Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. While driving various speeds, a loud noise was detected from the front of the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the key overheated in the ignition switch and the vehicle hesitated to drive when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact further mentioned that the vehicle's fuel consumption was higher than normal. The contact also mentioned that both passenger doors were inoperable. The contact mentioned that the driver's side door needed extra strength to open and the rear passenger door was stuck and would not open. The vehicle was taken to multiple unknown dealers where the contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced and the engine valve was stuck. The cause of the other failures was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
2004 Ford Focus transmission problems
20 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 34,190.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 34,190
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission7
- Manual transmission4
- Axle assembly2
- Driveline: center support bearing1
- Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
- Clutch assembly1
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Focus transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford Focus transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2004 Ford Focus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
While driving the vehicle stopped running suddenly. My daughter saw steam or smoke coming from the front engine compartment. Within a minute or so the whole front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire was intense, the top of the engine was melted, the interior of the dash was destroyed, and the vehicle was damaged beyond repair. It looks like the most intense fire area was around the fuse panel. I did contact ford through several avenues but they appeared to be disinterested.
Noticed hydraulic brake fluid leaking from clutch master cylinder which is mounted behind the clutch pedal under dash. Clutch system shares brake fluid with brake system. Fluid drips on clutch pedal and floor creating a very slick surface and drop in fluid level in brake reservoir. This creates a severe safety issue in my opinion. This appears to be a common problem with ford focus manual transmission cars. The only remedy was to replace the clutch master cylinder. Also needed to replace the clutch pedal rubber foot pad which had disintegrated from exposure to the brake fluid.
2004 ford focus. Consumer states transmission gave out with a mileage under 20,000. Consumer requests reimbursement. *tgw in july 2009, the vehicle needed a new battery. About a week after the new battery was installed, periodically the cluster lights would make a sound and the lights would blink on and off. It would happen twice in a matter of seconds, but did not happen everyday. The consumer followed instruction on what to do. The situation was a little better, but the cluster blinking, etc still occurred periodically. A week later, as the consumer backed out of her driveway, there were sounds coming from the vehicle and they seemed to get worse. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a transmission shop. Upon inspection, the transmission plate which was located under the engine showed transmission fluid an d excessive amounts of metal fillings. The mechanic showed the consumer the damaged parts where the teeth in the gears were not working properly which caused the metal fillings in the transmission plate.
On 8/19/09, I was driving my 2004 ford focus and all of a sudden while I was driving, it felt like pressure (or having to force car to go) with my foot on gas pedal. After I eased my foot off gas pedal, car would switch in to gear. This same pattern of pressure and easing foot off gas pedal so that car would go into gear happened each time I would make a stop. Car is currently at sheehy ford dealership and I have been told that the transmission has failed with 2nd and 4th gear not working & that I could not drive car home until transmission is replaced because also transmission is ready to fall out of car due to weak support is holding transmission in place. Car has approx only 83,000 miles.
On acceleration from stop car tacks out to 6 and transmission revs then shifts very hard, called ford and they told me it was they way I drive my car. Said transmission learns how to shift that way, car still not repaired.
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
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. While shifting at 30 MPH, the clutch failed. The dealer replaced the clutch, however, they neglected to reinstall one of the bolts and the failure recurred. No additional repairs were made. The current mileage was 39,000 and failure mileage was 37,800.
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.
Questions about the 2004 Ford Focus transmission
Does the 2004 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Ford Focus, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Focus transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 34,190 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Focus transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Focus have bad transmission?
The Ford Focus model years with the most transmission complaints are 2014 (1,576 complaints), 2012 (1,448 complaints) and 2013 (1,102 complaints).
Other 2004 Ford Focus problems
Electrical 183Brakes 40Engine 35Steering 29Locks 28Airbags 24Acceleration 18Suspension 17Body 14Fuel system 13Visibility 11Lights 8Seats 8Tires 7Seat belts 5Wheels 4Driver assistance 1
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