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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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17,000 miles · Apr 12, 2012
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ACCOMPANIED BY A BUZZING SOUND. THE WIRELESS REMOTES STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE VEHIC…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ACCOMPANIED BY A BUZZING SOUND. THE WIRELESS REMOTES STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FORD AS IT WAS STILL WITHIN THE THREE YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY RE-PROGRAMMED THE WIRELESS REMOTES. AFTER THIS THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH THE FLICKERING LIGHTS AND BUZZING SOUND AND ALSO THE WIRELESS REMOTES STOPPED WORKING. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DASH LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN UP THE DASH, THEY QUOTED ME $700 JUST TO OPEN UP AND DIAGNOSE PLUS THE LABOR CHARGES FOR WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER THE THE YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER. I MENTIONED THAT I HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE VERY SAME REASON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. FORD SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FORD DID NOT FIX THIS ISSUE AND ALSO SAID THAT THE WIRELESS REMOTES COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED. IN THE YEARS SINCE THE INITIAL PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD TO PUT IN TWO NEW ALTERNATORS. THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THE DASH DISPLAY (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ETC.) HAS COMPLETELY CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE STILL OPERATES BUT LOSES POWER WHEN THE DASH CUTS OUT. WHEN THE DASH DISPLAY CUTS OUT YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS COME BACK ON, THERE IS A "HICCUP" OR POWER SURGE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SAME BUZZING SOUND THAT OCCURS WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454927

92,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453874

134,105 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT HAS SET A FEW HOURS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHES YELLOW, ODOMETER JUST SHOWS DASHES, AND SPEEDOMETER DOSENT WORK. CAR STILL OPERATES BUT SHIFTS GEARS HARD, WHEN IT REACHES THE SPEED FOR DOOR TO LOCK EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MGMT FUSE, AND HAVE HA…

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AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT HAS SET A FEW HOURS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHES YELLOW, ODOMETER JUST SHOWS DASHES, AND SPEEDOMETER DOSENT WORK. CAR STILL OPERATES BUT SHIFTS GEARS HARD, WHEN IT REACHES THE SPEED FOR DOOR TO LOCK EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MGMT FUSE, AND HAVE HAD 3 ALTENATORS CHANGED OUT IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. ALSO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH KEY NOT COMING OUT OF IGNITION AND FOUND OUT THAT A PEICE OF THE SHIFTER HAD BROKE OFF AND SLID DOWN AND KEPT IT FROM GOING ALL THE WAY INTO PARK, AFTER REMOVING PART I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE KEY. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WAS TOLD BY AUTO ZONE IT WAS VACCUM SYSTEM TOOK IT TO FORD PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS MOTOR MOUNTS, THEY WERE REPLACED 20,000 MILES AGO AND IT STILL HASNT HELPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452614

80,000 miles · Nov 8, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10434853

62,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Electrical System

WAS DRIVING 45 ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLICKERED AND THE CAR WENT DEAD AND HAD TO DRIFT OFF ONTO A MEDIAN. HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS THE 20 AMP FUSE OUT. WENT TO GET ANOTHER ONE WE MADE SURE ALL THE WIRES WERE ATTACHED AND NOTHING WAS LOOSE, WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL A BIT AN…

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WAS DRIVING 45 ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLICKERED AND THE CAR WENT DEAD AND HAD TO DRIFT OFF ONTO A MEDIAN. HAD 2 PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS THE 20 AMP FUSE OUT. WENT TO GET ANOTHER ONE WE MADE SURE ALL THE WIRES WERE ATTACHED AND NOTHING WAS LOOSE, WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL A BIT AND WITH THE NEW FUSE IN THE CAR STARTED, AS WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. WENT BACK TO THE STORE BOUGHT 2 MORE FUSES AND GOT THE CAR STARTED DROVE 1 MILE AND IT STALLED AGAIN. TRIED THE 3RD FUSE AND NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE 20 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE IT STALLED. THE GARAGE STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS IN THE DASHBOARD AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO FORD TO HAVE IT TESTED TO FIND THE ISSUE. COST WILL BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $400 TO $1000 TO FIX DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND WITH THE TEST. GOT THE CALL FROM THE GARAGE IT IS GOING TO BE FIXED FOR $500. MONEY WE DO NOT HAVE FOR BAD WIRING THAT IS NOT OUR FAULT! FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416744

77,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITHIN FOUR MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE REC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITHIN FOUR MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DID NOT IDENTIFY OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416251

43,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED CAUSING MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SOLENOID, TRANSMISSION, VALVE BODY AND THE SAFETY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED CAUSING MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SOLENOID, TRANSMISSION, VALVE BODY AND THE SAFETY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE A DEFINITE SOLUTION FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10411738

82,691 miles · May 29, 2011
Electrical System

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE REAR WIRING HARNESS IN THE LIFTGATE HAS CAUSED THE REAR DEFROST, THE REAR WIPER AND THE HIGH-MOUNT REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO ALL FAIL, CONCURRENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ZX3 FORD FOCUS MODEL AND WAS AS RECALLED SERVICE ISSUE ON A PRIOR MODEL YEAR. IT WAS ALSO CAUTI…

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AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE REAR WIRING HARNESS IN THE LIFTGATE HAS CAUSED THE REAR DEFROST, THE REAR WIPER AND THE HIGH-MOUNT REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO ALL FAIL, CONCURRENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ZX3 FORD FOCUS MODEL AND WAS AS RECALLED SERVICE ISSUE ON A PRIOR MODEL YEAR. IT WAS ALSO CAUTIONED BY THE TECH THAT FIRE COULD RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403681

1,500 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2005 BUT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2005 BUT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10396654

26,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Electrical System

2005 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON REAR HATCH: THE WIRES THAT GO TO THE HATCH (NEAR THE TOP) ARE TOO SHORT AND SO WEAK THAT AFTER 26,000 MILES THE WIRES BROKE AND DUE TO THIS BREAK/SHORT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF "PARK". THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AND IT BLOWS ONE FUSE AFTER ANOTHER FUSE. DUE TO THE WIRES BEING SO SHORT IT IS …

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2005 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON REAR HATCH: THE WIRES THAT GO TO THE HATCH (NEAR THE TOP) ARE TOO SHORT AND SO WEAK THAT AFTER 26,000 MILES THE WIRES BROKE AND DUE TO THIS BREAK/SHORT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF "PARK". THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AND IT BLOWS ONE FUSE AFTER ANOTHER FUSE. DUE TO THE WIRES BEING SO SHORT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR THE BREAKS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I SEE ON THE INTERNET. FORD SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THESE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396025

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.