2004 Ford Focus complaints

AT 40,000+ MILES MY 2004 NEEDS TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED: COST-$130.25 + TAX AND $94 LABOR. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SERVICE CENTER HAS HAD HIS FORD FOCUS THROTTLE BODY REPLACED 3X WITH 40,000 MILES. I AM TOLD THE PART IS BEING RE-DESIGNED. THE REASON I AM AWARE OF IT IS THAT SOMEONE CALLED IN ON CAR TALK ABOUT THE SAME CONCERN AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT. AT 58 MILES AN HOUR I NOTICE THE HESITATION. THE SERVICE CENTER SEEMS TO HAVE TWO VOICES--ONE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THE OTHER TO LEAVE IT BE UNTIL IT GETS WORSE. IS THIS PART GENERALLY NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THE BRASS AND PLASTIC INTERFACE? HOW DANGEROUS IT IT NOT TO GET THIS ITEM FIXED IMMEDIATELY. IS THE DESIGN FLAWED?THE PART NUMBER TO BE REPLACED IS: 3S4Z 9E926 AC: BODY ASY CARBUR EP. *NM

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

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

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

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

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

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

LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB

DEAR SIR, DURING A NORMAL RIDE THE STEERING WAS BLOCKED-OUT. I WAS CLOSE TO A CRASH. CAR IS A FORD FOCUS C-MAX, AND HAS ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS AROUND 30000 KM (MINE IS 50000 KM) AND FORD RECOMMEND "NOT TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ERROR APPEAR MORE OFTEN". WHEN MY CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM FORD JUST RESET THE COMPUTER AND THEY SAID CAR IS OK NOW. I ASK IF THE PROBLEM WILL APPEAR AGAIN, AND ANSWER WAS "IF IT APPEAR WE WILL CHANGE THE MODULE" . USUAL AFTER SUCH ISSUE YOU HAVE NOT THE SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE IT, AND AFTER CRASH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE ERROR. I HAVE PAPERS PRINTED FROM FORD COMPUTER WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ERROR. *JB

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED TO TURN DURING START UP. KEY WOULD BOTTOM OUT IN CYLINDER AS REQUIRED, BUT UPON ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE IN ANY DIRECTION THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. COULD NOT GET KEY TO ROTATE AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DO SO OVER A 12 HOUR PERIOD. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 2000. THE PARTICULAR FAILED IGNITION CYLINDER INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE LISTED HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES IN THE PAST, BUT EACH TIME RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITHIN MINUTES. NOT THIS TIME. IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE DISASSEMBLY, IE THE CYLINDER LOCK NEEDED TO BE DRILLED AND REPLACED. *NM

I NOTICED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2004 FORD FOCUS THAT IT HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY NOT TURNING THE IGNITION OVER. I RECENTLY WAS STRANDED BECAUSE MY KEY DIDN'T TURN OVER AND I TOOK IT THE SHOP WHO CONFIRMED IT WAS MY IGNITION LOCK THAT FROZE. THE COST $265...*NM

I HAD MY CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR A FUEL PROBLEM WHICH WAS SOLVED BY A COMPUTER UPDATE AND WHILE IT WAS THERE, I HAD THE DEALER DO AN OIL CHANGE. FOR SOME REASON THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THAT MY LEFT FRONT BRAKES WHERE GONE. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND I TOLD THEM TO PUT THE OLD PARTS IN MY CAR. UPON MY OWN INSPECTION OF THE OLD PARTS, 3 OF THE PADS STILL HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF PAD LEFT WHILE THE INNER DRIVER SIDE PAD HAD NOTHING LEFT TO IT. THE DRIVER SIDE ROTOR ALSO HAD SIGNIFICANT WEAR TO IT WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL LOOKED AND FELT FINE. *NM

IGNITION STARTED GETTING HARD TO TURN, EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. LEAVING ME STRANDED OUT OF TOWN. HAD TO SPEND 350$ TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN 9 MONTHS LATER. AND NOW IT'S BEGINNING AGAIN, WHEN I TAKE THE KEY OUT IT KEEPS BEEPING LIKE I HAVEN'T. *NM

2004 FORD FOCUS, NOW 2 YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES. WHEN LEAVING THE STORE TODAY MY KEY WOULD GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WOULD NOT TURN AND MY WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION FACING LEFT. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP COSTING ME $68 AND AN ADDITIONAL $98 FOR FORD TO LOOK AT IT. I AM SURE IT WILL BE CONFIRMED TOMORROW THAT I WILL NEED MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED AS HAVE MANY FOCUS OWNERS. WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $300. *NM

