2005 Ford Focus
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 441
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2005
Opened by NHTSA
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 441 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 3,686 |
| 2001 | 1,761 |
| 2002 | 939 |
| 2003 | 977 |
| 2004 | 387 |
| 2005 | 441 |
| 2006 | 205 |
| 2007 | 391 |
| 2008 | 250 |
| 2009 | 229 |
| 2010 | 287 |
| 2011 | 113 |
| 2012 | 3,766 |
| 2013 | 2,111 |
| 2014 | 2,601 |
| 2015 | 1,019 |
| 2016 | 1,181 |
| 2017 | 896 |
| 2018 | 833 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
27% · 117 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
Latches/locks/linkages
12% · 52 reportsMost commonly citing latch and lock.
Show complaint excerpts
Hood latch was not attached properly to body. Caused hood to brake free and fly up upstrucking vision and causing a wreck. No air bags deplored and cruse control stuck on. New vehicle VIN # did not match vehicle description.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-20
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Ford Focus. While driving 65 MPH, the hood independently opened and caused the front windshield to shatter. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. There were no injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-30
Air bags
12% · 51 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-02
Also filed under Seat belts and service brakes
On 2/26/2011 at approximatly 1900 hrs.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-22
Also filed under Seats
Owner says that the side air bag deployed without incident. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer and they put it on the lift to see if there were any rocks or stones that may have activated the air bag sensor, but nothing was found.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-15
Power train
11% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Vehicle speed control
10% · 45 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2005-03-09Latches/locks/linkages05V030000 Certain passenger vehicles with four or five doors and originally sold in or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan…
Remedy: Dealers will have a lower rocker seal added to the door and have the rear door latches evaluated free of charge. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion.…
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…
Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.
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2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
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2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
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2012-03-30Equipment12E007000 Ride control, LLC (Ride control) is recalling certain readymount assemblies, p/n 746641MT and 746646MT, with corresponding aftermarket customer part numbers: gabriel G56944 and gabriel G56945, and…
Remedy: Ride control will notify owners and will set up procedures to inspect, repair, and/or replace the affected parts without charge to the owner. The safety recall began on March 30, 2012. Owners may…
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 117 reports on file for this year.
- Latches/locks/linkages: 52 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 51 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 12E007000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2005 Ford Focus reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Ford Focus is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Focus?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Focus have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.