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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 3686 |
| 2001 | 1761 |
| 2002 | 939 |
| 2003 | 977 |
| 2004 | 387 |
| 2005 | 441 |
| 2006 | 204 |
| 2007 | 391 |
| 2008 | 250 |
| 2009 | 229 |
| 2010 | 287 |
| 2011 | 113 |
| 2012 | 3763 |
| 2013 | 2106 |
| 2014 | 2597 |
| 2015 | 1016 |
| 2016 | 1178 |
| 2017 | 894 |
| 2018 | 826 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
27% of complaints: electrical system — 117 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.
FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch and lock.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20050520
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, 20171030
12% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20231102
Also filed under SEAT BELTS and SERVICE BRAKES
ON 2/26/2011 AT APPROXIMATLY 1900 HRS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120622
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, 20040915
11% of complaints: power train — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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, MINNESOTA
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. A
Campaign 05V030000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 DESIGN
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.
Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WITH
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.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
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 PRI
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 CO
Campaign 12E007000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (117 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V030000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12E007000 (equipment) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.