 12, 200722,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER GRANDDAUGHTER BECAME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT BELT. BY PULLING ON IT, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HER LEG AND LOCKED INTO POSITION. THE GRANDDAUGHTER COULD NOT GET IT OFF HER LEG. THERE WAS NO LEVERAGE TO PULL HER LEG OUT AND THE FURTHER THE BELT WENT DOWN HER LEG, THE TIGHTER THE BELT BECAME. THE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO CUT OFF HER CIRCULATION. THE CONTACT WEDGED HER FINGER BETWEEN THE GRANDDAUGHTER'S LEG AND THE SEAT BELT TO RELIEVE PRESSURE. IN THE END, THE CONTACT CUT THE SEAT BELT WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS. THE SEAT BELT SNAPPED BACK QUICKLY AND NOW IT IS FIRMLY STUCK INSIDE OF THE SEAT. THE CONTACT ASKED FORD WHY THIS HAPPENED, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. SHE STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE MADE FOR HER AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAS NEVER BEEN USED AND THAT HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS NOT SEATED IN THE MIDDLE SEAT. HER MAIN CONCERN IS NOT HOW HER GRANDDAUGHTER BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE SEAT BELT, BUT WHY THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOOSEN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE BELT. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 6, 200722,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING NEW FRONT ROTORS AND MADE THE REPAIR. ONE MONTH LATER, THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING AGAIN. A PIECE OF THE FRONT ROTOR FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AGAIN. THE POWERTRAIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 3, 200738,000 milesTN

WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2004 FORD FOCUS, 3 YEARS AGO. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT (WE'RE AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES). OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS, WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AND ONCE IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WONT TURN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT TOOK JUST A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND THEN IT TURNED. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, AND HAS TAKEN UP TO 5 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN. EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM AROSE, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THIS TIME IT TOOK 10 MINUTES TO GET TO KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN. THAT SAME NIGHT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A FRIENDS HOUSE, AND AGAIN THE KEY HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO THE IGNITION, AND ONCE IN IT WONT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, AND I'M STUCK. MY HUSBAND HAS ANOTHER KEY TO THE CAR, SO WE TRIED ALTERNATING THE KEYS. WE SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 30 MINUTES, TRYING BOTH KEYS ALTERNATELY, AND THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. WE HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME AND ARE WITHOUT A CAR NOW. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME CAR LAST WEEK, AND IT COST THEM $420 FOR PARTS/REPAIRS. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK WHEN WE CAN AFFORDS THE REPAIRS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR (FORD FOCUS, SEVERAL YEARS/MODELS) SOME OF THEM EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME PART MORE THAN ONE TIME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY PART, AND FORD SHOULD BE CONDUCTING SOME SORT OF RECALL TO FIX THE PART. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed May 16, 200753,898 milesIL

RAW FUEL LEAKS FROM GASOLINE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECENTLY FUELED. DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS ACCOMPANYING LEAKAGE. INCLUDES DIFFICULTY STARTING/ HESITATING/SURGING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND STALLING AT LOW SPEED MANEUVERS.*AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 8, 200797,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECENT TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AAA AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 4, 200746,700 milesMA

2004 FORD FOCUS. IGNITION GOT STUCK KEY WON'T TURN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 20, 200741,500 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN DEPRESSED IT AGAIN FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND PROPERLY. WEATHER AND SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,500. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › ModuleFire
Filed Mar 21, 200735,900 milesMI

I PURCHASED A 2004 SVT FOCUS 10/06. IN 12/06, THE COIL PACK WENT BAD, THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. ON 3/9/07 AS I WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE, THE SAME SYMPTOMS HAPPENED TO ME AS THIS PAST DECEMBER, THEN WENT AWAY VERY QUICKLY. I MADE THE DECISION TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE HOME AND CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I NEVER MADE IT HOME. ABOUT A 1/4 MILE FROM MY FRIENDS HOUSE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER VERY VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE COIL PACK THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED WAS GLOWING RED AND SHOOTING SPARKS AND BEGAN TO NOT ONLY CATCH ITSELF ON FIRE, BUT STARTED SETTING ALL THE CABLES AND OTHER THINGS ON FIRE.AT THE SAME TIME THE CLUTCH ALSO EXPLODED AND BLEW THROUGH THE BELLHOUSING. WHICH THERE IS A TSB ISSUED BY FORD ON. ALSO, AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL TRYING TO RUN ALL ON ITS OWN, AND THE KEYS WERE IN MY POCKET. I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT IT WAS NOT DONE BY ANYTHING THAT I WAS DOING OR HAD DONE TO THE VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS 35,900 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SIDE NOTE, AFTER THE WHOLE INCIDENT WITH THE COIL PACK BACK IN DECEMBER, I JUST RECENTLY DECIDED TO PULL UP THE HISTORY ON MY VEHICLE FROM FORD'S DATABASE. IN DECEMBER I WAS BROUGHT INTO THE OFFICE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ALMOST BLAMED FOR ABUSE OF THE COIL BECAUSE IT WAS SO DESTROYED. YET, WHEN I LOOKED UP MY HISTORY IT SAYS THAT ALL THAT WAS REPLACED WAS A CONNECTOR ON THE COIL, NOT THE COIL ITSELF

