Complaints
499
Crashes
45
Fires
18
Injuries
45
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Ford Focus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#174 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Avg mileage:58,192 mi
#262 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:70,429 mi
Fires:4
#334 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Avg mileage:62,502 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Focus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 74 | — | — | 58,192 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 62 | — | 4 | 70,429 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 34 | 1 | — | 62,502 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 20 | — | — | 83,202 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 20 | 1 | — | 75,337 mi | |
| Airbags | 16 | 14 | — | 98,526 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | 2 | 137,305 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | 2 | 1 | 52,390 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 11 | — | — | 65,782 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 | — | — | 25,980 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 9 | — | — | 35,040 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 9 | 1 | — | 10,810 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 6 | — | 26,030 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 51,822 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 2 | — | 13,286 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | 1 | 1 | 105,725 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | 74,857 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 4 | 1 | 52,020 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 6 | — | — | 64,200 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 | 1 | — | 6,870 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 6 | 1 | — | 63,750 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 47,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Ignition
74
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,192
Electrical Faults
62
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
70,429
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,502
Latches / Locks
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,202
Steering Defects
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,337
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,526
Engine Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
137,305
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,390
Engine & Cooling
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,782
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,980
Other Equipment
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,040
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,810
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
26,030
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,822
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,286
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
105,725
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,857
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,020
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
6,870
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,750
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,000
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Focus Years
2004 Ford Focus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Focus reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Ford Focus has 499 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition with 74 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Focus?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition (74 complaints, avg 58,192 mi); Electrical Faults (62 complaints, avg 70,429 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (34 complaints, avg 62,502 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Focus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,952 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Ford Focus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Ford Focus include 45 crash-related reports, 18 fire reports, 45 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Ford Focus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Ford Focus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Focus?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Focus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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