2005 Ford Focus
The Verdict
The 2005 Ford Focus has 440 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (172 complaints) and electrical (146 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 31/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Focus, consider the 2011 model year which has 74% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2011 has 74% fewer complaints
View the 2011 Ford Focus dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1029 | 336 | 1419 | 853 | 174 |
| 2001 | 429 | 165 | 589 | 550 | 68 |
| 2002 | 362 | 66 | 330 | 191 | 66 |
| 2003 | 254 | 54 | 561 | 97 | 49 |
| 2004 | 94 | 34 | 200 | 47 | 12 |
| 2005 | 172 | 28 | 146 | 51 | 43 |
| 2006 | 75 | 13 | 80 | 24 | 12 |
| 2007 | 119 | 17 | 181 | 33 | 40 |
| 2008 | 119 | 12 | 75 | 25 | 19 |
| 2009 | 102 | 8 | 56 | 37 | 26 |
| 2010 | 131 | 5 | 49 | 71 | 31 |
| 2011 | 56 | 4 | 27 | 7 | 19 |
| 2012 | 1562 | 31 | 238 | 751 | 1200 |
| 2013 | 517 | 16 | 122 | 556 | 891 |
| 2014 | 441 | 17 | 131 | 735 | 1314 |
| 2015 | 200 | 3 | 44 | 302 | 469 |
| 2016 | 124 | 2 | 47 | 444 | 568 |
| 2017 | 81 | 4 | 24 | 413 | 363 |
| 2018 | 76 | 5 | 17 | 465 | 244 |
Investigations 10
NHTSA defect investigations for this vehicle.
Fuel smell and loss of motive power
Opened Mar 30, 2026
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Opened Mar 18, 2026
All wheel drive allegation
Opened Mar 6, 2026
Redundant wheel fastener locking mechanism
Opened Mar 4, 2026
Loss of Power Steering Assist
Opened Mar 2, 2026
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Opened Jan 30, 2026
Waymo AV striking a child in the area of a school.
Opened Jan 29, 2026
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Opened Jan 26, 2026
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Opened Jan 16, 2026
Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.
Opened Dec 23, 2025
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
In a rear end accident the airbags never deployed. The seat belt also didn't catch me and my chest hit the steering wheel. I pressed hard on the breaks but it didn't feel like it was slowing down. I now have a fractured sternum and cannot drive or work. I have filed insurance claims and been to the hospital. No one was in the car with me. There were no warning lights/signs before.
I was driving my car and the engine started on fire. It ruined the entire engine. It was not overheating. All my fluids were full. I don't know why it happened.
FUSE CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT CAUSING ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF LIGHTS FROM FRONT TO BACK TO TURN OFF UNTIL NEW FUSE REPLACED OLD. WAS CONNECTED TO CONTINUED LIFTING OF HATCHBACK ON WAGON MODEL. ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS ARCING AND INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE HAD NOT THE HARNESS BEEN REPLACED. THIS HAD BEEN ON AND OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS STARTING WITH BLOWING OUT THE BULBS THEN THE FUSE STARTED BLOWING OUT IN JAN 2021. MIDAS REPLACED HARNESS THIS MARCH. CAR IS A 2005 FOCUS WAGON,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, SHE WOULD NOTICE THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,085.*DT CONSUMER STATED MECHANIC STATED ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME BEING ALL RUSTED & FULL OF HOLES.
MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BAD AND MAKES THE ENGINE RATTLE AND VIBRATE TAIL LIGHT WILL NOT WORK I'VE CHANGED FUSE BULB AND SOCKETS STILL NOTHING AND DRIVER SEAT BELT GETS STUCK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED ABNORMALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD LOCATED AT 2401 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, WHERE SOME UNKNOW REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO BABBITT FORD LOCATED AT 11 N VERDE ST, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001, AND WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO BABBITT FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ON JULY 7, 2015, I BOUGHT 4 TIRES 117632 AFFINITY TOURING BL P195/60R15 87T WITH A 70,0000 MILE WARRANTY. I PAID $415.58 WHICH INCLUDED FOUR OF THE BEFORE MENTIONED TIRES; NEVADA RECYCLING FEE; LIFETIME NEW TIRE WHEEL BALANCE LABOR; LIFETIME RUBBER VALVE; SCRAP TIRE RECYCLING FEE; AND TIRE INSTALLATION. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES AT FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE GREEN VALLEY 220 NORTH STEPHANIE STREET, HENDERSON, NEVADA 89074, PHONE#702-434-0692. I HAD 59,284 MILES ON MY CAR. ON DECEMBER 31, 2019, BECAUSE OF THE TIRES GOING FLAT AND THE WEAR BAR TOO LOW FOR ME TO DRIVE SAFELY ON THESE TIRES, I HAD TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES. I HAD 106,125 MILES. I STILL HAD 23,159 MILES LEFT ON MY 70,000 MILES WARRANTY. I BOUGHT 4 114572 PRIMEWELL PS830 195/60R 15 88HBL DOT#Y9K5D8HK3210 TIRES PRIE $47.99. THE FIRESTONE LOCATED AT 1323 BOULDER CITY PARKWAY, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA 89005 PHONE#294-0098 GAVE ME A CREDIT OF $26.80 FOR ALL FOUR TIRES CHARGING $41.29 FOR EACH TIRE. I PAID A TOTAL OF $303.20 FOR THESE TIRES. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAD TO BUY CHEAPER TIRES BECAUSE THE BETTER TIRES I BOUGHT DID NOT LAST THE FULL $70,000 MILES.
