FaultScore

2005 Ford Focus transmission problems

49 of the 600 complaints about the 2005 Ford Focus are about the transmission — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 54,000 miles.

C

49

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Train 25 51.0%
Automatic Transmission 13 26.5%
Manual Transmission 5 10.2%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 1 2.0%
Column Shift 1 2.0%
Clutch Assembly 1 2.0%
Floor Shift Assembly 1 2.0%
Driveline 1 2.0%
Floor Shift 1 2.0%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Ford Focus year

2000 246 3.6%
2001 92 1.3%
2002 58 0.8%
2003 50 0.7%
2004 21 0.3%
2005 49 0.7%
2006 14 0.2%
2007 45 0.7%
2008 23 0.3%
2009 39 0.6%
2010 45 0.7%
2011 20 0.3%
2012 1,457 21.2%
2013 1,108 16.2%
2014 1,585 23.1%
2015 559 8.2%
2016 676 9.9%
2017 451 6.6%
2018 319 4.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Flagstaff, AZ

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED ABNORMALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD LOCATED AT 2401 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023, WHERE SOME UNKNOW REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO BABBITT FORD LOCATED AT 11 N VERDE ST, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001, AND WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO BABBITT FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE RING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11310346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Vacaville, CA

POWER TRAIN

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!

NHTSA complaint #11233592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Cambridge, MA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TOO MUCH OUTPUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN COLORADO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN ARIZONA WHERE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ UPDATED 7/18/18

NHTSA complaint #11024226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, VT

POWER TRAIN

FIRST ISSUE: ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, PARKING, AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE KEY HAS BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT REMOVE IT--- SOMETIMES FOR A FEW DAYS, OTHER TIMES FOR A FEW WEEKS, AT WHICH TIME IT SIMPLY COMES OUT WHEN ATTEMPT IS MADE. SECOND ISSUE: GEARS OCCASIONALLY SLIP UPON ACCELERATING, RESULTING IN FINALLY SLAMMING INTO GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11011532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles NEW Orleans, LA

POWER TRAIN

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. UPON RESEARCH IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. REMEDIES SUGGEST TO MOVE THE PIECE ON THE SHIFT UPWARD, HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT WORKING FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11003985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gillett, PA

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT AROUND 80,000 MILES TO THE POINT WHERE 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WERE NEARLY NON EXISTENT. WHEN OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AUTOZONE TOLD ME THAT SOLENOIDS/TRANSMISSION WERE SHOT. AFTER REPLACING THE SOLENOIDS AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF WITH AN IDENTICAL TRANSMISSION FROM AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE, IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE INDEED FAULTY. IT IS STILL SLIPPING AND SLAMMING INTO GEAR. OVERDRIVE RARELY FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND TENDS TO SHUT ITSELF OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11003922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Greenville, SC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND UPSHIFTED/DOWNSHIFTED AT RANDOM. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE RPMS TO ALSO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10985461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mooresville, NC

POWER TRAIN

BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY MOTHER IT HAD 91,000 MILES ON IT AND RAN FINE. IT NOW HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH A BROKEN INTERMEDIATE BAND, LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT WILL SHOW UP AS A SHIFT SOLENOID "D" PROBLEM BUT IF YOU FIX IT, IT WILL NOT HELP. THE BAND IS BROKEN AND MUST BE REPLACED. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM 2 - 4 GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10810621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Mokena, IL

POWER TRAIN

CAR SURGES WHEN BRAKING USUALLY UNDER 5 TO 10 MPH. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO GEAR DOWN. ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING FAST. PROBLEM NOT CONSTANT. TALKED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE. WHEN IT HAPPENS YOU HAVE STAND ON BRAKE OR PUT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP FORWARD SURGE.

