10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 74,773 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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.
- Laconia, NH, USA
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.
- Amelia, OH, USA
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).
- Sun City, AZ, USA
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.
- Smithsburg, MD, USA
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.
- St Louis, MO, USA
Hatchback wiring harness between body and hatchback, has multiple wire insulation failure and wire breakage causing fuses to blow and non-functioning parking lights, reverse lights, break lights, instrument column lights, and uncontrolled release of electrical trunk while driving.
- Post Falls, ID, USA
Throughout my ownership of 2005 Ford Focus wagon ses zxw, I have had periodic issues with the rear hatch unlatching on its own. I will unlatch while driving on the highway. Sometimes it will unlatch when depressing the brake pedal. Although it will unlatch upon the start of a trip at slow speeds as well, it has mostly occurred on the highway. I have owned the vehicle since 2007. The problem would occur periodically 3-7 times every 1-1.5 years since the 2008-2009. The problem definitely occurs under a damp and morning dew condition. It's like an electrical short has occurred I my vehicle. The latch stopped working in 2009 via the push button in the dash and even with my remote key. I checked the fuse panel... and it was not blown. This condition mostly occurs while the vehicle is in motion.
- Mableton, GA, USA
First issue: On several occasions, when stopping the car, parking, and attempting to remove the key, the key has become stuck in the ignition and cannot remove it--- sometimes for a few days, other times for a few weeks, at which time it simply comes out when attempt is made. Second issue: Gears occasionally slip upon accelerating, resulting in finally slamming into gear.
- Huntington, VT, USA
On many occasions the rear hatch (zxw wagon) has opened on its own. I've always assumed I must not have closed it properly as it also has not latched on many occasions when closing it. Sometimes it can take several attempts, closing it firmly. One the most recent occassion of the hatch opening while driving our dog was in the car bag cargo area, so you can imagine my anger at the latch. Another issue has been the licence plate lights not illuminating the plate at night, which has resulted in a stop by an officer. Yesterday, May 18th 2017, the battery light illuminated for about 2 minutes on my drive home, then went off. When I got home I put a meter on the battery while the engine was running and got 12.04-12.7 volts. While searching youtube for some how-to alternator videos I stumbled across a video that spoke of the wiring in the hatch area. I removed the boot and sure enough, half of the wires had damaged jackets and a few were exposed. I've made temporary repairs and as now the voltage reads 14.5 or more with the engine running. Also, the license plate lights are working again. This repair is surely going to be temporary at best as I simply do not have the funds for a repair facility to do the work and I have limited resources. I could not sell the car with clear conscience without disclosing my discovery which surely means most people arent going to want it. I would like to know if there was any recall for this, considering it could have the potential to cause many malfunctions in the vehicle's safety as well the safety of passengers, cargo and other drivers on the roadway. This latch popping issue has happened in pretty much every condition.....my driveway, in my neighborhood, the highway etc.
- Ortonville, MI, USA
Takata recall car randomly shuts off but radio is still on at stop light. I put it on nuetral and it starts back up no problem.
- Shepherdsville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the door ajar warning light illuminated with no indication as to which door was affected. The contact mentioned that all doors were properly closed when the failure occurred. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle pulled without warning. The contact was unable to open the front passenger and driver doors from outside the vehicle. The rear passenger door failed to open. The rear driver side door handle was slightly detached. The electrical warning light was illuminated. A certified mechanic stated that the tie rods and wheel well needed to be replaced, and the rack and pinion tightened. The tie rod and wheel well were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
- Rochester, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While stopped at an intersection, the vehicle shut off and lost all power without warning. The contact heard a clicking noise from the steering rack. The contact called roadside assistance; however, the vehicle restarted after the tow truck driver shook the battery a couple of times. The contact drove home. The failure recurred a few days later and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was a recall for NHTSA campaign number: 05V030000 (latches/locks/linkages). The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 04/22/16 the consumer stated the radio would intermittently turn on then off, the battery cable must be touched in order to start the vehicle, and the airbag light was illuminated.
- Vero Beach, FL, USA
The Ford zxw wagon's liftgate wiring harness had frayed inside the rubber housing at the junction where the gate pivots between the car body and liftgate. The wires shorted which caused the electric gate release to open at 70mph, while driving straight on a freeway. The liftgate rose up, opening the back of the cargo area to traffic. Luckily freeway speed winds kept it from completely opening, but when slowed to 30mph it went straight up. I'm lucky I had no children or animals in the back cargo area. And the fellow drivers on the road were lucky nothing shifted and fell out. The liftgate refused to latch after this point, making driving the car safely impossible. In researching the cause and repair, I noticed several forums where an identical problem with Ford's design was posted. The replacement bill at a Ford dealership was around $1,200, not including my time lost to research, repair, or finding alternative means of transportation for my business purposes. This is dangerous, potentially life threatening, and unfortunately, not fixed. The mechanics at Ford said the replacement part is the same as what was original. This will likely happen again.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition key was locked within the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Philadelphia , PA, USA
Both the front and back drivers side doors can be locked either electronically with the remote or manually by hand. The front drivers side door handle wont operate from the outside. It has been fixed twice already and now broken for a third time. This seems to be a widespread problems with the 02-08 Focus. A little googling will show just how often this happens.
- East Islip , NY, USA
Was driving on the highway and broke down. Car towed to garage and alternator replaced along with the battery. The car ran fine for about 1 week where after turning the car off it wouldn't start again. Again had it towed to the garage and the battery needed to be changed. A week later the car did it again and again the battery was replaced. I took the card to my Ford dealership and had an electrical check done and the electrical test came back that the battery that was just put it was low and the alternator had tested fine. Changed the battery again..yup you guessed it...it died again. Changed the battery again and the car has now been running for 2 weeks now. Called Ford's home office and filed a complaint not that it will do anything.
- Chepachet, RI, USA
Car started normally. Dashboard lights came on as usual. Lights went out in sequence as usual. Normal driving started with no abnormal dashboard display. Moments later all dashboard light started flashing off and on eratically. There was no effect on driving that could be discerned. All the car handling features seemed normal. As driving continued some or all of the dash lights would come on and off eratically. The only light that stayed on when the rest went out was the engine symbol light. The fuel gauge also indicated no-fuel eratically.
- Saint James, NY, USA
I've had this 05 Ford Focus for less than a year and had several problems, all resolved but this one. I was taking my 4 year old and autistic 13 year old step children to the park last Monday and my car started going haywire. It would lose and gain power in intervals and all of the dash cluster stopped working. The car lost power and died on the side of the road with no cars in sight. Ended up having to walk almost 3 miles with them before we finally saw someone nice enough to give us a ride. Since then the car has drained and ruined 3 batteries and two alternators. My dash lights are now staying on with no key in the ignition and batteries keep getting drained. There's also a chirp I'm assuming something to do with the security system or the wiring harness on the alternator or dash. I have not been able to get the car out of park for 6 days and it is/was my only mode of transportation for these two children. I'm finding it very difficult to get things done with such an unreliable car. This problem is still not resolved.
- Cannelton, IN, USA
- Manassas, VA, USA