2004 Ford Focus SE Wagon from North America - Comments

Brakes squealed from week one. The dealership claims this is normal. The EGR valve had to be replaced in the first month. The brakes and rotors had to be replaced at 17000 miles. The dealership claims this is normal and asked me if I had researched the vehicle before I purchased it- I should have known the brakes wear normally at low mileage. The dealership won't give me the regional service manager's name or phone number.

I like the car in general, but the brake issue is a serious drawback for me.

I own a 2004 SE Focus and had to replace my front brakes at 11000 miles and my back brakes at 14006 miles. The back brakes were repaired again at 14020 miles. I was also informed by my dealer that this was normal and maybe due to my driving habits. Needless to say, brake dust is their claim for all problems related to any brake noise.

That is supposed to be one of the major improvements for the re-designed 2005 models. The discs (rotors) are bigger and harder and the calipers and pads are larger and higher quality. Maybe they will last 20,000 miles now. I do not understand how this can be such an issue. I have a 2001 ranger (edge) and use it everyday for work in a mix of city/highway and I just rolled 45000 miles on the original brake system and they still don't squeal or feel rough. How can Ford have such a hard time with such a smaller application?

Lots of drivers these days use the brakes when they should be changing down through the gears and using engine-braking.

Even in an automatic (when going downhill).

That could be part of the problem - we've become too lazy to drive properly. (Me included)

It's unfortunate that you guys are having problems with your brakes, but I have a 2004 ford focus ZTW, and at 61,294km I am still going strong on my original brakes. maybe it IS the way you are driving? or maybe your dealership is jerking you around?

I always strongly suspect either brake-riding or corrupt dealerships when I read of people having to have pads replaced before 80,000 miles or so. I've never had pads replaced before 80,000 miles on any of my vehicles. My current car (a GM) has 50,000 on it and you can't even see any noticeable wear at all on the pads.