Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In January, I was involved in a traffic crash. I applied the breaks to my vehicle (giving plenty of time to come to a stop and only traveling 20 MPH ) but the vehicle did not come to a complete stop. As a result, I hit a vehicle in front of me. I do not know what the vehicle would not stop. It was as if the breaks were not working correctly.
I rented a Ford Focus 2004 with just under 12,000 miles in san francisco from fox rent a car. The brakes were making noises when I would come to a stop. When I took the car down lombard street the car smelled like burning wires but at that time I was not sure if the smell was coming from our car or another acr. Two days later I drove on the highway and exited, drove on the service raod going now about 25miles/ hour then as I came to the other cars I tried to slow down to a stop to make a right hand turn. I was pressing on the brake but nothing was happening. I looked down to see if my foot was on the brake and it was and still the car was not stopping. I then put my foot all the way to the floor on the brake and still nothing happened. I then gently rolled into the car infront of me. Fox rent a car staded it was my fault because it is impossable for a newer car to have brake problems. …
3 months after buying a 2004 Ford Focus lx, the brakes and calipers had to be replaced. Approximately, 3 months later again. Then again 5 months later but yet to include my rotors were destroyed. Everytime I ahve complained that this shouldnt have happened and the dealerahip acted as if everything would be OK. I was in a small accident during this time because my brakes completley gave out. I was the only person involved in this accident. My front bumper is messed up becasue of this. All of these parts have been replaced everytime!!I have spent over 400.00 dollars in rentals ahving to drive them while my car was being fixed. Im sick of having to constantly have the same problem corrected. I don't know what else to do. My friend drives a Focus and had the same problems. Hers was returned immediately when she found out how many times it happened to me. …
The brakes have been replaced 6 times since I purchased the car. They go out every 3 to 4,000 miles. I hit a tree with the side of my car because I had no brakes at all at on point while I was driving. The car gives no warning with the brakes. I talked to Ford about who was going to be liable if I wrecked and somebody got hurt. They say it my problem. I'm not getting anywhere with the dealership. They just tell me I don't know how to drive. I feel my car is very unsafe on the road. I also have a 4year old that I won't dare put in the car. Just for the fact that there May no brakes when I stop. O do admit in the first 6,000 miles I used it for business. They stated my job was the cause of it. But I no longer use this car for my business. And everytime I call the Ford hotline about my car's brake problem. They just also blame it on my job. I told them I no longer do the job in this car. …
Front end collision, air bag put out powder and light indicates deployment, however no deployment of airbag occurred. My daughter was injured and the state trooper stated that the air bag should have deployed. This appears to be an obvious defect and it was noted that there are several other complaints on NHTSA website. Vehicle is currently at dealer for crash repair I have yet to hear their determination regarding the air bag non-deployment. Additionally, the brakes on the vehicle faded and failed to stop the vehicle, this is the second brake fade problem I have had with this vehicle. It has been to the dealer once for the problem and they found air in the brake system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the tires wobbled and flames erupted from the rear tires. The failure occurred without warning. The fire department was not called to the scene. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the failure was related to the tire bearing. The rear brake system was replaced. Recently, the contact experienced an identical failure. The passenger side rear tire detached from the vehicle and smoke erupted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the passenger side rear brake system. The current mileage was unknown and the failure mileage was 131,000.
My battery light seems to flash when the car is off. Car has stalled several times while driving try to accelerate over 50 miles an hour car will shut off. Back hatch on wagon seems to release itself while driving well unlock automatically. Have replaced three thermostat and thermostat housing due to overheating car will not tell me is overheating it will boil in the overflow return tank pressurize and shoot the cap off?...
While slowing to attempt to stop, depressing brake became very hard, and car would not stop. The engine speed increased momentarily while foot on brake, tachometer showed increased RPM, car moved foward faster, and hit another vehicle. This was 4th time this occurred with new vehicle, within first 2000 miles. First three times no collision occurred due to luck.
Brakes failed on our 2004 Ford Focus zx5 4 door hatchback as my wife went to stop at a stop sign leaving our development and was broadsided by a truck. This resulted in a total loss of vehicle and injuries sustained to my wife. Police and medical personnel were on the scene. She was transported to hospital.
Dt: consumer experienced brake failure with his 2004 Ford Focus. The manufacturer stated that the part was not available locally, but they were trying to locate it nationally. The brakes made a racket, there was a weight that adjusted the counterweight, and needed other parts replaced as well, but they have to wait on the weight to come in before the work could be done. They stated that there were six other dealers that have ordered the part, and it was sent out in the order that it was requested. Consumer stated this has been happening for approximately a month and a half to two months. When on vacation he took the vehicle in for a squeaking noise, and they resurfaced the brakes, which eliminated the squeaking noise. By the time they returned from the trip, approximately 1100 miles, the squeaking noise came back, and the racket started. …
Brake complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Ford Focus, 10% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Focus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Ford Focus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Focus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.