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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

Electrical System complaints

113 reports
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76,046 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical System

CAR STARTED NORMALLY. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AS USUAL. LIGHTS WENT OUT IN SEQUENCE AS USUAL. NORMAL DRIVING STARTED WITH NO ABNORMAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY. MOMENTS LATER ALL DASHBOARD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF AND ON ERATICALLY. THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON DRIVING THAT COULD BE DISCERNED. ALL THE CAR HANDLING FEATURES SEEMED NORMAL.…

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CAR STARTED NORMALLY. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AS USUAL. LIGHTS WENT OUT IN SEQUENCE AS USUAL. NORMAL DRIVING STARTED WITH NO ABNORMAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY. MOMENTS LATER ALL DASHBOARD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF AND ON ERATICALLY. THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON DRIVING THAT COULD BE DISCERNED. ALL THE CAR HANDLING FEATURES SEEMED NORMAL. AS DRIVING CONTINUED SOME OR ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ERATICALLY. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYED ON WHEN THE REST WENT OUT WAS THE ENGINE SYMBOL LIGHT. THE FUEL GAUGE ALSO INDICATED NO-FUEL ERATICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641441

180,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Electrical System

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 POWE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10621273

77,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

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 DO…

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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 JUST LIKE LAST YEAR IN AUGUST THE [XXX[ CLUTCH IS GOING TO GO OUT AGAIN! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT FROM READING CONSTANTLY I'VE DECIDED THIS IS A SERIOUS FORD ISSUE!!!! I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON THIS! IF I DIDN'T HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTIES ON THE ALTERNATOR ETC I COULD ONLY IMAGINE THE COST!! THROUGH ALL THIS HORROR I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE O2 SENSORS MAF SENSOR ALL ENGINE MOUNTS 3 TIMES!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606955

78,000 miles · Jun 15, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 RE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10598378

135,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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.

NHTSA ODI #10597047

140,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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

NHTSA ODI #10592307

81,905 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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. PA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10592075

138,000 miles · Dec 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

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 R…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10556969

138,000 miles · Dec 21, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10556919

56,000 miles · Dec 10, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 T…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10555472

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.