Page 8 of 9 · complaints 351–400 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 Aug 21, 200752,000 milesWA

DRIVING THE CAR (FORD FOCUS 2005 - 52000 MILES) IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. STOPPED THE CAR TO GET OUT, KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. UNABLE TO LEAVE THE CAR UNTIL WE GOT BACK INTO SECURE PARKING GARAGE AT HOME. KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE IGNITION & IS VULNERABLE TO THEFT. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A WAY TO GET IT REPAIRED. INITIALLY TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT IGNITION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, APPROX $400. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2007CA

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS IN JANUARY 2005. APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CAR STARTED HAVING MAJOR POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THE CLUTCH 3 TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE SHIFTING CABLES. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 26, 200726,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP OR AVOID THIS COLLISION I COLLIDED WITH THIS VEHICLE AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE, CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $8,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO JUST MY VEHICLE. BOTH FORNT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY , BUT THE SEAT BELTS DID RETRACT, CAUSING NECK AND ABDOMEN INJURIES TO BOTH OF US IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 6, 200729,000 milesWA

2005 FORD FOCUS HIT A 1985 TOYOTA PICK-UP THAT FAILED TO STOP AT STOP SIGN, THIS WAS A FRONT IMPACT CRASH FOR THE FORD FOCUS AT 35 MPH, DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY

Air Bags
Filed May 25, 200742,000 milesFL

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. AFTER SHTTING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OUT AS IT SHOULD. YESTERDAY THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND WILL NOT RESET. WILL TAKE CAR TO DEALER AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed May 2, 20071,000 milesFL

FRONT BRAKES WERE UNEVEN BADLY IN SHOP AT BARTOW FORD NUMBER OF TIMES NEVER FIX WORK ON IT TILL THE WARRANTY WAS UP NOW MY FAMILY IS STUCK WITH PAYMENTS ON A UNSAFE CAR. *TR

Tires
Filed May 1, 200763,659 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WEAR BAR WAS EXPOSED ON EACH TIRE. THE MILEAGE WAS 44,244 WHEN THE NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND BRAND WERE TOYO TIRES, THE DOT#CX3V862205 , AND THE SIZE WAS 205/15VR16. THE TIRES WERE 40,000 MILE TIRES, WHICH CAUSED TIRE FAILURE AT 19,415 MILES EARLIER. THE TIRE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND RECENT FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 63,659. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT EVERY 5,000 MILES THE WERE ROTATED TWICE BY FORD MOTOR CO AND TWICE BY HER HUSBAND. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES SHE HAS A 90,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER STATES SHE WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR A PORTION OF THE COST OF THE NEW TIRES. UPDATED 05/13/07 *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 26, 2007VA

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 FOCUS WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY DURING 7 - 16 MARCH 2007. WHILE DOING THE WORK THEY NICKED THE BRAKE LINE JUST ENOUGH TO CREATE A SLOW LEAK. THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK WAS NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. AFTER ONE DAY OF DRIVING, ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. THE DEALERSHIP ARRANGED TO PICK UP THE FOCUS WITH A TOW TRUCK. THEY REPAIRED THE BRAKES (19-23 MAR). ON 23 MAR, MY WIFE PICKED UP THE FOCUS. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE SHE WAS TURNING LEFT. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT PUSHED HER LEFT ARM DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, CAUSING HER TO HIT THE CURB. NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS NEARBY OR INVOLVED. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE FOCUS INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY, WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR CERVICAL INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE FOCUS WITH A TOW TRUCK. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY PUT THE FOCUS UP ON A LIFT AND I INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC. THE BRAKE ROTOR WAS COMPLETE SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT AT ABOUT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE FROM NORMAL. THE WHEEL WAS NOTICEABLY SCRATCHED AND THE TIRE WAS CUT. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT MY WIFE HIT THE CURB CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. MY WIFE IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING HER TO HIT THE CURB.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Mar 1, 200726,150 milesOH

