Page 6 of 9 · complaints 251–300 of 441

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 →

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 7, 201064,000 milesTX

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT LOCK INTO KEY POSITION #; THEREFORE, GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT LOCK APPROPRIATELY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Apr 2, 2010WA

OUR KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF OUR CAR. WE CAN"T GET IT OUT. I'M AFRAID THAT WE MAY HAVE OUR CAR STOLEN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY PERMANENTLY IN THE IGNITION

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed Apr 1, 201055,000 miles00

THE DECKLID WIRE HARNESS HAS FATIGUED BREAKING 2 INTERNAL WIRES IN THE BEND AREA. AS A CONSEQUENCE, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND DECKLID LATCH REMOTE RELEASE FUNCTION ARE LOST. BECAUSE IT IS IN THE SAME HARNESS, LOOSING STOP LAMP, DEFROST OR VEHICLE REGISTRATION LAMP FUNCTIONS IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME. THIS FAILURE MODE HAS ALREADY BEEN DESCRIBED ONLY THAT WITH A DIFFERENT EFFECT (LOSS OF STOP LAMP). PLEASE REFER TO YOUR CAMPAIGN ID: 00V411000. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Apr 1, 201089,000 milesIN

2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BACK DOOR THAT NO LONGER LOCKS (POWER LOCKS). DEALER STATES DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACING ($400.00). WENT ON INTERNET TO SEE ACTUAL COST OF PART AND HOW INVOLVED TO FIX. AMAZED TO FIND THE NUMBER OF CASES WHERE LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE GONE OUT ON FORD FOCUS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN LOCKED IN THEIR CARS AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT WINDOWS OR OUT THEIR TRUNK. OUR CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE COULD CRAWL INTO THE BACK OF OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE AND ATTACK HER - BECAUSE HERS IS STUCK IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. OR WHAT IF THE OTHER DOORS GET STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION AND SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULDN'T GET OUT OF HER CAR.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 201081,941 milesNC

COULD NOT GET KEY TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. HAD TO LEAVE CAR UNLOCKED, WITH KEY IN IGNITION OVERNIGHT. STILL CANNOT RELEASE KEY. A CHILD COULD GET INTO THE CAR AND START IT UP WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING KEY-LOCK ISSUES. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO WORKS IN RETAIL MANAGEMENT, AND I GET OUT LATE AT NIGHT FROM WORK QUITE OFTEN. IF MY KEY LOCKS UP, I COULD BE STRANDED IN A DARKENED LOT AND VULNERABLE TO CRIME. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HAD BEEN FOR YEARS, AND HAS NOT TAKEN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INEXCUSABLE FOR A MAJOR CORPORATION.. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 9, 201060,000 milesMI

2005 FORD FOCUS ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING. DELEARSHIP, BILL BROWN FORD OF LIVONIA MI, DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS THROTTLE BODY BINDING, SO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

Wheels
Filed Mar 5, 201029,500 milesNE

THE CHROME CAPS COME OFF OF THE LUG NUTS. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD FROM THE POINT OF BEING FLYING DEBRIS, BUT NOW YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE TIRES WITH THE INCLUDED TOOLS BECAUSE THE CAPLESS NUT REMNANT ISN'T ANY STANDARD SIZE. I HAD 1 LUG NUT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS PAST WINTER, I LOST 4 CAPS, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE LOOSE. I AM TIRED OF DOING PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS ON MY CAR TO PUSH THE LOOSE CAPS BACK ON, AND TO SEE HOW MANY MORE FLEW OFF ON MY LAST TRIP. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 1, 201020 milesNY

