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
204 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2014, crash
2006 FORD FOCUS WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO CAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE FORD FOCUS, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED (NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT), BUT DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES OF THE LEFT EYE INCLUDING ABRASIONS, BURNS, BRUISING, AND SWELLING/INFLAMMATION AFTER HITTING A HARD SURFACE. DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THERE WAS A DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WHICH RESULTED IN THE INJURIES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 6, 2014
GAS PEDAL STARTED STICKING IRREGULARLY AT AROUND 30,000 MILES, EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. WAS VERY SPORADIC. MOST RECENT EVENT HAPPENED 12/5/2014 WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS FROZEN COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. THEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE LOWEST EDGE OF THE PEDAL AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. IF YOU GOOGLE "FORD FOCUS GAS PEDAL STICKS", THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THE THROTTLE BODY IS THE APPARENT CAUSE. FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 22, 2014
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 17, 2014
ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED REVVING UP AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED COULDN'T STOP VEHICLE COMPLETELY AND LUNGED FORWARD. WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKES AND GETTING TO A PARKING AREA, WHEN PLACED IN PARK THE ENGINE WENT UP TO 50000 RPMS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2014
I HAVE HAD ONLY TWO PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 FORD FOCUS. FIRST WE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE DUE TO THE KEY BEING STICK IN LOCK WOULD RESTART BUT WOULD NOT COME OUT. SECOND THE INNER DOOR ON THE DEFROST STICKS WHEN ON FULL DEFROST OR FULL AIR CONDITIONING AND THE CABLES BRAKE KEEPING THE DRIVER FROM USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROST AT THIS POINT IT IS STUCK ON AIR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 16, 2014
REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. NOT WITH THE KEY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT CAN OPEN DOOR ANY TIME. *TR
Air bags, Sep 12, 2014, crash
A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME HITTING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, THEN PUSHED INTO ONCOMING LANE (STOPPED CAR) THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DESTROYED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ONLY AIR BAG TO GO OFF WAS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG (MINE.) I HAD MY SISTER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT & MY BROTHER IN THE BACK SEAT RIGHT SIDE. THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT WAS THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, MAINLY WHERE THE TIRE WAS. I STRONGLY FEEL AT LEAST THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2014, crash
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING/DIED. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND THEY HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET. NO CALL, SAME RUN AROUND WHEN I CALL ABOUT UPDATE.... *TR
Tires, Aug 6, 2014
I WAS COMMUTING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 59 NORTHBOUND JUST SOUTH OF THE GESSNER EXIT AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 FORD FOCUS ZX4 WITH 15 INCH STANDARD ALLOY RIMS. THE LEFT REAR GOODYEAR EAGLE GT TIRE HAD EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. I SAW SMOKE EMERGE FROM THE WHEEL WELL AS I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A STOP ON THE EXIT RAMP AT BISSONNET. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CAME OUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND UPON REMOVAL WE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD SECTION FROM ONE EDGE OF THE RIM TO THE OTHER HAD COMPLETELY COME OFF AND WAS STUCK IN THE WHEEL WELL, LEAVING THE RIM BARE. THERE WAS LIGHT CRACKING ON THE REST OF THE SET ON THE INNER PART OF THE TIRE NEAR THE RIM. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON JUNE 17TH 2011 AT DISCOUNT TIRE AND ONLY HAD 23,000 MILES OF WEAR ON THEM. THEY HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED AND INSPECTED AT DISCOUNT TIRE ON SCHEDULE. THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRES IS M7RB K11R 1511. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE TIRES ARE NOT UNDER RECALL. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THIS INCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Jul 22, 2014
