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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

441 reports
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

211,000 miles · Sep 27, 2019
Structure

THE FRONT DOOR HANDLES QUIT WORKING AND THERE'S NO WAY TO GET DOOR OPEN???? FRONT DOOR HANDLES QUIT WORKING. CANT GET IN MY CAR

NHTSA ODI #11258470

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 · Jul 13, 2019
SteeringWheels

THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN FALL APART THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND YOUR NOT COVERING IT. IS THAT NOTHER FORD BETTER IDEA?

NHTSA ODI #11231628

175,000 miles · Apr 26, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE BACKSEAT DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND OR LOCK. THEY HAVE TO BE HELD TOGETHER WITH ZIP TIES. THE RANDOMLY OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS I CANNOT USE MY CARE TO TRANSPORT MY CHILD. I KNOW OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS, AND I AM CURIOUS …

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THE BACKSEAT DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND OR LOCK. THEY HAVE TO BE HELD TOGETHER WITH ZIP TIES. THE RANDOMLY OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS I CANNOT USE MY CARE TO TRANSPORT MY CHILD. I KNOW OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS, AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY MY SPECIFIC MODEL WAS LEFT OUT WHEN I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11203954

60,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CADILLAC CONVERTIBLE CAUSES SLIGHT NOISE AND LEAKS CONNECTING. TO THE ENGINE. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE A LOOK THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST PROBLEMS CAUSING A LOT TO BE REPAIRED OUT THE POCKET ON THE HIGHWAY IT SEEMS TO SUCK AIR STALL A LITTLE WHOLE IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #11195328

64,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

THE ICON SEAT BELT INDICATOR COMES AND GOES AS LIT AND THEN SOME TIMES IT IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (ENGINE RUNNING).

NHTSA ODI #11175812

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

THE WIRING BETWEEN THE HATCH DOOR AND THE BODY IS DETERIORATED WITH A BROKEN WIRE FOR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION CRACKED AND MISSING ON MANY OF THE OTHER WIRES. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS SHORTS COULD OCCUR AFFECTING ALL THE REAR LIGHTS THAT ARE CONTROLLED WITH THESE WIRES. LUCKILY I READ ON A YOUTUBE REPORT ABOU…

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THE WIRING BETWEEN THE HATCH DOOR AND THE BODY IS DETERIORATED WITH A BROKEN WIRE FOR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION CRACKED AND MISSING ON MANY OF THE OTHER WIRES. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS SHORTS COULD OCCUR AFFECTING ALL THE REAR LIGHTS THAT ARE CONTROLLED WITH THESE WIRES. LUCKILY I READ ON A YOUTUBE REPORT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DETECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHILE INVESTIGATING THE LIGHTING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11165585

96,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD MY IDLER PULLEY BOLT BREAK FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I HAVE NEARLY RAN OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THEM I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER FORD OWNERS. THIS IS VERY …

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I HAVE HAD MY IDLER PULLEY BOLT BREAK FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I HAVE NEARLY RAN OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THEM I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER FORD OWNERS. THIS IS VERY SCARY AS IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN BMW HAS HAD TWO RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND AN WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO URGE FORD TO TAKE THE SAME STANCE ON THEIR FAULTY PARTS. HERE IS A LINK WITH LOTS OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE FORDS IDLER PULLEY BOLT REPEATEDLY BREAKING: HTTPS://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/DURATEC-PERFORMANCE-2003-2007/296298-ANOTHER-BROKEN-IDLER-PULLEY-BOLT.HTML THE FOURTH TIME IT BROKE ON ME WAS NOVEMBER 28, 2018.

NHTSA ODI #11156538

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER KEY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO USE THE KEY FOB. ALSO, DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BELOW 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HESITANT. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER KEY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO USE THE KEY FOB. ALSO, DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BELOW 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HESITANT. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR A MOMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS UNKNOWN. SCHICKER FORD (3300 S KINGS HIGHWAY, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63139, (314) 664-4100) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11151964

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.