MY "ENGINE LIGHT" HAS BEEN "FLASHING" INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE DAY I DROVE THE CAR HOME BRAND NEW! THIS IS A "MISFIRE" CODE. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION (LIKE TRYING TO PASS A CAR)...YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THE "SAFETY CONCERNS" INVOLVED , WHEN 7 OUT OF 10 TIMES I TO TRY TO PASS A CAR.....I GET HALFWAY BY THE VEHICLE...THEN MY CAR "MISFIRES"....LOSES ALL POWER....AND I COAST BACK INTO POSITION "BEHIND" THE VEHICLE I TRIED TO PASS!..WHILE I WAIT FOR THE CAR TO RECOVER AND START TO RUN CORRECTLY AGAIN!....IF I DIDN'T LOSE MY POSITION!..WHICH HAS HAPPENED!....MY CAR HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" 4, GOING ON 5 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE....EACH TIME I BRING IT TO BE FIXED...IT DOESN'T GET FIXED...OR AS I WAS TOLD ON MY FIRST COMPLAINT, AND MY SECOND COMPLAINT (THERE'S NOTHING WRONG)....THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH.....MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY YARD SINCE JANUARY...AFTER THE LAST TIME THEY "FIXED IT"...CANT EVEN DRIVE IT NOW....IT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT HOME AFTER THE LAST REPAIR! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 201068,512 milesDE

FORD FOCUS 2005- THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. I TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEY CHARGED ME $300 FOR REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THEY SAID THEY WERE 90% SURE IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WELL, IT DIDN'T. IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THEY NOW SAY MAYBE IT'S SOME CABLE, BUT IT WILL COST $450 TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO APPLY THE $300 FOR THE LAST UNNECESSARY FIX TO THIS FIX. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THOUSANDS OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 24, 201053,000 milesRI

THE IGNITION KEY STICKS IN MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. IT CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS TO DO WITH SHIFTER CABLE THAT COSTS $650. IS IT SAFE? I AM NOT CERTAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THE SHIFT IS LOCKING ADEQUATELY. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 21, 2010WA

THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 8, 201039,171 milesNV

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

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 2, 201091,900 milesOK

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

Steering
Filed Jan 23, 201052,266 milesVA

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 11, 201072,000 milesTX

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

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jan 7, 201060,000 milesMN

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.

Structure
Filed Dec 22, 200953,000 milesSC

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

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 29, 200982,000 milesNC

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

Wheels
Filed Nov 28, 200941,000 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 17, 200932,500 milesOK

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

Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 200925,000 milesWA

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON FOR DAYS THEN OFF FOR A DAY, THEN BACK ON. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT MAY BE THE WIRES OR CONNECTORS THAT RUN UNDER THE SEATS. HE SAID"PEOPLE FEET CAN HIT THE WIRES, AND MOVING OF THE SEATS CAN DAMAGE THEM. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN PROBLEM TO ME. FOR A FEW $100 HE CAN TELL ME. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 26, 200947,000 milesVA

MY PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/22/09, THEY WERE TRAVELING 57 MILES PER HOUR, HIT A LADY THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THEM, THEIR AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF, A DIRECT FRONT END HIT ON THEIR CAR (2005 FORD FOCUS) AND ALSO THE SEATBELTS BROKE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 6, 200946,000 milesWA

MY KEY IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN MY IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES BEFORE. I WENT TO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT THE IGNITION. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 4, 200992,112 milesWV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES WAS B.F GOODRICH AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/50/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE BLOW-OUT, THE TIRE FAILURE INCREASED THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY ASSUME PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 21, 200938,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY THREE BOYS WHEN OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS STARTED JERKING AND SPUTTERING, LOST POWER, AND DIED ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD IT TOWED TO GOODYEAR WHERE THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP FUSE BLEW. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. NOT EVEN A HALF HOUR LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO GOODYEAR WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. WE LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW DAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE HIMSELF AND DRIVE IT TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO. WELL, THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY OVER ANOTHER SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. WE CALLED GOODYEAR TO BRING IT BACK, AND THEY REFUSED; SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. THIS MECHANIC HAS AGAIN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND TOLD US THE SYSTEM WAS FILTHY! THE FUEL PUMP JERKED DRAMATICALLY WHEN HE'D START IT, WHICH IS WHY HE REPLACED IT AGAIN. THE COMPUTER IS STILL SAYING THE MODULE IS BAD; SO HE ORDERED A NEW ONE FROM FORD, WHO AT FIRST CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN TELL HIM WHERE IT WAS LOCATED; SO WHEN HE RECEIVES THE PART, HE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST NOW. WITH GOODYEAR IT ALREADY COST US $600, WHICH THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE. I'VE CALLED FORD, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP SAYING THERE'S NO RECALL ON THIS MODEL. I'VE LOOKED THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM UP, AND THE FUEL PUMP AND SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALL FO