ON 2/24/07, I MADE A PURCHASE AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I LEANED ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO PLACE THE ORDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WHILE DOING SO, I BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE SIDE OF THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I TESTED THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE, AND FOUND I COULD MOVE IT FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, AND FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, ALL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT UNINTENDED SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT, AND I BELIEVE THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THAT. ON THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS A PROBLEM. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 25, 200719,875 milesCA

I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER THREE CARS INVOLVED ALL HAD AIRBAGS AND THEIRS DID DEPLOY. MY CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. I WOULD THINK THAT IN AN ACCIDENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT THE EXTENT OF MY BACK INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN LESSENED BY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING, I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE IN THE CASE OF A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OTHER CONSUMERS. *NM

Tires
Filed Feb 25, 200719,785 milesCA

I RECENTLY HAD A TIRE FAILURE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO CALL IT AS THE ENTIRE MIDDLE SECTION OF RUBBER CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT (IF ANY) SIDEWALL LEFT (I HAVE PHOTOS). I TOOK IT TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO REPLACED IT AT A "PRORATED" RATE ALTHOUGH MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE WARRANTY WAS THAT IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY COVERED. I HAD IT REPLACED AND PAID THE $80.00. I ALSO CONTACTED GOODYEAR TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS THEIR POLICY AND THAT MY TRANSACTION WAS HANDLED CORRECTLY, I INCLUDED A PHOTO WITH MY CORRESPONDENCE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THEIR POLICY AND THE DEALER HAD CONTACTED THEM ABOUT MY INCIDENT. THEY ALSO ASSURED ME THAT A TIRE SHOULD NOT DO THAT AND THEY ARE SORRY ABOUT IT. I AM FEELING THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY, IF IT HAD BEEN A FRONT TIRE I WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THE INCIDENT AS I WOULD HAVE LOST TOTAL CONTROL (GOODYEAR TIRE). *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 13, 200736,000 milesWI

WE HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON WITH APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH DUE TO AN IDLING PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. THE THROTTLE SOMETIMES STICKS AND THE CAR ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY ON ITS OWN. AT OTHER TIMES THE CAR DIES AT IDLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IN SEVERAL INTERNET CHAT ROOMS INDICATES THAT OUR CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS SITUATION. APPARENTLY, FORD CONTINUES TO DENY THERE'S A PROBLEM, BUT IGNORING IT ONLY PUTS LIVES IN DANGER. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Dec 27, 200610,000 milesGA

TL* - ON DECEMBER 23, 2006 THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE IGNITION WHILE SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES STILL APPLIED THE RPMS BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AS THOUGH THE THE ACCELORATER PEDAL HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BUT SHE DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO COMPLAIN AT THAT TIME. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt1 injured
Filed Dec 20, 200627,774 milesCA

I WAS WESTBOUND ON 5TH ST. IN OLIVEHURST, CA, AND HEADED TO OLIVEHURST DRIVE. THE CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND COOL, AND THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 25 MPH. I HAD NOT YET COME UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT (BELOW 10 MPH) WHEN MY FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE. SECONDS LATER, MY PASSENGER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THE FRONT END SWERVED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO CORRECT TO THE LEFT, AND ENDED UP CLIPPING A POLE (ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD) INSTEAD OF HITTING IT HEAD ON. MY PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BLOW TO HIS KNEE. NO OTHER INJURIES OCCURRED, AND WE DID NOT FEEL IT NECESSARY TO CALL AN AMBULANCE. AS THERE WAS MINIMAL SCRAPES ON THE POWER POLE, AND MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED FOR COLLISION DAMAGE, I DID NOT NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BENT INWARD, AND THE TIRE WAS BLOWN DOWN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD. UPON REPLACING THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE, WE FOUND THAT THE A ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR, AND THE RIGHT CV AXLE HAD PULLED AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION, EFFECTIVELY DISABLING MY CAR. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A P195/60R15; THE ORIGINAL TIRE FROM THE PURCHASE DATE OF 9/13/05, AND WITH LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE TIRES WERE CLOSE TO BALD PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT, AND I HAD BEEN CONSIDERING TAKING THEM IN FOR A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT DUE TO THEIR SHORT LIFESPAN. I HAVE HAD PRIOR TIRE ROTATIONS DONE AT LARRY GEWEKE FORD IN YUBA CITY, AND THEY HAD NOT INFORMED ME OF ANY TREAD WEAR PROBLEMS AT THE TIME FOR THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. THIS TYPE OF DEFECT COULD HAVE EAS

