Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
740–25K
6725–50K
7350–75K
5175–100K
50100–150K
29150K+
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
22,778 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Service Brakes, Electric
1. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE STOPPED WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO DEPRESS. THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, PART NUMBER…
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1. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE STOPPED WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO DEPRESS. THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, PART NUMBER 5S4Z-2M110-B MODULATOR 165686. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374660
115,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER WHEN FIRST PUTTING CAR IN GEAR AND STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL. IF YOU PUMP THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO DISAPPEAR FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS NOT TAKEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370890
80,300 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON MY WIFE'S CAR 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4 IN A HEAD ON COLLISION 25-30 MPH EACH VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY AREN'T INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368520
73,000 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAITED 5 TO 8 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAITED 5 TO 8 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10366886
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
54,000 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Electrical System
THE IGNITION IN THE FORD FOCUS FALLS APART AND YOU ARE STRANDED!!!. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED DAUGHTER WITH ME AND IT WAS NIGHT. I CAN IMAGINE A YOUNG WOMAN BY HERSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOU CANNOT BE JUMPED OR A MECHANIC CANNOT LOOK AT IT. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO BE TOWED, WHICH FOR US WAS 49 MILES AWAY. VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUG…
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THE IGNITION IN THE FORD FOCUS FALLS APART AND YOU ARE STRANDED!!!. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED DAUGHTER WITH ME AND IT WAS NIGHT. I CAN IMAGINE A YOUNG WOMAN BY HERSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOU CANNOT BE JUMPED OR A MECHANIC CANNOT LOOK AT IT. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO BE TOWED, WHICH FOR US WAS 49 MILES AWAY. VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ME. WE HAD TO LEAVE HER WALKER BEHIND AND SHE WAS WITHOUT IT (IMMOBILE) UNTIL I COULD RETRIEVE IT. THIS CAR HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALL CHECKUPS AND EVERYTHING UP TO DATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365042
80,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Electrical System
HAVING PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR AND KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR 2ND TIME IN TWO YEARS. KEY WILL NOT RELEASE BUT WILL TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10364019
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2010
Tires
GOODYEAR EAGLE GT TIRE SHOWS SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION AROUND PERIMETER OF TIRE WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361745
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2010
Electrical System
DRIVING AT 50KM/H, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, SHORTLY AFTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING POWER STEERING, FRONT LIGHTS, GAUGES...EVERYTHING. ENGINES CONTINUES TO RUN, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOW TO ALMOST IDLE, ENGINES STOPS. UNABLE TO RESTART, NO IGNITION NO SIGN OF LIFE WHATSOEVER. WAITED 20MIN, WAS ABLE TO START EN…
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DRIVING AT 50KM/H, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, SHORTLY AFTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING POWER STEERING, FRONT LIGHTS, GAUGES...EVERYTHING. ENGINES CONTINUES TO RUN, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOW TO ALMOST IDLE, ENGINES STOPS. UNABLE TO RESTART, NO IGNITION NO SIGN OF LIFE WHATSOEVER. WAITED 20MIN, WAS ABLE TO START ENGINE, ELECTRICAL CAME BACK AND DROVE FOR 5MIN BEFORE SAME THING HAPPENED. DEALER IDENTIFIED A FAULTY ALTERNATOR, CAR HAS 135000KM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358313
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
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.
2005 Ford Focus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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