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 27, 200746,000 milesWV

YESTERDAY I GOT INTO MY CAR (A 2004 FORD FOCUS), PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE KEY CYLINDER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS, BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THE AFFECTED MODELS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAD TO PAY OVER $200 FOR IT. *NM

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 24, 2007CA

ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT FULLY STOP. MY CAR ENTERED INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 1, 2007WA

THE KEY FOR MY 2004 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON ISN'T WORKING RIGHT. I TURN IT BACK AND FORTH IN THE IGNITION AND IT TAKE 5 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. IT ISN'T ON RECALL BUT SHOULD BE. THERE ARE LOTS OF THE SAME ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. *JB

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Jan 23, 20078,242 milesIN

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. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 21, 200739,000 milesGA

1) ACCELERATOR STICKING UPON PUSHING ON THE PEDAL 2) PUSHING HARD ON THE PEDAL, IT EVENTUALLY RELEASES, SOMETIMES SQUEALING THE TIRES AND LAUNCHES THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHICH HAS ALMOST MADE ME HIT PEOPLE OR UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC WHERE OTHERS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME. 3) DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE CABLE BUT ALSO SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THROTTLE BODY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB

Suspension
Filed Jan 19, 200782,000 milesTN

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 FORD FOCUS SE WITH A ODOMETER READING OF 82000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS A REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WHICH HAS RESULTED IN TIRE CUPPING AND HE HAS TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES FOR A THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY BOTH TOLD HIM THAT HE AS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. NEITHER THE MECHANIC SHOP NOR THE DEALER KNOW WHY THIS FAILURE HAS RECURRED AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OFFERED A SOLUTION. *JB UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jan 9, 200734,190 milesAK

GENTLEMEN MY PROBLEM IS TWO FOLD, FIRST I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE NHTSA IS NOT PROVDING ALL THE INFORMATION ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS, RECALLS, AND SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS THAT IT USE TO. NOW I AM HOPING THAT A REP WILL EITHER WRITE ME OR CALL ME AND TELL ME THIS IS THE WAY ITS ALWAYS BEEN. THIS IS B.S..... MR NHTSA WHY ISNT THERE A ARCHIVE WHERE WE CAN GO BACK 3 MONTHS, 6,12 OR MORE. WHY HAVE YOU ROMOVED THIS OPTION???? IT USE TO BE THERE!!! NOW FOR MY COMPLAINT I HAVE A FORD FOCUS, 2004 AND THE AXLE JUST BROKE, 34000 MILES AND ITS AT THE DEALER SHIP HOPEFULLY GETTING FIXED, NOW THERE WAS NO FORWARNING, NO SNAP, POP, BANG OR ANYTHING, I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT MOVED ABOUT SIX FEET AND STOPPED. NOW IF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR TRYING TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD THING, FORTUNATLY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I REVIEWED YUOUR ENTRIES ON THIS MATTER YOU ONLY HAVE ONE. GIVE ME BREAK I WANT TO SEE THE HISTORY. I HAVE BEEN WRENCH PULLING FOR A FEW YEARS AND THERE I NO WAY IN HELL YOUR GOING TO CONVINCE ME THIS ALL YOU HAVE. HELL EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS SAY ITS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. ITS UNDER WARRENTY BUT THE FACT STILL RAMIANS THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AT THE VERY LEAST. WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU MR NHTSA

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 9, 200732,500 milesFL

IGNITION LOCK ON 2004 FORD FOCUS FAILED (FROZE UP). THIS IS THE SAME SCENARIO THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR WHICH FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. FORD DID REPAIR THIS UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE TO ME, BUT SINCE THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE CHRONIC, I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE INCIDENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS RECORDED. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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