FRONT END COLLISION, AIR BAG PUT OUT POWDER AND LIGHT INDICATES DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OCCURRED. MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER FOR CRASH REPAIR I HAVE YET TO HEAR THEIR DETERMINATION REGARDING THE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE FADED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THIS IS THE SECOND BRAKE FADE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY FOUND AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.. FORTUNATE THAT THE EVENT HAPPENED WHILE AT HOME. I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DETRIMENTAL IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE ON DUTY. FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH, REFUSED TO COVER THE COMPONENT. WHILE THE PLAN CLEARLY STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS COVERED. FORD'S COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $365.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THUS FAILING TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 4TH FAILURE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE SEEN FALLING OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE REPAIR SHOP FOR INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS LX AND THE IGNITION LOCKED FROZE. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING MY VEHICLE TO START NO MATTER WHAT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT AND IS FAIRLY NEW. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THERE IS EVEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT GOING ON IN CALIFORNIA. FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE. IF MY CAR DOESN'T START IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS, THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND MOST OF THEM SAY THAT THEY HAD TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED MORE THAN ONCE WITHIN A 3 YEAR TIME PERIOD. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STARTER ASSEMBLY CONTINUED TO FAIL, NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO TURN OR RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE LOCKED POSITION. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT AN UNDISCLOSED FREEWAY SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BECAME WOBBLY. THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL, AND WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO THE RESIDENCE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT JACKED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BROKEN WELD IN THE REAR AND THE TIRE WAS BEING HELD ON WITH THE A-ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND TRANSCEIVER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

AT 15,000 MILE I REPLACED MY REAR BRAKE SHOES AND THEN TWO DAYS AFTER THAT THEY STARTED TO SQUEAL VERY BADLY LIKE THEY WHERE WORN OUT AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALER IN WHICH I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WHO HAD REPLACED THE BRAKES THEY REAPPLIED LUBE TO THE SHOES AND DRUM. THAT WORKED FOR THREE DAYS AND NOW ONCE AGAIN THEY SQUEAL AGAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES AGAIN AT 25,000 MILES AND THEY STILL SQUEAL AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKES WHERE REPLACED THEY WERE DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO MAYBE PURCHASED NEW DRUMS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT ONES BUT I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO DO SUCH A THING ON A CAR THAT IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD. PLEASE HELP. *NM

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS 18,000 MILES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE REPLACED TWICE; AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, THE THROTTLE BEGINS TO STICK AND IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO APPLY LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDDLE. THE THROTTLE WILL STICK AND AS I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE GAS, THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE FORCE FINALLY OVERCOMES THE THROTTLE STICKING. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS IN COMMUTE STOP/GO TRAFFIC AS I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THE SURGE. *NM

2004 FORD FOCUS. KEY DOES NOT TURN IN IGNITION. STRANDED IN REMOTE AREA. HAD TO WALK AND HITCH-HIKE HOME. FOUND HUDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF SUCH BASIC AND FUNDAMETAL SAFETY/SECURITY EQUIPMENT IS INHERANTLY DANGEROUS. CONSUMERS SHOULD BE WARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *NM

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I TRIED TO START MY 2004 FORD FOCUS, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER ABOUT 10 TRIES IT FINALLY WORKED. THIS AFTERNOON I WENT TO MY CAR TO PICK UP MY WIFE FROM WORK AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED FOR OVER TWO HOURS AND NO RESULTS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE BUT RATHER THE NORM. EVEN FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FROM THE FORD COMPANY, IN FACT THEY ARE ACTIVELY DENYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *NM

IN OCTOBER OF 2004 THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS AND WAS UNUSABLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE "FIXED IT". TODAY IS JUNE 18, 2006 AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED ON ME AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND SHE WORKS THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT. IF THIS CAR WERE TO LEAVE HER STRANDED AT NIGHT BECAUSE FORD FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL --I SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!! *NM

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.

