2005 Ford Focus Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
23/100
#11 most-complained of 14 Focus years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Ford Focus has 441 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 23 out of 100 — #11 highest of 14 Focus model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (122 complaints, 28% of the total). Complaints report 43 crashes, 9 fires, and 41 injuries.
- Complaints
- 441
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 43 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 41 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
Top 2005 Ford Focus problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System122 (28%)
- Structure & Body95 (22%)
- Engine72 (16%)
- Airbags51 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires50 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (11%)
- Brakes31 (7%)
- Fuel System27 (6%)
- Other26 (6%)
- Steering18 (4%)
2005 Ford Focus recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V030000Feb 1, 2005Structure & Body589,932 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, a build-up of corrosion at the pawl pivot area of the rear door latch can cause a binding condition of the pawl that may affect proper engagement of the pawl into the catch. The occupant may experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door may not latch properly.
Risk: If not latched properly, the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. If an occupant fell out of the vehicle, personal injuries could occur.
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 latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced. In addition, a sticker will be affixed to the rear doors advising the owners to use the recommended lubricant. The recall began on march 9, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
2005 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford Focus a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Ford Focus ranks #11 of 14 among Focus model years (Complaint Index 23/100, verdict: Best). It has 441 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Focus?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (122 complaints), structure & body (95 complaints), and engine (72 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 60,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Ford Focus have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Ford Focus, most recently reported 2005, covering structure & body.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Ford Focus?
- EPA rates the 2005 Ford Focus at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.