MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford Focus

▲ Better than typical
2004 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Focus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3686 complaints 2001: 1761 complaints 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2004 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 204 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3763 complaints 2013: 2106 complaints 2014: 2597 complaints 2014 2015: 1016 complaints 2016: 1178 complaints 2017: 894 complaints 2017 2018: 826 complaints 2018
2004: 387 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003686
20011761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005441
2006204
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123763
20132106
20142597
20151016
20161178
2017894
2018826

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48%

48% of complaints: electrical system — 184 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 47 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

IN JANUARY, I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC CRASH. I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO MY VEHICLE (GIVING PLENTY OF TIME TO COME TO A STOP AND ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH ) BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, I HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200310

Also filed under STRUCTURE

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and column.

CRASH INJURY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 7%

7% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch and lock.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was coming home one night, in my 2004 Ford focus, when another driver comes speeding up behind me. He then proceeds to pass me during a corner, cutting me off. I hit the brakes and lost control.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220613

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131220

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131104

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20050309 — latches/locks/linkages

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A

Campaign 05V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

R 20120330 — equipment

RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRI

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CO

Campaign 12E007000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (184 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V030000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12E007000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2012 ■ 2000 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford Focus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Focus is rated "better than typical".

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

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Focus have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.