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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

45 reports
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169,000 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TODAY MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY KIDS. I WAS LUCKILY NOT GOING MORE THAN 10MPH AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE CAR WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. EARLIER IN THE DAY I NOTICED IT TOOK A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, BUT NOT BY MUCH AND AFTER…

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TODAY MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY KIDS. I WAS LUCKILY NOT GOING MORE THAN 10MPH AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE CAR WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. EARLIER IN THE DAY I NOTICED IT TOOK A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, BUT NOT BY MUCH AND AFTER THE CAR RESTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, IT WASN'T AN ISSUE ANYMORE. I WASN'T EXPECTING IT TO BE AN ISSUE LATER ON. AS FAR AS ELECTRICAL ISSUES GO; MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIKE TO STAY ON. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE WIRES WHERE THEY CONNECT TO THE HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO TURN ON, BUT THEY OFTEN DO NOT STAY ON, AND THEY FREQUENTLY WILL TURN OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ONE SIDE, OR ALTERNATING SIDES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR AND EVERYTIME I HAVE WORK DONE TO FIX IT, IT ONLY FIXES IT TEMPORARILY AND IT'S BACK TO DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11265990

54,000 miles · Jul 20, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THIS CAR HAS DELAYED REACTION OR NO REACTION AT ALL TO PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT DOESN'T GO, IT'LL MOVE A LITTLE BIT, BUT MOSTLY JUST FEVS REALLY HIGH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL KICK IN AND BOLT FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, DOESN'T MATTER. THE CAR LUNGES A LOT, FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT…

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THIS CAR HAS DELAYED REACTION OR NO REACTION AT ALL TO PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT DOESN'T GO, IT'LL MOVE A LITTLE BIT, BUT MOSTLY JUST FEVS REALLY HIGH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL KICK IN AND BOLT FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, DOESN'T MATTER. THE CAR LUNGES A LOT, FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH OR FASTER. ACCELERATES SOMETIMES ON ITS OWN. THIS CAR IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE AND HAS NO BUSINESS BEING ON A FREEWAY...EVER!

NHTSA ODI #11233592

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

2005 FORD FOCUS ZX5 S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CONCERNS WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION IF ANY INTO AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING SPEED CONTROL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11072629

185,970 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A STANDARD AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH WHEN MY GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN BETWEEN SHIFTING. I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BUT IT WOULD NOT GO. I HAD TO LET MY CAR COAST OVER TO A TURNING LANE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF COMING TRAFFIC. I PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND HAD TO LET MY C…

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I HAVE A STANDARD AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH WHEN MY GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN BETWEEN SHIFTING. I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BUT IT WOULD NOT GO. I HAD TO LET MY CAR COAST OVER TO A TURNING LANE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF COMING TRAFFIC. I PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND HAD TO LET MY CAR SIT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT WORK. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE GAS PEDAL STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND RESTARTED IT AND LET THE CAR SIT AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE PEDAL FINALLY WORKED BUT AS SOON AS I MADE IT TO THE NEXT INTERSECTION AND MADE MY TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK, THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AGAIN. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND LET IT COAST INTO A PARKING SPOT.

NHTSA ODI #11054103

153,000 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH NEAR MIDWAY AIRPORT IN CHICAGO. I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK AND MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY PRESS THE BREAK TO ATTEMPT TO BRING MY CAR TO A STOP ... BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN AN ACCELERATION MODE. I ATTEMPTED TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL AND DEPRESS IT ... WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT T…

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I WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH NEAR MIDWAY AIRPORT IN CHICAGO. I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK AND MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY PRESS THE BREAK TO ATTEMPT TO BRING MY CAR TO A STOP ... BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN AN ACCELERATION MODE. I ATTEMPTED TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL AND DEPRESS IT ... WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STILL STUCK. I HAD TO TURN MY CAR OFF FOR JUST TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND RESTART MY VEHICLE TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11043738

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

55,300 miles · Jan 24, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,300.

NHTSA ODI #10947443

35 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionTires

I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAD TO BUY A RE-FURBISHED MOTOR, THE TIRES WERE SPLITTING AND THE SUSPENSION AND AIR CONDITIONER ALL NEEDED REPAIRING. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM DOT, [XXX], I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED TALLAHASSEE FORD. THEY DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS MISTAKEN. MY VIN # WAS LISTED IN THE…

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I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAD TO BUY A RE-FURBISHED MOTOR, THE TIRES WERE SPLITTING AND THE SUSPENSION AND AIR CONDITIONER ALL NEEDED REPAIRING. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM DOT, [XXX], I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED TALLAHASSEE FORD. THEY DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS MISTAKEN. MY VIN # WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BUT FORD KEPT GIVING ME A RUN-AROUND AND THEY LIED. SO NOW, I HAVE APPARENTLY MISSED A DEADLINE WHICH WAS NOT LISTED ON THE ORIGINAL NOTICE TO ME. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND THIS HAS REALLY STRESSED ME OUT AND IT REALLY MAKES ME NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD FROM ANYONE. ON ETHICS ALONE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEM DO WHAT THEY BASICALLY REFUSED BY LYING TO ME. IT WAS IN MOTION AND WENT TO THE SHOP WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE NOTICE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924031

42,000 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 12 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,0…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 12 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10694484

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.