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.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2009
MY 2006 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK DEVELOPED FRAYED WIRES IN THE HATCHBACK HARNESS THAT CAUSED A SHORT SO THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AS THEY SHOULD WHEN THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON UNLESS THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER IS ALSO TURNED ON. DESPITE BEING COVERED BY FORD'S 'EXTRA CARE' EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COVER WIRING HARNESSES, FORD IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Wheels, Mar 26, 2009
I HAVE HAD 3 WHEEL STUDS BREAK OFF WHILE CHANGING TIRES FROM SUMMER TO WINTER AND BACK. TOOK TO 2 DEALERS AND CONTACTED FORD AND NONE OF THESE SOURCES WOULD HONOR 3/36 WARRANTY REGARDING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. DEALERS STATED THAT STUDS WERE RUSTY AND THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY PUT ON TO TIGHT. THIS FALSE, AS I DO THIS MYSELF WITH A TORQUE WRENCH PER VEHICLE SPECS. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION IF I WAS CHANGING A FLAT ON SOME RURAL ROAD OR BUSY HIGHWAY AND I COULD NOT GET WHEEL OF WITHOUT BREAKING WHEEL STUDS. RUST ON THE STUDS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS THROUGH THE OPEN WHEEL NUT DESIGN IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD. *TR
Air bags, Mar 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, A TRACK HARNESS WAS NEEDED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TEST SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY IF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,828. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2009
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS BUT THEY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE- MY CAR IS AT RISK OF BEING STOLEN AND I DON'T HAVE THE 400.00 THEY ASK TO REPAIR THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2009
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. I HAVE TO REMOVE ONE OF THE BATTERY CABLE FROM THE BATTERY, REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THEN REPLACE THE BATTERY CABLE BACK. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 15, 2009
THE REAR OF THE CAR JERKS/PULLS AROUND. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THOUGHT IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. AFTER HAVING FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DONE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. SEVERAL MECHANICS TRIED DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. FINALLY ONE MECHANICS WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. SEEMS THE REAR LOWER ARM ASSEMBLIES ARE FAILING (DEFECTIVE OR WEAK PARTS). MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO WHICH I BELIEVE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR (BACK END BASICALLY DOES WHAT IT WANTS TO DO) THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I KNOW OF THREE OTHER PEOPLE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHO ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE FORD FOCUS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT TAKE EVERY LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT TO KEEP YOUR CAR IN CONTROL ESPECIALLY ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 29, 2008
2006 FOR FOCUS 2.0 I-4 BLEW OUT SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD N WITH IGNITION COIL. END RESULT FINDING THAT THE CAR HAD THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FACTORY. AND FORD WONT FIX THEIR MISTAKE. THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO CLOSE AND HAD TO BE TIGHTLY SECURED WITH A BUNGEE CORD. IN ADDITION, THE LATCHES FAILED TO SECURE THE REAR LIFTGATE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 13, 2008
2006 FORD FOCUS WITH LOW MILEAGE REPLACING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE 3RD TIME, MY CONCERN IS OF FAULTY PARTS FORD COMPANY MAY BE USING AND IF SO, DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS SHOULD I BE ALARMED AND SHOULD I WORRY WHEN MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE TRAVELING IN THE CAR WILL THE BRAKES FELL. FORD CHARGED ME THE FIRST REPAIR COST AND NOW JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER READY TO CHARGE ME AGAIN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2008
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I COULD START AND DRIVE THE CAR, BUT NOT GET THE KEY. I DROVE TO A FORD DEALER AND THE PERSON HAD NO TROUBLE GETTING MY KEY OUT. THIS WAS AT 34,000 MILES. NOW, AT 36,500 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM TAKING TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY BETTER REPAIR UNDER THE 3/36,000 WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Oct 11, 2008, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2008
2006 FORD FOCUS ZX4 MODEL SES. IGNITION KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WILL START BUT KEY WILL NOT COME OUT. CAR CAN BE PUT INTO GEAR WITH SWITCH IN OFF POSITION. SAFETY PROBLEM CAR HAS 35,000 MILES. DEALER DID WARRANTY REPAIR TODAY - WE ARE PICKING THE CAR UP TONIGHT SO I DON'T KNOW THE QUALITY OF THE REPAIR YET. *TR
