NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
441 reports32,000 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
119,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOOR EXTERIOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE FRACTURED DOOR HANDLES COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOORS USING THE HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOOR EXTERIOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE FRACTURED DOOR HANDLES COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOORS USING THE HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA ODI #10628326
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2014
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND GOING OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS (DIFFERENT YEARS) HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. FORD SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM. HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED. KEEP WATCHING FOR ANY RECALLS BUT HAVEN'T HAD ANY YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626844
120,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Visibility
THE HVAC CONTROLS ARE FROZEN IN THE AIR CONDITION AND COLD AIR POSITION. IF IT STARTS RAINING THE WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD FOG UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626828
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
73,000 miles · Aug 14, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
MY FOCUSES REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE REAR DOORS COULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE (SMALL CHILD) PULLED THE HANDLE THEY COULD FALL OUT. I ALSO TRIED LOCKING THE CHILD LOCK BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT CO…
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MY FOCUSES REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE REAR DOORS COULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF SOMEONE (SMALL CHILD) PULLED THE HANDLE THEY COULD FALL OUT. I ALSO TRIED LOCKING THE CHILD LOCK BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. I HAD TO GET THIS FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT COST $400. IT SEEMS LIKE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622323
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
157,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
SuspensionTiresWheels
ALL 4 EAGLE GT TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD ARE WORN AND SCALLOPED DUE TO A KNOW PROBLEM TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ID: 10034585 JULY 10, 2010 AND SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: TB-21399 COMPONENT(S): TIRES NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10034585. OUR MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SERVICE BULLETIN SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING IS…
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ALL 4 EAGLE GT TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD ARE WORN AND SCALLOPED DUE TO A KNOW PROBLEM TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ID: 10034585 JULY 10, 2010 AND SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: TB-21399 COMPONENT(S): TIRES NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10034585. OUR MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SERVICE BULLETIN SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING ISSUES TO CAUSE THE TIRE WEAR. THE SOLUTION THAT FORD HAS COME UP WITH IT TO ADD 4 ADDITIONAL UPPER CONTROL ARMS AT $140 A PIECE PLUS LABOR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH FORD THEY INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ONE BUT ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE WAITING UNTIL PEOPLE ARE EITHER INJURED OR KILLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ADVISED THEM THAT I WILL KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR NEW TIRES. THIS IS THE 4 SET OF TIRES IN 3 YEARS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I ADVISED THEM I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE TIRES ARE TOTALLY WORN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE AND THEN LET MY INSURANCE CARRIER DEAL WITH THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618111
95,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10614952
120,000 miles · Jul 13, 2014
SeatsStructure
THE FORD FOCUS FROM 2007/2001 HAS HAD LOTS OF DOOR LATCHES BRAKING AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, IN MY CASE FROM THE OUTSIDE. I KNOW FORD DEALERS SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE A FIX AT FORDS EXPENSE. WERE CAN I GET THE PART OTHER THAN THE DEALER? THANK-YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610130
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.