2004 Ford Focus Ford Focus 2004

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2004 Ford Focus repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (27%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (0%)

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Chart based on 104 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Ford Focus.

2004 Ford Focus repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (16%)

$100 - $499 (52%)

< $100 (29%)

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Chart based on 93 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Ford Focus

Engine not specified

Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Aug 2009 - Mar 2010
Sep 2009

102000 mi

US $600
Timing belt and water pump- brake pads 
Ford Focus in Georgia, United States
Sep 2014 - Oct 2014
Oct 2014

83000 mi

US $470
The Oxygen Sensor keeps going bad frequently. I have taken it to many repair shops. Nobody has been able to fix it. This problem alone has cost me over $1200. This car is turning out to be a lemon. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Illinois, United States
Jan 2016 - Oct 2018
Jun 2016

208000 mi

US $500
Replaced engine 
Mar 2018

210000 mi

US $200
Remove and replace brake line that was getting rusty and front brake pads and rotors 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Nov 2015 - Jan 2022
Jan 2016

US $250
Rear brakes relined, wheel cylinders replaced. 
Jul 2017

57000 mi

US $60
Front tires showed toe-in wear, had alignment done 
Sep 2017

58000 mi

US $12
Transaxle AT mount to body collapsed. Used non-OEM part, will have to do it all over again, because aftermarket mount transmits incredible noise, vibration, harshness -- as bad as the collapsed original mount! Don't cheap out on an engine/trans mounts, use factory OEM parts. 
Sep 2018

62000 mi

US $25
Took it to a shop who replaced the tensioner pulley and recharged the A/C. Cost about $235 for shop repair/AC recharge. Noise when A/C compressor switched on; thought it was idler pulley for serpentine belt and replaced it, but was not.  
Jan 2022

75000 mi

US $130
Driver's door electric window mechanism failed. I bought part from Rock Auto, installed it myself. On single driver's door: Metric and SAE fasteners, hex head, phillips screw head, torx heads. A nightmare unless you've got all the tools required just to r & r window mechanism & door skin. Ford makes it hard to work on purposely so you'll take it to the dealer. 
Ford Focus in California, United States
Feb 2013 - Dec 2014
Sep 2013

40000 mi

US $100
Erratic bouncing of gauges, lights and radio go on and off, mystery battery drain -- Added 10GA ground wires to engine block, body from battery ground terminal - fixed. Windshield washer pump failed - very little use in the car's lifetime. Had to pull front L wheel, inner fender shield to access pump. Replaced original 2-way pump [1 outlet for windshield, 1 outlet for rear window] with 1-way pump [cheap]; 
Jun 2014

44000 mi

US $400
Ignition switch failed to unlock steering wheel - a common problem on Focus, according to the locksmith who had to drill out the cylinder and replace it. All 2000-2004 Focus' ignition switches have failed Had to have car towed. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Alaska, United States
Aug 2015 - Jan 2016
Sep 2015

82000 mi

US $300
Crack in thermostat housing caused all of coolant to leak out. Thermostat housing was replaced. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Washington, United States
Aug 2011 - Jun 2018
Sep 2011

76000 mi
Master Cylinder blew. I only discovered it because there was a wet substance that was dripping onto my clutch pedal. I had just bought the car used from the dealer and two weeks later this happened. Scary! 
Dec 2011

78000 mi

US $75
Thermostat got clogged and the car overheated. 
Jan 2013

86000 mi

US $100
Needed new battery 
May 2018

111534 mi

US $100
Leaking coolant/ had to add coolant if driving rough ie in traffic 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Illinois, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

124000 mi

US $400
Fan blade on cooling fan broke off causing noise when at idle with air conditioning on. Replaced fan assembly. 
Ford Focus in Illinois, United States
- Sep 2011
Sep 2010

97000 mi

US $550
Replaced alternator 
Sep 2011

102000 mi

US $462
Replaced alternator, again. Had solenoid affecting fuel system vaccuum replaced. Also had fuel injectors and throttle cleaned. 
Ford Focus in District of Columbia, United States
Jan 2011 - Aug 2011
Mar 2011

127000 mi

US $180
Broken radiator bypass pipe. 
Apr 2011

127300 mi

US $500
Replaced thermostat housing, O2 sensor and hose. 
Ford Focus in Pennsylvania, United States
Jun 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

58000 mi

US $1139
Car broke down on road; cooling fan broke, parts went into radiator. Towed to nearest shop; new cooling fan & radiator installed. New fan (redesigned by Ford) is louder and car still close to overheating. Back in shop. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Oct 2009 - Jun 2022
Sep 2014

132000 mi

US $180
Starter replaced due to off and on clunk at the moment of starting. Turns out starter was never the issue as the clunk was the early sign the PS motor mount was going. 
Jun 2016