Air Bags
Filed Dec 14, 200642,000 milesIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED A REPAIR HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 28, 200636,700 milesTX

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION - WE HAVE NO MONEY TO REPLACE ANYTHING. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 26, 2006MD

I WAS HIT ON MY PASSENGER SIDE (T-BONED) BY ANOTHER CAR. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (SIDE OR FRONTAL). I WAS HIT HARD ENOUGH THAT THE IMPACT ITSELF KNOCKED ME OUT. THE FRAME OF MY CAR WAS BENT AND IT WAS TOTALLED. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 21, 200627,850 milesNY

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES ON PARKWAY ACCELERATOR" FELL" TO FLOOR AND STUCK THERE SPEEDING UP CAR UNTIL IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE. *NM

Suspension › Rear
Filed Nov 13, 2006PA

REAR END IS CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING SCALLOPING TO THE REARS OF TWO SETS OF TIRES. FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD HEADQUARTERS REFUSE TO TAKE ANY ACTION, EXPLAINING IT IS MY "TOUGH LUCK" AND THAT I NEED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND CONTINUE TO PAY ONCE TO TWICE A YEAR FOR ALIGNMENT IF TIRES HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN DESTROYED. MANY OTHER MECHANICS I TALK TO SAY THE FOCUS IS NOTORIOUS FOR REAR END ALIGNMENT, BUT FORD WILL NOT MAKE ANY EFFORT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION OR TAKE CONCILIATORY ACTION. *NM

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 31, 200638,000 milesMI

A/C CONDENSATION LEAK. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 25, 200641,000 milesVT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED AND BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WERE HARD TO DISENGAGE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V030000, REGARDING THE LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 25, 200623,152 milesCO

2005 FORD FOCUS AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE AT AROUND 23,000 MILES AND 1.5 YEARS OF SERVICE. DEALERSHIP ADVISED WIRING HARNESS SEVERED BY RODENT. NOT COVERED BY FORD WARRANTY REMAINS UNCORRECTED. *NM

SuspensionCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 20, 2006MO

2005 FORD FOCUS STRUT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO BREAK. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. *KB *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 3, 200635,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2004 AND 2005 FORD FOCUS. ONE IS AN SE AND ONE A ZX3. THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE 2004 WENT OUT AT 32,000 MILES AND THE 2005 WENT OUT AT 40000 MILES. BOTH VEHICLES ARE DRIVEN NICELY. ON BOTH THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN TOTAL PAD FAILURE IN THE RIGHT INSIDE PAD. FORD SAYS THE PADS I BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER ARE LIFETIME WARRANTY BUT THE SYSTEM WHEN NEW CARRIES NO WARRANTY. BY THE TIME PROBLEMS ARE NOTICED, IT'S TOO LATE AND BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 30, 200623,546 milesFL

2005 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. SINGLE MOM HERE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. *JB

Wheels › Hub
Filed Aug 29, 200611,541 milesCA

2005 FORD FOCUS, HAS LOST TO 7 SPOKE WHEEL COVERS IN 3 MONTHS. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 16, 2006AR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENNGS I NOTICE THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT GLOW ON. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF. LAST EVENING THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND WINDOWS UP. THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I LOOKED INTO THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE OIL LIGHT AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WERE ON WHEN THE DOME LIGHT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE DOOR AJAR AND OIL LIGHT ARE ON, THE WIRELESS REMOTES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT 2 TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TODAY WITH VIDEO OF THE DOME LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 2, 20062,500 milesSC

