2006 Ford Focus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Ford Focus has a complaint index of 8, the lowest among the 14 model years tracked, ranking 13th worst out of those years. It carries a Good verdict, though capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 8/100
- #13 of 14 Focus years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 204
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 1
Top 2006 Ford Focus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System50 (25%)
- Airbags39 (19%)
- Engine33 (16%)
- Structure & Body32 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (11%)
- Fuel System17 (8%)
- Brakes14 (7%)
- Other14 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate to high-speed crashes, including impacts around 50 to 55 mph.
- Steering locked up suddenly after a wheel dropped into a roadside ditch, producing a loud snapping noise and loss of control.
- Electrical wiring near the dash and interior lights repeatedly blew fuses and in one case caught fire.
- The vehicle lost engine power and could not exceed low speeds before returning to normal, prompting a dealer visit.
- Owners reported the vehicle suddenly stalled or died while driving with no clear cause found by the dealer.
2006 Ford Focus recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2006 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.
2006 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Focus reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2006 Focus has a complaint index of 8, the lowest of any year in this dataset, and it holds a Good verdict relative to other Focus model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Focus?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 50 complaints (25% of total), followed by Airbags at 39 complaints (19%) and Engine issues at 33 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2006 Ford Focus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2006 Focus and 0 do-not-drive recalls.
- Why is the 2006 Focus verdict capped at Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped to Good because NHTSA complaint records for model years 2005-2009, including 2006, are considered less complete.
- How does the 2006 Focus compare to later years like 2012 or 2013?
- The 2006 Focus has a complaint index of 8 versus 100 for 2012 and 85 for 2013, both of which carry Avoid verdicts.