TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO COME TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD REV. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
2005 Ford Focus complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOOR EXTERIOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE FRACTURED DOOR HANDLES COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOORS USING THE HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
THE HVAC CONTROLS ARE FROZEN IN THE AIR CONDITION AND COLD AIR POSITION. IF IT STARTS RAINING THE WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD FOG UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. *TR
AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND GOING OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS (DIFFERENT YEARS) HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. FORD SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM. HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED. KEEP WATCHING FOR ANY RECALLS BUT HAVEN'T HAD ANY YET. *TR
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AFTER WE GOT IT WE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKE, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WORRY ME. WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN TO THINK ABOUT SO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT HAS A GOOD BATTERY, BUT IT'S ALWAYS DYING AFTER BEING DRIVEN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY HAVE YET TO FIX IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS, BUT I'M DESPERATE TO TRY ANYTHING AND ANYONE FOR HELP. *TR
MY FOCUSES REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE REAR DOORS COULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE (SMALL CHILD) PULLED THE HANDLE THEY COULD FALL OUT. I ALSO TRIED LOCKING THE CHILD LOCK BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT COST $400. IT SEEMS LIKE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *TR
I'VE HAD THIS 05 FORD FOCUS FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS, ALL RESOLVED BUT THIS ONE. I WAS TAKING MY 4 YEAR OLD AND AUTISTIC 13 YEAR OLD STEP CHILDREN TO THE PARK LAST MONDAY AND MY CAR STARTED GOING HAYWIRE. IT WOULD LOSE AND GAIN POWER IN INTERVALS AND ALL OF THE DASH CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR LOST POWER AND DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO CARS IN SIGHT. ENDED UP HAVING TO WALK ALMOST 3 MILES WITH THEM BEFORE WE FINALLY SAW SOMEONE NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE US A RIDE. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS DRAINED AND RUINED 3 BATTERIES AND TWO ALTERNATORS. MY DASH LIGHTS ARE NOW STAYING ON WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND BATTERIES KEEP GETTING DRAINED. THERE'S ALSO A CHIRP I'M ASSUMING SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM OR THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE ALTERNATOR OR DASH. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK FOR 6 DAYS AND IT IS/WAS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THESE TWO CHILDREN. I'M FINDING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THINGS DONE WITH SUCH AN UNRELIABLE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TR
ALL 4 EAGLE GT TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD ARE WORN AND SCALLOPED DUE TO A KNOW PROBLEM TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ID: 10034585 JULY 10, 2010 AND SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: TB-21399 COMPONENT(S): TIRES NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10034585. OUR MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SERVICE BULLETIN SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING ISSUES TO CAUSE THE TIRE WEAR. THE SOLUTION THAT FORD HAS COME UP WITH IT TO ADD 4 ADDITIONAL UPPER CONTROL ARMS AT $140 A PIECE PLUS LABOR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH FORD THEY INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ONE BUT ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE WAITING UNTIL PEOPLE ARE EITHER INJURED OR KILLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ADVISED THEM THAT I WILL KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR NEW TIRES. THIS IS THE 4 SET OF TIRES IN 3 YEARS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I ADVISED THEM I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE TIRES ARE TOTALLY WORN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE AND THEN LET MY INSURANCE CARRIER DEAL WITH THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
