2004 Ford Focus Electrical System Problems
- 61
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 61 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- steering wheel · 11 records
- turn ignition · 8 records
- ignition turn · 7 records
- ignition switch · 7 records
- ignition lock · 6 records
- ignition cylinder · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 17 |
| 60–100k mi | 16 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the speedometer fluctuated continuously. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
ODI 10549057
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Parked car as always. Came out to start car to leave and key will not turn in ignition. Had to have it towed. The tow truck driver said they tow ford focus models with bad ignitions quite often. A woman in a focus wagon pulled up in the lot where i was stranded before the tow truck arrived. I asked her to not park there since a tow truck was coming; i also told her why. She said she had several times where her key…
ODI 10355650
Electrical System
2004 for focus. Ignition occasionally won't start with the key. Got stranded a few times. It seems something is wrong either with the keys or the ignition area where you place the key. *tr
ODI 10353241
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Yesterday evening, 6/22/10, after playing tennis at a local park, i got into my '04 ford focus wagon, put the key in the ignition, and the key would not turn. The steering wheel was locked, and no matter how i tried, the key would not work. I called my wife to come after me with her key. With some difficulty she was able to unlock the steering wheel and start the car with her key. I drove the car home and left the…
ODI 10339747
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact was driving with the cruise control set at 80 mph. When she attempted to turn on the headlights, the vehicle began abnormally jerking as if she was repeatedly tapping on the brakes. The trans axle cooling system warning light illuminated when she turned the lights off and on. The cruise control then became inoperable. The vehicle had not yet been taken to the…
ODI 10328478
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The deck lid wiring harness breaks due to fatigue from opening and closing the hatch. In my case, 6 wires in the harness had been completely severed. Because of this, my tail light was out, the door ajar light was on and the brake lights were always on when the car was in drive. Besides the danger of being rear ended because the brake lights are always on, depending on which wires break or have their insulation…
ODI 10327772
Electrical System
The ignition lock cylinder failed suddenly without a gradual increase of symptoms. The cylinder would not allow the key to turn, unlock the steering wheel and allowing the car to start. A new ignition lock cylinder was installed and rekeyed at a price of $171.18 for the part and $142.50 for the labor.
ODI 10323513
Electrical System · Steering
Ford focus 2004 ignition locked. Opened car as usual, inserted key in ignition to turn and steering wheel appeared to be locked. Tried to turn key and move steering wheel but both wouldn't move. Called dealership and was told the ignition was locked and that it was a common problem. Car now needs to be towed to be fixed. *tr
ODI 10308490
Electrical System
First occurrence,without warning,(had never happened before) car shut off, ignition switch would not turn, resulting in vehicle no start condition. (original manufacturers key and ignition switch) contacted aaa auto club, tow truck dispatched, tow truck driver states garage has seen many 2003, 2004,2005 focus with this problem. Also should be noted numerous similar complaints on file with all model years of this…
ODI 10303763
Electrical System · Equipment
Ignition and steering wheel completely locked up when i put the key in while heading out on my lunch break. I'm really disturbed that the nhtsa has not done anything to make the ford motor company fix this problem which is a chronic, well-documented safety hazard. My car is now completely immobile and had to be towed back to my residence. Luckily my father is going to be able to fix it, but there are many people…
ODI 10279527
Electrical System · Ignition
There is a defect which causes the ignition lock to fail, making it impossible to turn the key or start the vehicle's engine. The form says it's invalid but i checked both places in the car and that is what it says. The form did not have, "electrical system:ignition," as an option for component name which better describes the problem area. *tr
ODI 10276582
Electrical System
1. Ford focus (2004) has for the past month had trouble with the key turning in the ignition. Apparently it is a well known issue and ford refuses to acknowledge that it is a safety issue. However, i absolutely believe that being stranded somewhere at night is very much a safety issue - whether or not ford admits this possibility. 2. The key does not turn because of a defect in the ignition switch (or so i've read…
ODI 10272460
Electrical System
I own a 2004 ford focus that the ignition went out on, i would put the key in and the key would not turn, locked steering wheel. For a while, i would wiggle the key and it would finally turn over, until 2 weeks ago( 5-2009) when i had to have it towed after i got in my car and it would not start. The ford dealership looked at it the next morning and told me it would be $450.00 to fix and that this problem has…
ODI 10270079
Electrical System
Ignition completely locked up. I could not start car. I was stranded and had to get towed to a ford dealer. Cost was $500 to fix. *tr
ODI 10282035
Electrical System
2004 ford focus - key will not turn in ignition. The first occurrence was 6/27/09 @ 1:15 am, leaving movie theater, had to leave vehicle there. Again @ 7 am (finally got car cranked after 15 minutes). When got home this occurred again. Repeated times. Cannot crank vehicle with key in ignition. *tr
ODI 10275093
Electrical System
Upon leaving a grocery store the ignition key wouldn't turn. I was unable to start the car and called the local ford dealership. They responded by saying that they would charge $391 plus tax, and that if they damaged the steering column in the process i would be liable for the repair or replacement cost of the column as well. Not willing to take my chances with such an expensive repair that would leave me with a new…
ODI 10258524
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
For about a month now, the ignition and/or steering wheel locks up when i try to put the key in to start my 2004 ford focus. I initially spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to start the car. Now i realize i have to jiggle, turn, & finagle everything just right & i can get it the ignition to turn in a few minutes. It is ridiculous that i now think getting my car started in under 5 minutes is "good." this…
ODI 10257730
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. When the contact removes and re-inserts the key from the ignition, the ignition locks. He was unable to start the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. He is in the process of having the ignition cylinder replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would not provide financial assistance because his vehicle exceeded the warranty. The vin was unknown. The failure and current…
ODI 10252084
Electrical System
Got into the car put the key in the ignition and it would not turn. A locksmith hit it with a hammer and it turned, now to get it started i have to hit the key with a hammer but i don't know how long that will last. *tr
ODI 10251531
Electrical System
I have a 2004 ford focus. Intermittently i have had difficulty turning the key in the ignition. I place the key in the ignition but the ignition does not move. Generally if i wait and try again several minute later the key will turn. Tonight i left work and attempted to start my car. The key would not turn. I called home and attempted with spare key with similar results. I left car in parking lot until able to call…
ODI 10245622
Electrical System
Occasional erratic instrument display operation with periods of instrument panel outage. *tr
ODI 10245559
Electrical System
I got in my car after lunch on day to return to work and when i put my key in the ignition, it would not turn. I kept trying for approximately 30 minutes and could not get it to turn. This is the second ford focus i have owned and the 2nd time this event has occurred. I had to pay $473.20 to have the car towed, the ignition lock replaced, and a new key fitted for the car. The lady at the ford dealership informed us…
ODI 10244976
Electrical System
My car (2004 ford focus) was just about due for its 30,000 mile tune up when it first acted up. It stopped while driving on the freeway-no power, nothing. We took it to a local toyota dealer service center and had it checked and the 30,000 mile tune up done. No problems for 1 month. While driving it did the same thing when i exited my driveway. After stopping the car, taking out the key, then re-starting the engine…
ODI 10235244
Electrical System
I have a 2004 ford focus that is having major issues with the ignition. The key will not turn in the ignition in order to start the car, and has left me stranded on several occasions. *tr
ODI 10232781
Electrical System
Ignition switch frozen, the cost to repair/replace quoted by ford dealership was $361.00, the cost by a locksmith is $300-$350. 2004 ford focus z3. *tr
ODI 10228663
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2004 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.