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2006 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Focus are lower than the model-year median of 864.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

173 reports with mileage · 31 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports3 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

204 reports
31,000 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE, SIZE 195/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. A REAR ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE, SIZE 195/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. A REAR ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE ROAD HAZARD TIRE COVERAGE, INFORMATION ON WEBSITES PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION AND CONTRACT AND PICTURES OF THE DEFECT. UPDATED 09/24/07 *TR UPDATED 10/11/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202740

38,000 miles · Sep 11, 2007
Air BagsInjury

DRIVING AT LEGAL SPEED MY SIDE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYS THEN EXPLODES UNDER MY LEFT ARMPIT CAUSING ME TO LOSS CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. FORD TECHNICIANS PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS, NOTICED A SCRAPE ON PASSENGER UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE CONCLUSIONS WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING ON THE RODE. THIS WAS A S…

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DRIVING AT LEGAL SPEED MY SIDE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYS THEN EXPLODES UNDER MY LEFT ARMPIT CAUSING ME TO LOSS CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. FORD TECHNICIANS PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS, NOTICED A SCRAPE ON PASSENGER UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE CONCLUSIONS WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING ON THE RODE. THIS WAS A SMALL THREE INCH SCRAPE THAT SO CALLED CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I DON'T BUY THAT. IN MY OPINION, THE BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I SUSTAINED BRUSHES AND LACERATIONS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND WILL TRADE IN. AGAIN, THE SCRAPE JUST REMOVED THE UNDER COATING, NO OTHER DAMAGE RESULTED. MY BEST GUESS WAS A ROCK. THESE SAFETY BAGS ARE NOT PREVENTING PERSONAL INJURY, BUT CAUSING THEM. *TR UPDATED 12-12-2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE BEFORE THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY THE ADDITIONAL FEE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202578

20,000 miles · Aug 21, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND A FEW TIMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS NEVER D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND A FEW TIMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED WHIPLASH, ONE OF WHOM WAS PREGNANT AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. FORD OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10200369

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO VEHICLE ( FOCUS ) DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT SCREECH WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK IT INTO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD REPORTED BRAKE NOISE IN FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 18,000 MILES THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. THEY HAD A TECHNICAL ADVISORY FROM FORD INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LIMITED N…

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SEVERAL WEEKS AGO VEHICLE ( FOCUS ) DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT SCREECH WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK IT INTO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD REPORTED BRAKE NOISE IN FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 18,000 MILES THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. THEY HAD A TECHNICAL ADVISORY FROM FORD INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUT DID NOT WANT TO SEND OUT RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE THEN EVEYONE WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT BRAKE SQUEAK. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR TIME LIMITS THE EXPENSE TO FIX ( ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $700 ) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T TRUST FORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD COVER UPS BEFORE. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM WHEN THEY SAY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I DON'T HAVE $700 TO SPEND TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. I TALKED TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND CORPORATE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. ALL BASICALLY SAID IT WAS MY TOUGH LUCK. I WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS CHALLENGING THEIR STANCE ON THIS ISSUE AND HOPE YOU CAN INVESTIGATE BRAKE SAFETY ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER 18,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197357

50 miles · May 18, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

SAME PROBLEM AS ODI #10182755. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AS FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PARKING, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY KICK INTO HIGH REVS, (OVER 5000 RPM, AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD STOP IF BRAKES APPLIED VERY STRONGLY. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN APRIL 2006. SEVERAL MORE INCIDEN…

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SAME PROBLEM AS ODI #10182755. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AS FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PARKING, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY KICK INTO HIGH REVS, (OVER 5000 RPM, AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD STOP IF BRAKES APPLIED VERY STRONGLY. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN APRIL 2006. SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS OVER THE NEXT MONTH, INCLUDING TWO TIMES WHERE THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE; NEITHER REPAIR FIXED THE PROBLEM. FINAL ATTEMPT AT REPAIR DEALER DROVE THE CAR OVER 600 MILES IN 5 DAYS AND REPORTED NO PROBLEM FOUND. PROBLEM DISAPPEARED UNTIL MARCH 2007 WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10191137

