2004 Ford Focus Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING SUDDENLY. MY DAUGHTER SAW STEAM OR SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS INTENSE, THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS MELTED, THE INTERIOR OF THE DASH WAS DESTROYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE MOST INTENSE FIRE AREA WAS AROUND THE FUSE PANEL. I DID CONTACT FORD THROUGH SEVERAL AVENUES BUT THEY APPEARED TO BE DISINTERESTED. *TR

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.

ALL OF THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND BUTTONS BESIDE THE RADIO SCREEN IS INTERMITTENT. I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. DUE TO THE RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING AT. I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2004. NOTHING HAS BEEN MODIFIED ON THIS VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE'S TOW HITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONLY THE LICENSE PLATE HAD A DENT IN IT AND HE SUFFERED A SEVERE BURN INJURY ON HER LEFT HAND. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,687.

A/C RECALL I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AND THE A/C WAS WORKING. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T ORDER THE AIR HOSE IT NEEDED TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T SELLING THEM ANYMORE. WE TRIED HOSES FROM SIMILAR MODEL CARS, BUT COULDN'T FIX IT.

IT HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND ONCE IN A WHILE. WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKES BARELY WORKED. THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PRESS AND IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ON THE "DRIVE" MODE. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. THE ONLY PATTERN HERE IS IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. IT COULD BE IN THE REVERSE OR DRIVE MODE. THE FREQUENCY SEEMED INCREASED RECENTLY WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LOCKS/LATCHES) BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/18/13*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND POWERED OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,589.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESUME ACCELERATION. THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE AIR IDLE CONTROL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06E056000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES OF JIGGLING TO FINALLY GET THE IGNITION LOCK TO RELEASE. I DRIVE THIS CAR ON BUSINESS, INCLUDING IN REMOTE AREAS. IT IS SCARY TO TRY TO START THE CAR AND HAVE THE KEY NOT TURN. SO FAR, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO EVENTUALLY WORK, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE'VE JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ON MY WIFE'S 2007 FORD FOCUS. IN RESEARCHING THIS, IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THE FOCUS SINCE THE BEGINNING AND APPARENTLY FORD HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE OR CHANGE THE IGNITION LOCK MECHANISMS ON LATER FOCUS MODELS. POTENTIALLY GETTING STRANDED AT NIGHT OR IN A REMOTE AREA DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION LOCK IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONE SHOULD NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM IN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I AM A CAREER SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT WORKING IN THE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE INDUSTRY WITH 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND THE FUEL RAIL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING SHORTER DISTANCES. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING AT EVERY STOP. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO RECUR MORE FREQUENTLY DURING HOTTER TEMPERATURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE TWO LANE PARKWAY HIT THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE BACK WHEEL. THE CAR THEN WAS DRIVEN INTO A ROCK CUT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED IN. ALTHOUGH THE FRONT END IMPACT WAS SUBSTANTIAL, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL AS CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD ON THIS ACCIDENT. *JS

I WAS DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING AND HIT A TREE, THAT IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD, ON A WINDING ROAD WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF AT ALL. WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL ON A GURNEY, IN AN AMBULANCE. LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED QUITE A BIT OF TRAUMA. IT WAS SWELLING AT SUCH A RAPID RATE THAT THE NURSES AND DOCTORS THOUGHT I HAD BROKEN MY CHEEK BONE. AFTER CT SCANS, IT WAS DETERMINED I HAD NO BROKEN BONES, JUST BRUISED RIBS, SMALL CUTS, AND CONTUSIONS ON MULTIPLE PARTS OF MY BODY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I PLAN TO GET THE SDM FROM THE VEHICLE AND SEE WHAT EXACTLY WAS RECORDED. *TR

THE 2004 FORD FOCUS HAS A PROBLEM WHERE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IS TO TAP IT WITH A HAMMER OR OTHER HEAVY OBJECT OR SPEND OVER 300 DOLLARS TO GET A NEW IGNITION LOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE ON OCCASION BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I'M HOPING THE NHTSA WILL FORCE FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. *TR

FORD FOCUS WHEEL AND IGNITION LOCKED UP. CANT TURN KEY OR WHEEL! I HAVE RED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND CANT BELIEVE FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THIS ISSUE!!! THE BEST PART ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS MY CAR JUST GOT OUT OF WARRANTY! YOU SUCK FORD AND YOUR CHEAP [XXX] DEALERS!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ALL OF A SUDDEN I AM HAVING TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2004 FORD FOCUS. AS OF NOW I AM ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN BY GENTLY TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HAMMER AS I TRY TO TURN. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE IGNITION BECAUSE WHEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT THAT FORD IS AWARE OF, BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH, AND I'M UNABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR. A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED IN JANUARY, 2005 FOR THE FORD FOCUS MODEL FOR THE PERIOD 2000-2005. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD FOCUS HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA REPORT ID # 05V030000. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL AND RESPECTFULLY ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE. *KB

