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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
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH NO INDICATION AS TO WHICH DOOR WAS AFFECTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL DOORS WERE PROPERLY CLOSED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH NO INDICATION AS TO WHICH DOOR WAS AFFECTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL DOORS WERE PROPERLY CLOSED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10851025

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2016
StructureUnknown Or Other

DOOR LOCK ON REAR, PASSENGER DOOR WON'T LOCK

NHTSA ODI #10837603

9,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT WAS I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIE RODS AND WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE RACK AND PINION TIGHTENED. THE TIE ROD AND WHEEL WELL WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10824061

150,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOOK THE BATTERY A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOOK THE BATTERY A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON THEN OFF, THE BATTERY CABLE MUST BE TOUCHED IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10823587

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

MY SISTER OWNS A FORD FOCUS 2005, SHE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT DURING A TRIP TO WORK. THE CAR SLIDE DOWN A HILL AT LESS THEN 25 MPH IN WED ROAD. THE CAR STOP BY CRASHIN IN TO A ROCK IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAVING HER LIFE FROM A CLIFT. RECENTLY WE UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION, TIRES AND BREAKS TO PREVENT IT TO HAPPEN. WE TOOK THE CAR …

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MY SISTER OWNS A FORD FOCUS 2005, SHE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT DURING A TRIP TO WORK. THE CAR SLIDE DOWN A HILL AT LESS THEN 25 MPH IN WED ROAD. THE CAR STOP BY CRASHIN IN TO A ROCK IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAVING HER LIFE FROM A CLIFT. RECENTLY WE UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION, TIRES AND BREAKS TO PREVENT IT TO HAPPEN. WE TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROUND TRIP IN IT WE HAVE A SECOND ACCIDENT. THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A LITTEL HILL AT 45 MPH IN A ZONE OF 50 MPH, AT A HALF OF KM I CHANGE THE GEAR BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS WET TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR BUT SUDDENLY IT START SLIDING OVER THE WED ROAD. CONSIDERING THE TIME AND, THE MANEUVERS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE CAR I START PUMPING THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE ROAD BUT OT DIDNT CHANGE ITS DIRECCTION. AT LESS THEN 8 METERS THE CAR GOT A LITTEL OF TRACTION BUT IT WAS TO LATE TO EVADE THIS ACCIDENT. DURING THE COLITION THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY LEAVING MY BODY HIT THE WHEEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE WE ARE ALIVE AND I DONT WHANT TO IMAGINE DRIVING THIS CAR DURING A SNOW ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10822735

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2015
Power Train

BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY MOTHER IT HAD 91,000 MILES ON IT AND RAN FINE. IT NOW HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND, LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT WILL SHOW UP AS A SHIFT SOLENOID "D" PROBLEM BUT IF YOU FI…

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BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY MOTHER IT HAD 91,000 MILES ON IT AND RAN FINE. IT NOW HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND, LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT WILL SHOW UP AS A SHIFT SOLENOID "D" PROBLEM BUT IF YOU FIX IT, IT WILL NOT HELP. THE BAND IS BROKEN AND MUST BE REPLACED. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM 2 - 4 GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10810621

102,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810452

117,000 miles · Dec 5, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

THE FORD ZXW WAGON'S LIFTGATE WIRING HARNESS HAD FRAYED INSIDE THE RUBBER HOUSING AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE GATE PIVOTS BETWEEN THE CAR BODY AND LIFTGATE. THE WIRES SHORTED WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRIC GATE RELEASE TO OPEN AT 70MPH, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A FREEWAY. THE LIFTGATE ROSE UP, OPENING THE BACK OF THE CARGO AREA TO TRA…

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THE FORD ZXW WAGON'S LIFTGATE WIRING HARNESS HAD FRAYED INSIDE THE RUBBER HOUSING AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE GATE PIVOTS BETWEEN THE CAR BODY AND LIFTGATE. THE WIRES SHORTED WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRIC GATE RELEASE TO OPEN AT 70MPH, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A FREEWAY. THE LIFTGATE ROSE UP, OPENING THE BACK OF THE CARGO AREA TO TRAFFIC. LUCKILY FREEWAY SPEED WINDS KEPT IT FROM COMPLETELY OPENING, BUT WHEN SLOWED TO 30MPH IT WENT STRAIGHT UP. I'M LUCKY I HAD NO CHILDREN OR ANIMALS IN THE BACK CARGO AREA. AND THE FELLOW DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WERE LUCKY NOTHING SHIFTED AND FELL OUT. THE LIFTGATE REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER THIS POINT, MAKING DRIVING THE CAR SAFELY IMPOSSIBLE. IN RESEARCHING THE CAUSE AND REPAIR, I NOTICED SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH FORD'S DESIGN WAS POSTED. THE REPLACEMENT BILL AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WAS AROUND $1,200, NOT INCLUDING MY TIME LOST TO RESEARCH, REPAIR, OR FINDING ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY BUSINESS PURPOSES. THIS IS DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING, AND UNFORTUNATELY, NOT FIXED. THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAID THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME AS WHAT WAS ORIGINAL. THIS WILL LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10808553

68,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH OR STAY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH OR STAY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V3000 (LOCKS/LATCHES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806189

118,811 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,811.

NHTSA ODI #10795074

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.