IllustrationWE WERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR ON RAIN SLICKED HIGH WAY. LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND CAR FLIPPED UP IN THE AIR AND CAME DOWN UPSIDE DOWN AND NO AIR BAGS CAME OUT WHATSOEVER. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsI BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAD TO BUY A RE-FURBISHED MOTOR, THE TIRES WERE SPLITTING AND THE SUSPENSION AND AIR CONDITIONER ALL NEEDED REPAIRING. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM DOT, [XXX], I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED TALLAHASSEE FORD. THEY DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS MISTAKEN. MY VIN # WAS LISTED IN THE…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAD TO BUY A RE-FURBISHED MOTOR, THE TIRES WERE SPLITTING AND THE SUSPENSION AND AIR CONDITIONER ALL NEEDED REPAIRING. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM DOT, [XXX], I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED TALLAHASSEE FORD. THEY DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS MISTAKEN. MY VIN # WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BUT FORD KEPT GIVING ME A RUN-AROUND AND THEY LIED. SO NOW, I HAVE APPARENTLY MISSED A DEADLINE WHICH WAS NOT LISTED ON THE ORIGINAL NOTICE TO ME. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND THIS HAS REALLY STRESSED ME OUT AND IT REALLY MAKES ME NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD FROM ANYONE. ON ETHICS ALONE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEM DO WHAT THEY BASICALLY REFUSED BY LYING TO ME. IT WAS IN MOTION AND WENT TO THE SHOP WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE NOTICE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SNAPPED A PHOTO WITHOUT THE PERSONS PERMISSION. INVASION OF PRIVACY.
THE PAINT AROUND THE LICENCE PLATE HAS BUBBLED AND FALLEN OFF.
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. I'VE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AT FORD AND ALTHOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSE OF A NEW DOOR LATCH FOR OLDER MODEL FOCUS. THE LATCH ON MY FOCUS HAS BEEN WORKING IMPROPERLY FOR THE PAST YEAR NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE HATCHBACK. ALSO, THE LOCK ON THE HATCHBACK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE HARNESS LEADING TO THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE WITHIN THE HATCHBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE HATCHBACK. ALSO, THE LOCK ON THE HATCHBACK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE HARNESS LEADING TO THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE WITHIN THE HATCHBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR BOTH THE BATTERY AND HATCHBACK NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
ALONE IN MY CAR, DRIVING ON A 4 LANE CITY STREET, I HAD SLOWED, ALMOST AT A FULL STOP, TO WAIT FOR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT ON OUR RIGHT. MEANTIME, CAR BEHIND ME HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR. SHE WAS TICKETED. SAID HAD LOOKED AWAY FOR A MOMENT. SAID SHE WAS DOING 35MPH. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAN PROV…
Read full complaint
ALONE IN MY CAR, DRIVING ON A 4 LANE CITY STREET, I HAD SLOWED, ALMOST AT A FULL STOP, TO WAIT FOR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT ON OUR RIGHT. MEANTIME, CAR BEHIND ME HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR. SHE WAS TICKETED. SAID HAD LOOKED AWAY FOR A MOMENT. SAID SHE WAS DOING 35MPH. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAN PROVIDE POLICE AND HOSPITAL RECORDS.
ENGINE AND FUEL CAP LIGHT CAME ON DASH. AFTER REPLACING CAP WITH A FORD GAS CAP AND CLEARING THE CODE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. ALL ATTEMPTS TO CLEAR THE CODE WITH ANOTHER GAS CAP AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN THE SAME RESULTS.
TAKATA RECALL FUEL LINE TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUT IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING WAIT 15 -20 MINUTES AND IT WILL START AND YOU CAN GO UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN IT IS FINE IN WINTER BUT WARM WEATHER IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME HAVE TRIED TO HAVE FIXED BUT STILL DOES IT
MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND I AM SCARED IT WONT DEPLOY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, PLUS IN THE MANUAL IT SAYS THAT IF THE LIGHT STAYS ON THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. PLUS I WENT ON HERE AND FOUND 6 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR BAGS.
Official recalls
105V030000 · 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
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.