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: vehicle speed control
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Feb 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND IMMEDIATELY BECAME STUCK IN AN DEPRESSED POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY INCREASED IN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND REPEATEDLY APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING BRAKE ODOR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE STATED THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A CONDITION TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE PCV WAS BLOWING AIR IN THE A PLASTIC TUBE OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. UPDATED 01/27/12
Vehicle speed control, Nov 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING UPWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/23/11
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2011
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES STUCK AND CAN NOT BE DEPRESSED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER IN LATE 2010 AND THEY DID NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. OVER THE SUMMER, THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. NOW THAT IT IS BECOMING COLD AGAIN THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. WHEN I WENT TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL, I COULD NOT PRESS IT IN. I HAD TO TAP IT HARD THREE OR FOUR TIMES TO GET IT TO RELEASE, WHICH TOOK ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND CAUSED ME TO SLOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 50 MPH BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REACCELERATE. PROBLEM IS OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. USUALLY I ONLY HAVE TO TAP IT ONCE OR TWICE LIGHTLY TO GET IT TO RELEASE. LAST NIGHT I TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH I WAS CONCERNED THAT I MIGHT CAUSE SOMETHING TO BREAK. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR EVALUATION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 28, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR FROM ACCELERATING AS THE GAS PEDAL STOP WORKING. TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANYONE, I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE MEDIAN, BRAKE AS HARD AS COULD, THROW MY CAR INTO PARK AND TURN IT OFF. IF I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, YOU COULD STILL HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING FROM THE ACCELERATOR STILL BEING STUCK IN ACCELERATOR MODE. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER COST OF REPAIR - ONLY OFFERING A 12,000 MILE OR 12-MOS SERVICE PARTS WARRANTY. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. NO WARNINGS WOULD OCCUR PRIOR TO THE FAILURES AND THE FAILURES HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AND RUN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN
Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2011, crash
I WAS JUST ABOUT PARKED WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. OVER THE CURB, THROUGH A WOOD FENCE AND INTO A CAMPING TRAILER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. TOYOTA IS NOT THE ONLY COMPANY WITH THIS PROBLEM. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS REPAIRABLE OR IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TOTAL IT.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE THE MOST CURRENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAITED 5 TO 8 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE REAR DOOR ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NO MENTION OF A MILEAGE RESTRICTION IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104315. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 01/04/11*JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 22, 2010
I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL OF MY CAR (FORD FOCUS 2005) WAS HARD TO PRESS WHEN THE WEATHER IS FREEZING COLD. AT TIMES, I FORCED IT THROUGH. A COUPLE OF TIMES, WE LUBRICATE THE CABLE AND IT WORKED FINE. YESTERDAY, I SPEEDED UP TO PASS THE CAR WHICH WAS TOO SLOW IN FRONT OF ME. THEN, MY CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF AND I COULD HARDLY STOP. I ALMOST WRECKED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A STOP LIGHT. I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BREAK WAS BATTLING WITH THE ENGINE. WHEN I LET GO OF THE BREAK, THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF. SO, I HAD TO USE MY BREAK A LOT TO REACH A LOCAL MECHANICS. HE LUBRICATED THE CABLE AND TOLD ME THAT THE CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THAT THE CABLE HAD TO BEEN REPLACED. IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $300.00 INCLUDING LABOR. LATER, THE MECHANIC AT FORD SHOWED ME THE CABLE. PART OF THE CABLE WAS CONCEALED INSIDE A PLASTIC TUBE AND THIS PART WAS ALL MESSED UP AND KEEP BREAKING OFF. BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN THE DIAMETER OF THE CABLE AFTER I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CABLE WOULD NOT GO BACK ONCE IT WAS OUT. THEREFORE, MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING YESTERDAY. I AGREED WITH FORD TO FIX IT AT MY COST BUT I AM ANXIOUS ABOUT THE CAR QUALITY AS WELL OTHER PEOPLE'S SAFETY. I COULD HAVE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IF I WAS NOT CALM ENOUGH. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2010
DECELERATION PEDAL. MY FORD FOCUS 05 GAS PEDAL JUST JAMMED WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER I SOFTY BRAKE, SO THE SPEED OF THE CAR GRADUALLY SLOW DOWN UNTIL I PRESS REALLY HARD SO IT BECOME NORMAL AGAIN. IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR IN THE WINTER. IN THE SUMMER, IT RUNS SMOOTHLY AS NORMAL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010
2005 FORD FOCUS ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING. DELEARSHIP, BILL BROWN FORD OF LIVONIA MI, DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS THROTTLE BODY BINDING, SO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2009
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION AFTER CAR WAS PARKED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2006
TL* - ON DECEMBER 23, 2006 THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE IGNITION WHILE SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES STILL APPLIED THE RPMS BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AS THOUGH THE THE ACCELORATER PEDAL HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BUT SHE DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO COMPLAIN AT THAT TIME. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2006
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES ON PARKWAY ACCELERATOR" FELL" TO FLOOR AND STUCK THERE SPEEDING UP CAR UNTIL IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2005
2005 FORD FOCUS BEGIN TO SPEED UP QUICKLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE SEEM TO NO PATTERN WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. IT HAS HAPPENED PERHAPS A HALF-DOZEN TIMES AND THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO QUICKLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE THEN WILL SLOW DOWN. *BF *NM
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Tires, May 20, 2005, crash
HOOD LATCH WAS NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY TO BODY. CAUSED HOOD TO BRAKE FREE AND FLY UP UPSTRUCKING VISION AND CAUSING A WRECK. NO AIR BAGS DEPLORED AND CRUSE CONTROL STUCK ON. NEW VEHICLE VIN # DID NOT MATCH VEHICLE DESCRIPTION.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2005
ENGINE ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS AT A STOP. THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND THEN ON AGAIN AND IT STILL RACED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AT NO TIME WAS MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE WAS RACINGBY ITSELF. I MADE A COPY OF THE NHTSA THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURING WITH THE FORDS BUT THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MY SON HAS A FORD ESCAPE AND HE JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE NHTSA ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS TO BE RELACED. I HAVE A FORD FOCUS. SINCERELY, MIKE PAGLIA. *JB