NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
441 reports95,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN POST. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN POST. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10447968
50,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND IMMEDIATELY BECAME STUCK IN AN DEPRESSED POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNAB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND IMMEDIATELY BECAME STUCK IN AN DEPRESSED POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10446979
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2012
Structure
2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3, HATCHBACK. THE HATCH BACK BOUNCES OPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO CLOSE IT, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO GET IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND RELEASE THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF I FORGET TO USE THE UNLOCK WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR, I HAVE TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE HATCHBACK…
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2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3, HATCHBACK. THE HATCH BACK BOUNCES OPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO CLOSE IT, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO GET IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND RELEASE THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF I FORGET TO USE THE UNLOCK WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR, I HAVE TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE HATCHBACK AND OPEN THE BACK DOOR, THEN OPEN IT AND REACH UP AND UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THERE IS ONLY ONE UNLOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT HELP AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446755
66,080 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, HE NOTICED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AREA. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG MUSTY ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE AIR TAKE SYSTEM. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, HE NOTICED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AREA. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG MUSTY ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE AIR TAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,080.
NHTSA ODI #10446175
68,000 miles · Jan 2, 2012
Structure
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON IT'S OWN. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SECURE THE DOOR WITH TIES AS THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. NOTICED LATER THE DOOR LATCH APPEARED TO BE RUSTED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH HAVE FAILED. RECENTLY…
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON IT'S OWN. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SECURE THE DOOR WITH TIES AS THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. NOTICED LATER THE DOOR LATCH APPEARED TO BE RUSTED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH HAVE FAILED. RECENTLY, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REMEDY THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DESPITE HAVING THE SAME DEFECT AS THE VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442062
60,541 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2005 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 1 1/2 AGO. RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT…
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I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2005 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 1 1/2 AGO. RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY THE 2005 FORD FOCUS FROM A CERTAIN MANUFACTURING LOCATION. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY 2005 FOCUS WAS NOT MANUFACTURED FROM THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION. SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS THE DOOR LATCH AND WOULD COST $271.44 TO REPAIR. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I'VE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE RECALL AND I'M VERY UPSET SINCE IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING YET IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT VEHICLES NEED REPAIRS FROM TIME TO TIME BUT ITS TROUBLING TO ME THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL, BUT I'M OUT THE MONEY BECAUSE MINE WASN'T A PART OF IT. MY HUSBAND AND I OWN 2 FORD VEHICLES AND WILL BE IN THE MARKET FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE SOON AND DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441043
87,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10438603
150,000 miles · Nov 21, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY INCREASED IN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND REPEATEDLY APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING BRAKE ODOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY INCREASED IN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND REPEATEDLY APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING BRAKE ODOR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE STATED THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A CONDITION TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE PCV WAS BLOWING AIR IN THE A PLASTIC TUBE OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. UPDATED 01/27/12
NHTSA ODI #10436575
80,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING UPWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING UPWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/23/11
NHTSA ODI #10436341
43,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SHIFT GEARS ERRATICALLY WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED INTERNAL DAMAGES AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SHIFT GEARS ERRATICALLY WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED INTERNAL DAMAGES AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10435043
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.