2005 Ford FOCUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
441 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 344 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 78 of 441 complaints (17.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 70 | 15.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 43 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 41 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 78 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 |
| Air Bags | 39 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 38 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 25 |
| Power Train | 25 |
| Structure:Body | 24 |
| Exterior Lighting | 18 |
Electrical System: 78; Vehicle Speed Control: 40; Air Bags: 39; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 38; Electrical System:Ignition: 25; Power Train: 25; Structure:Body: 24; Exterior Lighting: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 74 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 67 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 73 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 51 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 50 |
| 150,000 and above | 29 |
Under 25,000: 74; 25,000 to 49,999: 67; 50,000 to 74,999: 73; 75,000 to 99,999: 51; 100,000 to 149,999: 50; 150,000 and above: 29
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (74). 97 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 35 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 45 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 7; 2005: 35; 2006: 37; 2007: 18; 2008: 45; 2009: 33; 2010: 45; 2011: 46; 2012: 28; 2013: 25; 2014: 38; 2015: 19; 2016: 16; 2017: 23; 2018: 8; 2019: 9; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 70 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 43 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 41 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10107025 · 2005-01-07 (January 7, 2005)
WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT/REAR BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114587 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
CAR BOUGHT SEPT 2004. CAR REGULARLY DOESN'T START, AND IF IT DOES ALWAYS RUNS AT OVER 3500 RPM FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES WITH NO ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. ALARM GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING, FOR NO REASON. CAR SWERVES AND VIBRATES ON ROAD IN DRY AND WET CONDITIONS (SEEMS LIKE STEERING AND / OR SUSPENSION BROKEN / DEFECTIVE). BRAKES ALSO CREAK. ALL PROBLEMS FROM CAR PURCHASE TO NOW, MARCH 2005. TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIPS ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHO COULD NOT "REPLICATE THE CONCERN". REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN JANUARY WHO INFORMAED ME THAT THE ORIGINAL DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095564 · 2004-10-11 (October 11, 2004)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS & ERRATIC SHIFTS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099835 · 2004-11-12 (November 12, 2004)
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. PROBLEM CONCERNED ANNOYING LOW SPEED TRANSMISSION AT 40-50 MPH. FORD REFUSES TO SEND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140327 · 2005-10-20 (October 20, 2005)
WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTER IS IN NEUTRAL (I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANS) AND THE BRAKE IS PRESSED CLUSTERS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATE (OIL LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT.) THE ENGINE STALLS AND I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER ESPECIALLY IF I AM ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65!. IT SEEMS TO DO IT MOST OFTEN WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY GOING DOWN A HILL IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143464 · 2005-11-22 (November 22, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED, THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED IT WAS A BATTERY NOT CHARGING PROPERLY LIGHT. LATER IN THE DAY, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS BEING REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112862 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL FILTER WAS DAMAGED FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FILTER. FORD SERVICE CENTER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WERE TO BUSY TO ASSIST HER, AND FOR HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A QUICK LUBE TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. QUICK LUBE CHANGED THE OIL, AND GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. SOMEHOW, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129422 · 2005-07-20 (July 20, 2005)
AS VEHICLE WARMS UP, THERE IS A WHINING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE RPMS BEING HIGHER. IT ALMOST FEELS AS IF IT'S BELT OR POWER STEERING RELATED, BUT THERE IS NO LOSS OF STEERING POWER. ALSO, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO LOSS OF POWER ANYWHERE ELSE. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE WHERE A TURN IS INVOLVED, AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, THE NOISE IS "FEELING" IN THE WHEEL IS A BIT EXAGGERATED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JEROME DUNCAN FORD (IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI) FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS "NORMAL OPERATING" NOISE. I DON'T BUY IT AND TOLD THEM …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150784 · 2006-02-21 (February 21, 2006)
WHEN FUELING GAS TANK, PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. FIRST REPORTED 6-30-05 TODAY TOOK INTO MAITA FORD, AUIBURN AND RECEIVED INFORMATION OF A REPORT: OASIS SSM 18938 WITH NO NEW INFORMATION TO FIX PROBLEM.. WHY? *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244448 · 2008-10-05 (October 5, 2008)
WITH LESS THEN A 1/4 TANK OF FUEL THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN CHANGING LANES, MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. THE FUEL PUMP IS MAKING GRINDING NOISES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244448 at NHTSA ↗