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2005 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

344 reports with mileage · 97 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports9 fire reports32 injury reports

What owners actually said

441 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2026
Structure

My rear passenger door latch is corroded. It is difficult to open, it sometimes fails to open. I have children under the age of 3 in the backseats of my car. I do not want the latch to fail and the door to open while in motion. It is available for inspection upon service. Problems started to appear within the last year and has p…

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My rear passenger door latch is corroded. It is difficult to open, it sometimes fails to open. I have children under the age of 3 in the backseats of my car. I do not want the latch to fail and the door to open while in motion. It is available for inspection upon service. Problems started to appear within the last year and has persisted to the point of being very difficult to open. No warnings or messages prior, since it is a body issue. Has not been inspected by any professionals.

NHTSA ODI #11754855

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2023
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury

In a rear end accident the airbags never deployed. The seat belt also didn't catch me and my chest hit the steering wheel. I pressed hard on the breaks but it didn't feel like it was slowing down. I now have a fractured sternum and cannot drive or work. I have filed insurance claims and been to the hospital. No one was in the ca…

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In a rear end accident the airbags never deployed. The seat belt also didn't catch me and my chest hit the steering wheel. I pressed hard on the breaks but it didn't feel like it was slowing down. I now have a fractured sternum and cannot drive or work. I have filed insurance claims and been to the hospital. No one was in the car with me. There were no warning lights/signs before.

NHTSA ODI #11553214

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2022
EngineFire

I was driving my car and the engine started on fire. It ruined the entire engine. It was not overheating. All my fluids were full. I don't know why it happened.

NHTSA ODI #11482834

170,590 miles · Mar 26, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FUSE CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT CAUSING ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF LIGHTS FROM FRONT TO BACK TO TURN OFF UNTIL NEW FUSE REPLACED OLD. WAS CONNECTED TO CONTINUED LIFTING OF HATCHBACK ON WAGON MODEL. ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS ARCING AND INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE HAD NOT THE HARNESS BEEN REPLACED. THIS HAD BEEN ON AND OF…

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FUSE CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT CAUSING ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF LIGHTS FROM FRONT TO BACK TO TURN OFF UNTIL NEW FUSE REPLACED OLD. WAS CONNECTED TO CONTINUED LIFTING OF HATCHBACK ON WAGON MODEL. ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS ARCING AND INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE HAD NOT THE HARNESS BEEN REPLACED. THIS HAD BEEN ON AND OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS STARTING WITH BLOWING OUT THE BULBS THEN THE FUSE STARTED BLOWING OUT IN JAN 2021. MIDAS REPLACED HARNESS THIS MARCH. CAR IS A 2005 FOCUS WAGON,

NHTSA ODI #11404992

53,085 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, SHE WOULD NOTICE THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, SHE WOULD NOTICE THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,085.*DT CONSUMER STATED MECHANIC STATED ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11366478

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2020
Suspension

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME BEING ALL RUSTED & FULL OF HOLES.

NHTSA ODI #11331823

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2020
EngineExterior LightingSeat Belts

MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BAD AND MAKES THE ENGINE RATTLE AND VIBRATE TAIL LIGHT WILL NOT WORK I'VE CHANGED FUSE BULB AND SOCKETS STILL NOTHING AND DRIVER SEAT BELT GETS STUCK

NHTSA ODI #11321646

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED ABNORMALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD LOCATED AT 2401 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, WHERE SOME UNKNOW REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED ABNORMALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD LOCATED AT 2401 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, WHERE SOME UNKNOW REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO BABBITT FORD LOCATED AT 11 N VERDE ST, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001, AND WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO BABBITT FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11310346

106,125 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Wheels

ON JULY 7, 2015, I BOUGHT 4 TIRES 117632 AFFINITY TOURING BL P195/60R15 87T WITH A 70,0000 MILE WARRANTY. I PAID $415.58 WHICH INCLUDED FOUR OF THE BEFORE MENTIONED TIRES; NEVADA RECYCLING FEE; LIFETIME NEW TIRE WHEEL BALANCE LABOR; LIFETIME RUBBER VALVE; SCRAP TIRE RECYCLING FEE; AND TIRE INSTALLATION. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES A…

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ON JULY 7, 2015, I BOUGHT 4 TIRES 117632 AFFINITY TOURING BL P195/60R15 87T WITH A 70,0000 MILE WARRANTY. I PAID $415.58 WHICH INCLUDED FOUR OF THE BEFORE MENTIONED TIRES; NEVADA RECYCLING FEE; LIFETIME NEW TIRE WHEEL BALANCE LABOR; LIFETIME RUBBER VALVE; SCRAP TIRE RECYCLING FEE; AND TIRE INSTALLATION. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES AT FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE GREEN VALLEY 220 NORTH STEPHANIE STREET, HENDERSON, NEVADA 89074, PHONE#702-434-0692. I HAD 59,284 MILES ON MY CAR. ON DECEMBER 31, 2019, BECAUSE OF THE TIRES GOING FLAT AND THE WEAR BAR TOO LOW FOR ME TO DRIVE SAFELY ON THESE TIRES, I HAD TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES. I HAD 106,125 MILES. I STILL HAD 23,159 MILES LEFT ON MY 70,000 MILES WARRANTY. I BOUGHT 4 114572 PRIMEWELL PS830 195/60R 15 88HBL DOT#Y9K5D8HK3210 TIRES PRIE $47.99. THE FIRESTONE LOCATED AT 1323 BOULDER CITY PARKWAY, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA 89005 PHONE#294-0098 GAVE ME A CREDIT OF $26.80 FOR ALL FOUR TIRES CHARGING $41.29 FOR EACH TIRE. I PAID A TOTAL OF $303.20 FOR THESE TIRES. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAD TO BUY CHEAPER TIRES BECAUSE THE BETTER TIRES I BOUGHT DID NOT LAST THE FULL $70,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11292409

100,000 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY HIS DAUGHTER THAT BOTH REAR DOORS …

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TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY HIS DAUGHTER THAT BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11281596

Official recalls

1

05V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Feb 1, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.