Suspension, Aug 16, 2008
27500 MILES, 2006 FOCUS ZX3, I NOTICED AS GOING OVER SPEEDBUMPS AND PARKING INTO PARKING SPOT, MY CAR MADE CREAKING NOISES AS IF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. I TOOK THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP AND IT TOOK THEM A WHILE AND EVENTUALLY THEY FOUND RUST ON THE SPRINGS. THEY FILED OFF THE RUST AND PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER, NO MORE CREAKING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Aug 7, 2008
MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2006 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP I FOUND OUT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND BRAKE/SHIFT INTERLOCK HAD BOTH FAILED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM OFTEN IN FORD FOCUS CARS. I HAD BOTH PARTS REPLACED, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS NOT QUITE THREE YEARS OLD YET. THE PARTS ARE WORKING FINE NOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED THOUGH. *TR
Suspension, Jun 16, 2008
BOUGHT CAR WITH 12,000 MILES ON IT IN 2007. NOTED VIBRATION AND PULL TO THE RIGHT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT AND TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS PERFECT. AFTER ANOTHER MONTH AND HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES DUE TO BALD SPOTS, TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SHOWED ME THE COMPUTER PRINT OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. SECOND SET OF TIRES NOW PREMATURELY WEARING AND CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. TIRES ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AND ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. LIKE THE CAR BUT FEEL UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2008
2006 FORD FOCUS ZX3 SE REAR HATCH DOOR WIRING ---BROKEN WIRES AND WIRE INSULATION. FIRST STARTED WITH PLATE LIGHTS BLOWING OUT. NOW ALL PARKING LIGHTS,TAILLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ARE OUT---BLOWING FUSES!!! OUT OF CURIOSITY I PULLED DOWN THE RUBBER BOOT OF THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR AND FOUND BROKEN WIRES AND INSULATION. WENT TO FORD WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS, FOUND NO RECALLS AT ALL FOR MY CAR!!!!! UPON FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM FROM 8 YEARS AGO NOV - DEC OF 2000!!!!!!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 23, 2008, fire
ON THE 19TH OF APRIL, MY VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. ON THE 20TH OF APRIL, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS; TOP SPEED WAS AROUND 20 MPH. AS A RESULT, WE CHOSE TO RETURN HOME IMMEDIATELY AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. ON THE 21ST, AROUND 10:15 A.M., I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES, THE ENGINE BEGAN CUTTING OUT COMPLETELY AND THERE WAS A STRANGE ODOR. I GOT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND PULLED INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. I FOUND A NEARBY STORE FROM WHICH I COULD CALL HOME. WHEN I STEPPED BACK OUTSIDE I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE VEHICLE DUE TO SMOKE. I RETURNED TO THE STORE AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. BY THE TIME I STEPPED BACK OUTSIDE, THERE WERE VISIBLE FLAMES. POLICE AND FIRE RESPONDED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. *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
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK INSIDE OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WILL STAY STUCK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN ONE DAY IT WILL JUST COME OUT. *TR
Tires, Apr 3, 2008
ONE TIRE RUPTURED HOLE IN SIDEWALL RESULTING IN FLAT DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. TOOK TIRE IN TO BE REPLACED. NONE OF OTHER TIRES REVIEWED BY TIRE CENTER. INDEPENDENT COMPANY FOUND REMAINING TIRES TO HAVE "BUBBLED" SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES FROM SAME BATCH. TIRES ARE ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD AND TIRE CENTER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE BATCH IS DEFECTIVE. (HOW COULD ALL FOUR TIRES GO BAD IN TWO MONTHS?) *TR
Air bags, Apr 2, 2008, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE CRASH. AS OF APRIL 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2008, crash
SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AND NON DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *TR
Tires, Mar 31, 2008
VERY LOW TIRE LIFE/TREADWEAR PREMATURE. *TR
Tires, Mar 26, 2008
2006 FORD FOCUS REAR TIRES . NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHEN TIRES START TO SHAKE AND THEN WEAR UNEVENLY ON BOTH SIDES. ONLY 26000 MILES ON TIRES FROM THE DEALER. HAVE TO REPLACE. DEALER SAYS THEIR IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR ITSELF, JUST POOR DRIVING. FRONT TIRES STILL HAVE CLOSE TO HALF LIFE LEFT. STILL HAVE REAR TIRES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED VERY BADLY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN OTHER FORD FOCUS' AS WELL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. UPDATED 04/21/08 *BF