2006 Ford FOCUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
204 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
59,914 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 172 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 204 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 33 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 14 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
Air Bags: 33; Electrical System: 32; Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Electrical System:Ignition: 14; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Power Train: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 37 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 36 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 37; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 9
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 14; 2007: 13; 2008: 21; 2009: 17; 2010: 26; 2011: 18; 2012: 14; 2013: 15; 2014: 18; 2015: 15; 2016: 7; 2017: 6; 2018: 7; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2023: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 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 10182755 · 2007-02-16 (February 16, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE HIGH AND THEN ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THIS FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 13,000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182913 · 2007-02-18 (February 18, 2007)
THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING HORRIBLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE SHOES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--I AUTHORIZED THEM TO DO THE REPAIR. LESS THAN A DAY LATER, THE SQUEAK WAS STILL AS BAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. SUPPOSEDLY, THE SHOP MANAGER TEST DROVE IT HIMSELF AND SAID THERE WAS NO SQUEAK. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL AND EXPECTED THAT THE BRAKES WILL STILL SQUEAK UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 APPLICATIONS…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157044 · 2006-05-09 (May 9, 2006)
I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FOCUS ON 12/3/05, IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. ON THURSDAY MAY 3, 2006, IT CAUGHT FIRE IN MY CARPORT. THE MILEAGE IS BETWEEN 2,000-3,000 MILES, I BELIEVE. I ARRIVED HOME FROM A MEETING AT A LOCAL BANK, HAVING DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE CARPORT, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ENTERED THE HOUSE. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY STRANGE NOISES OR ODORS. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER. HE BEGAN TOOTING THE HORN ON HIS VEHICLE TO GET MY ATTENTION. WHEN I OPEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230297 · 2008-06-09 (June 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!!!!!…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224250 · 2008-04-11 (April 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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,253 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384611 · 2011-02-26 (February 26, 2011)
KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT LOCKING WHEN IN PARK. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PUSH IN THE SAFETY BUTTON FOR IT TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO ME SINCE MANY FOCUS OWNERS HAVE SIMPLY GONE TO LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AFTER IT STICKS THERE AND FIND OUT THE COST FROM THE DEALER TO FIX. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156390 · 2006-04-28 (April 28, 2006)
UPON TURNING RIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO THE STRAIGHTENING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE HYDROPLAINING. AGAIN UPON MAKING ANOTHER RIGHT 11 MILES LATER IT REACTED THE SAME WAY. SECONDS LATER THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP AND SKID LEFT OF CENTER HITTING AN ONCOMING CAR HEAD ON. A WITNESS CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN THE TIRE LEAVE THE CAR AND CAUSE THE SLIDING TO LEFT OF CENTER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10156390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171694 · 2006-10-24 (October 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AT NIGHT, AND WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN, THE RIGHT WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED INTO A SHALLOW ROADSIDE DITCH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DITCH, HOWEVER THE STEERING LOCKED. A LARGER AMOUNT OF FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE WAS A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE SPUN 360 DEGREES, AND LANDED IN THE DITCH ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/30/…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174534 · 2006-11-28 (November 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE OVERFLOWED FROM THE GAS TANK ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO UPON EXAMINATION DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS MINOR DEBRIS IN THE VENT HOSE OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER BLEW OUT THE VENT HOSE. AFTER THE PROCEDURE THERE WERE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06E056000 REGARDING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE WHICH WAS FOUND THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 01/10/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325206 · 2010-04-12 (April 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROADWAY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE ENGINE LIGHT FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIA…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,814 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330474 · 2010-05-14 (May 14, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATING AND THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY AND AFTER TWENTY MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER, PUMP AND DRIVER MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,814 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,814 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11093622 · 2018-05-14 (May 14, 2018)
HELLO NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE A VEHICLE COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FORD FOCUS 2006 SEDAN ZX4 THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SEPTEMBER 20, 2017. WHILE DRIVING WITHIN A SERVICE ROAD, THE VEHICLE'S STALLED AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING UPON MULTIPLE INSTANCES OVER THE SAME DAY OF PURCHASING AND THROUGH OUT THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 22 - SEPTEMBER 30TH. AS A RESULT, I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OF LANSING POWER MOTORS INC. FOR AN INSPECTION SEPTEMBER 23, 2017. UPON COMPLETION OF THE INSPECTIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,302 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093622 at NHTSA ↗