NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
441 reports120,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V31600 (VISIBILITY). THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V31600 (VISIBILITY). THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10779669
86,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SEIZED, AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, BUT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SEIZED, AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10735791
193,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000.
NHTSA ODI #10735532
100,086 miles · Jul 17, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT COULD OPEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE, BUT NOT THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT COULD OPEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE, BUT NOT THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CLAMPS AND HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,086.
NHTSA ODI #10734725
100,000 miles · Jul 10, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS LOCKED WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10733163
106,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT UN-LATCHED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN OUT AND THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT UN-LATCHED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN OUT AND THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. MA 08/11/15
NHTSA ODI #10725368
125,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10706659
72,000 miles · Apr 19, 2015
Exterior Lighting
I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2005 FORD FOCUS. AS I WAS CHECKING THINGS OUT, I NOTICED THE BACK UP LIGHT (REVERSE) WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE BULBS AND FUSE. ALL WAS IN ORDER. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THIS SEEM TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED SIGNAL SWITCH ON THE FORD FOCUS, AS THERE …
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I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2005 FORD FOCUS. AS I WAS CHECKING THINGS OUT, I NOTICED THE BACK UP LIGHT (REVERSE) WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE BULBS AND FUSE. ALL WAS IN ORDER. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THIS SEEM TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED SIGNAL SWITCH ON THE FORD FOCUS, AS THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS REFERRING TO THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT PERFORMED THE CHECK, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THE BACK UP LIGHT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706546
154,444 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Structure
THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD FOCUS IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS TO YOUNG OF A CAR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703145
7,500 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY BY HAND. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WONT OPERATE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 02-08 FOCUS. A LITTLE GOOGLING WI…
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BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY BY HAND. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WONT OPERATE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 02-08 FOCUS. A LITTLE GOOGLING WILL SHOW JUST HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702878
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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