THE VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC FAILURE IN THE REAR BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, THE CAR SKIDS, AND THEY SQUEAL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP OVER A HALF A DOZEN TIMES. *JB

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Aug 2, 200618,000 milesIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOLDING ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PRESS THE MOLDING BACK INTO PLACE. WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIR.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 25, 200613,627 milesNH

INTERMITTENT STALLING ISSUES WITH MY 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. IT WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING BOTH GOING OVER 50 MPH AND IDLING IN TRAFFIC. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION AND IS GOING BACK IN 2 DAYS. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Jul 21, 200620,000 milesNV

MY CAR KEPT STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND AT STOP SIGNS AND WHERE EVER IT FELT LIKE. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. THEN JUST BEFORE IT GOT TO 36,000 MILES IT WOULD STALL WHEN EVER IT BECAME HOT. AS I WAS GOING UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN PASSES IN WASHINGTON, OREGON AND CALIFORNIA IT WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING EVERY MILE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAD CARS BEHIND ME AND TRUCKERS ON ALL SIDES AND THE CAR WOULD JUST QUIT AT 65 MPH OR WHAT EVER SPEED I WAS AT. I HAD MAD TRUCKERS AND MAD CARS AND TRUCKS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WHEN I LIMPED HOME (780 MILES) I GOT THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR A FAULTY PART OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THEN LAST WEEK I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT TOYOTA AND ANOTHER COMPANY HAD RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE SAME EXACT PART. I CALLED FORD TODAY AGAIN AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS ON THEIR CARS. IT SEEMS TO BE OK TO RECALL OTHER VEHICLES, BUT FORD THINKS THEIR '!@#$% DOESN'T STINK AS WE SAY ON THE FARM. I WANT THIOS RECTIFIED. IF OTHER MANUFACTURERS THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD BUCK UP AND ADMIT THAT THEIR VEHICLES COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD CARS. GAYLE SORENSEN *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 2006NJ

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS IN OCTOBER OF 2004. AFTER A RAINSTORM IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, A MAJOR LEAK OCCURRED, LEAVING OVER 2 INCHES OF WATER ON THE FRONT, PASSENGER FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE CAR. IN JULY OF 2006 I FOUND WATER IN THE SAME LOCATION. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEY STATED THAT IT IS COMING FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION (NOT WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY SEALED IT). THEY WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE MY DASHBOARD, REQUIRING EXTENSIVE LABOR, TO LOCATE THE NEW CAUSE OF THE LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, MY WARRANTY IS UP BECAUSE I DRIVE FAR TO WORK. I HAVE ONLY GONE 700 MILES OVER MY LIMIT. AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANY AGENTS AT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY I FIND I AM OUT OF LUCK. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT IF THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THEY WOULD HAVE TO FILE A RECALL BUT HE HAS NOT HAD ANY YET. (I AM THE FIRST...I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE). I WENT ON-LINE TO SEARCH FOR OTHERS IN MY SITUATION. I FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES WITH COMPLAINTS OF FORD FOCUSES LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/ HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EE9B783/30 HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&POSTID=1134094#POST1134094 HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/SEARCH.HTML?Q=WATER+LEAK. *JB

SuspensionCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 29, 2006MO

THIS IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3, BOUGHT NEW WITH 8 MILES ON THE CAR. DRIVING ALONG @ 65 MPH & ACCORDING TO WITNESSES IN BACK OF CAR, THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE CAR. THE CAR THEN FISH-TAILED THEN STARTED FLIPPING FRONT END TO BACK END 5 TO 7 TIMES FOR A GOOD 100 TO 150 FEET ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND BECAUSE OF A SEAT BELT THERE WAS ONLY MINOR INJURIES. *NM

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 19, 200611,377 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ANY PROBLEMS. THE FOURTH OCCASION THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS REALIGNED HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 14, 200619,632 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS BRAKING UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIRBAG FAILURE.

Power Train
Filed Jun 12, 200619,000 milesNC

THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR...I FINALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FOCUS AND WHEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY....THEN IN NOV. 2005 I MOVED TO SYLVA, AND HAVE BEEN TO ANDY SHAW FORD 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THEM TO CHECK THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TWICE TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THAT NOTHING ELSE WAS FOUND AT THE TIME...THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES I WENT THERE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR BALANCING MY TIRES...WHICH THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, NOR DID IT FIX THE PROBLEM...AROUND THE THIRD TIME I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SYLVA, THEY DID A TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT IT RODE LIKE ANY OTHER FORD FOCUS...I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER THIS PAST SATURDAY, AND TODAY I WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, AND THEY PUT MY CAR UP ON A LIFT, AND STARTED MY CAR AND GAVE IT THE GAS SO THAT MY TWO FRONT TIRES WOULD SPIN, AND THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE TIRE WAS NOT SPINNING RIGHT, BUT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS SPINNING SMOOTHLY...THE FELLOW TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE MY WHEEL, OR MY TIRE, AND I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES...THEN I WENT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY NEW TIRES, AND ASK THEM WOULD THEY PUT THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ON THE NEW WHEEL THAT I HAD

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed May 22, 200621,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH OVER A SLIGHT RISE IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE COLLISION SENSOR HAD BEEN ACTIVATED.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash3 injured
Filed May 5, 2006MO

IN DECEMBER MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE FORD FOCUS AND THE STREETS WERE WET, A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AHEAD OF HER AND WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE BRAKES. THEY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. SHE RAN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. ON MAY 3, 2006 I WAS DRIVING THE SAME CAR ON WET ROADS AND THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO HAPPENED. I NEEDED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STEERING THE CAR TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed May 3, 200622,000 milesKY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE TRUNK LATCH DID OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 6, 200615,528 milesWA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE STALLS; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 30, 200617,000 milesIL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SIDE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES ALONG WITH WHIPLASH. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE.

Seats
Filed Mar 27, 2006CT

THE DRIVER'S PANT CUFF ON THE RIGHT LEG CAN BE SNAGGED BY SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT. CRANK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO USE THE RIGHT FOOT TO APPLY THE BRAKES. *JB

Suspension
Filed Mar 14, 200612,000 milesAL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A SHARP CURVE, THE BRAKES FAILED. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE RUNNING ONTO A SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP FURTHER DETERMINED THE BALL JOINTS WERE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED BALL JOINT FAILURE LED TO THE ACCIDENT. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, AS WELL AS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Mar 13, 2006WA

CONSUMER 2005 FOCUS AIR BAGS FAILED DURING FRONTAL COLLISION. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE INJURED, BUT DID NOT STATE HOW MANY. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 2, 200619,000 milesNC

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX5 WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT THAT I PURCHASES ON 2-16-2006. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL 2-22-2006. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HIS GRANDMOTHER WAS IN THE CAR WITH HIM AN HE TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES 3-4 TIMES AND THEN JAMMED ON THEM. WHEN HE JAMMED ON THEM THE CAR SLIP INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN OUR CAR STOPPED THE ENGINE WAS RACING. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF. WE TRIED TO START THE CAR A COUPLE OF OTHER TIMES AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THE MOTOR WOULD STILL RACE UNTIL THE POLICE OFFICER OPENED THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED FRONT END DAMAGE TO OUR FOCUS AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HE HIT. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO HAD A PERSONAL INJURY THAT WAS REPORTED LATER. THERE HAS BEEN NOT CORRECTIVE ACTION DONE TO THIS POINT. *NM

