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
441 reports, newest first.
Steering, Suspension, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2005
CAR BOUGHT SEPT 2004. CAR REGULARLY DOESN'T START, AND IF IT DOES ALWAYS RUNS AT OVER 3500 RPM FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES WITH NO ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. ALARM GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING, FOR NO REASON. CAR SWERVES AND VIBRATES ON ROAD IN DRY AND WET CONDITIONS (SEEMS LIKE STEERING AND / OR SUSPENSION BROKEN / DEFECTIVE). BRAKES ALSO CREAK. ALL PROBLEMS FROM CAR PURCHASE TO NOW, MARCH 2005. TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIPS ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHO COULD NOT "REPLICATE THE CONCERN". REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN JANUARY WHO INFORMAED ME THAT THE ORIGINAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WOULD CONTACT ME. SO FAR, 7 WEEKS ON, AND NO CONTACT. POSSIBLE LEMON LAW CASE.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 22, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL FILTER WAS DAMAGED FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FILTER. FORD SERVICE CENTER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WERE TO BUSY TO ASSIST HER, AND FOR HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A QUICK LUBE TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. QUICK LUBE CHANGED THE OIL, AND GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. SOMEHOW, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK
Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 14, 2005
IGNITION PROBLEMS, CD PLAYER MALFUCTION, WAS REPAIRED BUT FAILED AGAIN 3 TIMES TO START AND TOWED 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER. *AK
Structure, Feb 1, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR WAS OPENED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 1, 2005
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2004. AS THE WEATHER BEGAN GETTING COLDER AND DAMPER, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WOULD STUMBLE AND CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I WOULD HAVE TO TRY 3-4 TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ACTUALLY START. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE IN DECEMBER 2004 AND TSB 04-23-4 WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY STARTED FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT, BUT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN NOW.
Visibility, Jan 26, 2005
SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON, IT GET EXTREMELY HOT. *BF WHEN THE HEATER WAS DIRECTED TO THE FLOOR ONLY, THE BACK OF THE STORAGE TRAY BENEATH THE CONTROLS FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION SYSTEMS BECAME HOT. *JB
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
Visibility, Equipment, Jan 12, 2005
THE STORAGE TRAYS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHEN DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WITH THE HEATER ON, ESPECIALLY WHEN DIRECTED TO THE FLOOR ONLY. *NM IN THE OWNER'S GUIDE BOOK THERE WAS AN ERROR THAT STATED; AM/FM STEREO WITH SINGLE CD/MP3 PREMIUM SHOULD BE FOR A 6 CD UNIT AS NOTED BY THE CD 6 ABOVE THE CD SLOT. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2005
WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT/REAR BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Seat belts, Dec 20, 2004, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER HIT A DEER. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WERE UNAVAILABLE. OWNER SAYS THAT WHEN USING THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT SEATS THE BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE MAY BE TWO OR THREE MONTHS BEFORE PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK
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
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
Suspension, Nov 4, 2004
WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM PERTAINED TO WHEEL ALIGNMENT. EVOQ FILED BY ABIGIL LIVINGSTON 478-788-1497. *AK
Air bags, Oct 19, 2004
OWNER SAYS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IT ON THE LIFT TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ROCKS OR STONES THAT MAY HAVE ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB CONSUMER INJURED BY AIRBAG. *TC
Power train, Oct 11, 2004
TRANSMISSION SLIPS & ERRATIC SHIFTS. *NM
Seats, Aug 30, 2004
THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER WITH A DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *MR THE BACK REST DID NOT LOCK, SO THE SEAT BELTS WERE INEFFECTIVE. *SC *JB