2004 Chevrolet Cavalier vs 2004 Ford Focus
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 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2004 Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 330 | 387 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 476 | 60 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 17 | 34 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 13 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–27 | 21–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 54,000 mi | 53,898 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cavalier | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 185 | 183 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 27 | 18 |
| Steering | 16 | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | 31 |
| Power Train | 23 | 20 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 24 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 15 | 22 |
| Visibility | 23 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 26 | 38 |
| Rust / corrosion | 11 | 0 |
| Overheating | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 7 | 5 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 11 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 8 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 7 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 6 |
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
2004 Ford Focus
Compare all Chevrolet Cavalier vs Ford Focus 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.