2006 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 204 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 22 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
Representative owner complaints: power train
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2023
Driving on hiway and vehicle shifted gears. Would no shift normally afterwards. Tried several times. Left myself and granddaughter in hiway in danger. Had local mechanic inspect the vehicle. Was told defective shifting linkage. Has occurred multiple times.
Power train, Equipment, Mar 6, 2018
2006 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *LD *JS
Power train, Feb 11, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND RECENTLY MY CAR HAS BEEN BOGGING DOWN AND LOSING POWER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A OXYGEN SENSOR . NOW MY SHIFT IS OFF , CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR IT'S IN . AND MY DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN NOT ONCE BUT TWICE . *TR
Power train, Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 16, 2013, crash
I CHOSE 'CRASH' ABOVE ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES. AT A RED LIGHT, THE FOCUS ROLLED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT AT NO MORE THAN 3-5 MPH. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SEAT BELTS LOCKED. ZERO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE, EXCEPT SMALL DENT TO THE LICENSE PLATE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY BODY SHOP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE ALSO CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT DEPLOYED. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $1800. IS THIS NORMAL? IS THIS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 FOCUS? *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 8, 2013
VEHICLES SHIFTER BUTTON FAILED TO ENGAGE. INITIALLY DISCOVERED IT WAS DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE (#32.) AFTER REPLACING, VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT AGAIN SHIFTER BUTTON FAILED TO ENGAGE. INVESTIGATED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THE BLOWN FUSE WAS DUE TO CRACKED WIRING INSULATION CAUSING EXPOSED WIRES IN THE REAR HATCH. ALSO LEARNED THIS ISSUE CAUSED THE REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO OPERATE. FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE OF WHICH IT WAS ULTIMATELY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THE WIRES ON THE REAR WIRING HARNESS ARE TOO SHORT. *TR
Power train, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Power train, Mar 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN AS SMOOTH WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO INSPECTED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SPRINGS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY THE MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 05/08/13*LJ
Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2012
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS ZX4 5 SPEED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEARS TIME. THE PROBLEM IS THE PART IS PLASTIC AND OVER TIME IT STARTS TO LEAK DUE TO THE PRESSURE IT TAKES TO CHANGE GEARS. I'M IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DAILY AND HAVING TO STOP AND START. THE MASTER CYLINDER SHARES FLUID FROM THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. I HAVE HAD LOW TO NON EXISTENT BRAKING POWER. THE MASTER CLUTCH HAS LEAKED INSIDE MY CAR AND OIL DRIPPED ONTO THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDDLES CAUSING FOOT SLIPPAGE. THE LATEST SITUATIONS I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC,STOP AND GO, AND BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE CAR IN GEAR. NEXT I WAS BACKING UP SLOWLY WHEN I EXPERIENCED NO CLUTCH PEDDLE AND THE CAR BEGAN SPEEDING UP I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF GEAR I HAD TO SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE TO STOP THE CAR FROM PULLING AND GET IT OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR IDLES HIGH WHEN I COME TO A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND EVENTUALLY COMES DOWN. THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS IN COOLER WEATHER. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I'M IN TRAFFIC I HAVE TO PRESS REALLY HARD. *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 43,000 MILES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME, BUT THE FORD DEALER REPAIRED ONLY CERTAIN PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. NOW, 25K MILES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION IS AGAIN BAD. FORD REFUSES TO FIX BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY, AND THERE IS NO RECALL. I THINK THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVELY MANUFACTURED. *TR
Power train, May 21, 2012
