NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
441 reports52,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I NOTICED THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2005 FOCUS THAT THE ROTORS ALREADY HAD GROOVES IN THEM. THE BRAKE PADS ALSO WORE OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE OTHER DAY I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVER NIGHT. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT …
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I NOTICED THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2005 FOCUS THAT THE ROTORS ALREADY HAD GROOVES IN THEM. THE BRAKE PADS ALSO WORE OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE OTHER DAY I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVER NIGHT. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH OTHERS HAVE PAID AND I JUST DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231519
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2008
Electrical System
WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FOCUS, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. LATER I DISCOVERED, THAT IF YOU "CANNOT" PUSH THE BUTTON IN ON THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, THE SHIFTER THEREFORE IS LOCKED AND THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL YOUR KEY OUT. THIS WORKS FOR ME, HOPEFULLY I…
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WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FOCUS, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. LATER I DISCOVERED, THAT IF YOU "CANNOT" PUSH THE BUTTON IN ON THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, THE SHIFTER THEREFORE IS LOCKED AND THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL YOUR KEY OUT. THIS WORKS FOR ME, HOPEFULLY IT HELPS SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231136
50,048 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Electrical System
I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MY CAR (A 2005 FORD FOCUS) HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS. IT'S PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY, IT CAN LEAV…
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I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MY CAR (A 2005 FORD FOCUS) HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS. IT'S PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY, IT CAN LEAVE THE CAR PRONE TO THEFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229965
42,000 miles · May 23, 2008
Power Train
I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT THE END OF 2004. AT 42,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL CARS SINCE FIRST GETTING MY LICENSE OVER 20 YEARS AGO, SO I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP INFO ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM (TSB# 05256 NHTSA ID# 1001…
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I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT THE END OF 2004. AT 42,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL CARS SINCE FIRST GETTING MY LICENSE OVER 20 YEARS AGO, SO I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP INFO ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM (TSB# 05256 NHTSA ID# 10018945 DATED JAN. 1, 2005). NOW THAT THE CLUTCH (WHICH FORD KNEW ABOUT ) WENT BAD, FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY PART AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE, LEAVING ME TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. I DON'T THINK CUSTOMERS SHOULD PAY FOR FORD'S BAD PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228759
26,000 miles · Apr 24, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES, SIZE P19560R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE. DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE TIRES, THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. HE ALSO NOTICED WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES, SIZE P19560R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE. DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE TIRES, THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. HE ALSO NOTICED WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. RECENTLY, THE FRONT TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007 WITH KUMHO TIRES. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. CURRENTLY, THE REAR TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10225574
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2008
Suspension
VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED. DURING THE 62,325 MILES I OWNED THE CAR I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF HIGH QUALITY TIRES AND 7 ALIGNMENTS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THIS HAPPENS A LOT, FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS BUT TIRE SHOPS AND CAR OWNERS WILL TELL YOU DIFFERENT. I PUT ABOUT 25K MILES A YEAR ON A CAR, SOME…
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VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED. DURING THE 62,325 MILES I OWNED THE CAR I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF HIGH QUALITY TIRES AND 7 ALIGNMENTS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THIS HAPPENS A LOT, FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS BUT TIRE SHOPS AND CAR OWNERS WILL TELL YOU DIFFERENT. I PUT ABOUT 25K MILES A YEAR ON A CAR, SOMEONE THAT PUTS 10K WOULD NT NOTICE THIS PROBLEM AS OFTEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224055
25,100 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Unknown Or Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT BUMPED THE FLOOR SHIFTER AND THE GEARS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S BEGAN RACING UNTIL HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED THIS SCENARIO A FEW TIMES AND GOT THE SAM…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT BUMPED THE FLOOR SHIFTER AND THE GEARS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S BEGAN RACING UNTIL HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. HE ATTEMPTED THIS SCENARIO A FEW TIMES AND GOT THE SAME RESULTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,166 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,100. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10223536
79,000 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS SHE HIT SOMEONE IN THE REAR AND THEN WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER CAR. WHEN THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEATBELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN UP TO PREVENT HER FROM FLYING AROUND IN THE CAR SHE HIT HER RIBCAGE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN WAS FORCED BACK BY THE IMPACT OF THE SE…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS SHE HIT SOMEONE IN THE REAR AND THEN WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER CAR. WHEN THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEATBELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN UP TO PREVENT HER FROM FLYING AROUND IN THE CAR SHE HIT HER RIBCAGE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN WAS FORCED BACK BY THE IMPACT OF THE SECOND CAR HITTING HER FROM BEHIND. ALSO THERE WAS $6,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND ALMOST ALL THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223225
22,400 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Tires
BOUGHT 2005 FOCUS ZX5 NEW. ORIG TIRES PIRELLI. LOST AIR CONSTANTLY. NO ONE WOULD HONR OR FIX. I HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES WITH ONLY 2,245 MILES ON THE CAR. GOODRICH 205/50-16 WHICH THE TIRE DEALER SAID IS MADE FOR FOCUS. THE FORD DEALER SAID THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG TIRE FOR FOCUS. NOW THE TIRES HAVE 24,000 MILES ON THEM AND THEY …
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BOUGHT 2005 FOCUS ZX5 NEW. ORIG TIRES PIRELLI. LOST AIR CONSTANTLY. NO ONE WOULD HONR OR FIX. I HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES WITH ONLY 2,245 MILES ON THE CAR. GOODRICH 205/50-16 WHICH THE TIRE DEALER SAID IS MADE FOR FOCUS. THE FORD DEALER SAID THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG TIRE FOR FOCUS. NOW THE TIRES HAVE 24,000 MILES ON THEM AND THEY ARE BALD. FORD DEALER DENIES HE TOLD ME TIRES WERE WRONG AND I AM NOW FACING HAVING TO BUY NEW TIRES AGAIN. DEALER WILL NOT HELP. TIRE DEALER SAYS "OH WELL" THE CAR DOES TERRIBLE ON WET & SNOW-ICY ROADS EVEN AT 15 TO 35 MILES AN HOUR. WHAT AM I TO DO? WHY IS FOCUS KNOWN FOR ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR PER TSB'S AND THE DEALERS WILL NOT HELP? THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, LAST TIME WAS 3/17/08. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221993
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineWheels
2005 FORD FOCUS WITH FUEL FILTER FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS COMING OFF OF THE FILTER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FUEL FILTER. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR RECONNECTING THE HOSE, BUT NOT THE FILTER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL RIMS RUSTING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10220644
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.
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