2005 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 441 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 43 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
113 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2011
JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. 'MY KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS STRANDED HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME" HOW THOUGHTFUL OF FORD TO ONLY CHARGE ME FOUR- HUNDRED DOLLARS! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 10, 2011
2005 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS COLD OR WILL START BUT FOR NO APPARENT RESIN JUST STOPS RUNNING NO FUEL PRESSURE AND FUEL PUMP DOES NOT RUN WHEN THE PROBLEM ARISES WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS WORM THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE DOES NOT DISPLAY ANY ENGINE FAULT COEDS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A FORD PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T WON'T TO EXCEPT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 7, 2011
INTERMITTENTLY KEYS GET STUCK IN IGNITION, AFTER A FEW DAYS THEY USUALLY COME OUT MAY BE WEEKS OR MONTHS BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN, WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE, LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE GAUGE LIGHTS START FLICKERING, IF YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR IT WILL NOT START AGAIN AND LOSE ALL POWER, NO LIGHTS, LOCKS ANYTHING POWER SHUTS DOWN, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. HAVE ALREADY HAD SOME WIRES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES ..WHEN IT HAPPENS THE CAR STARTS TO HESITATE, VERY DANGEROUS IF ON AN INTERSTATE OR GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION..CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THIS ISSUE, ONLY 54000 MILES ON THE CAR...EVEN WHEN I GET IT BACK FROM SHOP THIS TIME AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED LAST TIME, WHO IS TO SAY THAT IT IS TRULY FIXED THIS TIME, DON'T WANT TO BE STRANDED OR IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2010
THE IGNITION IN THE FORD FOCUS FALLS APART AND YOU ARE STRANDED!!!. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED DAUGHTER WITH ME AND IT WAS NIGHT. I CAN IMAGINE A YOUNG WOMAN BY HERSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOU CANNOT BE JUMPED OR A MECHANIC CANNOT LOOK AT IT. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO BE TOWED, WHICH FOR US WAS 49 MILES AWAY. VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ME. WE HAD TO LEAVE HER WALKER BEHIND AND SHE WAS WITHOUT IT (IMMOBILE) UNTIL I COULD RETRIEVE IT. THIS CAR HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALL CHECKUPS AND EVERYTHING UP TO DATE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2010
HAVING PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR AND KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR 2ND TIME IN TWO YEARS. KEY WILL NOT RELEASE BUT WILL TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2010
DRIVING AT 50KM/H, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, SHORTLY AFTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING POWER STEERING, FRONT LIGHTS, GAUGES...EVERYTHING. ENGINES CONTINUES TO RUN, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOW TO ALMOST IDLE, ENGINES STOPS. UNABLE TO RESTART, NO IGNITION NO SIGN OF LIFE WHATSOEVER. WAITED 20MIN, WAS ABLE TO START ENGINE, ELECTRICAL CAME BACK AND DROVE FOR 5MIN BEFORE SAME THING HAPPENED. DEALER IDENTIFIED A FAULTY ALTERNATOR, CAR HAS 135000KM. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 16, 2010
FORD FOCUS 2005 WAGON. NOTICED THAT ELECTRIC LOCK WILL NOT OPEN HATCH BACK, BUT TOOK NO ACTION TO CORRECT. INCIDENT: COULD NOT MOVE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK LEAVING MOTORIST STRANDED. FOUND THAT SHARED BRAKE LIGHT FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, BUT WONDERED ABOUT ROOT CAUSE SO TESTED BRAKE LIGHTS. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED OR PRESSED. REALIZED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AS OTHER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE AWARE WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. AFTER WEB SEARCH, I OBSERVED MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS; I OPENED THE HATCH AND REMOVED THE RUBBER BOOT COVERING THE WIRING HARNESS. IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED THAT SEVERAL WIRES WERE SEVERED AND OTHERS DAMAGED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 17, 2010
THIS IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I DISCOVERED THAT IF THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS NOT LOCKED THE KEY WON'T COME OUT. MAKE SURE THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN PARK AND THE KEY SHOULD COME RIGHT OUT...IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2010
INTERMITTENTLY CAR WILL SEEM TO SHORT OUT FOR SPLIT SECONDS. IF I LET IT IDLE ALL IS OK BUT AS I APPLY THE GAS THE SPLIT SECOND SHORT COMES BACK. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES IF I GO OVER SOME BUMPS ALL BECOMES OK. FRIEND WITH A MADZA3 HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM HAT WAS FIXED BY CHANGING THE SOLENOID. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 3, 2010
KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. HAD TO LOCK KEY IN CAR AND USE REMOTE TO LOCK CAR. SECOND INCIDENCE OF THIS ON HERE SO LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE FOR THE 2005 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2010