THE FORD FOCUS FROM 2007/2001 HAS HAD LOTS OF DOOR LATCHES BRAKING AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, IN MY CASE FROM THE OUTSIDE. I KNOW FORD DEALERS SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE A FIX AT FORDS EXPENSE. WERE CAN I GET THE PART OTHER THAN THE DEALER? THANK-YOU *TR
BODY PAINT STARTED TO PEEL OFF OF MY FRONT DRIVERS DOOR, IT HAS CONTINUED TO PEEL ON ALL THE DOORS AND CURRENTLY IS NOW PEELING OFF OF THE TRUNK LID. I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A ROCK BLISTER EFFECT BUT I'VE OWNED MANY A VEHICLE AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO ANY VEHICLE OF MINE BEFORE. THIS IS A FORD PROBLEM NOT AN OWNER PROBLEM. OF NOTE, I'VE OWNED FORD VEHICLES SINCE 2000 AND CURRENTLY OWN 2 FORD VEHICLES. NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE EVER SHOWN ANY INDICATION OF THIS HORRIBLE PEELING. AS WELL, MY REAR DOORS ARE ALWAYS BECOMING STUCK. ONCE AGAIN, I'VE BEEN TOLD TO OIL THE COMPONENTS. THIS HAS BEEN DONE OVER AND OVER WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. *TR
SO IDK EVERY [XXX] YEAR! FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS! IT GOES GOOD THEN SHE STARTS ACTING FUNNY BOOM BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I USE THE VOLTMETER AND EVERYTHING'S FINE FULL CHARGE SAME WITH THE ALTERNATOR. A WEEK OR SO PASSED THEN THE STARTER WENT OUT REPLACED 7/3/13!! WTF! FRIED PUT A NEW ONE IN. NOW MY[XXX] CLUTCH FEELS DIFFERENT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S NOT SLIPPING BUT IT'S REALLY SMOOTH.2 DAYS GO BY AND BOOM ACTS LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD..NOPE TAKE KEY OUT GET VOLTMETER IT'S AT 12.5 SO I TRY AGAIN SEEMS OK DOESN'T TURN OVER. AGAIN TURN KEY ALL LIGHTS ON SEEMS OK NOTHING.... OK 1 MORE TURN KEY STRUGGLES LIKE STARTER THEN LIGHTS FLICKER DASH WACKS OUT BOOM DEAD NOTHING!!!!! GET OUT STILL 12.5VOLTS. I DON'T KNOW TRY 1 MORE TIME I PUMPED THE CLUTCH AD IT HESITATED TO TURN OVER AND BOOM IT WORKS!!!! GET HOME. TURN IT OFF ALL IS WELL ACTS LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG! 4 TO 6 DAYS AGAIN THIS TIME IT DID IT 2 HIM JUST DIFFERENT.HERE'S THE KICKER!!!!! IT'S FINE FULLY CHARGED ALL LIGHTS OK ALL VOLTS OK HE PULLS OUT ( HA HA PULLS OUT!) THEN SHE IDLES IRREGULARLY LIKE A LOOP HIGHER LOOP GET IT HOME AND KEEPS LOOPING. SO I REMEMBER THIS FROM LIKE 5 YRS AGO IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE MAF OR ECG I BELIEVE SO I LOOK FOR ANSWERS.... NOW HE GOES OUT 4 HRS LATER NOTHING DEAD WON'T TURN OVER WON'T DO NOTHING!!!!! I HATE THIS CAR!!!!! I SWEAR I WILL FIND THE [XXX] PROBLEM TO THIS [XXX]!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS [XXX] CAR! SHE WAS SO GOOD NOW SHE'S A LIL [XXX]! I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING STUPID AS [XXX] AND WATCH J
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES . THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING. REMOVED REAR TAIL LENSES TO REPLACE ALL THE BULB AND FOUND BRAKE/TURN SIGNAL SOCKET FUSED TO INTERIOR PORTION OF TAIL LENS INHIBITING REMOVAL DUE TO HEAT WARPAGE. WILL CONTACT DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT SOCKETS FOR RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES AND LENS REPLACEMENT FOR RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM DUE TO HAZARD OF NO TURN OR BRAKE LIGHT AND POOR DESIGN TO ALLOW BULB TO PRODUCE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THERMAL REACTION AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,163.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
THE BACK DOOR DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT LOCK. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE BUT IT WILL STILL NOT WORK. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TOUCHING OPENING MECHANISM. *JS
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO PLACE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT HEAD LAMPS AND HIGH BEAMS . I BROUGHT THIS CAR OFF OF ENTERPRIZE DEALER IN NEVADA. OVER THE YEARS I BEGAN HAVEN LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. SO MUCH NEEDED TO BE DONE ON THIS CAR AND I SPENT LOTS OF MONEY TOO. NOT KNOWING UNTIL NOW THIS CAR HAS SOME RECALL ISSUES. PASSENGER REAR DOOR REPLACE AND BROKEN AGAIN. THE REAR BRAKE ARE RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE,DRUMS PADS EXT.. NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I TURN THE CAR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOCALLY, MY CAR SHUT OFF AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN FLOW VALVE. I HAVE TO REPLACE IT, BUT THEN MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MY FRIEND WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT. ON AUGUST 12, 2012, MY DRIVER SEAT