NHTSA complaint #10692811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

POWER TRAIN

SO IDK EVERY [XXX] YEAR! FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS! IT GOES GOOD THEN SHE STARTS ACTING FUNNY BOOM BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I USE THE VOLTMETER AND EVERYTHING'S FINE FULL CHARGE SAME WITH THE ALTERNATOR. A WEEK OR SO PASSED THEN THE STARTER WENT OUT REPLACED 7/3/13!! WTF! FRIED PUT A NEW ONE IN. NOW MY[XXX] CLUTCH FEELS DIFFERENT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S NOT SLIPPING BUT IT'S REALLY SMOOTH.2 DAYS GO BY AND BOOM ACTS LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD..NOPE TAKE KEY OUT GET VOLTMETER IT'S AT 12.5 SO I TRY AGAIN SEEMS OK DOESN'T TURN OVER. AGAIN TURN KEY ALL LIGHTS ON SEEMS OK NOTHING.... OK 1 MORE TURN KEY STRUGGLES LIKE STARTER THEN LIGHTS FLICKER DASH WACKS OUT BOOM DEAD NOTHING!!!!! GET OUT STILL 12.5VOLTS. I DON'T KNOW TRY 1 MORE TIME I PUMPED THE CLUTCH AD IT HESITATED TO TURN OVER AND BOOM IT WORKS!!!! GET HOME. TURN IT OFF ALL IS WELL ACTS LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG! 4 TO 6 DAYS AGAIN THIS TIME IT DID IT 2 HIM JUST DIFFERENT.HERE'S THE KICKER!!!!! IT'S FINE FULLY CHARGED ALL LIGHTS OK ALL VOLTS OK HE PULLS OUT ( HA HA PULLS OUT!) THEN SHE IDLES IRREGULARLY LIKE A LOOP HIGHER LOOP GET IT HOME AND KEEPS LOOPING. SO I REMEMBER THIS FROM LIKE 5 YRS AGO IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE MAF OR ECG I BELIEVE SO I LOOK FOR ANSWERS.... NOW HE GOES OUT 4 HRS LATER NOTHING DEAD WON'T TURN OVER WON'T DO NOTHING!!!!! I HATE THIS CAR!!!!! I SWEAR I WILL FIND THE [XXX] PROBLEM TO THIS [XXX]!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS [XXX] CAR! SHE WAS SO GOOD NOW SHE'S A LIL [XXX]! I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING STUPID AS [XXX] AND WATCH JUST LIKE LAST YEAR IN AUGUST THE [XXX[ CLUTCH IS GOING TO GO OUT AGAIN! I LOVED THIS CAR BUT FROM READING CONSTANTLY I'VE DECIDED THIS IS A SERIOUS FORD ISSUE!!!! I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON THIS! IF I DIDN'T HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTIES ON THE ALTERNATOR ETC I COULD ONLY IMAGINE THE COST!! THROUGH ALL THIS HORROR I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE O2 SENSORS MAF SENSOR ALL ENGINE MOUNTS 3 TIMES!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10606955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Mokena, IL

POWER TRAIN

WHEN BRAKING COMING UP TO STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN USUALLY UNDER 15 MPH TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GEAR DOWN AND SEEMS TO SURGE. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. YOU HAVE TO ALMOST STAND ON BRAKES AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. SURGE MAY LAST APPROX 5 SECONDS. VARIES DEPENDING ON SPEED YOUR BRAKING FROM. IN THE BEGINNING TALKED TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. HAD A FORD ESCORT FOR MY SON IN MID 80'S AND HE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 72000 MILES AND SEEMS TO GETTING WORSE. I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEMS FOR YEARS AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF MANY OTHERS HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10579442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Wheelersburg, OH

POWER TRAIN

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #10558618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,600 miles Duncanville, AL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,600.... UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED ON JULY 30, 2013

NHTSA complaint #10532610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,600 miles Duncanville, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,600.... UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED ON JULY 30, 2013

NHTSA complaint #10532610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Madison, WI Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

