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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 441

Of the 2005 reports, 43 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system113 reports · 26% of complaints
Owner complaints441Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system113
  2. Air bags51
  3. Latches/locks/linkages50
  4. Power train47
  5. Vehicle speed control45
  6. Structure43
  7. Service brakes30
  8. Suspension27

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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: power train

47 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Nov 11, 2010

    AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND UNDER WAY WHEN RPMS RACED UP. IT SEEMED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THAT THE OD GEAR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER DISENGAGING THE OD THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR (AS ENGINE RPM & SOUND INDICATED). AFTER TAKING IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE OK & IT REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE TORN APART FOR INSPECTION. MAZDA PROVIDES THE AUTOMATIC TO FORD. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS THE 4TH LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE IN A WEEK REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION.

  2. Power train, Sep 14, 2010

    STOPPING CAR AND PLACING CAR IN PARK SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN PARK AND THE KEYS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED THE BUTTON FOR THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER WILL SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

  3. Power train, Sep 4, 2010

    O/D LIGHT CAME ON. AUTOMOTIVE SHOP RAN A TEST AND RETRIEVED CODE P0767. SHOP REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND CAR WOULD STILL NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. SHOP WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I DECLINED AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO 2ND OR 4TH GEAR. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A POSSIBLE BROKEN BAND OR FAILED BAND APPLY PISTON. THEY REMOVED THE PAN AND VERIFIED BROKEN BAND. THEY REPLACED THE 2-4 BAND AND INSTALLED NEW BAND APPLY PISTON AT A COST OF $931.22 PLUS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR AT $101.16. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PARTS USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS CONCERNED THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT FAILED IN MY CAR. THE SHOP SAID NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALL UPDATED PARTS! THE RESPONSE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PARTS IN MY TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE COST OF MY REPAIRS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SINCE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. AGAIN, NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. *TR

  4. 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

  5. Power train, Feb 24, 2010

    THE IGNITION KEY STICKS IN MY 2005 FORD FOCUS. IT CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS TO DO WITH SHIFTER CABLE THAT COSTS $650. IS IT SAFE? I AM NOT CERTAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THE SHIFT IS LOCKING ADEQUATELY. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? *TR

  6. Steering, Suspension, Power train, Feb 8, 2010

    2005 FORD FOCUS PASSANGER SIDE A ARM BOLT HOLDING THE A ARM TO THE WHEEL LOSSEND AND JUST ONE BOLT FELL OUT ON THE ROAD CAUSING THE TIRE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO JAM UNDER THE FENDER PULLING THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION STOPPING THE CAR THANKFULL THAT THE CAR WAS GOING SLOW AND STOPPED AND NOT ON A FREEWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 39171 MILES AND HAD BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER FREQUENT FOR A NOISE PROBLEM THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NOISE AND NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED COMMENTS WERE MADE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AS TO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THE LACK OF ONE BOLT CAUSED AND THAT LUCKY AS TO THE SPEED TO WHICH IT CAME APART THIS EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 25 MPH GOING THRU A ROUNDABOUT TRAFFIC SIGNAL NORTH BOUND AND CONTINUING TO THE NORTH MAKING A RIGHT STARTING IN THE ROUND ABOUT THEN A LEFT IN THE ROUNDABOUT AND A RIGHT LEAVING THE ROUNDABOUT THE WHEEL JAMED UNDER THE FENDER STOPPING THE CAR IN ITS TRACKS JUST CLEARING THE ROUNDABOUT GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE REASON THE CAR STOPPED AND THE PASSANGER WHEEL WAS TURNED RIGHT AND UNDER THE FENDER THE LEFT WHEEL WAS FACING CORRECT STRAIGHT AHEAD. *CN

  7. Power train, Aug 20, 2009

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000.