2004 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *KB

IGNITION IS TOTALLY FROZEN UP. NO ADVANCED WARNING OF IMMINENT FAILURE. STRANDED. WAS ABLE TO GET A RIDE. IGNITION IS TOTALLY STUCK WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. NOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION/KEY MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN. KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS THIS COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION (BUT OPERATED DOOR AND HATCH WITHOUT DIFFICULTY), CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND THE OWNER WAS STRANDED WITH AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REQUIRED $400 FOR A REPLACEMENT IGNITION CYLINDER. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH POOR QUALITY IGNITION CYLINDERS IN THIS MODEL YEAR AND THEY WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REDESIGNED BY FORD (PERFORM A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER" OR SEE THE DISCUSSION AT HTTP:FORUMS.FOCALJET.COMTEAM-TECH497529-NEW-IGNITION-CYLINDER-HELP.HTML). GIVEN THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, THE ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL INSTEAD OF REQUIRING A SIGNIFICANT OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENT BY THE OWNER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD HEAR A WHINING SOUND WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ATTEMPTED TO START CAR AND STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION WAS LOCKED. I CAN'T GET EITHER TO TURN. *TR

THE IGNITION IS COMPLETELY LOCKED. I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE THE PAST MONTH BEING ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOW I CANNOT TURN IT AT ALL. MY CAR IS STRANDED AT A LOCAL TIRE SHOP WITH THE WINDOW DOWN, WHICH MAY CAUSE EVEN MORE DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER OR ALLOW FOR EASY THEFT. THIS PROBLEM IS SO UNPREDICTABLE ITS SCARY, I COULD'VE BEEN ANYWHERE AND BEEN STRANDED. THEN I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FIND THAT TONS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE FORD USED A CHEAP METAL. ITS TIME THAT THEY TREATED THERE CUSTOMERS RIGHT AND RECALL THIS PART. *TR

2004 FORD FOCUS, KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 20 MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT HAS TAKEN HOURS TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WITH LESS THAN 70K MILES, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE CAR! *TR

BATTERY FAILURE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FOCUS, WHEN I TURN ON THE LEFT BLINKER AND IT STARTS BLINKING VERY FAST SO I ASSUME IT NEEDS A NEW BULB OR FUSE. I GO TO REPLACE THE BULB ONLY TO FIND THAT THE HOUSING UNIT HOLDING THE BULB FOR THE BLINKER IS MELTED. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING AND THIS COST ME $120.00 DOLLARS. FAST FORWARD SIX MONTHS, NOT ONLY IS THE LEFT BLINKER OUT BUT NOW THE RIGHT BLINKER AS WELL, AND GUESS WHAT SAME PROBLEM NOT JUST A BULB BUT BOTH HOUSING UNITS HAVE MELTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, SINCE ONE, IT IS THE MATERIAL OF THE CAR THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE MANUFACTURES BULB AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVEN WHEN REPLACED WITH NORMAL DRIVING. PLUS NO BLINKERS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NO RECALL! LOOKS LIKE FORD THINKS MELTING CAR PARTS ON THEIR VEHICLES IS NORMAL. *LN

2004 FORD FOCUS WAGON GOT INTO CAR TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP, PERFECTLY ALIGNED, NOT ASKEW. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER REMOTE STARTING AND CHECKING THE FUSES, THE CAR DID TURN ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON RESEARCH. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS 2.3L. KEY WONT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. WE HAD TO CALL A LOCK SMITH OUT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. THE LOCK SMITH SAID THAT HE REPLACES TWO TO THREE EVERY WEEK ON THE FORD FOCUS MODEL. LUCKY FOR US WE WERE AT HOME WHEN THE IGNITION FAILED. I READ OTHER STORIES WHERE OTHERS WERE NOT SO FORTUNATE. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT FORD STILL TO THIS DAY DOSE NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. EVEN A COURTESY ALERT WOULD BE BETTER THEN SITTING IN THE DARK AND HAVING TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO DISCOVER WHAT THE FIX IS. *TR

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FOUR PEOPLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES (BURN RASHES, ETC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