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 20094,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000.

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Jul 16, 20091,200 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING A POP SOUND AND MY CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND GEAR ALL THE WAY HOME. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES APPROX. 1 MONTH APART FINAL RESULT ON MY THIRD TRIP FOR REPAIRS ENDED WITH ME UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME WHICH CAUSED ME REAR ENDING THE BACK OF A TRUCK. I DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR MY CAR BOTH ENGINE AND BODY I STILL HAVE NO CAR. MY CAR HAS 1,200 MILES ON IT. 2005 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM DEALERSHIP AND UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT. I DON'T HAVE THE OLD PARTS. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD CHECK INTO IT TO SEE IF THE DAMAGES WOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. CONSIDERING THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT OF HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THEY WOULD OF FIXED MY CAR RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EITHER WAY SHE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER IT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 14, 200920,000 milesFL

FORD FOCUS 2005, 20,000 MILES CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION DUE TO PROBLEM AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS WE HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH FORD FOCUS FROM 200-2007 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DANGEROUS ISSUE HERE IS THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. EVEN THOUGH THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED IT CAN STILL START THE CAR AGAIN AND GO. THIS CAR IS LEFT OPEN FOR THIEVES TO STEAL. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX BY DEALERS SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WHY IF THERE ARE SO MANY SITES ON THE WEB WITH OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM, NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR

Tires
Filed Jul 9, 2009212 milesSC

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 4, 2009110,234 milesWV

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. IF CAR WAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC OR ON RAILWAY CROSSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES COULD ARISE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 1, 200932,000 milesNJ

THE LEFT REAR DOOR ON MY 2005 FORD FOCUS DOES NOT LOCK. EVEN WHEN I LOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND THE ALARM IS ARMED, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL OPEN. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE '05 FOCUS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 29, 200960,000 milesIL

THE KEYS WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR IS NOT REGISTERING THAT IT IS IN PARK. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 22, 200966,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. WHENEVER SHE DRIVES HER VEHICLE, SHE HAS TO LOCK IT WITH ANOTHER KEY SINCE THE IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT SHE HAS NOT DONE SO AT THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 6, 200949,502 milesMA

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WAS PARKED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 3, 200923,090 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH AND DOOR HANDLE WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,090.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 21, 200961,000 milesTN

MY KEYS ARE STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY AND THEY ARE STILL IN THERE. I WILL HAVE TO LOCK MY CAR WITH THE KEYS IN IT AND PRAY NO ONE STEALS IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS STUCK FOR 2-3 DAYS. THE KEYS OFTEN ACT LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO STICK, THEN, THANKFULLY THEY COME OUT. THIS IS SUCH A NUISANCE AND A RISK. I ASKED MY DEALERSHIP WOULD THE PROBLEM BE FIXED IF I HAD IT REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT MIGHT STILL HAPPEN AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. NOT SO GOOD NEWS SINCE, I AM SURE THIS WOULD NOT BE CHEAP. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 19, 200942,000 milesNY

