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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

Service Brakes complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2023
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury

In a rear end accident the airbags never deployed. The seat belt also didn't catch me and my chest hit the steering wheel. I pressed hard on the breaks but it didn't feel like it was slowing down. I now have a fractured sternum and cannot drive or work. I have filed insurance claims and been to the hospital. No one was in the ca…

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In a rear end accident the airbags never deployed. The seat belt also didn't catch me and my chest hit the steering wheel. I pressed hard on the breaks but it didn't feel like it was slowing down. I now have a fractured sternum and cannot drive or work. I have filed insurance claims and been to the hospital. No one was in the car with me. There were no warning lights/signs before.

NHTSA ODI #11553214

20 miles · Nov 4, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, ON FARM TO MARKET ROAD 1960 (STATE HIGHWAY FM 1960) WHILE IN MOTION AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE. THE MOTOR REVVED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE GAS PEDAL UP. THIS DID NOT WORK THOUGH. THE LIGHT BY THE GRACE OF GOD TURNED GREEN.…

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I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, ON FARM TO MARKET ROAD 1960 (STATE HIGHWAY FM 1960) WHILE IN MOTION AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE. THE MOTOR REVVED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE GAS PEDAL UP. THIS DID NOT WORK THOUGH. THE LIGHT BY THE GRACE OF GOD TURNED GREEN. I CONTINUED DRIVING FORWARD WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR. I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND THE MOTOR ACCELERATED FASTER. I IMMEDIATELY STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN. I WAS ACCELERATING AT A FASTER SPEED. I QUICKLY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO STOP SO I TURNED LEFT INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOT OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I THREW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT REVVED UP OUT OF CONTROL AS IF IT WANTED TO EXPLODE. I THREW IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I TOWED MY CAR TO MY HOME. THE ISSUE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. I WILL SEND MY CAR TO A MECHANIC ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #11043347

32,500 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS (SUBURBAN FORD, LOCATED AT 37000 HIGHWAY 26 SANDY, OR 97055, 503-688-5511 AND GRESHAM FORD LOCATED AT 1099 E POWELL BLVD GRESHAM, OR 97080,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS (SUBURBAN FORD, LOCATED AT 37000 HIGHWAY 26 SANDY, OR 97055, 503-688-5511 AND GRESHAM FORD LOCATED AT 1099 E POWELL BLVD GRESHAM, OR 97080, 888-644-3418) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500... .UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11016200

204,000 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Service BrakesCrash

WAS DRIVING AN 05 FORD FOCUS ZXW IN LIGHT RAIN AT ABOUT 40 MPH GOING UPHILL ON A MAJOR ROADWAY (55MPH SPEED LIMIT). VEHICLE IN FRONT BY ABOUT 40 FT STOPPED AND I HIT THE BRAKES. UPON HITTING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO START A GRADUAL SLIDE AND NEVER ALLOWED ITSELF TO REGAIN TRACTION.

NHTSA ODI #11016117

18,500 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Service Brakes

THREE TIMES SINCE THE CAR'S PURCHASE IN LATE 2005 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A 'BRAKE FADE, SOFT PEDAL" ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 3 TIMES TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CROWN FORD IN REDDING, CA FOR THE PROBLEM AND WAS DISMISSED BY THE DEALER AS THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM! SINCE THEN THE WARRANTY HAS ENDED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE …

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THREE TIMES SINCE THE CAR'S PURCHASE IN LATE 2005 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A 'BRAKE FADE, SOFT PEDAL" ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 3 TIMES TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CROWN FORD IN REDDING, CA FOR THE PROBLEM AND WAS DISMISSED BY THE DEALER AS THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM! SINCE THEN THE WARRANTY HAS ENDED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS AND OCCURS A FEW TIMES EACH YEAR! EVERY TIME IS A SCARY SITUATION, I AM SURE ONE DAY THE VEHICLE WILL JUST NOT STOP!!! YOU PRESS THE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR, YOU HAVE TO LET UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN PRESS IT A COUPLE TIMES TO PUMP UP PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE! WE HAD WAITED FOR A RECALL FROM FORD AND NOTHING! LAST NIGHT 12.27/2016 I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT A PROBE HAS BEEN OPENED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT ON NEWER MODEL YEARS OF FORD AND MERCURY BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE FOCUS! FORD MOTOR CORP NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS AND OPEN A FULL RECALL TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BEFORE MORE TRAGEDIES OCCUR!!! THE TIMES WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS IS ALWAYS ON BUSY STREETS, AT SIGNALS OR STOP SIGNS.

NHTSA ODI #10938560

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

MY SISTER OWNS A FORD FOCUS 2005, SHE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT DURING A TRIP TO WORK. THE CAR SLIDE DOWN A HILL AT LESS THEN 25 MPH IN WED ROAD. THE CAR STOP BY CRASHIN IN TO A ROCK IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAVING HER LIFE FROM A CLIFT. RECENTLY WE UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION, TIRES AND BREAKS TO PREVENT IT TO HAPPEN. WE TOOK THE CAR …

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MY SISTER OWNS A FORD FOCUS 2005, SHE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT DURING A TRIP TO WORK. THE CAR SLIDE DOWN A HILL AT LESS THEN 25 MPH IN WED ROAD. THE CAR STOP BY CRASHIN IN TO A ROCK IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAVING HER LIFE FROM A CLIFT. RECENTLY WE UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION, TIRES AND BREAKS TO PREVENT IT TO HAPPEN. WE TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROUND TRIP IN IT WE HAVE A SECOND ACCIDENT. THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A LITTEL HILL AT 45 MPH IN A ZONE OF 50 MPH, AT A HALF OF KM I CHANGE THE GEAR BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS WET TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR BUT SUDDENLY IT START SLIDING OVER THE WED ROAD. CONSIDERING THE TIME AND, THE MANEUVERS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE CAR I START PUMPING THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE ROAD BUT OT DIDNT CHANGE ITS DIRECCTION. AT LESS THEN 8 METERS THE CAR GOT A LITTEL OF TRACTION BUT IT WAS TO LATE TO EVADE THIS ACCIDENT. DURING THE COLITION THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY LEAVING MY BODY HIT THE WHEEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE WE ARE ALIVE AND I DONT WHANT TO IMAGINE DRIVING THIS CAR DURING A SNOW ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10822735

59,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664808

32,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO COME TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD REV. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO COME TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD REV. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10628820

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineService Brakes

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AFTER WE GOT IT WE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKE, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WORRY ME. WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN TO THINK ABOUT SO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT HAS A GOOD BATTERY, BUT IT'S ALWAYS DYING AFTER BEING DRIVEN. WE HAV…

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WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AFTER WE GOT IT WE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKE, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WORRY ME. WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN TO THINK ABOUT SO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT HAS A GOOD BATTERY, BUT IT'S ALWAYS DYING AFTER BEING DRIVEN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY HAVE YET TO FIX IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS, BUT I'M DESPERATE TO TRY ANYTHING AND ANYONE FOR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626158

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

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.