23 complaints reported

2004 Ford Focus Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
23
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. There were three clicks before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after approximately 10 minutes. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled nearby train tracks. The contact waited for 10 minutes, restarted the vehicle, and drove the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic test indicated that the PCV valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately a month later. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel relay fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately three weeks later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,010.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Dec 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. ALSO, THE OXYGEN SENSOR, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SINCE 2016, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, FACING UPWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A SCHOOL TEACHER WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR INTAKE WAS LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND WATER ENTERED, WHICH DAMAGED THE SENSORS.T HE AIR INTAKE NEEDS TO BE POINTED DOWN TO PREVENT WATER FROM COMING IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN IS INVALID. *TT*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2017
Aug 2016

WE HAD PURCHASE A 2004 FORD FOCUS AND WE HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS NOW. FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICE THAT THE CAR OVERHEATS WELL THE NEEDLE WILL SHOOT UP TO THE HOT AND YOU CAN HEAR THE FAN/ENGINE WHATEVER OTHER COMPONENTS RUNNING LOUD AS IF ITS REVVING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN SCARED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE IT WOULD ALSO STALL LIKE ITS ABOUT TO GO OFF AND A COUPLE TIME IT HAS WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. WONDERING IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE? THE OVERHEATING HAPPENS VERY OFTEN IT HAPPEN DURING A SHORT DRIVE OR LONG DRIVE LIKE 12 TO 16 MILES. IT ALSO SEEMS TO DO IT A LOT WHEN I'M AT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WHEN YOU SIT THERE FOR 3 LIGHTS TURNS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF CARS I NOTICE IT OVERHEATS THEN. ALSO, ALWAYS OVERHEATS WHEN I GO TO COSTCO TO BUY GAS. DUE TO THE LONG WAIT FOR MY TURN TO PUMP GAS IT OVERHEATS THEN. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER OF THE WEATHER BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN COOL IN THE MORNINGS AND IT HAS DONE THAT AND ALSO DONE SO DURING HIGH NOON. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE IT DURING NIGHT TIME. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE? WE BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE PARTY SO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. RECENTLY I CAN START THE CAR UP GO ONE BLOCK FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WILL OVERHEAT. VERY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2016
Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FILTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2015
Nov 2014

THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS , OUNCE WHILE DOING 60MPH, THE OTHER TIME DOING 35MPH. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2014
Sep 2014

2004 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN AUGUST 2009, THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN IN JANUARY 2013, AT 56,000 MILES, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2009
Jul 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND POWERED OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,589.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2012
Jun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND THE FUEL RAIL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING SHORTER DISTANCES. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING AT EVERY STOP. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO RECUR MORE FREQUENTLY DURING HOTTER TEMPERATURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2012
Dec 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND STALLED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED AN IMPROPER KEY ISSUE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE OR ANY OTHER COURSE OF ACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2010
Nov 2010

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START UP MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I WAS STRANDED AT THE GAS STATION FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE AAA CAME AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING YOU TO START YOUR CAR IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS, MOST COMMONLY IN MODELS BETWEEN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2006. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ONLY 5 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. IF I WAS FURTHER AWAY OR OUT OF TOWN, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG SAFETY HAZARD, AS IT COULD HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BY HELPING THE CONSUMERS OF THE FORD FOCUS RECEIVE A REFUND/RECALL FOR THEIR DEFECTED IGNITION CYLINDER. THANK YOU! *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2010
Mar 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER HAD NO PRESSURE AND THE PISTON WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2009
Dec 2008

PURCHASED CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND IT HAS SINCE DIED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. LAST TIME CAR DIED, SO FAR, WAS ON A BUSY ROUTE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH OUR TWO TODDLERS AND NEWBORN IN THE BACKSEAT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM OF CAR JUST DYING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WHEN WILL THIS GET THE PROPER ATTENTION IT NEEDS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR EVEN KILLED BEFORE IT'S ACTUALLY DEALT WITH. NO DEALERSHIP OR MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. HAD WE KNOWN THIS, WE WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR. WE PURCHASED IT SOLELY ON THE FACT IT WAS ABLE TO HAVE OUR THREE CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT AND IT HAD SO FEW MILES, 65K. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2008
Oct 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A VACUUM LEAK DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT FORD HAD TO UPGRADE THE COMPUTER IN HIS VEHICLE, WHICH MEANT THAT IT HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. ONCE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE IDLER INCREASED TO 1,200 RPM'S AND THEN DROPPED TO 1,000 RPM'S. HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND IT SPED OFF. HE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS PUSHING AGAINST THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DROVE 20 MPH AROUND THE PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WITH NO BRAKES. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE EPA REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE GEARS DO NOT CHANGE OR DECREASE TO A LOWER RPM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2008
Jul 2008

2004 FORD FOCUS..CHANGED THE AIR FILTER AND NOTICED OIL IN AND UNDER THE OLD FILTER AND CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS ON THE NORMAL LEVEL. ABOUT THREE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR SHUT OFF, NOW IT WILL DO NOTHING, THE MOTOR WON'T EVEN TURN OVER. CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2008
Jan 2006 Injury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE PULLED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, WHICH THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2006
Jan 2006 Injury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 55 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE PULLED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2006
Nov 2004

WHEN PARKING A 2004 FORD FOCUS, THEY ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER IF YOU PARK TO CLOSE TO A CURB STOP THE OIL FILTER CAN BE HIT AND KNOCKED OFF THE CAR. ALL OF THE OIL DRAINED OUT AND WITHIN LESS THAN 4 MILES THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. FORD MOTOR LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND CLAIMED THE OWNER WOULD NEED TO COME UP WITH $5300 TO FIX THE CAR. THEY CLAIMED THE CONSUMER WAS LIABLE AND IT WAS HER FAULT AND NOT A DESIGN DEFECT, CLAIMING THE MOTOR FROZE AFTER 2-4 MILES AND NO OIL LIGHT EVER COMING ON. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2004
Jun 2004

VEHICLE HAS STALLED / SPUTTERED WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING.*MR THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THEY SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT WAS WRONG. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, CLEANED OUT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER AND HAVE NOW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2004
May 2004

2004 FORD FOCUS SVT *PURCHASED NEW ON APRIL 30; CAR IS LESS THAN 20 DAYS OLD *ENGINE EXHIBITS "SURGING" BETWEEN 2000-3500, ALL GEARS, ALL TEMPERATURES, LIGHT ACCELERATION *CONCERN THAT SURGING COULD THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY *CONTACTED FORD SVT TEAM (800-367-3788) AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT CURRENTLY WORKING ON A FIX AS "NOT ENOUGH. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2004
May 2004

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2004
Apr 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT SPARK PLUGS AND THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE WERE WORN. MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE HEAD ENGINE. *LA

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2004
Mar 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2004
Feb 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2004

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2004 Ford Focus has 23 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.