Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Ford Focus

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 500 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V030000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
589,932
Reported to NHTSA
2005-02-01
Owners notified
2005-03-09

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition7453,000 mi
Electrical system6262,350 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3450,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2082,643 mi
Steering2070,000 mi
Air bags1690,000 mi
Engine13125,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1248,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1153,000 mi
Unknown or other1177,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine918,319 mi
Equipment917,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor96,000 mi
Air bags: frontal79,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission729,812 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip711,886 mi
Structure: body7114,000 mi
Suspension782,000 mi
Vehicle speed control754,102 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch675,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads65,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal641,500 mi
Exterior lighting530,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery410,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module435,657 mi
Power train: manual transmission46,000 mi
Seats486,140 mi
Service brakes4116,000 mi
Structure: body: door4250,000 mi
Tires419,392 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control419,800 mi
Fuel system, gasoline348,073 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump348,073 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3100,000 mi
Power train3165,000 mi
Seat belts395,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor320,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly324,000 mi
Suspension: front319,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing39,996 mi
Suspension: rear33,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)2200,010 mi
Interior lighting2—
Power train: axle assembly234,190 mi
Seat belts: rear/other285,342 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler239,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar242,000 mi
Steering: column27,800 mi
Tires: sidewall26,848 mi
Visibility248,000 mi
Visibility/wiper288,500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls24,900 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor24,324 mi
Wheels260,000 mi
Wheels: rim227,200 mi
Air bags: side/window14,400 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel170,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator148,229 mi
Electrical system: horn114,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly120,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring135,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash128,001 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control114,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal145,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery19,996 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings129,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system133,000 mi
Fuel system, other15,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings153,898 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch142,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1101,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)12,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift150,759 mi
Power train: clutch assembly137,800 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)18,242 mi
Power train: driveline: center support bearing133,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner12,100 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock12,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc11,500 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper17,850 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: electric power assist system135,000 mi
Structure130,900 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid150,000 mi
Structure: frame and members196,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint116,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint116,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs119,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt114,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring16,000 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.