NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
47 reportsClear category filter134,105 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT HAS SET A FEW HOURS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHES YELLOW, ODOMETER JUST SHOWS DASHES, AND SPEEDOMETER DOSENT WORK. CAR STILL OPERATES BUT SHIFTS GEARS HARD, WHEN IT REACHES THE SPEED FOR DOOR TO LOCK EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MGMT FUSE, AND HAVE HA…
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AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT HAS SET A FEW HOURS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHES YELLOW, ODOMETER JUST SHOWS DASHES, AND SPEEDOMETER DOSENT WORK. CAR STILL OPERATES BUT SHIFTS GEARS HARD, WHEN IT REACHES THE SPEED FOR DOOR TO LOCK EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MGMT FUSE, AND HAVE HAD 3 ALTENATORS CHANGED OUT IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. ALSO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH KEY NOT COMING OUT OF IGNITION AND FOUND OUT THAT A PEICE OF THE SHIFTER HAD BROKE OFF AND SLID DOWN AND KEPT IT FROM GOING ALL THE WAY INTO PARK, AFTER REMOVING PART I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE KEY. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WAS TOLD BY AUTO ZONE IT WAS VACCUM SYSTEM TOOK IT TO FORD PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS MOTOR MOUNTS, THEY WERE REPLACED 20,000 MILES AGO AND IT STILL HASNT HELPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452614
43,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SHIFT GEARS ERRATICALLY WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED INTERNAL DAMAGES AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SHIFT GEARS ERRATICALLY WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED INTERNAL DAMAGES AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10435043
43,000 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED HER TO BRING THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY WILL PERFORM A FULL DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426615
38,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD GEARS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD GEARS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10418556
66,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402461
62,000 miles · Nov 11, 2010
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND UNDER WAY WHEN RPMS RACED UP. IT SEEMED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THAT THE OD GEAR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER DISENGAGING THE OD THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR (AS ENGINE RPM & SOUND INDICATED). AFTER TAKING IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND UNDER WAY WHEN RPMS RACED UP. IT SEEMED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THAT THE OD GEAR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER DISENGAGING THE OD THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR (AS ENGINE RPM & SOUND INDICATED). AFTER TAKING IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE OK & IT REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE TORN APART FOR INSPECTION. MAZDA PROVIDES THE AUTOMATIC TO FORD. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS THE 4TH LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE IN A WEEK REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10366101
67,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Power Train
STOPPING CAR AND PLACING CAR IN PARK SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN PARK AND THE KEYS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED THE BUTTON FOR THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER WILL SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355459
52,000 miles · Sep 4, 2010
Power Train
O/D LIGHT CAME ON. AUTOMOTIVE SHOP RAN A TEST AND RETRIEVED CODE P0767. SHOP REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND CAR WOULD STILL NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. SHOP WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I DECLINED AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO 2ND OR 4TH GEAR. DEALERSHIP SAI…
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O/D LIGHT CAME ON. AUTOMOTIVE SHOP RAN A TEST AND RETRIEVED CODE P0767. SHOP REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND CAR WOULD STILL NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. SHOP WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I DECLINED AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO 2ND OR 4TH GEAR. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A POSSIBLE BROKEN BAND OR FAILED BAND APPLY PISTON. THEY REMOVED THE PAN AND VERIFIED BROKEN BAND. THEY REPLACED THE 2-4 BAND AND INSTALLED NEW BAND APPLY PISTON AT A COST OF $931.22 PLUS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR AT $101.16. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PARTS USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS CONCERNED THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT FAILED IN MY CAR. THE SHOP SAID NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALL UPDATED PARTS! THE RESPONSE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PARTS IN MY TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE COST OF MY REPAIRS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SINCE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. AGAIN, NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353881
90,200 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 90,300 MILES ON THE CAR. IT REALLY SCARES ME WHEN I'M GOING AT LEAST 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THEN GET THE HESITATION OR PULLBACK AS IF IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO…
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I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 90,300 MILES ON THE CAR. IT REALLY SCARES ME WHEN I'M GOING AT LEAST 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THEN GET THE HESITATION OR PULLBACK AS IF IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING 35 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I CUT THE CAR AND START IT BACK UP, THE CLOCK RESETS TO 12:00 AND THE RADIO COMES ON BLASTING. MY LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS HAS NOT HELPED ONE BIT AND I AM OUT $462. THEY HAVE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $1500 IF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT DID NOT WORK. THEY TELL ME IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE PCM THAT NEEDS REPLACING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346927
53,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Power Train
THE IGNITION KEY STICKS IN MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. IT CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS TO DO WITH SHIFTER CABLE THAT COSTS $650. IS IT SAFE? I AM NOT CERTAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THE SHIFT IS LOCKING ADEQUATELY. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314033
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.
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