2004 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 7%of 387 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,111miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Ford Focus, 7% of the 387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,111 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I parked the car over night. In the morning on my way to a medical appointment I inserted the key in the ignition and the steering was locked up. The key goes inside the ignition but it would not turn. I only imagine the same situation while I am driving the vehicle. The steering wheel would not move, can it happen? Has it happen? Let you be the judge.”
NHTSA complaint #10724798, filed 2015-06, 80,100 miles“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!”
NHTSA complaint #10354819, filed 2010-09, 80,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10203387, filed 2007-09, 42,000 miles“I tried to start my 2004 Ford Focus zx3 one night only to find that the steering wheel and ignition were locked up. It felt as if the whole steering mechanism was frozen. I'm still researching how to deal with this issues since I can't drive my car. On-line resources have taught me that this is a common problem with the Ford Focus' yet there is no recall available and we are stuck paying hundreds of dollars to fix a manufacturer defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10277284, filed 2009-07, 70,000 miles“I have a 2004 Ford Focus. I parked my vehicle at church on sunday and when I came out - I put my key in the ignition to start my car and it was locked up. No matter what I tried I couldn't turn the key or start my car. I called my brother-in-law to come help me. He tried to and nothing worked. He had the suggestion to look on the internet - to look up Ford Focus and key won't turn on google. I did just that - and there were numerous complaints of this happening to people that had Ford Focus's. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232014, filed 2008-06, 115,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 | 4% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 45 | 4% |
| 2015 | 93 | 9% |
| 2014 | 223 | 9% |
| 2013 | 273 | 13% |
| 2012 | 927 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 9% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 73 | 7% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 86 | 5% |
| 2000 | 168 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Focus
183 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
28 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology