2004 Ford Focus Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 4%of 387 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 2004 Ford Focus, 4% of the 387 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. I do not know what the vehicle would not stop. It was as if the breaks were not working correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #11317279, filed 2020-03, 125,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10563681, filed 2014-02, 165,000 miles“I have two issues with my Ford Focus (2004) first, I ran into a problem with the ignition switch and it will not turn. I left the key in for a couple of months when this initially happened but, it wore out my alternator and I had to have it replaced. I removed the key once the new alternator was installed. I had some minor success with inserting the key and had to bang on it with my hand to get it to turn. This worked successfully for 2 weeks. The ignition switch is now frozen. I am back to square one. …”
NHTSA complaint #10286716, filed 2009-10, 50,000 miles“The door handles, interior and exterior, fail to open the doors. The problem has been intermittent, and can be sometimes be mitigated by using a key to lock and then unlock the door, though this doesn't always work. The problem has been getting worse with time. This is a problem with safety and security, in the event that one cannot enter the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10437013, filed 2011-11, 100,000 miles“The cigarette lighter after being pushed in getting hot popped out of the holder and landed either on the occupant's lap or on the carpeting. When this was shown to the rental company, and a demonstration was done, the lighter burned the representative's legs. This was a budget rental vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10087148, filed 2004-08, 350 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058100Sep 9, 2014Ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm (lca) can separate from forward attachment of subframe. Model 2001-04 escape.
- 10058099Sep 9, 2014Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. Model…
- 10205032Jan 26, 2005Safety recall 05S27 - Rear door latch corrosion - requests for recall service action - built on or before 01/26/2005
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% |
| 2014 | 63 | 2% |
| 2013 | 84 | 4% |
| 2012 | 332 | 9% |
| 2011 | 14 | 12% |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% |
| 2008 | 41 | 16% |
| 2007 | 24 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 7% |
| 2005 | 43 | 10% |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% |
| 2003 | 40 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 5% |
| 2001 | 60 | 3% |
| 2000 | 138 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Focus
183 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
28 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSuspension
17 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