I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 90,300 MILES ON THE CAR. IT REALLY SCARES ME WHEN I'M GOING AT LEAST 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THEN GET THE HESITATION OR PULLBACK AS IF IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING 35 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I CUT THE CAR AND START IT BACK UP, THE CLOCK RESETS TO 12:00 AND THE RADIO COMES ON BLASTING. MY LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS HAS NOT HELPED ONE BIT AND I AM OUT $462. THEY HAVE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $1500 IF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT DID NOT WORK. THEY TELL ME IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE PCM THAT NEEDS REPLACING. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2010, fire
HATCH WIRING HARNESS FATIGUED AND DEVELOPED BROKEN WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOP LAMP FUNCTION & HARNESS BURNING. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2010, fire
EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM TAILLIGHT/BRAKELIGHT BULB CAUSED PLASTIC HOUSING TO DISTORT AND BRAKE LIGHTS FUSE TO BURN OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. POTENTIAL FOR REAR END COLLISION & WIRING FIRE. AFTER FUSE WAS REPLACED, WIRING SMOLDERED UNTIL NEW FUSE ALSO BURNED OUT. *TR
Electrical system, May 9, 2010
THE HATCH BACK LID STARTED OPENING WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST WAS TURNED ON. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MANY INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE LID WHILE DRIVING. WHILE RESEARCHING, I FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ASSIGNED NHTSA 00V411000. I PULLED BACK THE RUBBER BOOT WHICH PROTECTS THE SAME WIRE HARNESS AT THE HINGE POINT OF THE LID. I DISCOVERED MULTIPLE CRACKED AND EXPOSED WIRES, AND ON WIRE BROKEN IT TWO. I DESIRE FOR THIS TO BE A RECALL ITEM JUST AS YOU DID FOR THE 2000 MODEL. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU DESIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 7, 2010
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT LOCK INTO KEY POSITION #; THEREFORE, GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT LOCK APPROPRIATELY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 1, 2010
THE DECKLID WIRE HARNESS HAS FATIGUED BREAKING 2 INTERNAL WIRES IN THE BEND AREA. AS A CONSEQUENCE, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND DECKLID LATCH REMOTE RELEASE FUNCTION ARE LOST. BECAUSE IT IS IN THE SAME HARNESS, LOOSING STOP LAMP, DEFROST OR VEHICLE REGISTRATION LAMP FUNCTIONS IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME. THIS FAILURE MODE HAS ALREADY BEEN DESCRIBED ONLY THAT WITH A DIFFERENT EFFECT (LOSS OF STOP LAMP). PLEASE REFER TO YOUR CAMPAIGN ID: 00V411000. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2010
COULD NOT GET KEY TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. HAD TO LEAVE CAR UNLOCKED, WITH KEY IN IGNITION OVERNIGHT. STILL CANNOT RELEASE KEY. A CHILD COULD GET INTO THE CAR AND START IT UP WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING KEY-LOCK ISSUES. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO WORKS IN RETAIL MANAGEMENT, AND I GET OUT LATE AT NIGHT FROM WORK QUITE OFTEN. IF MY KEY LOCKS UP, I COULD BE STRANDED IN A DARKENED LOT AND VULNERABLE TO CRIME. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HAD BEEN FOR YEARS, AND HAS NOT TAKEN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INEXCUSABLE FOR A MAJOR CORPORATION.. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2010
FORD FOCUS 2005- THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. I TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEY CHARGED ME $300 FOR REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THEY SAID THEY WERE 90% SURE IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WELL, IT DIDN'T. IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THEY NOW SAY MAYBE IT'S SOME CABLE, BUT IT WILL COST $450 TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO APPLY THE $300 FOR THE LAST UNNECESSARY FIX TO THIS FIX. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THOUSANDS OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2010
THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 2, 2010
2005 FOCUS KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY AND THE KEY CAME OUT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 23, 2010
KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. CAN NO REMOVE KEY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 11, 2010
MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IT. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN IGNITION AND LOCK THE VEHICLE WITH THE ALARM. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2009
MY 2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH KEY NOT TURNING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR OVER 8 TIMES BUT UNTIL RECENTLY THE CAR HAS EVENTUALLY STARTED. THIS LAST TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING THE CORRECT ACTIONS TO TAKE INORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 4, 2009
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. IF CAR WAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC OR ON RAILWAY CROSSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES COULD ARISE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2009
THE KEYS WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR IS NOT REGISTERING THAT IT IS IN PARK. *TR