2004 Ford Focus: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine · 200,010 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. There were three clicks before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after approximately 10 minutes. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled nearby train tracks. The contact waited for 10 minutes, restarted the vehicle, and drove the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic test indicated that the PCV valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately a month later. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel relay fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately three weeks later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,010.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

As I was stopped at red light it stalled as I drove thru. So I pulled over. Got out to open hood. It was smoking.struggled to open hood. Ran around to get towel to smother the fire. But it was too far gone. Man told me just leave it. It was total loss.

Filed Oct 7, 2022 · MA

2004 ford focus started bucking a few years ago, on occasions only. For months there was no problem and than it would buck. If I shut off the engine and waited a few minutes and started it, it would drive without bucking. Recently, it stalled while driving. Fortunately, I was on a country road and could pull over to safety. Now, on occasion, it wont start. Locks in park. After a while, I can get it out of park and start it. I do not drive it on highways since I am fearful of it shutting off. I have been to three garages for service and they cannot figure it out. I even wrote to the corporate office to ask them to let me know what the problem is. On line many people with 2004 ford focus have the same problem. It isnt just my car. Corporate office answered my letter requesting the vin number on which I gave them. After that, I did not hear from them again. I would think that they would have followed through on this since I told them that it has happened to others with the same vehicle. It stalled again a few days ago as I drove in my driveway. Everytime I try to start it, I hear the clicking sound. I go out once in a while to see if it will start. Sometimes, while in park, it wont start. Another time checking it our, it will start. But, I am not driving it anywhere. I am having it towed to another garage to see if they can figure it out. This car has less than 60,000 miles on it and everything else is good. I have spent a lot of money trying to get this resolved. It has been on diagnostic machines and it doesnt show anything. All I wanted from the corporate office was an engineer to let me know how to fix it. They must have heard the complaints since there are many. A recall wont do me any good since I will be having it looked at again this week. I am doing this for others who have the same problem. However, I would like to know exactly what has caused this.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 125,550 miles · MA

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?...

Filed Apr 12, 2019 · Engine · 180,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 ford focus. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. Also, the oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensor warning indicators illuminated. Since 2016, the contact also stated that the failure only occurred when the vehicle was parked on an incline, facing upwards. The contact had the vehicle diagnosed by a school teacher who was a certified mechanic. It was determined that the air intake was located in the front of the vehicle and water entered, which damaged the sensors.t he air intake needs to be pointed down to prevent water from coming in. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN is invalid. *tt

Filed Aug 24, 2016 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. While driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact noticed that the failure recurred intermittently whenever a bump or a pothole was hit on the road. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated. 06/09/15

Filed Oct 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled numerous times while attempting to resume acceleration. The fuel warning light illuminated as the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The air idle control was replaced, but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number 06e056000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 126,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2013 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2012 · Engine · 165,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Engine · 90,000 miles · TX

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.