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.
Seat belts, Jun 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT UN-LATCHED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN OUT AND THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. MA 08/11/15
Structure, Apr 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 19, 2015
I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2005 FORD FOCUS. AS I WAS CHECKING THINGS OUT, I NOTICED THE BACK UP LIGHT (REVERSE) WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE BULBS AND FUSE. ALL WAS IN ORDER. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THIS SEEM TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED SIGNAL SWITCH ON THE FORD FOCUS, AS THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS REFERRING TO THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT PERFORMED THE CHECK, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THE BACK UP LIGHT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2015
THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD FOCUS IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS TO YOUNG OF A CAR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 31, 2015
BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY BY HAND. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WONT OPERATE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND NOW BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 02-08 FOCUS. A LITTLE GOOGLING WILL SHOW JUST HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2015
BULB MELTS HOUSING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 12 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2015
VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN PULLING OUT CREATING A HAZARD FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Mar 8, 2015
CAR SURGES WHEN BRAKING USUALLY UNDER 5 TO 10 MPH. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO GEAR DOWN. ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING FAST. PROBLEM NOT CONSTANT. TALKED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE. WHEN IT HAPPENS YOU HAVE STAND ON BRAKE OR PUT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP FORWARD SURGE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2014
CONSUMER WRITES TO DISCLOSE THE CORRECT VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE OWNS. *TGW
Air bags, Nov 20, 2014
AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND OFF 90% OF THE TIME WHEN DRIVING CAR PURCHASED CAR JANUARY 2013 USED 33.000 MILES 4 MNTHS LATER (MAY 2013)DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND NOW STAY ON FOR WEEKS ON END AND THEN GOES OFF. *TR
Air bags, Nov 18, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A CURB. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN MARCH OF 2007. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 2/10/15*CN UPDATED 9/6/2017*CN
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2014
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BROKE DOWN. CAR TOWED TO GARAGE AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK WHERE AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. A WEEK LATER THE CAR DID IT AGAIN AND AGAIN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. I TOOK THE CARD TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAD AN ELECTRICAL CHECK DONE AND THE ELECTRICAL TEST CAME BACK THAT THE BATTERY THAT WAS JUST PUT IT WAS LOW AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TESTED FINE. CHANGED THE BATTERY AGAIN..YUP YOU GUESSED IT...IT DIED AGAIN. CHANGED THE BATTERY AGAIN AND THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN RUNNING FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. CALLED FORD'S HOME OFFICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT NOT THAT IT WILL DO ANYTHING. *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2014
2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 TAILGATE WILL NOT LATCH CAUSING DOOR TO FLY OPEN WHEN I HIT A BUMP. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Nov 5, 2014, crash
ON THE DATE OF MY ACCIDENT, I WAS HEADED FOR WORK, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65 M.P.H WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES. I COULDN'T AVOID THE SITUATION, I RAN INTO THE BACK OF HER.. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN AN ADULT SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT AND SECURES SEAT BELT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 29, 2014
DURING COLD MORNINGS AND NOT EVERY COLD MORNING THE ACCELERATOR WILL BE STUCK SO YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE. ONCE THE CAR HEATS UP IT IS FINE. ON 10/22/14 A COOL MORNING (NOT COLD) THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH. I HAD SLOWED DOWN FOR A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND COULD NOT RE-ACCELERATE DUE TO THE STUCK PEDAL. MY SPEED WAS RAPIDLY DECREASING AND I HAD TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER (AND NOT HIT) WHERE AFTER PUTTING MY FULL BODY WEIGHT ON THE ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES TO FINALLY GET IT WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 29, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR-ENDED AN XTERRA SUV. I WAS TRAVELING BELOW THE ALLOWED SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH, DUE TO WATER ON THE ROAD FROM A PREVIOUS RAINFALL. THE FRONT OF MY CAR WENT UNDERNEATH THE XTERRA. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. SINCE THAT TIME AND REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE RUSTY ECK FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY STATED THEY RESET MY AIRBAG LIGHT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAS NOT TURNED ITSELF OFF. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF I SHOULD BE IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, I BELIEVE THEIR MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR
Air bags, Oct 27, 2014
THE CLOCK SPRING AND OTHER CIRCUITRY WAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED AT 50000 MILES BY MANTILLA FORD OF WEST HAVEN, CT AT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE. THE REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I COMMUNICATED WITH FORD MOTOR CO. AT THEIR HEADQUARTERS BY EMAIL LAST WEEK AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND SO I CALLED THEM THIS MORNING THE SO CALLED REPAIR THAT WAS DONE WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BROKEN DOWN, HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEVER BEEN TOWED. TOLD FORD THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT I PERCEIVE AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH COULD KILL ME. THE HAVE REFUSED TO CONSIDER COVERING THE REPAIR WHICH BRANFORD FORD OF BRANFORD ,CT ESTIMATES TO BE $502.00 I INTEND COMMUNICATE WITH THE LEGAL DEPT AT FORD HEADQUARTERS FOR. *TR
Air bags, Oct 26, 2014
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. FORD SAYS IT'S NOT PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL BUT I WANT TO BE SURE. I DON'T WANT TO DIE FROM IT EXPLODING AND I WANT IT CHECKED TO BE SURE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED SO I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE. I DON'T TRUST THE DEALERSHIP HERE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2014
CAR STARTED NORMALLY. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AS USUAL. LIGHTS WENT OUT IN SEQUENCE AS USUAL. NORMAL DRIVING STARTED WITH NO ABNORMAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY. MOMENTS LATER ALL DASHBOARD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF AND ON ERATICALLY. THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON DRIVING THAT COULD BE DISCERNED. ALL THE CAR HANDLING FEATURES SEEMED NORMAL. AS DRIVING CONTINUED SOME OR ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ERATICALLY. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYED ON WHEN THE REST WENT OUT WAS THE ENGINE SYMBOL LIGHT. THE FUEL GAUGE ALSO INDICATED NO-FUEL ERATICALLY. *TR
Air bags, Sep 27, 2014, crash
DAUGHTER WAS HIT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY SOMEBODY RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND PUSHING HER CAR INTO A METAL POLE AND EMBANKMENT THAT BENT THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL AND CAUSED FLUID TO GUSH FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR PLUS, NOT TO MENTION THAT SHE IS 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2014
STICKING ACCELERATOR ALMOST CAUSE ME A CRASH. *TR