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 REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TODAY MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY KIDS. I WAS LUCKILY NOT GOING MORE THAN 10MPH AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE CAR WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. EARLIER IN THE DAY I NOTICED IT TOOK A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN, BUT NOT BY MUCH AND AFTER THE CAR RESTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, IT WASN'T AN ISSUE ANYMORE. I WASN'T EXPECTING IT TO BE AN ISSUE LATER ON. AS FAR AS ELECTRICAL ISSUES GO; MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIKE TO STAY ON. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE WIRES WHERE THEY CONNECT TO THE HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO TURN ON, BUT THEY OFTEN DO NOT STAY ON, AND THEY FREQUENTLY WILL TURN OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ONE SIDE, OR ALTERNATING SIDES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR AND EVERYTIME I HAVE WORK DONE TO FIX IT, IT ONLY FIXES IT TEMPORARILY AND IT'S BACK TO DOING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN.
THE FRONT DOOR HANDLES QUIT WORKING AND THERE'S NO WAY TO GET DOOR OPEN???? FRONT DOOR HANDLES QUIT WORKING. CANT GET IN MY CAR
THIS CAR HAS DELAYED REACTION OR NO REACTION AT ALL TO PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT DOESN'T GO, IT'LL MOVE A LITTLE BIT, BUT MOSTLY JUST FEVS REALLY HIGH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL KICK IN AND BOLT FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, DOESN'T MATTER. THE CAR LUNGES A LOT, FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH OR FASTER. ACCELERATES SOMETIMES ON ITS OWN. THIS CAR IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE AND HAS NO BUSINESS BEING ON A FREEWAY...EVER!
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN FALL APART THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND YOUR NOT COVERING IT. IS THAT NOTHER FORD BETTER IDEA?
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 AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY MY SPECIFIC MODEL WAS LEFT OUT WHEN I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE.
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CADILLAC CONVERTIBLE CAUSES SLIGHT NOISE AND LEAKS CONNECTING. TO THE ENGINE. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE A LOOK THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST PROBLEMS CAUSING A LOT TO BE REPAIRED OUT THE POCKET ON THE HIGHWAY IT SEEMS TO SUCK AIR STALL A LITTLE WHOLE IN MOTION
THE ICON SEAT BELT INDICATOR COMES AND GOES AS LIT AND THEN SOME TIMES IT IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (ENGINE RUNNING).
THE WIRING BETWEEN THE HATCH DOOR AND THE BODY IS DETERIORATED WITH A BROKEN WIRE FOR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION CRACKED AND MISSING ON MANY OF THE OTHER WIRES. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS SHORTS COULD OCCUR AFFECTING ALL THE REAR LIGHTS THAT ARE CONTROLLED WITH THESE WIRES. LUCKILY I READ ON A YOUTUBE REPORT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DETECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHILE INVESTIGATING THE LIGHTING PROBLEM.
I HAVE HAD MY IDLER PULLEY BOLT BREAK FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I HAVE NEARLY RAN OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THEM I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER FORD OWNERS. THIS IS VERY SCARY AS IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN BMW HAS HAD TWO RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND AN WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO URGE FORD TO TAKE THE SAME STANCE ON THEIR FAULTY PARTS. HERE IS A LINK WITH LOTS OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE FORDS IDLER PULLEY BOLT REPEATEDLY BREAKING: HTTPS://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/DURATEC-PERFORMANCE-2003-2007/296298-ANOTHER-BROKEN-IDLER-PULLEY-BOLT.HTML THE FOURTH TIME IT BROKE ON ME WAS NOVEMBER 28, 2018.
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 WAIT FOR A MOMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS UNKNOWN. SCHICKER FORD (3300 S KINGS HIGHWAY, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63139, (314) 664-4100) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
ESTN REVENTADAS LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE.
440 total