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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

18 reports
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109,000 miles · Jul 11, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

I JUST HAD MY ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED, BUT THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHY THEY ARE WEARING OUT SO SOON. WE ARE TALKING 3<MONTHS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE, BUT I NOW HAVE PROOF THERE IS. WE HAVE ANOTHER FOCUS THAT I TOOK TO THE STREET I LIVE ON. I GOT UP TO 30MPH AND COASTED TO A CERTAIN PLACE NEAR THE END OF THE STREET. T…

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I JUST HAD MY ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED, BUT THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHY THEY ARE WEARING OUT SO SOON. WE ARE TALKING 3<MONTHS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE, BUT I NOW HAVE PROOF THERE IS. WE HAVE ANOTHER FOCUS THAT I TOOK TO THE STREET I LIVE ON. I GOT UP TO 30MPH AND COASTED TO A CERTAIN PLACE NEAR THE END OF THE STREET. THE FOCUS WITH NO ISSUE WAS STILL GOING 23MPH AT THAT LOCATION. I DID THE SAME THING WITH THE ONE I JUST HAD THE ROTARS AND BRAKES REPLACED ON. ON THAT ONE I WAS ONLY GOING 5MPH. AS SOON AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES DRIVING IT BACK I KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUSH THE BRAKES DOWN NEAR AS FAR AS I COULD ON THE GOOD FOCUS. WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY, THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH HELPED SOME, BUT DID NOT COMPELETELY FIX THE ISSUE. THE WARRENTY COMPANY ALSO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE ROTATION OF THE ROTERS AND BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THE FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANICS TOLD THEM IT WAS DUE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BEING THE PROBLEM, SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342469

54,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM UNKNOWN SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A FENCE AND THEN COLLIDE WITH THE CURB. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM UNKNOWN SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A FENCE AND THEN COLLIDE WITH THE CURB. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000

NHTSA ODI #10339981

212 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ELEVEN TIMES WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ASSISTANCE. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ELEVEN TIMES WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,463 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212.

NHTSA ODI #10276233

42,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE INNER BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT AXLES ARE PRONE TO BINDING DUE TO RUST. THE CLEARANCES ARE VERY TIGHT. THIS CAUSES PREMATURE, UNEVEN BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR ONCE THE PAD RUSTS UP AND STOPS FLOATING. MY PADS JUST FAILED AFTER 42K MILES; YET THE OUTER PADS WERE OVER 1/4" THICK. I PROPOSE A SEVERAL-PART REMEDY (FIRST 3 TO BE DONE…

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THE INNER BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT AXLES ARE PRONE TO BINDING DUE TO RUST. THE CLEARANCES ARE VERY TIGHT. THIS CAUSES PREMATURE, UNEVEN BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR ONCE THE PAD RUSTS UP AND STOPS FLOATING. MY PADS JUST FAILED AFTER 42K MILES; YET THE OUTER PADS WERE OVER 1/4" THICK. I PROPOSE A SEVERAL-PART REMEDY (FIRST 3 TO BE DONE BY SERVICING TECHNICIAN): 1. EXAMINE THE PADS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE USUAL ONCE A YEAR REQUIRED BY TYPICAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS; PULL THE WHEELS AND CHECK FOR MOVEMENT OF THE INBOARD PADS. THE PADS MAY HAVE TO BE RETRACTED WITH A C CLAMP SO THEY HAVE ROOM TO MOVE. 2. IF THE PADS ARE FROZEN, REMOVE BRAKE DISK AND PADS AND REMOVE RUST ON THE SLIDING SURFACE DOWN TO BARE METAL WITH A FLAT FILE, UNTIL PADS SLIDE FREELY. 3. LUBRICATE SURFACES WITH MOLYKOTE OR SIMILAR ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND. 4. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REVIEW THE DESIGN WITH BRAKE VENDORS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION WHICH COULD BE INCORPORATED INTO REPLACEMENT PADS. IF SLIGHTLY SHORTER PADS ARE THE ANSWER, THEY SHOULD INCLUDE ANTI-RATTLE MEASURES. ALSO, A SQUEALER SPRING SHOULD BE ADDED TO CONTACT THE BRAKE DISK WHEN THE PAD IS ALMOST GONE TO GIVE AN AUDIBLE WARNING TO THE DRIVER. THESE WORK WELL ON CHRYSLERS (I DON'T KNOW WHO MAKES THEM). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269322

140,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START, BUT ONCE IT DID, IT STALLED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE ROTORS WERE REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUM…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START, BUT ONCE IT DID, IT STALLED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE ROTORS WERE REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233757

52,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I NOTICED THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2005 FOCUS THAT THE ROTORS ALREADY HAD GROOVES IN THEM. THE BRAKE PADS ALSO WORE OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE OTHER DAY I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVER NIGHT. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT …

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I NOTICED THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2005 FOCUS THAT THE ROTORS ALREADY HAD GROOVES IN THEM. THE BRAKE PADS ALSO WORE OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE OTHER DAY I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVER NIGHT. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH OTHERS HAVE PAID AND I JUST DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231519

1,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKES WERE UNEVEN BADLY IN SHOP AT BARTOW FORD NUMBER OF TIMES NEVER FIX WORK ON IT TILL THE WARRANTY WAS UP NOW MY FAMILY IS STUCK WITH PAYMENTS ON A UNSAFE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189526

35,000 miles · Sep 3, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2004 AND 2005 FORD FOCUS. ONE IS AN SE AND ONE A ZX3. THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE 2004 WENT OUT AT 32,000 MILES AND THE 2005 WENT OUT AT 40000 MILES. BOTH VEHICLES ARE DRIVEN NICELY. ON BOTH THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN TOTAL PAD FAILURE IN THE RIGHT INSIDE PAD. FORD SAYS THE PADS I BOUGHT FROM …

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I OWN A 2004 AND 2005 FORD FOCUS. ONE IS AN SE AND ONE A ZX3. THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE 2004 WENT OUT AT 32,000 MILES AND THE 2005 WENT OUT AT 40000 MILES. BOTH VEHICLES ARE DRIVEN NICELY. ON BOTH THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN TOTAL PAD FAILURE IN THE RIGHT INSIDE PAD. FORD SAYS THE PADS I BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER ARE LIFETIME WARRANTY BUT THE SYSTEM WHEN NEW CARRIES NO WARRANTY. BY THE TIME PROBLEMS ARE NOTICED, IT'S TOO LATE AND BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167272

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING IN THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENNGS I NOTICE THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT GLOW ON. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF. LAST EVENING THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND WINDOWS UP. THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I LOOKED INTO THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE OIL LIGHT AND THE DOOR AJA…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENNGS I NOTICE THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT GLOW ON. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF. LAST EVENING THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND WINDOWS UP. THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I LOOKED INTO THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE OIL LIGHT AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WERE ON WHEN THE DOME LIGHT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE DOOR AJAR AND OIL LIGHT ARE ON, THE WIRELESS REMOTES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT 2 TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TODAY WITH VIDEO OF THE DOME LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165636

2,500 miles · Aug 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC FAILURE IN THE REAR BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, THE CAR SKIDS, AND THEY SQUEAL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP OVER A HALF A DOZEN TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164158

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.