NOTICED HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WHICH IS MOUNTED BEHIND THE CLUTCH PEDAL UNDER DASH. CLUTCH SYSTEM SHARES BRAKE FLUID WITH BRAKE SYSTEM. FLUID DRIPS ON CLUTCH PEDAL AND FLOOR CREATING A VERY SLICK SURFACE AND DROP IN FLUID LEVEL IN BRAKE RESERVOIR. THIS CREATES A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL RUBBER FOOT PAD WHICH HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM EXPOSURE TO THE BRAKE FLUID. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

PARKED CAR AS ALWAYS. CAME OUT TO START CAR TO LEAVE AND KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THEY TOW FORD FOCUS MODELS WITH BAD IGNITIONS QUITE OFTEN. A WOMAN IN A FOCUS WAGON PULLED UP IN THE LOT WHERE I WAS STRANDED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. I ASKED HER TO NOT PARK THERE SINCE A TOW TRUCK WAS COMING; I ALSO TOLD HER WHY. SHE SAID SHE HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHERE HER KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN HER FOCUS. MINE HAD DONE THAT A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS, IT APPEARS BASED ON THE INTERNET SEARCHES, AND JUST MY CONVERSATIONS IN ONE DAY THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. MINE IS A 2004 MODEL FOCUS. SO IT GOES BEYOND THE THINKING THAT IT IS ONLY 2000 TO 2003 MODELS. THIS PAST WEEKEND I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE HENRY M. JACKSON WILDERNESS AREA IN WA. STATE, POSSIBLY WITH NO CELL PHONE SERVICE AVAILABLE EITHER. LUCKILY THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN CIVILIZATION. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE THIS PAST WEEKEND, IN BLACK BEAR & GRIZZLY BEAR COUNTRY. *TR

MY KEY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP ON MY 2004 FORD FOCUS LEAVING ME STRANDED AND COSTING ME TIME FROM WORK NOT TO MENTION THE COST ITS GOING TO BE TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND AS OF YET THERE IS NO RECALL. BUT I STRONGLY SUGGEST FORD CONSIDERING A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.... WHO FEELS SAFE STRANDED ON INTERSTATE, BAD AREA OF TOWN, AT NIGHT OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE! *TR

2004 FOR FOCUS. IGNITION OCCASIONALLY WON'T START WITH THE KEY. GOT STRANDED A FEW TIMES. IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG EITHER WITH THE KEYS OR THE IGNITION AREA WHERE YOU PLACE THE KEY. *TR

THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN IN MY 2004 FORD FOCUS LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED AND TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE SITUATION I HAD TO TAKE A HAMMER AND TAP THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN AT THE SAME TIME TO START THE CAR. THE KEY MUST REMAIN IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES NOW TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE. *TR

YESTERDAY EVENING, 6/22/10, AFTER PLAYING TENNIS AT A LOCAL PARK, I GOT INTO MY '04 FORD FOCUS WAGON, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND NO MATTER HOW I TRIED, THE KEY WOULD NOT WORK. I CALLED MY WIFE TO COME AFTER ME WITH HER KEY. WITH SOME DIFFICULTY SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND START THE CAR WITH HER KEY. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TODAY, I DROVE THE CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FOCUS IGNITION LOCK WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE IGNITION LOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $410.00. I GOOGLED 'FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM' AND CAME BACK WITH NUMEROUS HITS OF PEOPLE DESCRIBING SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX IT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT LEFT STRANDED BY THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES TO SO MANY PEOPLE, IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS A DEFECT AND A RECALL ISSUED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT CENTER SEAT-BELT FAILED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE HER FIVE YEAR OLD GRANDCHILD.INSTEAD OF THE SEAT BELT LOOSING, IT TIGHTENED AROUND HER STOMACH. THE SEAT-BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE HER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT BANGED ON THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,139 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,673. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 80 MPH. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABNORMALLY JERKING AS IF SHE WAS REPEATEDLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKES. THE TRANS AXLE COOLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN SHE TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,590.