I AM REPORTING ONLY THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING ON THIS CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE 4TH CLOCK SPRING IN UNDER 80000 MILES INSTALLED! I BELIEVE THE FIRST WAS REPLACED WITH UNDER 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS IS CONCERNING, BECAUSE OF THE SRS SYSTEM RELIANCE ON A RELIABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. A LETTER TO FORD HAS GONE WITHOUT RESPONSE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART IN EITHER DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE. IN ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE BEEN DRIVING, WHICH IS 30+ YEARS, I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A CLOCK SPRING ON ANY VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2014
REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WILL NOT OPEN ON THE OUTSIDE,, WENT TO OPEN TO GET IN AND IT JUST PULLED UP BUT DIDN'T OPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Jul 4, 2014
THE TRUCK LATCH ON MY 2006 FORD FOCUS ZXW WOULD NOT ACTUATE ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE BUTTON ON THE FOB OR ON THE DASH WAS PRESSED DUE TO BROKEN WIRE IN A WIRING HARNESS RUNNING FROM THE INTERIOR TO THE REAR HATCH DOOR. IT WOULD ALSO BLOW FUSE #63 ON THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL WHICH MADE REPLACEMENT DIFFICULT (THE FUSE IS REALLY ON THE BACK OF THE FUSE BOX, THE MANUAL RECOMMENDS THAT ONLY THE DEALER SERVICE OR REPLACE THIS FUSE MAKING THIS ISSUE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO PARTIALLY RESOLVE IMMEDIATELY). UNTIL THIS FUSE COULD BE REPLACED, MY INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE ACTUATED ELECTRICALLY (POWER LOCKS OR FOB) WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AS ANY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT COULD NOT BE EASILY REACHED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. ONE WOULD NEED TO MANUALLY UNLOCK ANY AND ALL DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CULPRIT WAS WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD WIRES WITH DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AND TWO BROKEN WIRES. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND ANY AND ALL PICTURES OF THE DEFECTS. THE DAMAGE OCCURS WHEN THE HARNESS BENDS AS THE REAR HATCH IS SHUT DUE TO POOR DESIGN THAT DID NOT INCORPORATE A STAIN RELIEF TO EITHER END OF THE HARNESS WHERE MAXIMUM BENDING STRESSES WOULD OCCUR. THE WIRES MAY HAVE ALSO SHORTED AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT OPERATION, MARKER LAMP OPERATION, AND NUMEROUS OTHER FUNCTIONS AS THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED TEN WIRES THAT RUN IN PARALLEL IN THIS HARNESS AND ALL WIRE EXCEPT TWO HAD MULTIPLE INSULATION DEFECTS THAT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SHORTS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL HARNESSES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 7, 2014
I OWN A 2006 FORD FOCUS ZX5. IN MARCH 2014, I NOTICE THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. I DID SOME RESEARCH BUT FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY 2006. I DID SEE 2005, 2008 BUT NOT MINES. I DID SPEND OVER 300.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND NOW TWO WEEKS LATER MY FRONT DOOR PASSENGER SIDE STOP WORKING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND I HAVE NO CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MY LOCKS. I WISH SOMEONE COULD ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 30, 2014
1ST TIME, 08/21/2008, 35950, AIR BAG FAILURE OF DRIVERS SIDE, BILL SUMMERS FORD OF NORTH PLATTE FIXED. 2ND TIME APPROX. 09/2011AT 49000 MILES DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE AND BILL SUMMERS FORD FIXED IT AGAIN 3RD TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES DRIVERS AIR BAG WARNING IS ON AGAIN OF DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE. I DON'T BELIEVE SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS AIRBAGS SHOULD BE AN ONGOING MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. *TR
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
Structure, Jan 11, 2014
THE HATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OF MY FORD FOCUS 2006 DOES NOT FUNCTION AND CAUSES THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO PROHIBITED ME FROM MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOOR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2013