BEGINNING LAST YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS DECELERATING AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO VIBRATE AND THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ASKED ME TO MAKE NOTE OF ROAD CONDITIONS, ETC. TIRES REPLACED SOMETIME IN THE PAST YEAR. ALIGNMENT PERFORMED WITHIN PAST TWO MONTHS. TIRES ARE WEARING IN DIAGONAL PAIRS ODDLY. BLEW FUSE WHICH OPERATED THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKS, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE LOCKING CONTROL ON TAKING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD TO POP SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC OFF THE SHIFTER DECK AND STICK A SCREW DRIVER IN TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WAS ALSO TOLD THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT IN. AFTER CHARGING ME $130.00 TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM, THEY THEN CHARGED ME $10 TO REPLACE THE FUSE, COULD FIND NO REASON FOR IT TO HAVE BLOWN. THEN TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOO MANY DOLLARS LATER, I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS LATER, FUSE BLEW AGAIN. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT GARAGE,$ 0.95 FOR THE FUSE AND $30 TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS BLOWING OUT, UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WAS GETTING WORSE AND I WAS DEBATING DEALERSHIP OR INDEPENDENT, DECISION WAS REMOVED FROM MY HANDS WHEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR BEGAN SWERVING TOWARD TRAFFIC IN RUSH HOUR AT 45MPH ON MONDAY NIGHT 6/24/13. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I MANAGED TO WRENCH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CURB INSTEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FRIEND BEHIND ME WITNESSED INCIDENT AND SAID THE CAR LOOKED LIKE IT JUMPED SIDEWAYS. BOTH RIGHT TIRES OFF RIMS, SHREDDED, UNKNOWN FURTHER DAMAGE AT THIS POINT AS THE SHOP HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ALREADY CONSIDERING TOTALING THE CAR OUT. IT HAS 128000 MILES OR SO. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SIDEWAYS WHIPLASH. NO AIRBAG DEPL.

NHTSA complaint #10522001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Beloit, WI

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10515662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,651 miles Roswell, GA

POWER TRAIN

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. THE COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. ON THE GEAR SHIFT THERE IS A PLASTIC SLEEVE. I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND SLID MY HAND BELOW THE KNOB AND PULLED THE SLEEVE UP AND THE KEY COMES OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10512358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Stony Point, NY

POWER TRAIN

ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. THE CAR STARTED THIS HARD STARTING ISSUE A WHILE AGO WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL I HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW YEARS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS SOUND WHEN STARTING WILL COME FROM THE TRUNK AND TAKE AT LEAST 5 CRANKS TO START AND THIS IS NORMAL. AS OF THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 ON MY WAY TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTING REVVING AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WORKED FINE. AFTER WORK ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME THING HAPPEN BUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP I WAS ABLE TO GET UP TO 35MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. MY CAR ONLY HAS 94000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2008 WITH 49,000. AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING MORE THAN A PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER OWN OR RECOMMEND A FORD TO ANYONE.

NHTSA complaint #10496277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 205,000 miles Cambridge, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FOR FOCUS ZXW STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFT OVER RIDE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, THE KEY WOULD BECOME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT GLUED THE SHIFT OVER RIDE BUTTON IN PLACE AND CHANGED THE IGNITION, WHICH RESOLVED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE METAL FRAME OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME CRACKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PROP THE SEAT UP SO THAT HE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS POORLY DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/21/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AFTER HAVING THE FLUID FLUSHED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE RIGID AND WERE EASY TO BREAK, THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE NOT DESIGNED TO CARRY WEIGHT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SECONDARY ROAD BUMPS. THE HEAT SHIELDS ATTACHED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WERE DESIGNED POORLY, TO THE POINT THEY WERE BENT AND CAUSED A RATTLE. THE STEEL RIMS, BENT EASILY, WHICH CREATED A VIBRATION AND BALANCE PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS LENSES WERE DISCOLORED, THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO THE SPARK PLUGS, THE HOOD CABLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE HOOD CABLE FROZE AND BROKE. UPDATED 07/25/13

