Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
740–25K
6725–50K
7350–75K
5175–100K
50100–150K
29150K+
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
25,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON FOR DAYS THEN OFF FOR A DAY, THEN BACK ON. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT MAY BE THE WIRES OR CONNECTORS THAT RUN UNDER THE SEATS. HE SAID"PEOPLE FEET CAN HIT THE WIRES, AND MOVING OF THE SEATS CAN DAMAGE THEM. SOUNDS LI…
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THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON FOR DAYS THEN OFF FOR A DAY, THEN BACK ON. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT MAY BE THE WIRES OR CONNECTORS THAT RUN UNDER THE SEATS. HE SAID"PEOPLE FEET CAN HIT THE WIRES, AND MOVING OF THE SEATS CAN DAMAGE THEM. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN PROBLEM TO ME. FOR A FEW $100 HE CAN TELL ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292396
47,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
MY PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/22/09, THEY WERE TRAVELING 57 MILES PER HOUR, HIT A LADY THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THEM, THEIR AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF, A DIRECT FRONT END HIT ON THEIR CAR (2005 FORD FOCUS) AND ALSO THE SEATBELTS BROKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289822
46,000 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Steering
MY KEY IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN MY IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES BEFORE. I WENT TO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT THE IGNITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286518
92,112 miles · Sep 4, 2009
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES WAS B.F GOODRICH AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/50/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE BLOW-OUT, THE TIRE FAILURE INCREASED THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES WAS B.F GOODRICH AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/50/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR. AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE BLOW-OUT, THE TIRE FAILURE INCREASED THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY ASSUME PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10282902
38,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY THREE BOYS WHEN OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS STARTED JERKING AND SPUTTERING, LOST POWER, AND DIED ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD IT TOWED TO GOODYEAR WHERE THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP FUSE BLEW. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. NOT EVEN A HALF HOUR LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. WE HAD IT T…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY THREE BOYS WHEN OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS STARTED JERKING AND SPUTTERING, LOST POWER, AND DIED ON SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD IT TOWED TO GOODYEAR WHERE THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP FUSE BLEW. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. NOT EVEN A HALF HOUR LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO GOODYEAR WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. WE LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW DAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE HIMSELF AND DRIVE IT TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO. WELL, THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY OVER ANOTHER SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. WE CALLED GOODYEAR TO BRING IT BACK, AND THEY REFUSED; SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. THIS MECHANIC HAS AGAIN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND TOLD US THE SYSTEM WAS FILTHY! THE FUEL PUMP JERKED DRAMATICALLY WHEN HE'D START IT, WHICH IS WHY HE REPLACED IT AGAIN. THE COMPUTER IS STILL SAYING THE MODULE IS BAD; SO HE ORDERED A NEW ONE FROM FORD, WHO AT FIRST CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN TELL HIM WHERE IT WAS LOCATED; SO WHEN HE RECEIVES THE PART, HE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST NOW. WITH GOODYEAR IT ALREADY COST US $600, WHICH THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE. I'VE CALLED FORD, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP SAYING THERE'S NO RECALL ON THIS MODEL. I'VE LOOKED THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM UP, AND THE FUEL PUMP AND SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALL FORD FOCUSES FROM 2000-2004. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 2004! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US! IF WE DIDN'T OWE MONEY ON IT, WE'D JUNK IT. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED! AND THANK GOD MY KIDS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HELP US PUSH IT OFF THE RAILROAD TRACKS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281345
4,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000.
NHTSA ODI #10281232
1,200 miles · Jul 16, 2009
Power TrainSuspensionCrash
I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING A POP SOUND AND MY CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND GEAR ALL THE WAY HOME. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES APPROX. 1 MONTH APART FINAL RESULT ON MY THIRD TRIP FOR REPAIRS ENDED WITH ME UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME WHICH CAUSED ME REAR ENDING THE BACK OF A TRUCK. I DAMAGED TH…
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I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING A POP SOUND AND MY CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND GEAR ALL THE WAY HOME. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES APPROX. 1 MONTH APART FINAL RESULT ON MY THIRD TRIP FOR REPAIRS ENDED WITH ME UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME WHICH CAUSED ME REAR ENDING THE BACK OF A TRUCK. I DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR MY CAR BOTH ENGINE AND BODY I STILL HAVE NO CAR. MY CAR HAS 1,200 MILES ON IT. 2005 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM DEALERSHIP AND UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT. I DON'T HAVE THE OLD PARTS. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD CHECK INTO IT TO SEE IF THE DAMAGES WOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. CONSIDERING THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT OF HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THEY WOULD OF FIXED MY CAR RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EITHER WAY SHE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276944
20,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Power Train
FORD FOCUS 2005, 20,000 MILES CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION DUE TO PROBLEM AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS WE HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH FORD FOCUS FROM 200-2007 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DANGEROUS ISSUE HERE IS THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGN…
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FORD FOCUS 2005, 20,000 MILES CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION DUE TO PROBLEM AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS WE HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH FORD FOCUS FROM 200-2007 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DANGEROUS ISSUE HERE IS THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. EVEN THOUGH THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED IT CAN STILL START THE CAR AGAIN AND GO. THIS CAR IS LEFT OPEN FOR THIEVES TO STEAL. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX BY DEALERS SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WHY IF THERE ARE SO MANY SITES ON THE WEB WITH OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM, NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276767
212 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ELEVEN TIMES WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ASSISTANCE. THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ELEVEN TIMES WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,463 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212.
NHTSA ODI #10276233
110,234 miles · Jul 4, 2009
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. IF CAR WAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC OR ON RAILWAY CROSSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES COULD ARISE. *TR
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.
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