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 4, 200940,000 milesIN

I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FOCUS WITH EXACTLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, AROUND 40,000 I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING BEFORE THEY EVEN REACH 60,000. SEEMS TO ME IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. EVEN AFTER BEING LOOKED AT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY LOTS OF MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED DUE TO THE WARRANTY ONLY BEING AT THE 40,000 MARK. WHICH THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY THEY OFFERED WAS VOID IF ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. IN WHICH I ENDED UP ON THE SHORT END OF THE STICK BECAUSE THEIR WARRANTY THEY GIVE FOR THE USED CARS OUTLASTS WHAT I HAD REMAINING ON THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SEVERE SLIPPING WHEN TRANSMISSION GOES TO SHIFT INTO THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 4, 200932,000 milesIN

MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY. NOTHING I DO RELEASES IT. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN MY CAR FOR DAYS BEFORE I COME OUT ONE OF THE MORNINGS AND IT JUST DECIDES TO LET ME HAVE MY KEY BACK. ON AND OFF EVER SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 4, 200945,000 milesIN

MY CAR FAILS TO START UNTIL I CRANK IT 3 OR 4 TIMES. SOMETIMES IT BEGINS TO START THEN SPUTTERS AND DIES. IT HAS BEEN AN EVERYDAY THING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW. IT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY TIME I GO TO START MY CAR WITH A FEW TIMES IT STARTING RIGHT AWAY. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 28, 200964,000 milesMO

I PURCHASED MY USED VEHICLE IN 06/08 AND IMMEDIATELY THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE TIRES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE "ONE BAD TIRE". IN ORDER TO KEEP ALL THE TIRES IN GOOD AND EQUAL CONDITION I PURCHASED THREE MORE. OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR "ALIGNMENT ISSUES" AND TO A PRIVATE ALIGNMENT SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE HAS INDICATED THAT THERE IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" WITH THE FORD FOCUS THAT ALLOWS A "GENEROUS" SPREAD FOR ALIGNMENT SPECS. AS LONG AS IT CAN BE ALIGNED WITHIN FORD'S SPECS IT IS CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE, HOWEVER THE TIRES CONTINUE TO WEAR UNEVENLY CAUSING VIBRATION AND INCORRECT TREAD WEAR. I WAS TOLD BY FORD TODAY THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE "NUMBER IS" BUT THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO NOTHING UNTIL THAT "MAGIC NUMBER" IS REACHED. EVIDENTLY THEY HAVE ALSO ISSUED A "SILENT RECALL" THAT ALLOWS ONLY THOSE VEHICLES THAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO THEIR "GENEROUS" SPECS TO BE REPAIRED. THIS IS NOT ONLY A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO TIRE WEAR BUT AFFECTS TRACKING IN SNOW AND WATER WHICH ALSO HEIGHTENS RISK. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 31, 200965,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SHOULDER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT AND THE TWO VEHICLES T-BONED WITH EACH OTHER. AGAIN, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND MIDDLE TO UPPER BACK AREA. SHE ALSO HAD PAIN IN HER CHEST. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 65,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 200980,000 milesVA

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION STARTED CAR DROVE HOME. PARKED CAR. TURNED IT OFF. KEY STUCK. DISCONNECTED BATTERY. KEY CAME OUT. RECONNECTED BATTERY. REINSERTED KEY. KEY WOULDN'T TURN. CAR WOULDN'T START. LEFT OVERNIGHT. TRIED AGAIN. LEFT ALONE FOR A FEW MORE HOURS. RE INSERTED KEY. DEPRESSED BRAKE...MOVED CAR OUT OF PARK AND BACK INTO PARK. KEY THEN WORKED FINE. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 25, 2009WV

I LOST CONTROL ON AN ICY ROAD AND HIT A COLVERT WHICH SENT THE CAR IN THE AIR AND SLAMMED BACK DOWN. THE CAR FINALLY HIT A BANK AND STOPPED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL POPPED OPEN BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER ACTUALLY DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY, OTHER THAN PRETTY BAD NECK AND BACK PAIN I WALKED AWAY OK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 200960,000 milesMD

MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A DAMAGED KEY BUT WHEN IT HAPPENED ON A 2ND KEY THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED LOCK, AND AFTER A REPEAT OCCURRENCE RE-KEYED THE LOCK AND RE-CUT THE KEYS. NOW KEY IS STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE. MARYLAND LAW REQUIRES KEYS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 8, 200942,000 milesPA