NHTSA complaint #10487466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Kettering, OH

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #10478117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,000 miles Central, SC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IN THE FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO FRONT END BEARINGS OR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA complaint #10474111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,105 miles Temple, GA

POWER TRAIN

AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHEN IT HAS SET A FEW HOURS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT IS FLASHES YELLOW, ODOMETER JUST SHOWS DASHES, AND SPEEDOMETER DOSENT WORK. CAR STILL OPERATES BUT SHIFTS GEARS HARD, WHEN IT REACHES THE SPEED FOR DOOR TO LOCK EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MGMT FUSE, AND HAVE HAD 3 ALTENATORS CHANGED OUT IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. ALSO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH KEY NOT COMING OUT OF IGNITION AND FOUND OUT THAT A PEICE OF THE SHIFTER HAD BROKE OFF AND SLID DOWN AND KEPT IT FROM GOING ALL THE WAY INTO PARK, AFTER REMOVING PART I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE KEY. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WAS TOLD BY AUTO ZONE IT WAS VACCUM SYSTEM TOOK IT TO FORD PLACE THEY SAID IT WAS MOTOR MOUNTS, THEY WERE REPLACED 20,000 MILES AGO AND IT STILL HASNT HELPED.

NHTSA complaint #10452614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles ST. Louis, MO

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SHIFT GEARS ERRATICALLY WITH A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED INTERNAL DAMAGES AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10435043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles ST Louis, MO

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY WILL PERFORM A FULL DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10426615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Wappingers Falls, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD GEARS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF UPDATED 2/23/12

NHTSA complaint #10418556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Bothell, WA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA complaint #10402461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Newnan, GA

POWER TRAIN

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND UNDER WAY WHEN RPMS RACED UP. IT SEEMED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THAT THE OD GEAR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER DISENGAGING THE OD THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR (AS ENGINE RPM & SOUND INDICATED). AFTER TAKING IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THE SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE OK & IT REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE TORN APART FOR INSPECTION. MAZDA PROVIDES THE AUTOMATIC TO FORD. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS THE 4TH LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE IN A WEEK REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10366101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Middle Island, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STOPPING CAR AND PLACING CAR IN PARK SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN PARK AND THE KEYS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED THE BUTTON FOR THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER WILL SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #10355459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Chandler, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

O/D LIGHT CAME ON. AUTOMOTIVE SHOP RAN A TEST AND RETRIEVED CODE P0767. SHOP REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND CAR WOULD STILL NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. SHOP WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I DECLINED AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO 2ND OR 4TH GEAR. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A POSSIBLE BROKEN BAND OR FAILED BAND APPLY PISTON. THEY REMOVED THE PAN AND VERIFIED BROKEN BAND. THEY REPLACED THE 2-4 BAND AND INSTALLED NEW BAND APPLY PISTON AT A COST OF $931.22 PLUS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR AT $101.16. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PARTS USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS CONCERNED THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT FAILED IN MY CAR. THE SHOP SAID NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALL UPDATED PARTS! THE RESPONSE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PARTS IN MY TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE COST OF MY REPAIRS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SINCE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. AGAIN, NO CAR SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL AT 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10353881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,200 miles Greensboro, NC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 90,300 MILES ON THE CAR. IT REALLY SCARES ME WHEN I'M GOING AT LEAST 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THEN GET THE HESITATION OR PULLBACK AS IF IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. I'M AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING 35 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I CUT THE CAR AND START IT BACK UP, THE CLOCK RESETS TO 12:00 AND THE RADIO COMES ON BLASTING. MY LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS HAS NOT HELPED ONE BIT AND I AM OUT $462. THEY HAVE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $1500 IF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT DID NOT WORK. THEY TELL ME IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE PCM THAT NEEDS REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #10346927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Ford Focus problems

← Full 2005 Ford Focus report