IGNITION JAMMED UNABLE TO START CAR,KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IGNITION HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS, NOW THAT I HAVE NEW IGNITION THE KEY IS NOW GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. HAVE NOT REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP YET. *NM

MY CAR IS AGAIN IN SERVICE DUE TO A FAULTY GAS CAP. THE WIRE WHICH ATTACHES THE GAS CAP TO CAR KEEPS GETTING CAUGHT WHEN THE CAP IS BE SCREWED ON. CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THIS REASON. I AM TOLD I HAVE TO CHECK EACH TIME I GET GAS TO MAKE SURE CAP IS ON PROPERLY AND THAT CONNECTING WIRE IS NOT CAUGHT. I DON'T BELIEVE MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO DO THIS. I BELIEVE THE GAS TANK LINE WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AND THEREFORE IT KEEPS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *JB

I HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A CAR THAT SHOT OUT OF A SIDE STREET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE SIDE OF HIS VAN. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY RIGHT KNEE CAP WAS FRACTURED. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY ARE TURNED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY, IGNITION SWITCH, AND STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WERE REPLACED. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 05/30/2006. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AT THE SAME TIME. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. *AK

THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START; IT FROZE THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. IT OCCURRED LATE IN THE EVENING AND LEFT ME STRANDED 50 MILES FROM HOME. I HAVE SINCE READ MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME OCCURRENCE TO OWNERS OF THE FORD FOCUS OF VARIOUS YEARS AND TRIMS. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ANY FOREWARNING AND IS OF GREAT POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE DRIVER. FOCUS OWNERS REPORT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM REPEATEDLY AND FORD ADAMANTLY DENIES THE DEFECT. *JB

MY HIGH BEAM IS ALWAYS ON. MY LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHT DO NOT WORK. THE LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHT ARE INDEPENDENT SWITCH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED THERE WAS 9,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V030000 FOR THE DOOR LATCHES. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE SITUATION.

I HAVE TO REPLACED 02 SENSORS 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES. *NM

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING HER FORD FOCUS. SHE SMASHED THE CAR INTO A CEMENT BARRIER, SPUN AROUND AND SMASHED THE BACK OF THE CAR INTO THE BARRIER AND THEN SPUN AROUND AGAIN AND SMASHED THE FRONT INTO THE BARRIER AGAIN. THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURER. THIS FORD FOCUS IS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS. THESE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, MY DAUGHTER AND HER PASSENGER WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING DURING WINTER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH EAST, THE SALT, SAND AND SNOW ACCUMULATE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE WHEELS WERE SO FLAT ON THE INSIDE THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHED THESE ELEMENTS. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO REMOVE THESE ELEMENTS AT THE CAR WASH. THE WHEELS HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF AND CLEANED BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

DT*: 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.

DT*: 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.

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, WEATHER WAS CLEAR, ROAD WAS DRY. STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO RIGHT AND OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARD RAIL HEAD ON, UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN HER HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. SHE RECEIVED CUTS TO HER FOREHEAD, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND A FRACTURED ANKLE THAT WILL REQUIRE SURGERY TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CRASH INVESTIGATOR AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FORCE TO DEPLOY AIR BAGS. *NM

PREMATURE WEAR ON INSIDE FRONT TIRES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED. AFTER IT WAS ON FOR 30-40 MINUTES A SMOLDERING SMELL WAS DETECTED. THE FOAM LIQUEFIED AND CAME THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AND THE SEAT WAS REPLACED. ON THE THIRD FAILURE MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *NM

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

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *JB

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

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

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND I STARTED TO HERE A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THEN IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS STOPPING WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE MY FRONT TIRES LOCKED. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO TRY TO PUSH IT BACK PUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WAS GLAD WE WERE NOT IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY ARE TAKING THEIR TIME AND HAVEN'T LOOKED AT YET. I PAY 334. A MONTH AND MY CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE NOTHING TO DRIVE AND I CANT AFFORD TO KEEP UP A RENTAL CAR. 2004 FORD FOCUS. *NM

WE OWN A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX3. IT HAS AROUND 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS PRIMARY USED FOR COMMUTING, 150 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH DAY. LAST WEEK WHEN GOING TO LEAVE WORK MY HUSBAND INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT THE LOCK WOULD NOT TURN. HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE KEY TO FINALLY GET THE KEY TO TURN SO HE COULD COME HOME. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND THIS MORNING THE KEY IS UNABLE TO TURN AT ALL. WE'VE BARELY HAD THE CAR TWO YEARS. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE FOR A FIX/RECALL NOTICE I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER AMERICANS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME OF THEM SEVERAL TIMES. AT WHAT POINT DOES FORD ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING SUBPAR MATERIALS AND FIX THE THING ON THEIR TAB? I AM NOW SITTING WITH A CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, UNABLE TO EVEN BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WITHOUT A TOW TRUCK. IT IS BLOCKING MY GARAGE WHICH HOUSES OUR ONLY OTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM GOING TO BE OUT AROUND $100 TODAY FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE FIXING THE FOCUS. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED BY ITSELF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATION WAS RAPID IN NATURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ATTEMPTING TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WINDSHIELD LINING WAS COMING APART, ONE OF THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB