NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
113 reportsClear category filter89,500 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10547303
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2013
Electrical System
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 STRETC…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10515965
176,000 miles · May 29, 2013
Electrical System
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.…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10514040
97,651 miles · May 16, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
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
NHTSA ODI #10512358
104,000 miles · Feb 20, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10499423
205,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
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 SHI…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10487466
70,000 miles · Sep 30, 2012
Electrical System
PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, HAVE HAD TO HAVE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES NOW. EVERY TIME IT GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND IN MOST CASES ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC. I ALMOST COULDN'T STOP NOR STEER THE CAR SAFELY AWAY FROM THE ROAD. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS COST ME 500.00 USD FROM TOWING, PARTS, AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477988
135,500 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY NOR THE BUTTONS IN THE CAR. TURNING ON OR OFF THE CHILD LOCK FEATURE DOES NOT AFFECT IT. I CAN MANUALLY 'FORCE IT' EITHER WAY - BARELY - FOR NOW. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE SEVERAL YEARS AGO - WHERE IT WAS STUCK COMPLETELY UNLOCKED, AND YOU COULDN'T MANUALL…
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THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY NOR THE BUTTONS IN THE CAR. TURNING ON OR OFF THE CHILD LOCK FEATURE DOES NOT AFFECT IT. I CAN MANUALLY 'FORCE IT' EITHER WAY - BARELY - FOR NOW. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE SEVERAL YEARS AGO - WHERE IT WAS STUCK COMPLETELY UNLOCKED, AND YOU COULDN'T MANUALLY FORCE IT. IT WAS LIKE THAT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN MYSTERIOUSLY FIXED ITSELF. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS MAKE & MODEL APPEARS TO HAVE MANY CARS WITH THIS ISSUE YET FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TWO SCENARIOS ARE POSSIBLE HERE THAT ALARM ME: EITHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR BECAUSE IT'S STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND CANNOT BE MOVED OR THE DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED AND UNWANTED PERSONS GET IN OR THINGS IN THE CAR GET STOLEN BECAUSE THE LOCK IS STUCK UNLOCKED. COMMON SENSE WOULD SEEM TO ARGUE THAT THIS DESERVES TO BE FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER, GIVEN THE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477215
112,800 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeatsInjury
ON 2/26/2011 AT APPROXIMATLY 1900 HRS. I WAS AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A SAFE AREA TO LOOK FOR MY ID AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ON I PROCEEDED TO LIFT THE HANDLE IN FRONT OF THE SEAT THAT ALLOWES IT TO BE MOVED FORWARD SO I CAN LOOK UNDER THE SEAT FO…
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ON 2/26/2011 AT APPROXIMATLY 1900 HRS. I WAS AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A SAFE AREA TO LOOK FOR MY ID AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ON I PROCEEDED TO LIFT THE HANDLE IN FRONT OF THE SEAT THAT ALLOWES IT TO BE MOVED FORWARD SO I CAN LOOK UNDER THE SEAT FOR MY ID,I COULDN'T SEE IT SO I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME WITH THE PASSANGER SEAT AND IT WASEN'T THERE SO AGAIN I WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND AGAIN PULLING UP THE HANDLE AND MY RIGHT SIDE OF MY FACE AND EAR WAS WITHIN AN INCH OF THE SIDE AIR BAG WHEN IT EXPLODEDAND NOCKED ME UP AGAINST THE DRIVERS DOOR FRAME AND THE AIRBAG POWDER WAS ALL OVER ME AND FOR 30 SECONDS I COULDN'T SEE OR HEAR. MY FACE WAS ON FIRE WITH ACID BURNS ALL OVER MY FACE AND MY RIGHT EAR. I WAS SEEN AT THE ER AND WAS TREATED WHICH INCLUDED A CAT SCAN OF MY HEAR TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY INTERNAL TRAMA AND THAT WAS NEGATIVE HOWEVER I HAD DEVELOPED TMJ BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT TO MY JAW AND MIGRAIN HEADACHES WHICH HAVE NOT SUBSIDED TO THIS DAY. ALL REPORTS AND PICTURES ID TAKEN WERE SENT THROUGH E-MAIL TO FORD CLAIMS DEPT. I WAS SENT THE PAPER WORK TO FILL OUT AND SEND IT BACK TO THEM,IN MARCH 2011 I HAVE TO GOT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE CHIP RED AND IT COST TO HAVE THAT DONE WAS $103.48. IT STATES THAT THE DTC B1231 RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS SUFFICIENT IMPACT TO WARRENT A DEPLOYMENT YET INDICATES THAT NO COLLISION OCCURED. SO THEN NOW THE MODUAL NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT BY THE DEALER WHICH I WENT TO FORD AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP, SO THAT EVENING WENT TO ANOTHER FORD AND THEY HELPED IT TOOK THEM JANUARY 2012 TO COORDINATE WITH FORD TO TAKE OUT THE MODGUAL, I JUST FOUND OUT A WEEK AGO JUNE 14TH. THAT BOSH IS JUST NOW TAKING A LOOK AT THAT PRODUCT THAT WAS SENT TO THEM IN JANUARY 2012.16 MONTHS LATER NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462681
68,000 miles · May 20, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
WENT TO PICK MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL. COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED. THAT WAS IN MARCH. GOT HOME TODAY (MAY) AND THE SAME PROBLEM. LUCKILY HAVE A DRIVEWAY BUT I AM ANNOYED AND NERVOUS ABOUT KEEPING THIS CAR. FEARFUL THAT THE KEY MAY GET STUCK AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME. …
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WENT TO PICK MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL. COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED. THAT WAS IN MARCH. GOT HOME TODAY (MAY) AND THE SAME PROBLEM. LUCKILY HAVE A DRIVEWAY BUT I AM ANNOYED AND NERVOUS ABOUT KEEPING THIS CAR. FEARFUL THAT THE KEY MAY GET STUCK AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459044
Official recalls
1Feb 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
1AQ10001 · 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.