2004 Ford Focus Engine Problems

Your check engine light comes on and your car jerks and stalls unexpectedly at various speeds, sometimes requiring you to wait 10 minutes before restarting. This has happened multiple times even after repairs—mechanics have replaced the PCV valve, ignition coil, and fuel relay fuse, but the stalling returns within weeks or months each time. The underlying cause of the repeated stalling has not been identified.

Your 2004 Ford Focus hesitated and stalled while driving at low speed, triggering warning lights for the oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensor. Since 2016, this problem only happens when the car is parked on an uphill incline facing upward. A certified mechanic determined that water is entering through the air intake (located at the front of the vehicle) and damaging the sensors. The fix would likely involve redirecting the air intake to point downward to prevent water intrusion, and replacing the damaged sensors.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

CAR STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE. SENT DAUGHTER TO EMERGENCY ROOM ONE TIME. STALLS 2 DIFFERENT WAYS, WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL HAPPENS. HAS BEEN IN SHOP MANY, MANY TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. STARTED WHEN CAR WAS 7 MONTHS OLD. ALSO, CLUTCH PREMATURELY WENT OUT. HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES. (CAR HAS 26,000 MILES CURRENTLY). ALSO, THERMOSTAT HAS GONE OUT MANY, MANY TIMES- DAUGHTER HAS DRIVEN MOST OF WINTER WITH NO HEAT. *NM

I HAVE TO REPLACED 02 SENSORS 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 50000 MILES. *NM

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.

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.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED . DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK FORD MRFG STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF STALLING (FAILURE) DOES NOT INDICATE A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH 1/2 TANK OF GAS OR LESS SINCE THE CAR REACH 50,000 MILES. *BF

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

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

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

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

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

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

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