2005 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON- LOSS OF TAIL LIGHTS, HIGH MOUNT STOP LIGHT, DASH LIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS DUE TO SHORT IN LIFTGATE WIRING. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE LIFTGATE FATIGUES AT THE BEND AREA. WIRES BREAK, RESULTING IN A OPEN OR SHORT WHICH BLOWS FUSE. THE BLOWN FUSE RESULTS IN NO HIGH MOUNT STOP LIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. IN ADDITION THE HEATED REAR DEFROST AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ALSO FAIL. THE HARNESS MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE WAS PART OF A RECALL IN 2000- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000. MY CAR IS A 2005. THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED IN PRODUCTION. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Feb 4, 2009NY

2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON HAS A FAULTY LIFT GATE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LIFT GATE HAD SILENTLY FALLEN AND SHE WAS HIT IN THE FACE BY THE LIFT GATE. *NJ

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 24, 200911,000 milesCA

WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4 SES BRAND NEW IN FEBRUARY 2005. SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES 5 TIMES, TWO OF THE 5 TIMES WE REPLACED THE WHOLE SET. THE ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES ON THE REAR OF VEHICLE (YOKOHAMA 205/50/ZR16) WERE BALD AT 11,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME WE REPLACED THEM WITH 4 NEW YOKOHAMA TIRES. SIX MONTHS LATER, WE HAD TO BUY ANOTHER COMPLETE SET OF TIRES (MICHELIN/205/55/R16) BECAUSE THE TIRES IN THE REAR WERE CUPPING AND WEARING IN A DIAGONAL CROSS PATTERN. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD BOTH TIMES AND THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY FACTORY DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. FORD CLAIMED IT MUST BE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE, WE PAID $79.99 FOR A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND EVEN HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED, AS WELL AS SHOCKS AND STRUTS, AND FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES 3 MORE TIMES, JUST LAST WEEK BUYING TWO NEW TIRES FOR THE REAR. WE REPLACED TIRES ON 7/13/2006 (16,463 MILES), THEN ON 7/6/2007 (25,926 MILES), THEN ON 1/16/2009 (43, 556 MILES). ALL OF THE TIRES PURCHASED HAD 80,000-85,000 MILE WARRANTIES ON THEM. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND CLEARLY OUR VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. REFERENCE OIB-NHTSA, TSB #19064. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX THE DEFECTS WITH THESE VEHICLES, AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THEM IN GOOD FAITH. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO INVEST $3,000 IN COSTS FOR TIRES IN 3.25 YEARS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 15, 2009100,000 milesMN

MY 2005 FORD FOCUS WHICH I BOUGHT NEW OFF THE DEALERSHIP NOW HAS 100000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, WHILE DRIVING, THE BACK END FISHTAILS BACK AND FORTH AS IF IT IS BEING HIT BY A STRONG WIND. AS SOON AS I TOLD A REPAIR SHOP THIS THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THE REAR CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEED TO BE EVER CHANGED ON A VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT WHEN THEY ORDER A NEW ONE FROM FORD, THE NEW ONE SENT IS MUCH STRONGER AND BULKIER WHICH TELLS THEM THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THE REPAIR BILL FOR THIS IS OVER $1200! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU FEEL YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME. UPON HEARING THIS, I CONTACTED MY PARENTS WHO ALSO HAVE A FORD FOCUS AND THEY SAID THAT THOUGH THEY HAVE ONLY HALF THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THEIR VEHICLE IT IS ALSO A 2005 MODEL AND IT HAS STARTED TO DO THIS ALSO TO THEM BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK, IF IT WAS JUST BAD ROADS OR WHAT. VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD HAS NO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS! *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 29, 200856,319 milesOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WERE LOUD NOISES OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION, REAR WHEEL BEARING; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,319. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

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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 →