  8. Suspension, Power train, Jul 16, 2009, crash

    I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING A POP SOUND AND MY CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND GEAR ALL THE WAY HOME. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES APPROX. 1 MONTH APART FINAL RESULT ON MY THIRD TRIP FOR REPAIRS ENDED WITH ME UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME WHICH CAUSED ME REAR ENDING THE BACK OF A TRUCK. I DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR MY CAR BOTH ENGINE AND BODY I STILL HAVE NO CAR. MY CAR HAS 1,200 MILES ON IT. 2005 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM DEALERSHIP AND UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT. I DON'T HAVE THE OLD PARTS. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD CHECK INTO IT TO SEE IF THE DAMAGES WOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. CONSIDERING THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT OF HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THEY WOULD OF FIXED MY CAR RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. EITHER WAY SHE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER IT. *TR

  9. Power train, Jul 14, 2009

    FORD FOCUS 2005, 20,000 MILES CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION DUE TO PROBLEM AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS WE HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH FORD FOCUS FROM 200-2007 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DANGEROUS ISSUE HERE IS THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. EVEN THOUGH THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED IT CAN STILL START THE CAR AGAIN AND GO. THIS CAR IS LEFT OPEN FOR THIEVES TO STEAL. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX BY DEALERS SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WHY IF THERE ARE SO MANY SITES ON THE WEB WITH OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WITH THIS PROBLEM, NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR

  10. Power train, May 4, 2009

    I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FOCUS WITH EXACTLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, AROUND 40,000 I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING BEFORE THEY EVEN REACH 60,000. SEEMS TO ME IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. EVEN AFTER BEING LOOKED AT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY LOTS OF MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED DUE TO THE WARRANTY ONLY BEING AT THE 40,000 MARK. WHICH THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY THEY OFFERED WAS VOID IF ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. IN WHICH I ENDED UP ON THE SHORT END OF THE STICK BECAUSE THEIR WARRANTY THEY GIVE FOR THE USED CARS OUTLASTS WHAT I HAD REMAINING ON THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. SEVERE SLIPPING WHEN TRANSMISSION GOES TO SHIFT INTO THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. *TR

  11. Power train, May 23, 2008

    I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT THE END OF 2004. AT 42,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL CARS SINCE FIRST GETTING MY LICENSE OVER 20 YEARS AGO, SO I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP INFO ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM (TSB# 05256 NHTSA ID# 10018945 DATED JAN. 1, 2005). NOW THAT THE CLUTCH (WHICH FORD KNEW ABOUT ) WENT BAD, FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY PART AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE, LEAVING ME TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. I DON'T THINK CUSTOMERS SHOULD PAY FOR FORD'S BAD PARTS. *TR

  12. Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 26, 2007

    I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS IN JANUARY 2005. APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CAR STARTED HAVING MAJOR POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THE CLUTCH 3 TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE SHIFTING CABLES. *AK

  13. Power train, Air bags, Equipment, Mar 26, 2007, crash

    THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 FOCUS WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY DURING 7 - 16 MARCH 2007. WHILE DOING THE WORK THEY NICKED THE BRAKE LINE JUST ENOUGH TO CREATE A SLOW LEAK. THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK WAS NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. AFTER ONE DAY OF DRIVING, ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. THE DEALERSHIP ARRANGED TO PICK UP THE FOCUS WITH A TOW TRUCK. THEY REPAIRED THE BRAKES (19-23 MAR). ON 23 MAR, MY WIFE PICKED UP THE FOCUS. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE SHE WAS TURNING LEFT. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT PUSHED HER LEFT ARM DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, CAUSING HER TO HIT THE CURB. NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS NEARBY OR INVOLVED. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE FOCUS INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY, WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR CERVICAL INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE FOCUS WITH A TOW TRUCK. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY PUT THE FOCUS UP ON A LIFT AND I INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC. THE BRAKE ROTOR WAS COMPLETE SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT AT ABOUT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE FROM NORMAL. THE WHEEL WAS NOTICEABLY SCRATCHED AND THE TIRE WAS CUT. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT MY WIFE HIT THE CURB CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. MY WIFE IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING HER TO HIT THE CURB.*AK

  14. Power train, Mar 1, 2007

    ON 2/24/07, I MADE A PURCHASE AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I LEANED ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO PLACE THE ORDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WHILE DOING SO, I BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE SIDE OF THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I TESTED THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE, AND FOUND I COULD MOVE IT FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, AND FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, ALL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT UNINTENDED SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT, AND I BELIEVE THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THAT. ON THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS A PROBLEM. *JB