THIS SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE THE OTHER NIGHT AND FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND IT FELT LIKE PEDDLE STUCK...CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN . I KEPT HITTING GAS TO TRY TO RELEASE IT, THOUGHT MAT IN WAY AND IT WASN'T. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THIS CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY AND IF I GET KILLED. GOOD LUCK FORD MOTOR CO. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. AND EVERYONE SAYS ITS JUST A PROBLEM WITH CAR. WELL, THIS PROBLEM COULD KILL SOMEONE. *TR
Seats, Nov 16, 2013
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRACTURED AT SUPPORTING STRUCTURE CAUSING LACERATIONS, CONTUSION, AND SPRAIN RELATED INJURIES INVOLVING WHIPLASH AND INSTABILITY FOR THE DRIVER. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Sep 17, 2013
THE AIR VENT SELECTOR JAMMED WHEN IT SUDDENLY WAS NEEDED FOR DEFROST, THEN THE CABLE BROKE AND THE AIR VENT SETTING FOR DEFROST COULD NOT BE SELECTED, LEADING TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO FORWARD VISIBILITY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEAL THAT TURNS TO GUM AND STICKS SHUT. THIS CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF DEFROSTING CAPABILITY, AND VISIBILITY CAN BE LOST IN SECONDS. WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER FOCUS THAT IS STARTING TO STICK, SO THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, APPROXIMATELY FROM MODEL YEAR 2005 - 2007. *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
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2013
HAVE HAD COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE 3 TIMES WITH MY CAR FIRST TIME WAS AT 12,500 MILES, 2ND. 61 MILES LATER AND LAST WEEK WITH 20,500 MILES. EACH TIME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY ALTERNATOR HAD GONE BAD. WAYNE AKERS FORD, LAKE WORTH, FL PUT IN THE FIRST TWO REPLACEMENT ALTERNATORS AND CAR IS NOW AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 13, 2013
REAR PASSENGER DOOR WON'T LOCK. MY WIFE "APPARENTLY" LOCKED THE CAR AT WORK IN AN OPEN PARKING LOT AND LATER WENT TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM BACK SEAT TO FIND THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT LOCKED. NO INDICATION WAS GIVEN WHEN LOCKING THE CAR USING THE REMOTE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS FULLY LOCKED. IT ISN'T. I CHECKED THE ISSUE BY HAVING HER DRIVE UP AND DOWN THE ROAD MAKING SURE SHE THOUGHT ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED AND WHILE SHE HAD STOPPED, I OPENED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND JUMPED IN THE BACK SEAT MUCH AS AN ATTACKER OR CARJACKER MIGHT DO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ANYONE CAN JUMP IN THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS EVEN THOUGH THE OWNER MAY THINK THAT THE CAR IS SECURELY LOCKED, IT JUST MIGHT NOT BE. BEWARE AND CHECK ALL YOUR DOOR LOCKS ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THIS SEEMS TO BE REPORTED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ON FORD FOCUS INTERNET FORUMS. TO THIS DATE, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE ACTUAL LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AS IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE, OR ANY OTHER DRIVER WOULD CHECK ON A REGULAR BASIS. *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
Steering, Electrical system, Structure, Jun 9, 2013
THE FIRST INCIDENT OF KEYS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WAS ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009 IN IOWA. WE LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD TO GO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED FOR $485.91. LESS THAN FIVE YEARS LATER ON JUNE 4, 2013 THE KEYS GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AGAIN. THIS TIME LUCKILY WE WERE AT HOME. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WELL KNOWN TO FORD SINCE 2000, YET THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER SOME MORE RESEARCH I FOUND A SOLUTION. THERE IS A THREE RING PIECE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER HANDLE AND THE SHAFT. SIMPLY PUSH IT BACK UP TOWARD THE HANDLE AND PRESTO THE KEYS COME OUT. THIS IS A FREE SOLUTION. I AM CURIOUS IF I CALLED FORD IF THEY WOULD TELL ME THIS SOLUTION OR FOR THAT MATTER EVEN FIX THE PART SINCE IT IS LESS THAN FIVE YEARS. IS IT UNDER WARRANTY? ANOTHER PROBLEM IS OUR CD PLAYER HAS A CD STUCK THAT WE CANNOT GET OUT. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO GO TO BEST BUY AND BUY AN UPGRADED ONE THAN TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP FIX IT. AT 85000 MILES ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WE HAD TO GET OUR HEAT SHIELD REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTING AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *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.