MY FORD FOCUS SVT 2004 INGINTION KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. I HAD PROBLEMS STARTING 4 MONTHS AGO AND NOW IT IS WORST. *TR

2004 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT WITH A MILEAGE UNDER 20,000. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *TGW IN JULY 2009, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, PERIODICALLY THE CLUSTER LIGHTS WOULD MAKE A SOUND AND THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. IT WOULD HAPPEN TWICE IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, BUT DID NOT HAPPEN EVERYDAY. THE CONSUMER FOLLOWED INSTRUCTION ON WHAT TO DO. THE SITUATION WAS A LITTLE BETTER, BUT THE CLUSTER BLINKING, ETC STILL OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. A WEEK LATER, AS THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THERE WERE SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEY SEEMED TO GET WORSE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, THE TRANSMISSION PLATE WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDER THE ENGINE SHOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID AN D EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL FILLINGS. THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE DAMAGED PARTS WHERE THE TEETH IN THE GEARS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED THE METAL FILLINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION PLATE. *JB

THE IGNITION LOCK FROZE UP WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING US STRANDED ACROSS TOWN. THANKFULLY WE WERE IN A SAFE PART OF TOWN WITH ACCESS TO TOOLS SO WE GOT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED TEMPORARILY. THE IGNITION CAN BE UN FROZEN BY TAKING APART THE STEERING COLUMN AND REMOVING ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FROM THE LOCK. THEN PUT A DRIP PAN UNDER THE LOCK AND BLOW ALL THE METAL SHAVINGS OUT OF THE LOCK WITH A LIQUID LUBRICANT. DO NOT USE WD40. WE USED A FIREARM LUBRICANT WHICH WILL NOT CLUMP THE NEW SHAVINGS AND IT HAS WORKED RATHER WELL SO FAR (BREAKFREE). AS A PRECAUTION WE LEAVE THE KEY IN THE LOCK WHICH IS RISKY TO DO IN BAD PARTS OF TOWN. TO CIRCUMVENT THIS WE REMOVE THE KEY RFID SENSOR FROM THE CAR WHICH PREVENTS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT THE LOCK IS DOING. THIS HAS STARTED TO CREATE PROBLEMS WITH THE IMMOBLIZER IN THE CAR AND NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT NEEDING THAT TO BE RESET EVERY SO OFTEN. THE BEST PLACE TO GET THIS FIXED IS NOT AT THE DEALERSHIP AS THEY WILL USE THE SAME CRAPPY PARTS THAT GOT YOU INTO THIS MESS TO START. GO TO A LOCK SMITH AND HAVE THEM USE NON FORD PARTS. WE ARE WAITING ON A AFTERMARKET LOCK TO ARRIVE FROM HTTP://WWW.SANDIEGOLOCKANDSAFE.COM WHICH HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE ON THIS ISSUE (ALONG WITH MOST LOCK SMITHS WORTH THEIR SALT). IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU AND YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA GO HERE: HTTP://WWW.FAZMICLAW.COM/ , SEND THEM A MESSAGE AND ATTACH YOURSELF TO THE NOW PENDING LAWSUIT (08-15-2010). *TR

THE DECK LID WIRING HARNESS BREAKS DUE TO FATIGUE FROM OPENING AND CLOSING THE HATCH. IN MY CASE, 6 WIRES IN THE HARNESS HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SEVERED. BECAUSE OF THIS, MY TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ALWAYS ON WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. BESIDES THE DANGER OF BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRES BREAK OR HAVE THEIR INSULATION CRACK OPEN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BAD SITUATIONS: * ALL REAR LIGHTS COULD TURN OFF. * THE TRUNK COULD OPEN WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. * THE TRUNK COULD OPEN WHEN YOU USE A TURNING INDICATOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2000 FOCUS HATCHBACK, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE DECK LID WIRING HARNESS AFTER THAT YEAR. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED ON OUR 2004 FOCUS HATCHBACK, AND IT CAN LEAVE OWNERS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, I SPLICED THE BROKEN WIRES BACK TOGETHER. *TR

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT A GRADUAL INCREASE OF SYMPTOMS. THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN, UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO START. A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED AND REKEYED AT A PRICE OF $171.18 FOR THE PART AND $142.50 FOR THE LABOR.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START UP MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I WAS STRANDED AT THE GAS STATION FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE AAA CAME AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING YOU TO START YOUR CAR IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS, MOST COMMONLY IN MODELS BETWEEN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2006. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ONLY 5 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. IF I WAS FURTHER AWAY OR OUT OF TOWN, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG SAFETY HAZARD, AS IT COULD HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BY HELPING THE CONSUMERS OF THE FORD FOCUS RECEIVE A REFUND/RECALL FOR THEIR DEFECTED IGNITION CYLINDER. THANK YOU! *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD FOCUS, I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION STICKING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, USUALLY BEING ABLE TO JIGGLE IT AND GET IT TO TURN. NOW IT IS STUCK COMPLETELY, I'VE READ TONS AND TONS OF ARTICLES ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM, MY CAR IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX. *TR