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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 · Feb 21, 2010
Electrical System

THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312441

39,171 miles · Feb 8, 2010
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

2005 FORD FOCUS PASSANGER SIDE A ARM BOLT HOLDING THE A ARM TO THE WHEEL LOSSEND AND JUST ONE BOLT FELL OUT ON THE ROAD CAUSING THE TIRE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO JAM UNDER THE FENDER PULLING THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION STOPPING THE CAR THANKFULL THAT THE CAR WAS GOING SLOW AND STOPPED AND NOT ON A FR…

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2005 FORD FOCUS PASSANGER SIDE A ARM BOLT HOLDING THE A ARM TO THE WHEEL LOSSEND AND JUST ONE BOLT FELL OUT ON THE ROAD CAUSING THE TIRE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO JAM UNDER THE FENDER PULLING THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION STOPPING THE CAR THANKFULL THAT THE CAR WAS GOING SLOW AND STOPPED AND NOT ON A FREEWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 39171 MILES AND HAD BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER FREQUENT FOR A NOISE PROBLEM THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NOISE AND NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED COMMENTS WERE MADE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AS TO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THE LACK OF ONE BOLT CAUSED AND THAT LUCKY AS TO THE SPEED TO WHICH IT CAME APART THIS EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 25 MPH GOING THRU A ROUNDABOUT TRAFFIC SIGNAL NORTH BOUND AND CONTINUING TO THE NORTH MAKING A RIGHT STARTING IN THE ROUND ABOUT THEN A LEFT IN THE ROUNDABOUT AND A RIGHT LEAVING THE ROUNDABOUT THE WHEEL JAMED UNDER THE FENDER STOPPING THE CAR IN ITS TRACKS JUST CLEARING THE ROUNDABOUT GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE REASON THE CAR STOPPED AND THE PASSANGER WHEEL WAS TURNED RIGHT AND UNDER THE FENDER THE LEFT WHEEL WAS FACING CORRECT STRAIGHT AHEAD. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10307670

91,900 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2005 FOCUS KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY AND THE KEY CAME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303784

52,266 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSteering

KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. CAN NO REMOVE KEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302054

72,000 miles · Jan 11, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IT. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN IGNITION AND LOCK THE VEHICLE WITH THE ALARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298985

60,000 miles · Jan 7, 2010
Wheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING AND SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE LUG NUTS BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING AND SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE LUG NUTS BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.

NHTSA ODI #10298561

53,000 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Structure

THERE IS WATER LEAKING FROM MY CAR INTO THE ENGINE. IT IS SEEPING UNDER THE COWL. THIS IS CAUSING WATER TO GET INTO MY AIR FILTER AND CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH MY MAF SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN I WASH MY VEHICLE. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON NOV. 9 2009. I WAS NOT DISCLOSED OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN I…

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THERE IS WATER LEAKING FROM MY CAR INTO THE ENGINE. IT IS SEEPING UNDER THE COWL. THIS IS CAUSING WATER TO GET INTO MY AIR FILTER AND CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH MY MAF SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN I WASH MY VEHICLE. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON NOV. 9 2009. I WAS NOT DISCLOSED OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT FOR REPAIR AS REPAIR COSTS ARE ASTRONOMICAL. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE (FORD FOCUS) WITH WATER LEAK PROBLEMS. I OWN A 2005 FORD FOCUS. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THE RAN BECAUSE IT HESITATES AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE ROAD AND I WILL GET KILLED AND RAN OVER MY TRUCK OR SOMETHING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT FORDS POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296721

82,000 miles · Nov 29, 2009
Electrical System

MY 2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH KEY NOT TURNING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR OVER 8 TIMES BUT UNTIL RECENTLY THE CAR HAS EVENTUALLY STARTED. THIS LAST TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITI…

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MY 2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH KEY NOT TURNING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR OVER 8 TIMES BUT UNTIL RECENTLY THE CAR HAS EVENTUALLY STARTED. THIS LAST TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING THE CORRECT ACTIONS TO TAKE INORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293892

41,000 miles · Nov 28, 2009
Wheels

2005 FORD FOCUS ST - DECORATIVE LUG NUT END CAPS FAIL AND FLY OFF THE WHEEL. ALL EIGHT (8) OF MY WHEEL LUG NUTS HAVE FAILED AND THE DECORATIVE END CAPS HAVE COME OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293766

32,500 miles · Nov 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2005 FOCUS, 4 DOOR, ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SEVERE SHAKING IN THE CAR, AT IDOL AND WHILE DRIVING, TOOK THE CAR TO GET NEW BRAKES AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKE, AND IR WOULD BE AT LEAST $500 TO FIX, HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON THING IN THE FOCUS THAT THE MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSIDERING…

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I OWN A 2005 FOCUS, 4 DOOR, ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SEVERE SHAKING IN THE CAR, AT IDOL AND WHILE DRIVING, TOOK THE CAR TO GET NEW BRAKES AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKE, AND IR WOULD BE AT LEAST $500 TO FIX, HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON THING IN THE FOCUS THAT THE MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSIDERING MY CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR BEING AN 05, 33,900, I DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE TO FIX MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I DO NOT THINK MOTOR MOUNTS SHOULD BE SHRUGGED OFF AS "COMMON PROBLEM" THIS CAN BE A DANGER WHILE DRIVING AND I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, AS TO WHY THE MOUNTS GO BAD SO QUICKLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADVISE OR ANSWER TO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292523

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.