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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

50 reports
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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

146,629 miles · Oct 30, 2017
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 13408416. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,629. *BF UPDATED 8/3/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11041049

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR FAILS TO LATCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED ,SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD LOCATED AT 5900 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48327, PHONE NUMBER: (248) 674-4781, WHERE TO VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR FAILS TO LATCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED ,SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD LOCATED AT 5900 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48327, PHONE NUMBER: (248) 674-4781, WHERE TO VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11001385

50,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10958281

68,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH OR STAY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH OR STAY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V3000 (LOCKS/LATCHES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806189

118,811 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,811.

NHTSA ODI #10795074

7,500 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY BY HAND. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WONT OPERATE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 02-08 FOCUS. A LITTLE GOOGLING WI…

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BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY BY HAND. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WONT OPERATE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 02-08 FOCUS. A LITTLE GOOGLING WILL SHOW JUST HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702878

73,000 miles · Aug 14, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY FOCUSES REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE REAR DOORS COULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE (SMALL CHILD) PULLED THE HANDLE THEY COULD FALL OUT. I ALSO TRIED LOCKING THE CHILD LOCK BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT CO…

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MY FOCUSES REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE REAR DOORS COULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE (SMALL CHILD) PULLED THE HANDLE THEY COULD FALL OUT. I ALSO TRIED LOCKING THE CHILD LOCK BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT COST $400. IT SEEMS LIKE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622323

95,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10614952

140,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE BACK DOOR DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT LOCK. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE BUT IT WILL STILL NOT WORK. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TOUCHING OPENING MECHANISM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592307

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.