MOVED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CONTINUES TO SKIP ON A CERTAIN CLICK LATCH. INDECEMBER, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, CAUSE MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, BUT WE ARE UNSURE AS TO WHY IT KEEPS DOING THAT. EVERY NOW AND THEN I CAN SMELL SMOKING WIRES/ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNING. NOW MY LIGHTER IN THE CAR IS NOT WORKING, BUT I THINK THAT RUNS IN A FUSE...NOT SURE. ON APRIL 13TH, 2013. I RETURNED HOME FROM A WEDDING AND I AM UNABLE TO YET AGAIN, GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME TO CHECK TO FIND OUT IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WHAT THEY DID. THEN MY FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT THE MAJOR FORD RECALL. *TT
WHEN BRAKING COMING UP TO STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN USUALLY UNDER 15 MPH TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GEAR DOWN AND SEEMS TO SURGE. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. YOU HAVE TO ALMOST STAND ON BRAKES AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. SURGE MAY LAST APPROX 5 SECONDS. VARIES DEPENDING ON SPEED YOUR BRAKING FROM. IN THE BEGINNING TALKED TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAD A FORD ESCORT FOR MY SON IN MID 80'S AND HE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 72000 MILES AND SEEMS TO GETTING WORSE. I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEMS FOR YEARS AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF MANY OTHERS HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. *JS
THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK. MY DAUGHTERS JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AS THERE FIRST CAR. IT IS NOT SAFE!!!! I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE THROTTLE SYSTEM OF THIS CAR IS NOT RECALLED BY THE MFG, WHEN I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS CAR WHEN IT WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. FIRST, ALL THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. SECOND, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. BUYER BEWARE, THIS CAR IS NOT ONLY JUNK BUT DANGEROUS!!! *TR
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THIS TIME IT TOOK 25 MIN OF THE CAR RUNNING FOR IT TO MOVE. YOU CAN PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. *TR
REFERRING TO CASE # [XXX]. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SHORT WAS IN FACT THE SMALL BUNDLE OF WIRES GOING INTO THE LIFTGATE. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ALL AFFECTED WIRES. INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF A BRAND NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH FORD CERTIFIED. COST OF REPAIRS 2347 DOLLARS AND 97 CENTS.UPON READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE I'VE SEEN AT LEAST 40 OTHER CASES CAUSED BY THE SAME BUNDLE OF WIRES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AS YOU CAN SEE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE TO BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. SOMETHING'S GOTTA BE DONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DRIVING ON ROUTE 209 APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AN HOUR. I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE DASH. IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, REMOVED THE KEY, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION THE STARTER BEGAN TURNING OVER. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY TOOLS TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY. THE STARTER TURNED OVER FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, THEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, AND HORN ALL BEGAN ACTIVATING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY MECHANIC FOR EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER ABOUT 4 MINUTES OF THE WIPERS HEAD LIGHTS AND HORN ALL ACTIVATING WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, SOMEONE STOPPED AND HAD SOME TOOLS UNHOOK THE BATTERY.MECHANIC SHOWED UP ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HIS SHOP, AND BEGAN SEARCHING FOR THE PROBLEM. AFTER REMOVING THE DASH PANELS HE SAYS THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH COST A SHORTWHICH MELTED ALL THE WIRES TOGETHERUNDER THE DASH AND GOING BACK TO THE TAIL LIGHTS.HE SAYS IT IS DUE TO THE SMALL WIRES THAT FORD USES AND THEY'RE HARNESSES AND THE WAY THEY TWIST THEM TOGETHER SO THEY WILL FIT INTO THE SMALL PLASTIC TUBE UNDER THE DASH. