CarModelProblems.com

2004 Ford Focus Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
387Complaints
6Recalls
34Crashes
13Fires
34Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition (19.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Electrical System:ignition complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System:ignition74 · 19.1%not available
Electrical System62 · 16%not available
Electrical System:ignition:switch34 · 8.8%not available
Steering20 · 5.2%not available
Latches/locks/linkages20 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 05V030000
Air Bags16 · 4.1%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING20 · 5.2%
AIR BAGS16 · 4.1%
ENGINE13 · 3.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12 · 3.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 · 2.8%
Unspecified / other11 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 387 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 12E007000 · 2012 · reported 02/24/2012

IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 05V030000 · 2005 · reported 02/01/2005

IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10171272 — filed 10/18/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
“: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WHEN THE…”NHTSA complaint 10164226 — filed 08/02/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10162899 — filed 07/19/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

592009392020116720131711201515720175142019242022312026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Focus?

Electrical system:ignition issues are the most-reported category, cited in 74 of 387 NHTSA complaints (19.1%), followed by electrical system (62), electrical system:ignition:switch (34), steering (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Ford Focus have?

387 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 34 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 34 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Ford Focus have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12E007000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Ford Focus's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.