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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

What owners actually said

441 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2011
Seat Belts

THE DIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GETS STUCK. WHEN I GO TO UNDO MY SEAT BELT. I HAVE TO PULL HARD TO GET IT TO COME LOOSE. THAT COULD BE A DANGER IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND CANT GET LOOSE OUT OF MY SEAT BELT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416817

62,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Electrical System

WAS DRIVING 45 ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLICKERED AND THE CAR WENT DEAD AND HAD TO DRIFT OFF ONTO A MEDIAN. HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS THE 20 AMP FUSE OUT. WENT TO GET ANOTHER ONE WE MADE SURE ALL THE WIRES WERE ATTACHED AND NOTHING WAS LOOSE, WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL A BIT AN…

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WAS DRIVING 45 ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLICKERED AND THE CAR WENT DEAD AND HAD TO DRIFT OFF ONTO A MEDIAN. HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS THE 20 AMP FUSE OUT. WENT TO GET ANOTHER ONE WE MADE SURE ALL THE WIRES WERE ATTACHED AND NOTHING WAS LOOSE, WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL A BIT AND WITH THE NEW FUSE IN THE CAR STARTED, AS WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. WENT BACK TO THE STORE BOUGHT 2 MORE FUSES AND GOT THE CAR STARTED DROVE 1 MILE AND IT STALLED AGAIN. TRIED THE 3RD FUSE AND NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE 20 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE IT STALLED. THE GARAGE STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS IN THE DASHBOARD AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO FORD TO HAVE IT TESTED TO FIND THE ISSUE. COST WILL BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $400 TO $1000 TO FIX DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND WITH THE TEST. GOT THE CALL FROM THE GARAGE IT IS GOING TO BE FIXED FOR $500. MONEY WE DO NOT HAVE FOR BAD WIRING THAT IS NOT OUR FAULT! FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416744

75,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED UNLESS THE CHILD SAFETY FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 0…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED UNLESS THE CHILD SAFETY FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416680

77,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITHIN FOUR MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE REC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITHIN FOUR MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DID NOT IDENTIFY OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416251

53,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED AND SHE COULD NO LONGER MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WAY THE SEAT WAS POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415190

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

43,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED CAUSING MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SOLENOID, TRANSMISSION, VALVE BODY AND THE SAFETY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED CAUSING MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SOLENOID, TRANSMISSION, VALVE BODY AND THE SAFETY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE A DEFINITE SOLUTION FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10411738

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

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.