10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,318 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.
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!
- Vacaville, CA, USA
2005 Ford Focus ZX5 S. consumer writes in regards to concerns with unintended acceleration. The consumer requested information if any into an investigation concerning speed control.
- Oak Harbor, WA, USA
I have a standard and was driving down the highway where the speed limit is 55 mph when my gas pedal became stuck in between shifting. I tried to push the gas pedal down but it would not go. I had to let my car coast over to a turning lane in order to get out of coming traffic. I put my emergency lights on and had to let my car sit. After a few minutes I tried to push the gas pedal down and it still would not work. I then turned the car off and restarted it and the gas pedal still would not move. I turned the car off again and restarted it and let the car sit again for about 5 minutes. The pedal finally worked but as soon as I made it to the next intersection and made my turn into the parking lot where I work, the gas pedal was stuck again. I then put the car in neutral and let it coast into a parking spot.
- Elizabethtown, KY, USA
I was driving 35-40 mph near midway airport in Chicago. I attempted to break and my accelerator was stuck. I had to constantly press the break to attempt to bring my car to a stop... but the gas pedal was stuck in an acceleration mode. I attempted to tap the gas pedal and depress it... while keeping my foot on the brake, but the gas pedal was still stuck. I had to turn my car off for just to stop the acceleration and restart my vehicle to get out of the situation.
- Mableton, GA, USA
I approached a red light, on farm to market road 1960 (state highway fm 1960) while in motion and I pressed the brake. The motor revved up and would not stop. It seemed like the gas pedal was stuck. I asked my daughter to reach down and pull the gas pedal up. This did not work though. The light by the grace of god turned green. I continued driving forward while holding the brake all the way down on the floor. I released the brake and the motor accelerated faster. I immediately stomped on the brake again. I was accelerating at a faster speed. I quickly looked for a safe place to stop so I turned left into a neighborhood and got out of heavy traffic. I threw the car in neutral, it revved up out of control as if it wanted to explode. I threw it in park and turned the engine off. I towed my car to my home. The issue is unknown at this time. I will send my car to a mechanic asap.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning the brake pedal was applied, but failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to two dealers (Suburban Ford, located at 37000 highway 26 sandy, or 97055, 503-688-5511 and gresham Ford located at 1099 E powell blvd gresham, or 97080, 888-644-3418) where the vehicle was unable to be diagnosed due to no failure codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not assist. The failure mileage was 32,500....updated 10/04/17 the consumer stated the failure occurs at any speed. Updated 10/17/2017
- Sandy, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While idling at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated. The contact drove the vehicle home. The failure recurred four times. The dealer was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,300.
- Desmoines, IA, USA
I bought my car from the original owner. I had to buy a re-furbished motor, the tires were splitting and the suspension and air conditioner all needed repairing. When I received the recall from dot, [xxx], I immediately contacted tallahassee Ford. They denied there was a recall and I was mistaken. My VIN # was listed in the recall. I tried several times but Ford kept giving me a run-around and they lied. So now, I have apparently missed a deadline which was not listed on the original notice to me. I am a senior citizen and this has really stressed me out and it really makes me not to purchase another Ford from anyone. On ethics alone, I should be able to make them do what they basically refused by lying to me. It was in motion and went to the shop within two weeks after the notice. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 12 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently causing the vehicle to become difficult to slow down. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
- Des Moines, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact shifted the vehicle into the neutral position in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
- Palmerton, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently and the vehicle swerved from side to side. As a result, the brake pedal required excessive force in order to control the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
- Pamerson, PA, USA
During cold mornings and not every cold morning the accelerator will be stuck so you cannot accelerate. Once the car heats up it is fine. On 10/22/14 a cool morning (not cold) the accelerator got stuck while I was driving on the expressway at 65 mph. I had slowed down for a construction zone and could not re-accelerate due to the stuck pedal. My speed was rapidly decreasing and I had traffic behind me. Fortunately was able to get to shoulder (and not hit) where after putting my full body weight on the accelerator several times to finally get it working again. This is a safety hazard that needs to be addressed. Research online shows many owners with similar issue.
- Saint Charles, IL, USA
Sticking accelerator almost cause me a crash.
- Milton , NY, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated to come to a stop. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and would rev. The contact also stated that the tires were replaced on several occasions due to the failure. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
- Palmerton, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the cruise control was activated and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated up to 80 mph. The vehicle failed to reduce speed even though the brake pedal was engaged numerous times. The vehicle eventually slowed down when the gear was shifted into the neutral position. The engine was then turned off. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who disabled the cruise control wires. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
- Peori, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact shut off the engine and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 154,163.
- La Crosse, WI, USA
The gas pedal gets stuck. My daughters just bought this car as there first car. It is not safe!!!! I am very upset that the throttle system of this car is not recalled by the mfg, when I see there are many other people complaining about the same problem.
- Stormville, NY, USA
I purchased this car when it was only a year old and it has been a nightmare. First, all the door handles broke off making it impossible to get in and out of the car. Second, the accelerator stuck almost causing an accident and now the transmission went out while I was going through a busy intersection. Buyer beware, this car is not only junk but dangerous!!!
- Wheelersburg, OH, USA
When the weather gets cold, the accelerator pedal sticks. This time it took 25 min of the car running for it to move. You can push on the accelerator and nothing happens.
- Saint Peters, MO, USA
- Laconia, NH, USA