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 24, 20065,800 milesMI

EVERY TIME WE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DRIVE OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE REAR END WOULD WIGGLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AT 20 MPH OR FASTER, IT FELT AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL AT ANY TIME, IT WAS REAL BAD WHEN YOU WENT FROM CLEAN ROADS TO SLIPPERY, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO SIDEWAYS ! FORD GAVE OUR DEALER SEVERAL THINGS TO TRY, BUT THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO STOP CAR FROM WIGGLING ALL OVER, THIS CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, DEALER HAD THE CAR AT THERE LOT FOR APROX 28 DAYS, MAINLY BECAUSE I WOULD NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN ROADS WERE SLIPPERY, WE FEARED FOR HER SAFETY ! FORD DECIDED THEY COULD DO NO MORE UNTIL FORD SERVICE ENGINEER HAD A CHANCE TO DRIVE IT ON SLIPPERY ROADS, HE WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET HERE WHEN ROADS WERE BAD, HE DID A WEEK OR SO AGO DRIVE A XZ3 AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHEN THE ROADS WERE ICY, HE CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR DEALERSHIP TO TELL HIM THAT THE FOCUS HE DROVE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD, AND THAT IT ALMOST WENT SIDEWAYS WHEN HE WENT FROM SLIPPERY TO DRY ! SO THEY DECIDED THAT ALL FOCUS ZX3 MUST DO THAT, AND THAT THERE WAS NO FIX ! ONLY PARTS THAT I KNOW THAT WERE CHANGED WERE THE TIE-BLADES ? FORD WOULD NOT HELP US GET OUT OF IF THIS CAR, BUT OUR DEALER WORKED VERY HARD WITH US, AND GOT MY WIFE IN TO A 2006 ESCAPE YESTERDAY ! A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO SIMMONS FORD IN VICKSBURG MICHIGAN ! *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 21, 2006CA

WHEN FUELING GAS TANK, PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. FIRST REPORTED 6-30-05 TODAY TOOK INTO MAITA FORD, AUIBURN AND RECEIVED INFORMATION OF A REPORT: OASIS SSM 18938 WITH NO NEW INFORMATION TO FIX PROBLEM.. WHY? *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 2006NC

2005 FOCUS BLOWS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE WIND WAS BLOWING AT 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR *JB

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jan 25, 20067,690 milesMI

FORD FOCUS HAS LESS THAN 7800 MILES ON IT, AND YESTERDAY MORNING AT 5:30 AM WHILE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON SOUTH BOUND ON I-75 AT 75 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK THANKFULLY HE WAS NOT INJURED HOWEVER, SINCE HE WAS NEARLY THE ONLY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME THIS IS CAUSE FOR GREAT CONCERN. HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED PAT MILLIKEN FORD WHERE WE LEASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY ASKED HIM TO BRING IT IN THAT EVENING FOR REPAIR. THIS AFTERNOON (1-25-06) WE GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE NEED TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM BECUASE THERE IS A SMALL DENT UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH POSSIBLY HIT THE SENSOR AND CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THEY INFORMED US THAT AN ADJUSTER WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT IF SOMETHING HIT THE SENSOR UNDER THE CAR THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY. I HAVE AN 8-MONTH OLD CHILD WHO'S CAR SEAT IS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE, I CAN ONLY THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. WHILE YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE BAGS TO DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YOU NEVER EXPECT THEM TO DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN FILING A CLAIM BUT I WILL START WITH YOU AND WILL NOT END UNTIL I GET SOME RESULTS. I NEVER WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME, MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HIMSELF WHEN THIS INCIDENT

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Dec 23, 20054,400 milesNY

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN USING THE HEATER DUST BLEW IN HIS EYES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE PARTICLES WERE ACTUALLY FLUX FROM THE HEATER CORE. WHEN THE HEATER CORE GOT HOT THE FLUX BROKE UP AND SEPARATED FROM THE CORE. THE DEALER FLUSHED THE HEATER CORE. THIS STOPPED THE PARTICLES FROM ESCAPING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT'S EYES WERE BURNING AND STINGING WHEN THE FLUX BLEW IN HIS EYES. HE MUST TURN THE VENTS AWAY FROM HIS FACE TO AVOID ANY CONTACT WITH THE PARTICLES. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER HEATER CORE FLUSH NEXT WEEK. NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

Reading these

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 →