145000 mi

US $125
Passenger side engine mount 
May 2018

160000 mi

US $50
Known issue with the hidden pcv hose splitting creating vacuum leak. Also replace pcv hose. Must remove intake manifold and fan shroud to access the two parts. 
Jun 2018

160000 mi
P1235 fuel pump control out of range. Fuel pump is fine. Misfire code does not correspond to a P1235. Control sensor maybe, but protected, and not known as a problem in this car. Car has had electrical gremlins for the last three years with various dash lights on while engine off. Could possibly be this. Time will tell. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2014
Jun 2014

154000 mi

US $100
Bad O2 sensor 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Dec 2015 - Apr 2016
Mar 2016

161000 mi

US $215
Inner tie rod end, driver's side. 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Jul 2017 - Jul 2018
Sep 2017

155000 mi

US $240
high pressure power steering hose replaced 
Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
Dec 2011 - Oct 2015
Apr 2013

113300 mi

US $350
Thermostat was apparently going bad, car overheated 
Dec 2013

121000 mi

US $1320
The car would abruptly stop running, warning lights would come on. Very unreliable for any distance, alternator failed,  ignition coils failed, spark plugs burned 
Sep 2014

127000 mi

US $370
Rear wheel bearings failing, outer tie rod worn, and alignment needed 
Dec 2014

129000 mi

US $909
Front wheel bearings failing, left outer tie rod end worn, replace sway bar links 
Ford Focus in Missouri, United States
Dec 2011 - Jun 2013
Sep 2012

151000 mi

US $50
Whistling sound and rough idle. Researched and found cracked PCV hose likely problem. Also needed throttle body cleaned as gas pedal sticking bad.Repair estimated at @600.00 so got new hose, PCV Valve, Throttle body cleaner, air intake seas 
Jan 2013

155000 mi

US $199
Had Thermostat and housing replaced due to throwing a code for insufficient temperature 
Ford Focus in North Carolina, United States
Apr 2009 - Sep 2014
Oct 2012

145800 mi

US $750
Replaced worn-out tie rod end. One of four engine mounts. 
Mar 2014

170000 mi

US $400
Bushings dried out, squeaking badly 
Jul 2014

172000 mi

US $150
Valve cover gasket leaking 
Sep 2014

172000 mi

US $99
Car had a intermediate skip. Noticeable when stopped at light. Determined that one spark-plug coils were failing. Shop wanted $800.00 to replace. I purchased for $99.00 and replaced in less than 20 mins. Since new paid $8K in repairs 
Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Apr 2009 - Nov 2015
May 2009

75000 mi

US $53
Transmission would not shift. Transmission was replaced, cost covered by extended warranty. 
Jul 2013

118300 mi
Shock tower attachment bolt loose 
Sep 2013

120000 mi

US $172
Vehicle would not start, jumpstart attempt was not successful 
Jun 2014

127000 mi

US $74
Engine starter would not crank. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Indiana, United States
May 2009 - Sep 2009
Jun 2009

55000 mi

US $1500
PCM replaced, reflashed. Starter replaced.  Battery charge light still lit, TSB stated instrument cluster needs to be replaced. Did not replace. Alternator replaced. 
Ford Focus in Kentucky, United States
Mar 2016 - Jan 2018
Jan 2018

163000 mi

US $25
vacuum line melted. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Colorado, United States
Mar 2017 - Apr 2018
Jan 2018

234000 mi

US $300
clutch failed hydraulic system was leaking 
Ford Focus in Colorado, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010

42000 mi

US $160
Transmission/Brake fluid reservoir leaked. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Alberta, Canada
Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

52080 mi

C $110
Turn signal relay replaced. 
Sep 2010

52700 mi

C $450
Automatic Transmission not shifting into reverse 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2017
Dec 2011

89000 mi

US $530
Water Pump 
Feb 2014

116000 mi

US $150
Broken motor mount 
Mar 2014

118000 mi

US $100
O2 sensor because barely failing smog testing 
Oct 2014

125700 mi

US $50
Engine mount replaced 6 months ago failed. 
Jul 2016

145500 mi

US $450
Driveshaft and seals. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Jun 2015 - Oct 2015
Jun 2015

223000 mi

US $640
A/C recharged. No previous recharges. Alternator stopped charging. May have been related to overcharging an AGM motorcycle battery (using jumper cables). 
Sep 2015

228000 mi
Replaced headlamp bulbs- Sylvania Xtravision, 2 PK: $26.99 
Ford Focus in Arizona, United States
Sep 2007 - Sep 2011
Apr 2007

35000 mi

US $76
front swaybar links. made front end clunking noise on ruff road. replaced swybar links. 
Ford Focus in Tennessee, United States
Jul 2010 - Dec 2011
Oct 2011

67300 mi

US $559
Short in battery cable. Replaced positive cable. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Mississippi, United States
Apr 2010 - Feb 2015
Aug 2010

