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 engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (48%)

< $100 (27%)

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Chart based on 44 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

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. 
102000 mi

US $600
Timing belt and water pump- brake pads 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

208000 mi

US $500
Replaced engine 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

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. 
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. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

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

78000 mi

US $75
Thermostat got clogged and the car overheated. 
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

124000 mi

US $400
Fan blade on cooling fan broke off causing noise when at idle with air conditioning on. Replaced fan assembly. 
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. 
102000 mi

US $462
Had solenoid affecting fuel system vaccuum replaced. Also had fuel injectors and throttle cleaned. 
127000 mi

US $180
Broken radiator bypass pipe. 
127300 mi

US $500
Replaced thermostat housing, O2 sensor and hose. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

145000 mi

US $125
Passenger side engine mount 
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. 
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

145800 mi

US $750
One of four engine mounts. 
172000 mi

US $150
Valve cover gasket leaking 
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 
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 
155000 mi

US $199
Had Thermostat and housing replaced due to throwing a code for insufficient temperature 
154000 mi

US $100
Bad O2 sensor 
113300 mi

US $350
Thermostat was apparently going bad, car overheated 
121000 mi

US $1320
ignition coils failed, spark plugs burned 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

163000 mi

US $25
vacuum line melted. 
55000 mi

US $1500
PCM replaced, reflashed. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

89000 mi

US $530
Water Pump 
116000 mi

US $150
Broken motor mount 
118000 mi

US $100
O2 sensor because barely failing smog testing 
125700 mi

US $50
Engine mount replaced 6 months ago failed. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

100000 mi

US $600
New coils, plus some new spark plugs, and a new fuel filter. 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

98000 mi

US $120
Oxegen sensor replaced 

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2004 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

160780 mi

C $400
Coil also replaced ignition wires and plugs 
163140 mi

C $600
Ignition switch 
167080 mi

C $220
Short in wire to fuel pump 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

53000 mi O2 sensor not working. Diagnosed as pinched wire to sensor, pinched by halfshaft on jounce. Dealer says common problem with this vehicle. 
47000 mi Throttle body replaced due to high throttle resistance/sticking just off idle. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

171000 mi P0411 engine code, secondary air pump 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

38000 mi

US $107
Replaced speed sensor on transmission (covered under warranty less deductible).  
84300 mi Replace and re-weld 2 previously rusty exhaust hangers ($65+tax), check and clean rear drum brakes (free!) 
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. 

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2004 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

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. 
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

78000 mi

£120
Exhaust system replaced 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.

2004 Ford Focus Engine Problems

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.