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND A RECALL TO ATTACH THIS PROBLEM TOO. HOWEVER I REALLY THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE DAMAGES. I'M CONSIDERING THIS CAR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING- THE BLOWN BULB INDICATION WAS NOTICED BY THE FAST FLASH SIGNAL ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR. WHEN GOING TO REPLACE THE BULB IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER SOCKET FOR THE TURN SIGNAL SOCKET IS MELTED TO THE LENS COVER. THE LENS COVER SOCKET MOUNTING HOLE WAS DISTORTED BY HEAT. ONCE THE SOCKET WAS REMOVED THE BULB WAS FOUND NOT TO BE BLOWN. THE SOCKET HOUSING SHOWS INTERNAL SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE -COLOR CHANGE. THE BULB WAS IN POSITION IN THE SOCKET AND THE BULB BASE SHOWED NO SIGN OF MELTING AT THE BULB CONTACT POINTS. IT APPEARS THE HEAT WAS GENERATED IN THE SOCKET CONNECTION TO THE BULB BASE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINT OF A SIMILAR FINDING ON MULTIPLE YEARS OF THE FORD FOCUS THAT WERE EASILY FOUND WITH A INTERNET SEARCH- FORD FOCUS MELTED SOCKET. PURCHASING REPLACEMENT SOCKET FROM DEALER AS THIS IS A MAJOR PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
SINCE WE RECEIVED THE CAR, WE HAVE NOTICED INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION - BOTH IN TOWN AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS A SIMPLE SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE GENTLY TO START COMING TO A FULL STOP BEHIND A FEW CARS. AS MY CAR TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, I NOTICED IT WAS FIGHTING TO SLOW DOWN. I PRESSED ON THE BREAK HARDER, BUT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR, THEN BACK ON THE BREAK, NO CHANGE. NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE TO DO, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT STOP REVVING UP SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER WAITING A MINUTE, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND OPERATED FINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR WAS VERY HARD TO OPEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
A FEW MONTHS AGO MY PASSENGER DOOR LATCH HANDLE FAILED AND BROKE SO WAS OPENING IT FROM THE INSIDE. NOW MY DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE/LATCH IS NOW BROKEN. I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE HATCHBACK TO OPEN THE DOORS. THESE HANDLES/LATCHES ARE VERY POORLY MADE AND WHAT HAPPENED IF I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR/HANDLE FAILED AT THAT TIME WHERE THEY COULDN'T OPEN IT AND GET SOMEONE OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS LOOKED INTO. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE IN YOUR DATABASE. THESE HANDLE SHOULD NOT GIVE OUT THIS EASY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,600.... UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED ON JULY 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE ADJUSTED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE AREA BENEATH THE SEAT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 08/27/13*LJ
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. OCCASSIONALLY THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE RADIO WILL COME ON BY ITSELF. ALSO, THERE IS A LOUD BANG COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM...UPDATED 07/22/13 *BF
BEGINNING LAST YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS DECELERATING AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO VIBRATE AND THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ASKED ME TO MAKE NOTE OF ROAD CONDITIONS, ETC. TIRES REPLACED SOMETIME IN THE PAST YEAR. ALIGNMENT PERFORMED WITHIN PAST TWO MONTHS. TIRES ARE WEARING IN DIAGONAL PAIRS ODDLY. BLEW FUSE WHICH OPERATED THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKS, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE LOCKING CONTROL ON TAKING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD TO POP SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC OFF THE SHIFTER DECK AND STICK A SCREW DRIVER IN TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WAS ALSO TOLD THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT IN. AFTER CHARGING ME $130.00 TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM, THEY THEN CHARGED ME $10 TO REPLACE THE FUSE, COULD FIND NO REASON FOR IT TO HAVE BLOWN. THEN TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOO MANY DOLLARS LATER, I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS LATER, FUSE BLEW AGAIN. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT GARAGE,$ 0.95 FOR THE FUSE AND $30 TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS BLOWING OUT, UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WAS GETTING WORSE AND I WAS DEBATING DEALERSHIP OR INDEPENDENT, DECISION WAS REMOVED FROM MY HANDS WHEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR BEGAN SWERVING TOWARD TRAFFIC IN RUSH HOUR AT 45MPH ON MONDAY NIGHT 6/24/13. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I MANAGED TO WRENCH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND H
