Two problems related to cruise control have been reported for the 2004 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2004 Focus.
(dealer info) tl the contact owned a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact heard a car horn sound while being away from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed flames underneath the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. An investigator diagnosed that the failure originated from the cruise control switch. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Upon entering an intersection and having to stop at a stop sign, I pressed the cruise control off button and applied the brake. Instead of slowing down, the vehicle increased speed, and traveled into the intersection. I attempted to turn out of the way of oncoming traffic but struck a passing SUV. End result was my car was totaled and the SUV suffered heavy damage. I contacted Ford in dearborn, mi but they were no help. The consumer stated the cruise control would not deactivate when the brakes were applied or when the off button was pressed. Updated 10/10/07.