NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
50 reportsClear category filter23,090 miles · Jun 3, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH AND DOOR HANDLE WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH AND DOOR HANDLE WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,090.
NHTSA ODI #10272747
22,905 miles · Nov 27, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
HATCH IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, LAST ONE BEING 11-22-08, THE HATCH OPENED COMPLETELY WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THEY DO NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION, THE HATCH WAS RETURNED TO US FROM THE DEALER WITH A DENT RESU…
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HATCH IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, LAST ONE BEING 11-22-08, THE HATCH OPENED COMPLETELY WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THEY DO NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION, THE HATCH WAS RETURNED TO US FROM THE DEALER WITH A DENT RESULTING FROM THE FORCE NEEDED TO CLOSE HATCH. DEALER PAID TO FIX DENT, BUT DENTS RETURNED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250019
36,500 miles · Oct 28, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
MY 2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BROKEN AND SHORTED WIRES ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE BACK HATCH IN MY STATION WAGON. WHEN I TURN ON THE IGNITION OR THE HEADLIGHTS THE BACK HATCH OPENS INADVERTENTLY. THE WIRES ARE SHORTED TO THE HATCH RELEASE SOLENOID. THE HATCH CAN OPEN ON THE FREEWAY. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. T…
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MY 2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BROKEN AND SHORTED WIRES ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE BACK HATCH IN MY STATION WAGON. WHEN I TURN ON THE IGNITION OR THE HEADLIGHTS THE BACK HATCH OPENS INADVERTENTLY. THE WIRES ARE SHORTED TO THE HATCH RELEASE SOLENOID. THE HATCH CAN OPEN ON THE FREEWAY. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. NEEDS SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246891
67,178 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS, MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED OR IT WILL NOT CLOSE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE ALSO AS WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE A RECALL REPORTED ON THIS ISSUES DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VIN# . DON'T KNOW WHY CONSIDE…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS, MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED OR IT WILL NOT CLOSE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE ALSO AS WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE A RECALL REPORTED ON THIS ISSUES DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VIN# . DON'T KNOW WHY CONSIDERING IT IS THE SAME ISSUE, I HAVE ONE KEY LOCK ON OUTSIDE OF CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE BUT CANNOT LOCK CAR NOW THAT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKE SO I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR. DEALERSHIP IS WILLING TO LOOK AT IT BUT WILL PROBABLY COST MAJOR MONIES TO FIX. WHY ISN'T THIS CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT GET INTO YOUR CAR. OR IF THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SWINGS OPEN SHOULDN'T HAVE ALL OF THE 2005 FORD FOCUS BEEN RECALLED. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE FILED BEFORE IT GETS RECALLED? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244504
84,321 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS WITH OVER 84K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE OPENING THE DOORS. THEY USED TO STICK BUT NOW THEY JUST DON'T CLOSE. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR STICKS AND IS HARD TO OPEN & BOTH REAR DOORS DO NOT CLOSE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RUSS MILNE FORD IN MACOMB MICH. THEY WANT OVER $700 TO REP…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS WITH OVER 84K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE OPENING THE DOORS. THEY USED TO STICK BUT NOW THEY JUST DON'T CLOSE. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR STICKS AND IS HARD TO OPEN & BOTH REAR DOORS DO NOT CLOSE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RUSS MILNE FORD IN MACOMB MICH. THEY WANT OVER $700 TO REPAIR THE DOORS. I FOUND IT APPALLING THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THAT MUCH MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT I VIEW AS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR FOR FREE CONSIDERING THE SAFTEY HAZARD THIS COULD CAUSE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND OPENED TICKET #0615822478 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. I REALIZE THIS IS NOT A LUXURY SEDAN SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS LOUD WIND NOISE, SHAKES AND RATTLES AND EVEN THE FRONT ARM REST FLINGING ITSELF OFF ITS BASE AND BREAKING DOESN'T REALLY BOTHER ME OR THE MP3 PLAYER NOT READING THE DISCS OR THE TRUNK BUTTON REQUIRING SEVERAL PUSHES BEFORE IT OPENS THE TRUNK DOESN'T GIVE ME GREAT CONCERN, BUT I CERTAINLY EXPECT THE DOORS TO CLOSE. IF I WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHEAP WHEELS THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE ALREADY OR THE TIRES OR THE ENGINE, I COULD SEE BEING TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT THESE ARE DOORS THAT I SHOULD EXPECT TO CLOSE. I READ THROUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND EVEN THOUGH IT BROKE OUT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR TIRES, OIL, ETC, NO WHERE DID IT SAY THAT ONE COULD EXPECT THE DOORS TO STOP CLOSING AFTER "X" MILES. AT HOW MANY MILES SHOULD I HAVE EXPECTED THE DOORS TO STOP CLOSING? 25, 30, 50 THOUSAND? I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR 2004-5 FOR THE EXACT THING THAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY DOORS. RECALL NUMBER: 05V030000 SO WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT RECALL WAS ONLY FOR VEHILCES BULIT UP TO JANUARY OF 2005 AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN JULY OF 2005. IMAGINE THAT, I HAVE THE SAME ISSUEI WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO MY CASE. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10241088
28,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK UNEXPECTIALY WHILE ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214241
79,050 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THE REAR DOORS OF MY FORD FOCUS HAVE TWICE OPENED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A RUSTED OUT LATCH MECHANISM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 9/30/07 AND THE SECOND WAS 11/5/07. THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. THE CAR IS A 2005 MODEL AND ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE LATCHES WERE RECALLED ON 2000-2005 MODELS BUT APPARENTLY NOT MY SPE…
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THE REAR DOORS OF MY FORD FOCUS HAVE TWICE OPENED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A RUSTED OUT LATCH MECHANISM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 9/30/07 AND THE SECOND WAS 11/5/07. THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. THE CAR IS A 2005 MODEL AND ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE LATCHES WERE RECALLED ON 2000-2005 MODELS BUT APPARENTLY NOT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. AFTER HAVING TO PAY 2 TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE DOOR LATCHES IN MY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING EITHER OF THESE INCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208072
41,000 miles · Sep 25, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED AND BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WERE HARD TO DISENGAGE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V030000, REGARDING THE LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10169174
22,000 miles · May 3, 2006
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE TRUNK LATCH DID OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10156689
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2005
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkagesTiresCrashInjury
HOOD LATCH WAS NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY TO BODY. CAUSED HOOD TO BRAKE FREE AND FLY UP UPSTRUCKING VISION AND CAUSING A WRECK. NO AIR BAGS DEPLORED AND CRUSE CONTROL STUCK ON. NEW VEHICLE VIN # DID NOT MATCH VEHICLE DESCRIPTION.
NHTSA ODI #10121743
Official recalls
1Feb 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
1AQ10001 · 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.