2004 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Nov 30, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 50,759 miles · CA

Tl*the 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 *bf 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

Filed Jun 6, 2007 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated that the brakes began to squeak. The mechanic diagnosed the failure as needing new front rotors and made the repair. One month later, the brakes began squeaking again. A piece of the front rotor fell off while the vehicle was in motion. A local mechanic replaced the front rotors again. The powertrain, purchase date, and engine size were unknown. The current mileage is 23,400 and failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2007 · Acceleration · 39,000 miles · GA

1) accelerator sticking upon pushing on the pedal 2) pushing hard on the pedal, it eventually releases, sometimes squealing the tires and launches the vehicle forward which has almost made me hit people or unable to get out of the way of traffic where others have almost hit me. 3) dealer cleaned throttle cable but also said they would replace throttle body if it happens again.

Filed Jul 26, 2006 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · CA

At 15,000 mile I replaced my rear brake shoes and then two days after that they started to squeal very badly like they where worn out again. I returned to the ford dealer in which I purchased the car and who had replaced the brakes they reapplied lube to the shoes and drum. That worked for three days and now once again they squeal again. I have replaced the brakes again at 25,000 miles and they still squeal and no one knows what to do. Both times the brakes where replaced they were done at a ford dealership. I have been told to maybe purchased new drums even though there is nothing wrong with the current ones but I don't see the need to do such a thing on a car that is barely 2 years old. Please help.

Filed Nov 18, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 6,000 miles · NY

Brake problem. At about 2000 to 3000 miles breaks starts to squeal and grind. Took it in to service at dealer complaining about problem, as it got worse and was not normal in 6,000 miles. Was told no problem, routine break in. Then at 12,000 miles still a problem. Went to another dealer, said the same thing. Now with nearly 18,000 miles, rotors are grooved very bad. Evidence and warning was evident in the earlier miles as well. Ford has done nothing to help. I feel they owe me a new pair of rotors and pads. Also, complained of clutch noise problem. I have heard of a tsb claiming certain 2004 focus have a transaxle misalignment causing pre-mature clutch wear and noise. Wiper switch has been replaced by rc lacy ford, better service, but they won't service me anymore, since I did not buy it there, and ravena is so close. I need to contact crossroads about all future warranty issues and complaints. Doors in the rear also stick, and wear of door striker is evident. Tires have also been worn pretty bad pirelli 195/60 r15. Back pair are totally bald, and only have had like 18,000 miles, I think it was a alignment issue, which for a car 17 months old should not be an issue. I noticed wear at around 13,000 miles. During my second tire rotation. Have had too many problems with this new vehicle. Also issues with extreme chipping around the rear wheel well. Also have had a hesitation problem at about 25 MPH. #rd gear used to be difficult to engage. Please help me resolve these issues. I got nowhere with the dealers myself. The VIN is not the appropriate VIN. My car is a 2004 zx5 duratec 2.3e 5 spd. Almost all options included. Thank you.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Brakes · 9,500 miles · WA

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. Consumer had the vehicle serviced before going on the trip, and was told the vehicle was okay to drive.

Filed Apr 4, 2005 · Brakes · NV

I bought the car with 0 miles on it. I heard loud squeaky noise in the brakes at any speed when slowing down. The first week, I took the car back to ford. Ford sent me home telling me it was dust in the drums. They said it should wear off in a while. 1 month later and the noise still was present not better or worse. I took it in again, they had the nerve to tell me to just wait longer. 3 months and the noise continued. I then took it back and they put new brake pads. I had the car for 3 months and the brake pad were bad??? They put new brake pads on, and again the noise remained. Will they ever fix this problem??? It is now 1 year after and the noise remains. Don't buy a focus, even brand new and 100,000 mile warranty and still have problems no one will fix.

Filed Mar 31, 2005 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · CA

Rotors gone bad hansel ford said at 9200 miles the squeaking was normal, then at 13000 I called they still said it was normal but now the warranty was up, then at 20000 miles they check it because it was doing it more, now the rotors have groves beyond repair, yet the brake pads still had between 65% and 90% left to them, I had to replace both rotors and pads for safety for my daughter.

Filed Mar 16, 2005 · Brakes · NV

Driver's side wheel made a loud grinding noise when applying the brakes. When taken vehicle to dealer for service the front left brake pad wore out faster than all other three. The cause of why this was happening was undetermined.

Filed Feb 21, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 4,800 miles · PA

Car was purchased new in 4-04 at 4800 miles brakes groved, dealer said no problem; rotors cut & new pad at 10,000 and at 12000 grinding is back, also a flopping rubbing noise in front right which I think is because the rotor were cut too far and now there is too much play between pads and rotor, also electrical problems, lights, dash icons, door locks go on and off even without a key. Gem module & battery replaced but instrument cluster does not work and is on national backorder. No speedometer, no odometer, gas gauge etc. While driving, door locks lock and unlock at will, dash occassionaly flashed on for 15 seconds and then goes out again. Agency thinks it's the instrument cluster but because they can't get one to replace it, we can't be sure. The computer was kicking out codes for equipment that isn't even on the vehicle. Dealer says never saw this problem before.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Brakes · 150 miles · CA

About 1 month after I bought my car the brakes started to squeak every time I would apply they brakes. It has continuted to do so up until even this morning. The rotors now have grooves in them ,and the brake pads still have well over 50% of the pad remaining. So far nothing has been done other than to say "it must be moisture."

Filed Jan 7, 2005 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · FL

When braking at any speed consumer heard a squeaking noise coming from brake rotors/pads. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.