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED ON THE REAR HATCH OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND IT CAUSED THE GEAR SHIFT TO BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TOO SHORT AND WHEN IT WAS STRETCHED THE WIRES CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN OPERATION, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BECAME EXTREMELY DIM. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY LIFTGATE WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000. UPDATED 08/15/13*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WOULD SMELL GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE O-RINGS TO THE FUEL LINE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPAIRED THE DAMAGED FUEL LINE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE FUEL LEAK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,816.
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. THE COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. ON THE GEAR SHIFT THERE IS A PLASTIC SLEEVE. I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND SLID MY HAND BELOW THE KNOB AND PULLED THE SLEEVE UP AND THE KEY COMES OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BECAUSE THE LATCHES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STABILIZER ARMS WERE INSTALLED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, BOTH REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. IN ADDITION, THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT THE COMPONENT DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
MY FORD FOCUS HAD A PROBLEM ONE YEAR AGO WHERE A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE SNAPPED INSIDE THE DOOR WHICH MADE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR INACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. A YEAR LATER, TODAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. SINCE THIS IS A 2 DOOR HATCHBACK MODEL, AND THE BACK HATCH KEY LOCK IS NOT WORKING, THERE IS NO WAY TO ENTER MY VEHICLE. THE PIECE THAT HAS BROKEN IS A SMALL WEDGE SHAPED PLASTIC COMPONENT, WHICH SEEMS POORLY MADE, AND NOW REQUIRES ME TO SPEND OVER 300.00 DOLLARS, AND I MUST WAIT 3 DAYS BEFORE THE CAR CAN EVEN BE INSPECTED. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE, BECAUSE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A PERSON WERE TO HAVE THEIR CHILD IN A CAR SEAT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY STEPPED OUT, AND REALIZED THEY COULD NOT ENTER. ALSO, WHAT IF SOMEONE WERE TO CONSIDER THEIR VEHICLE RELIABLE, RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY, AND THEN REALIZE THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER HAVE ENTRY TO THEIR VEHICLE. BESIDES THE INCONVENIENCE THIS CAUSES, IT COULD INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY CAUSE HARM TO A PERSON. MANUFACTURERS NEED TO BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS COULD BE AN OBVIOUS TACTIC TO PROMOTE EXTRA BUSINESS AND PROFIT OF FORD SPONSORED COMPANIES. *TR
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT LOCK. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK DOESN'T EVEN MAKE IT WORK. ALL OTHER DOORS WORK WITH THE REMOTE ENTRY KEY FOB AND ALARM ACTIVATES BUT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED. I CAN NOT EVEN LOCK IT MANUALLY. I FEAR MY GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO SIMPLY OPEN THE DOOR AND EXIT THE CAR AND AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBLITY OF SOMEONE ENTERING THE CAR TO DO HARM OR VANDELIZE THE VEHICLE. *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FOCUS ZXW WAGON. I LOVE THE VEHICLE, AS IT GETS GOOD MILEAGE, & HAS AMPLE SPACE, BUT I RAN INTO A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS MY LEFT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT ON ME. UPON TAKING OUT THE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY, AND TRYING TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB, I HAD THE HARDEST TIME TAKING OUT THE LIGHT SOCKET OUT OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO CHANGE THE BULB. UPON FINALLY GETTING THE LIGHT SOCKET OUT, I FIND THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHERE THE LIGHT SOCKET HOLDS THE BULB HAD MELTED, & DEFORMED THE HOLE OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. WHAT A TERRIBLE DESIGN! FROM THERE, I DECIDED TO TAKE OUT THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND CHECK TO SEE IF THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LENS IS TOAST TOO........SURE ENOUGH, THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED TOO, BUT LUCKY FOR ME IT STILL WORKS. FORD SHOULD HONOR A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS I'VE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS ABOUT THE TAIL LIGHTS MELTING ON THE FORD FOCUS WAGONS. *TR
ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. THE CAR STARTED THIS HARD STARTING ISSUE A WHILE AGO WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL I HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW YEARS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS SOUND WHEN STARTING WILL COME FROM THE TRUNK AND TAKE AT LEAST 5 CRANKS TO START AND THIS IS NORMAL. AS OF THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 ON MY WAY TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTING REVVING AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WORKED FINE. AFTER WORK ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME THING HAPPEN BUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP I WAS ABLE TO GET UP TO 35MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. MY CAR ONLY HAS 94000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2008 WITH 49,000. AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING MORE THAN A PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER OWN OR RECOMMEND A FORD TO ANYONE. *TR
THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS NOVEMBER 19,2011. I HAVE A FILE COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH NHTSA. THIS OCCURRENCE OCCURRED SATURDAY JANUARY 19,2013. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMS TO BE STUCK. I HAD BEEN DRIVING 30 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM. I HAD TO TAP IT TO GET IT TO RELEASE. I KEPT DRIVING AND HAD TO TAP IT AGAIN TO RELEASE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS MOVING TO 65 MPH. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 85 AND IT WAS MOVING TO 75 MPH. I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT 85 MPH. I BRAKED HARD TO TURN TO MY JOB. I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND WAS STANDING ON BY BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY HUSBAND HE YELLED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THE ENGINE REVVING. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING KILLED. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TALKING TO SOMEONE FROM FORD CORPORATION ABOUT MY TERRIFYING INCIDENT. *TR
DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE GAS THROTTLE STICKS (APP. 45-HIGHER). THE SPEED CONTROL ALSO GOT STUCK BEFORE. THE CAR ALSO HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. IN MORNINGS AND EVENINGS, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS START. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FOR FOCUS ZXW STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFT OVER RIDE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, THE KEY WOULD BECOME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT GLUED THE SHIFT OVER RIDE BUTTON IN PLACE AND CHANGED THE IGNITION, WHICH RESOLVED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE METAL FRAME OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME CRACKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PROP THE SEAT UP SO THAT HE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS POORLY DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/21/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AFTER HAVING THE FLUID FLUSHED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE RIGID AND WERE EASY TO BREAK, THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE NOT DESIGNED TO CARRY WEIGHT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SECONDARY ROAD BUMPS. THE HEAT SHIELDS ATTACHED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WERE DESIGNED POORLY, TO THE POINT THEY WERE BENT AND CAUSED A RATTLE. THE STEEL RIMS, BENT EASILY, WHICH CREATED A VIBRATION AND BALANCE PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS LENSES WERE DISCOLORED, THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO THE SPARK PLUGS, THE HOOD CABLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE HOOD CABLE FROZE AND BROKE. UPDATED 07/25/13
THE REAR DOOR CANNOT LOCK EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT DISINTEGRATED LEAVING ONLY ONE PIECE OF A METAL SHARD IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2005 Ford Focus → · Every Focus year → · How the figures are calculated →