2004 Ford Focus vs 2004 Volkswagen Golf
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Ford Focus | 2004 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 387 | 28 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 60 | 239 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 34 | 3 |
| Fire reports | 13 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–27 | 24–36 |
| Median reported mileage | 53,898 mi | 48,532 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Focus | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 183 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 31 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 28 | 2 |
| Steering | 29 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 24 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 4 |
| Power Train | 20 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 38 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 11 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 8 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 7 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 6 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
2004 Ford Focus
2004 Volkswagen Golf
Compare all Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.