8,500 miles · May 7, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO DEALER A FEW TIMES AND IT STILL DOES IT FROM TIME TO TIME. AN ADVISORY WAS ISSUES, BUT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. REAR PASSENGER BEARING WENT BAD AROUND 9000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES WERE ALREADY WORN OUT AT 17000. THEY REPLACED THEM , AND STILL WENT OUT AROUND 21000. HAD TO USE OTHER …

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VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO DEALER A FEW TIMES AND IT STILL DOES IT FROM TIME TO TIME. AN ADVISORY WAS ISSUES, BUT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. REAR PASSENGER BEARING WENT BAD AROUND 9000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES WERE ALREADY WORN OUT AT 17000. THEY REPLACED THEM , AND STILL WENT OUT AROUND 21000. HAD TO USE OTHER COMPANY PADS/ROTORS TO GO BY. REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CRACKED, NOT USED, CRACKED. THEY SAID IS NORMAL. MANY SUSPENSION NOISES. THEY SAID ALL WAS OKAY. I CHANGED THE SUSPENSION FROM MY OWN MONEY SINCE THEY WERE NO HELP AND STILL SAME NOISES. NOW THEY BLAME THE E AFTER MARKET SUSPENSION ON THE PROBLEMS. *AK OTHER USERS AND PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO COMPLAINED ABOUT SAME OR SIMILIAR ISSUSE.

NHTSA ODI #10190088

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2007
SuspensionTires

REAR TIRES PREMATURELY WORN AND DAMAGED. 2006 FORD FOCUS WITH 21,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WORE OUT BADL, (BALD SPOTS, AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE WORE OUT WELL BEYOND THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE FOR THE MILEAGE. ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187359

4,000 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I'VE HAD MY 2006 FOCUS ST FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT ENGINES PUT IN IT. THE ORIGINAL MOTOR THREW A PISTON ROD DOWN THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE AND OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS POOR CASTING ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES. THEN AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES IT DID THE SAME THING ONLY…

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I'VE HAD MY 2006 FOCUS ST FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT ENGINES PUT IN IT. THE ORIGINAL MOTOR THREW A PISTON ROD DOWN THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE AND OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS POOR CASTING ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES. THEN AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES IT DID THE SAME THING ONLY THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT BLEW. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE ...AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENED IS MY ROD BEARINGS WENT OUT WHICH IS MOST LIKELY WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO COMPLETELY THROW A PISTON ROD. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD ENGINE AND HOPING THAT THIS ONE STICKS. THE MECHANICS ARE VERY PUZZLED WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY HAVE RUN ALL THE DIAGNOSTICS TO PROVE I HAVEN'T BEEN RACING AND I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. FORD IS TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. GOOD NEWS IS 2 MORE TIMES IT'S A LEMON. BAD NEWS IS I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MISSED TIME AT WORK AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF IT ALL. BEWARE BUT, THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183862

13,000 miles · Feb 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING HORRIBLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE SHOES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--I AUTHORIZED THEM TO DO THE REPAIR. LESS THAN A DAY LATER, THE SQUEAK WAS STILL AS BAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. SUPP…

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THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING HORRIBLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE SHOES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--I AUTHORIZED THEM TO DO THE REPAIR. LESS THAN A DAY LATER, THE SQUEAK WAS STILL AS BAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. SUPPOSEDLY, THE SHOP MANAGER TEST DROVE IT HIMSELF AND SAID THERE WAS NO SQUEAK. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL AND EXPECTED THAT THE BRAKES WILL STILL SQUEAK UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 APPLICATIONS." IT STILL SQUEAKED THE NEXT DAY, AND AT THIS POINT I AM WELL PAST THE 150 BRAKE APPLICATIONS AND IT SOUNDS JUST AS BAD AS IT DID BEFORE I EVER BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. FUNNY THING IS, I WAS ABOUT 8 DAYS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FREE. I DON'T CARE ABOUT SPENDING THE MONEY, I JUST CARE THAT I SPENT $265 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182913

13,000 miles · Feb 16, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE HIGH AND THEN ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THIS FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 13,000. THE VEHI…

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TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE HIGH AND THEN ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THIS FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 13,000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10182755

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.