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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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70,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 09/07/2011 *LN THE CHEAP, CHEESY PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES HAVE ALL BROKEN. A LOBE PROBLEM CAUSED LATCHES TO FAIL. UPDATED 10/07/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10413053

44,012 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH BECAME DEFECTIVE AND THE DOOR OPENED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE VIA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH BECAME DEFECTIVE AND THE DOOR OPENED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE VIA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,266.

NHTSA ODI #10410451

80,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR RELEASED WITHOUT INTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY AND HAD TO BE SECURED WITH A BUNGEE CORD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR RELEASED WITHOUT INTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY AND HAD TO BE SECURED WITH A BUNGEE CORD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2005 FOR A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11

NHTSA ODI #10409385

44,950 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOOR: LATCH) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOOR: LATCH) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,950. UPDATED 08/19/11

NHTSA ODI #10409240

95,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400634

60,000 miles · Feb 12, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LATCHES WORK VERY BADLY ON PASENGER AND DRIVERS DOORS. FINALLY THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381684

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

2005 FORD FOCUS SW. THE TRUNK LATCH IF OPENED BY REMOTE THEN CAN'T CLOSE BACK. IF REMOTE CONTROL OF LATCH IS NOT OPERATED AND USING ONLY THE KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THEN IT'S OKAY. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE LATCH SO THAT I CAN USE THE KEY ONLY TO OPERATE THE TRUNK GATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374781

42,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE REAR DOOR ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TOO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE REAR DOOR ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NO MENTION OF A MILEAGE RESTRICTION IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104315. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 01/04/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10356936

58,029 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

FORD FOCUS 2005 WAGON. NOTICED THAT ELECTRIC LOCK WILL NOT OPEN HATCH BACK, BUT TOOK NO ACTION TO CORRECT. INCIDENT: COULD NOT MOVE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK LEAVING MOTORIST STRANDED. FOUND THAT SHARED BRAKE LIGHT FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, BUT WONDERED ABOUT ROOT CAUSE SO TESTED BRAKE LIGHTS. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT BR…

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FORD FOCUS 2005 WAGON. NOTICED THAT ELECTRIC LOCK WILL NOT OPEN HATCH BACK, BUT TOOK NO ACTION TO CORRECT. INCIDENT: COULD NOT MOVE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK LEAVING MOTORIST STRANDED. FOUND THAT SHARED BRAKE LIGHT FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, BUT WONDERED ABOUT ROOT CAUSE SO TESTED BRAKE LIGHTS. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED OR PRESSED. REALIZED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AS OTHER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE AWARE WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. AFTER WEB SEARCH, I OBSERVED MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS; I OPENED THE HATCH AND REMOVED THE RUBBER BOOT COVERING THE WIRING HARNESS. IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED THAT SEVERAL WIRES WERE SEVERED AND OTHERS DAMAGED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356049

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THIS IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I DISCOVERED THAT IF THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS NOT LOCKED THE KEY WON'T COME OUT. MAKE SURE THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN PARK AND THE KEY SHOULD COME RIGHT OUT...IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE OTHER ISSUES…

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THIS IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I DISCOVERED THAT IF THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS NOT LOCKED THE KEY WON'T COME OUT. MAKE SURE THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN PARK AND THE KEY SHOULD COME RIGHT OUT...IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349919

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.