Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Ford Focus. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel veered to the right and vibrated violently. The contact had to release the accelerator pedal and crashed into a ditch. The vehicle flipped over twice. The contact sustained second degree burns from the seat belt, whiplash, and burns to the right arm from the air bags. Medical attention was required. The rear driver side passenger sustained whiplash and stomach bruises from the seat belt, which also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Vehicle was traveling on highway, weather was clear, road was dry. Steering wheel began to vibrate, vehicle suddenly veered to right and out of control. Vehicle struck guard rail head on, upon impact air bags did not deploy. My wife was seriously injured when her head struck the windshield. She received cuts to her forehead, multiple contusions and a fractured ankle that will require surgery to repair. The vehicle was inspected by a crash investigator and it was determined that a defective tie rod was the likely cause of the loss of control and there was sufficient force to deploy air bags.
My vehicle instrument cluster failed causing alternator to die and false readings on the dash with multiple alerts such as battery, airbag , oil and incorrect speed dial. The vehicle instrument failed at 30,000 miles and if you search it is a very common issue with the Ford Focus vehicle's. The vehicle staled and died while being drove in town and thank god it did not happen while on the highway.
I parked the car over night. In the morning on my way to a medical appointment I inserted the key in the ignition and the steering was locked up. The key goes inside the ignition but it would not turn. I only imagine the same situation while I am driving the vehicle. The steering wheel would not move, can it happen? Has it happen? Let you be the judge.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering column jammed without warning. The dealer (day Ford, 3696 william penn hwy, monroeville, pa) and manufacturer were contacted, but did not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
I have a 2004 Ford Focus. I parked my vehicle at church on Sunday and when I came out - I put my key in the ignition to start my car and it was locked up. No matter what I tried I couldn't turn the key or start my car. I called my brother-in-law to come help me. He tried to and nothing worked. He had the suggestion to look on the internet - to look up Ford Focus and key won't turn on google. I did just that - and there were numerous complaints of this happening to people that had Ford Focus's. A suggestion on there - was to get a small hammer or the end of a screw driver and while you put the key in the ignition - push it real hard and hit the key with a hammer. It worked! My key moved to the start position and I was able to drive my car home. …
The ignition on my 2004 Ford Focus has locked up in the past and I have been able to unlock it with a little jiggling of the steering wheel. Last night was not the same. After trying for 20 minutes, in 20 degree weather, with my 4 year old with me, I had to call a tow truck. They had to tow it to a Ford dealership. After researching this problem, I am shocked to see the amount of people that have had this same issue on the Focus, among other Ford models. Something needs to be done to get this fixed. I am glad I was 10 miles from home rather than over 50. It is these types of issues that don't get resolved that cause consumers to not purchase another Ford vehicle. Also, 2 of my 3 back seatbelts don't work anymore.
Dear sir, during a normal ride the steering was blocked-out. I was close to a crash. Car is a Ford Focus c-max, and has electric steering system. Two of my colleagues had the same problem with their cars around 30000 km (mine is 50000 km) and Ford recommend "not to use the air conditioning system because the error appear more often". When my car had this problem Ford just reset the computer and they said car is OK now. I ask if the problem will appear again, and answer was "if it appear we will change the module" . Usual after such issue you have not the second chance to change it, and after crash is impossible to identify the error. I have papers printed from Ford computer with the description of the error.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. While driving 55-70 MPH, the vehicle and the steering wheel both began to shake. When the speed is below 55 MPH, the shaking will stop or decrease. When applying the brakes while driving, the contact heard metal on metal from the rear of the vehicle on the driver's side. The dealer stated that the brakes were fine. The current mileage was 54,019 and failure mileage was 50,759. Updated 01/02/08 the consumer stated the vehicle squeaked and vibrated and when the brakes were applied there was a grinding noise. The engine mount was replaced, due to it being broken. The shifter squeaked. The rims were bent and the tires were out of balance. Updated
Vehicle was not not performing adequately. The check engine light came on. Steering column was defective, vehicle changed lanes on its on. The dealer stated no defects were found. The consumer stated that the vehicle was not guaranteed to start. Sometimes the consumer has to turn the key 10 times. The vehicle acceleration is slow then fast then muted. The vehicle does not brake right and looses power. The vehicles steering is vaque. The consumer stated that the vehicle changes lanes without the consumer steering the vehicle in that direction. The consumer stated that the malfunction light came on twice and the dealer states nothing is wrong.
Steering complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Ford Focus, 7% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Focus steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.