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR, WHEN IT DID IT WOULD JERK AND SOMETIMES THERE WOULD BE A SQUEELING NOISE AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. IT JERKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FALL OUT AND THE OVER DRIVE COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T GO OFF. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION JUST JERKS AND JERKS CONTINUOUSLY SO BAD IT WON'T GO INTO GEAR AND WON'T GAIN ANY SPEED. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THANK GOD I HAVEN'T BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE, IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS.. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP ON DIAGNOSTICS AND SO FAR WE ARE BEING TOLD THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION FROM THE CAR COMPUTER TO THE DIAGNOSTIC ANALYZER. I'VE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR ONLINE AND I'M WONDERING WHY FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONE PERSON SAID HE HAD TO HAVE HIS TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHEN THESE SAME KIND PROBLEM OCCURS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A FORD MOTOR PRODUCT PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND WHERE'S THE RECALL FORD??? *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Air bags, Nov 26, 2011
I PURCHASED 2006 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IN MAY OF 2006. IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON IT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS VERY LOUD AND ROUGH. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS NEW AND NEEDED SOME TIME TO BE DRIVEN. AFTER THREE AND HALF YEARS NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I CALLED FORD COMPANYAND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO FORD DEALER. (I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I ALSO STATED THAT IT STOPS SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT UP IF I HAVE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. THE DEALER INFO: FORD BREDEMANN 2038 WAUKEGAN ROAD GLENVIEW, IL 60025 (847) 510-5585). I LEFT THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND WHEN I CAME TO PICK IT UP I WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE ON GOOD CONDITION. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED LIKE TIRES..ETC.. HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD INSTANCES ON THE ROAD WHERE I ALMOST COULD HAVE ENDED UP KILLED JUST BECAUSE THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE. IT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL. IT IS SO STIFF THAT ITS HARD TO TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT. I FEEL LIKE IT IS SO UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR..NOT JUST UNSAFE FOR ME BUT FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WAS WELL. *TR
Power train, Jul 1, 2011
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT KICK INTO GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING. I WENT TO GET ON THE HIGH WAY,(SPEED LIMIT 65MPH), GOT UP TO 55 AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED REVVING AS IF I WAS LOCKED IN NEUTRAL, ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS FROM MOVING TRAFFIC, AS MY CAR WAS DRIVING CONSIDERABLY SLOWER THAN THE REST GOING THE SPEED LIMIT). VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY SCARY. PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT(WAS CONSIDERABLY CLOSE). CAR WOULD THEN NOT GO OVER 25 MPH. IT'S LIKE IT WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO THE NEXT GEAR. HAD TO CALL A TOW. FORD GARAGE SAYS TRANNY DEFINITELY HAS PROBLEMS AND NEEDS REBUILT/REPLACED. IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BEFORE WHERE I WOULD GO TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD GET STUCK IN ONE GEAR, BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS WOULD FINALLY KICK INTO GEAR - WHEN IT DID FINALLY KICK INTO GEAR, IT WAS A STRONG JERK AS IF I PUNCHED THE GAS. AFTER LOOKING AROUND ONLINE, APPARENTLY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YR MAKE MODEL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2011
KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT LOCKING WHEN IN PARK. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PUSH IN THE SAFETY BUTTON FOR IT TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO ME SINCE MANY FOCUS OWNERS HAVE SIMPLY GONE TO LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AFTER IT STICKS THERE AND FIND OUT THE COST FROM THE DEALER TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Apr 11, 2008
FORD 2006, FOCUS ZXW, WHEN PARKING THE CAR, THE MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STICK TO PARK DOES NOT LOCK IN ALL THE TIME. IT DOES SEEMS TO PARK, CAR DOES NOT ROLL, BUT TRANS MISSION STICK EASILY MOVE AWAY AND FLL INTO OTHER GEARS, AND THE CAR MOVES. WHEN IT DOES NOT LOCK UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. MOST OF THE TIME AFTER ABOUT UP TO 3 MIN LATER YOU HEAR A TING SOUND THEN IT LOCKS. ONCE IT LOCKS KEY CAN BE REMOVED. I ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2003 FORD FOCUS 2 YEARS EARLIER, DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK THEN IT WOULD RELEASE THE KEY, EVERY TIME I PARKED. *TR