59000 mi

US $500
Both of the rear wheel bearings went bad at the same time (or very near it). Very loud, variable noise (based on speed) was my indicator.  
May 2014

92000 mi

US $267
Car suddenly died while driving, one shop said battery was OK. Battery cable off of positive looked really bad. Managed to get car to dealer, electrical system was checked. Decided it was just a battery after cleaning terminals. 
Feb 2015

100000 mi

US $600
New coils, plus some new spark plugs, and a new fuel filter. 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Jul 2015 - Oct 2016
Nov 2015

120000 mi

US $370
Alternator replaced, tensioner pull replaced 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Nov 2008 - Mar 2013
Jan 2008

98000 mi

US $120
Oxegen sensor replaced 
Dec 2010

161000 mi

US $200
PLASTIC WHEEL WELL SHIELD WORE THROUGH BRAKE LINE 
Ford Focus in Norway
Jan 2015 - Sep 2016
Oct 2015

85560 mi

$100
starter 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2012 - Jul 2015
Aug 2013

160780 mi

C $400
Coil also replaced ignition wires and plugs 
Jul 2014

163140 mi

C $600
Ignition switch 
Nov 2014

167080 mi

C $220
Wheel bearing front pads and rotors Short in wire to fuel pump 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

Ford Focus in Ireland
Feb 2017 - Apr 2020
Nov 2018

161200 mi

€250
Front shocks, could have got away with replacing just one but did both 

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2004 Ford Focus 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Ford Focus in Arizona, United States
May 2013 - Jun 2013
Jun 2013

175000 mi

US $179
Alternator died. REPLACED STRUTS AND RENTAL OF A COMPRESSION TOOL 
Ford Focus in Georgia, United States
Mar 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

150000 mi

US $345
The alternator had gone bad. It was draining the battery and caused it to stop running while on the interstate. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
Mar 2007 - Nov 2011
Jul 2007

45000 mi
Front wheel bearing replaced due to vibration. 
Jan 2008

47000 mi
Throttle body replaced due to high throttle resistance/sticking just off idle. 
Apr 2008

50000 mi
Front wheel bearings inspected. Brake surfaces cleaned due to return of vibration and scraping noise. 
Ford Focus in California, United States
Aug 2009 - Feb 2013
Sep 2009

53000 mi
O2 sensor not working. Diagnosed as pinched wire to sensor, pinched by halfshaft on jounce. Dealer says common problem with this vehicle. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Jun 2012 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012

139000 mi
Transaxle worn out and near failure. We decided that the car is not worth cost of repair. 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Aug 2010 - Sep 2014
Oct 2010

116000 mi

US $640
Passenger side lower ball joint bad, replaced lower control arm Rear shocks replaced 
Jul 2011

127000 mi

US $840
Front brakes and rotors replaced. Shop also found bad wheel bearings,  bad half shaft. 
Sep 2014

171000 mi
P0411 engine code, secondary air pump All parking brake cables need replacement 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2008 - May 2017
Nov 2008

38000 mi

US $107
Replaced speed sensor on transmission (covered under warranty less deductible).  
Aug 2009

43000 mi
Replaced left headlight bulb and left side marker bulb. 
Feb 2010

47000 mi

US $77
Headlight took 15 min to change, car design makes it a bit hard to replace, but it's ridiculous for the dealer to round up to 1/2 hour labor and charge $77 total for replacing a $5 part. Next time I'll do it myself even if it takes me an hour.  
Dec 2010

55000 mi

US $82
Foglight bulb replacement took 15 minutes billed 30 minutes. 
Oct 2014

84300 mi
Replace and re-weld 2 previously rusty exhaust hangers ($65+tax), check and clean rear drum brakes (free!) 
Dec 2014

86000 mi

US $484
Replaced right front engine mount (engine mounts: parts 3S4Z6038BA and the dogbone mount YS4Z6068AA) - the dogbone mount turned out to be fine. Cured raspy engine vibration on acceleration. 
Mar 2016

107000 mi

US $120
Replaced two sway bars (originals) that were worn and causing clunking noises over any kind of imperfections in the road. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Kansas, United States
May 2009 - Feb 2014
Jan 2011

64000 mi

US $450
Ignition switch would not work and had to be repaired with a new switch. This is apparently a problem on many of these model Ford Focus vehicles. It's a very expensive repair that I was able to minimize by going to my local mechanic. 
Dec 2011

77000 mi

US $725
Car was misfiring. Had to replace plugs, valve cover gasket, and clean fouled air induction system. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Ford Focus in Great Britain
Jun 2014 - Sep 2016
Jun 2015

78000 mi

£120
Exhaust system replaced 
May 2016

84400 mi

£9
Worn tie rod end replaced before annual MoT test 

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2004 Ford Focus Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Ford Focus problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.