  15. Power train, Jun 12, 2006

    THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR...I FINALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FOCUS AND WHEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY....THEN IN NOV. 2005 I MOVED TO SYLVA, AND HAVE BEEN TO ANDY SHAW FORD 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THEM TO CHECK THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TWICE TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THAT NOTHING ELSE WAS FOUND AT THE TIME...THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES I WENT THERE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR BALANCING MY TIRES...WHICH THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, NOR DID IT FIX THE PROBLEM...AROUND THE THIRD TIME I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SYLVA, THEY DID A TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT IT RODE LIKE ANY OTHER FORD FOCUS...I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER THIS PAST SATURDAY, AND TODAY I WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, AND THEY PUT MY CAR UP ON A LIFT, AND STARTED MY CAR AND GAVE IT THE GAS SO THAT MY TWO FRONT TIRES WOULD SPIN, AND THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE TIRE WAS NOT SPINNING RIGHT, BUT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS SPINNING SMOOTHLY...THE FELLOW TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE MY WHEEL, OR MY TIRE, AND I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES...THEN I WENT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY NEW TIRES, AND ASK THEM WOULD THEY PUT THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ON THE NEW WHEEL THAT I HAD IN MY CAR AND THEY DID AND I TEST DROVE THE CAR, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED...I TALKED TO A FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT HAS HIS OWN SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE THE TIE ROD, HE WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD CAME TO HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME TYPE OF CAR, SAME YEAR, AND ALL... I HAVE BEEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SALISBURY, NC WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, AS WELL HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN SYLVA TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. *NM

  16. Power train, Nov 17, 2005

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIFT CABLES CONTINUED TO BREAK. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE AND ONCE PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLES TWICE, MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CABLES ONCE, AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE BEFORE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HARD TO GET INTO GEAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS BEFORE IT BREAKS. *AK

  17. Power train, Aug 31, 2005

    ONCE ON A 3 LANE EXPRESSWAY (7/29/05) AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET (8/4/2005), THE STICK SHIFT DISCONNECTED ITSELF FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEAVING ME IN NEUTRAL THE FIRST TIME AND 1ST GEAR THE SECOND TIME. THE 2005 (245 MILES ON IT) FORD FOCUS LEFT ME IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS A SITTING DUCK AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED THE FIRST TIME AND YELLED AT THE SECOND TIME. THE DEALER (FRONTIER FORD, SANTA CLARA, CA) RECONNECTED THE LINKAGE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TOWED IN. IT FAILED AGAIN ON 8/4 AND WAS TOWED IN AGAIN. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 8/4/2005 AWAITING PARTS. THE DEALER SAID MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXHIBIT THIS FAILURE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT BUT TELL ME THAT THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IS ON ORDER. *NM

  18. Power train, Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Aug 27, 2005

    I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4 IN DECEMBER OF 2005. UPON DELIVERY I NOTICED MY CAR HAD A HARD TIME STARTING AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD SHAKE AND KNOCK. AFTER A MONTH I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONDITION CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM BUT ASKED TO KEEP IT FOR AN OVERNIGHT START. I BROUGHT IT IN A FEW DAYS LATER SO THEY COULD KEEP IT OVER NIGHT AND THEY FOUND A BULLETIN BY FORD SAYING THEY KNOW THERE IS A HARD START PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CASING REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DISCOLORED. THEN ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 62 MILES AN HOUR AND MY CLUTCH WENT OUT AND MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AND HAD TO WEIGHT IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER FOR 2 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD AND THEY SAID MY FLY WHEEL HAD CRUMBLED AND MY CLUTCH WAS BAD. IT TOOK THEM 9 DAYS TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH. A DAY LATER MY CAR WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT WITHOUT GRINDING AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THIS TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS RUINED AS WELL. TO THIS DAY MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 32 DAYS JUST FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OR DIAGNOSIS FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS SO FAR. NEITHER WENDLE MOTORS OR FORD WILL REPLACE THE CAR SO I AM PERUSING A LEMON LAW CASE. *JB

  19. Power train, Jul 25, 2005

    DT: 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THE FIRST INDICATION WAS THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT RIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 3RD GEAR. THE PART WAS ON BACK-ORDER, AND THERE WERE SO MANY ON ORDER THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. *JB

  20. Power train, Nov 12, 2004

    2005 FORD FOCUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS.*MR THE TRANSMISSION WHINED AT LOW SPEEDS (40-50 MPH). FORD REFUSED TO SEND A FACTORY REP. *NM

  21. Power train, Nov 12, 2004

    COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. PROBLEM CONCERNED ANNOYING LOW SPEED TRANSMISSION AT 40-50 MPH. FORD REFUSES TO SEND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. *AK

  22. Power train, Oct 11, 2004

    TRANSMISSION SLIPS & ERRATIC SHIFTS. *NM