Motor Almanac

Ford / Focus / 2005

2005 Ford Focus

Family: Focus · filed with NHTSA as FOCUS

Summary

  • In its first three years the 2005 Focus drew 97 complaints — 0.4× the median of its generation (2000–2007). It is among the least-complained-about years of this generation.
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Electrical System, holds 26% of the 429 that name a component.
  • 5 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
441
Recalls
5
Investigations
1
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
23–26
Annual fuel cost
$2,400–$2,700
Median mileage at complaint
60,000 mi (n = 344)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
43 / 9 / 41 / 0

What owners report

Electrical System

113 complaints · 26% of complaints that name a component · median 69,961 mi (n = 91)

Owner report THE BACKSEAT DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND OR LOCK. THEY HAVE TO BE HELD TOGETHER WITH ZIP TIES. THE RANDOMLY OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS I CANNOT USE MY CARE TO TRANSPORT MY CHILD. I KNOW OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS, AND I A…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER KEY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO USE THE KEY FOB. ALSO, DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BELOW 30 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HESITANT. THE CONTACT HAD TO W…

Airbags

51 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 55,000 mi (n = 37)

Owner report WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR ON RAIN SLICKED HIGH WAY. LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND CAR FLIPPED UP IN THE AIR AND CAME DOWN UPSIDE DOWN AND NO AIR BAGS CAME OUT WHATSOEVER. *TR
Owner report ALONE IN MY CAR, DRIVING ON A 4 LANE CITY STREET, I HAD SLOWED, ALMOST AT A FULL STOP, TO WAIT FOR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT ON OUR RIGHT. MEANTIME, CAR BEHIND ME HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR. SHE WAS TICKETED. SAID HAD LOOKED AWAY FOR A MOMENT. SAID SHE WAS DOING 35MPH. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. …

Doors, Latches & Locks

50 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 72,000 mi (n = 44)

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY HIS DAUGHTER THAT BOTH R…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR FAILS TO LATCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED ,SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD LOCATED AT 5900 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48327, PHONE NUMBER: (248) 674-4781, WHERE TO VEH…

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2000–2007)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 269.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
20003,6861,237most complaints
20011,761697most complaints
2002971407most complaints
2003977269
2004387136fewest complaints
200544197fewest complaints
200620548not compared
200739191fewest complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

12E007000 · EQUIPMENT

Filed 2012-02-24 · 10,006 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

08E050000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2008-08-11 · 1,921 vehicles

Defect: 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."

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

06E056000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Filed 2006-06-13 · 58,640 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: 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.

06E026000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-03-23 · 61,944 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

05V030000 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Filed 2005-02-01 · 589,932 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
AQ10001UNKNOWN OR OTHER2010-11-182015-12-28

AQ10001: Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Focus2.0L 4cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive222925$2500
Focus2.0L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive223226$2400
Focus2.3L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive202823$2700
Focus Station Wagon2.0L 4cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive222925$2500
Focus Station Wagon2.0L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive223226$2400

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Ford Focus 2-DR. HBNot RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated
2005 Ford Focus 4-DR.Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 55 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2016-09-21ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGERThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …
2016-04-21LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESFor 2000-2005 Focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 Safety Recall 05S27 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear door latches may experience corrosion in the pawl pi…
2014-09-09STRUCTURE:BODY:DOORFORD: REAR DOOR LATCHES ARE EXPERIENCING CORROSION IN PAWL PIVOT AREA THAT PREVENT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF PAWL INTO CATCH, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS CAUSING HIGH CORROSION. MODEL 2000-05 FOCUS. *PE
2014-08-11LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCHFORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, OPERATING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME IN HIGH CORROSION AREA, A SAFETY RECALL 05S27 WAS ISSUED, WHERE REAR DOOR LATCHES EXPERIENCE CORROSION IN PAWL PIVOT AREA PREVENTING PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF PAWL INTO CATCH. MODEL 2000-0…
2010-07-01TIRESFORD: PREMATURE FRONT/REAR TIRE WEAR AND/OR VEHICLE DRIFT ON WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. IF PERFORMING AN ALIGNMENT, RECORD ALL ALIGN-MENT ANGLES PRIOR TO ANY ADJUSTMENTS, AND ENTER IN WARRANTY CLAIM IF APPLICABLE. *PE
2006-01-01TRAILER HITCHESNEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT
2006-01-01VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRINGWINDSHIELD WIPER RELAY - CLICKING NOISE. *TT
2006-01-01ELECTRICAL SYSTEMDTC P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303 AND/OR P0304 - SERVICE TIP. *TT
2006-01-01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEMIRFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, OR P0304 - SERVICE TIP. *TT
2006-01-01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEMIL ON/ROUGH RUNNING - MUTIPLE DTCS -0201, P0202, P0203 OR P0204 PRESENT IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Focus, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Focus model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.