2005 Ford Focus Electrical System Problems
- 77
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 77 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 6 indicate fire
What owners report
- stuck ignition · 11 records
- wiring harness · 9 records
- brake lights · 7 records
- failure mileage · 6 records
- without warning · 6 records
- turn signal · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 26 |
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph with the headlights in operation, the headlights and instrument panel lights became extremely dim. The engine was turned off and the vehicle failed to restart. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and replaced the alternator. The failure was contributed to a faulty liftgate wiring harness. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10514040
Electrical System · 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. *tr
ODI 10512358
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford focus. The contact stated that the wiring harness failed on the rear hatch of the vehicle. The brake lights stopped working and it caused the gear shift to become stuck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the design of the wiring harness was too short and when it was stretched the wires caused the failure to occur. The failure mileage was unknown. The current…
ODI 10515965
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The rear driver side door lock will not lock. The child safety lock doesn't even make it work. All other doors work with the remote entry key fob and alarm activates but the rear passenger door remains unlocked. I can not even lock it manually. I fear my grandchildren will be able to simply open the door and exit the car and am very concerned for their safety not to mention the possiblity of someone entering the car…
ODI 10499423
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The rear passenger door will not lock or unlock with the keyless entry nor the buttons in the car. Turning on or off the child lock feature does not affect it. I can manually 'force it' either way - barely - for now. This happened once before several years ago - where it was stuck completely unlocked, and you couldn't manually force it. It was like that for several months and then mysteriously fixed itself. I have…
ODI 10477215
Electrical System · 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…
ODI 10452614
Electrical System · Steering
Went to pick my son up from school. Could not get key out of ignition. Took to a local mechanic and cylinders were replaced. That was in march. Got home today (may) and the same problem. Luckily have a driveway but i am annoyed and nervous about keeping this car. Fearful that the key may get stuck at an inopportune time. *tr
ODI 10459044
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford focus. While attempting to lock the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side electronic locking mechanism failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the door lock actuator and locking assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 92,000.
ODI 10453874
Electrical System
Was driving 45 on a busy road and all the lights on dashboard flickered and the car went dead and had to drift off onto a median. Had 2 people look at the car and found that there was the 20 amp fuse out. Went to get another one we made sure all the wires were attached and nothing was loose, we turned the steering wheel a bit and with the new fuse in the car started, as we turned the steering wheel the car stalled…
ODI 10416744
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford focus. The contact stated while driving 65 mph all of the warning lights would flash on the dash board and the vehicle stalled, nearly causing a crash. The contact drove onto the emergency lane and restarted the vehicle within four minutes. After restarting the vehicle, the identical failure recurred. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who performed a diagnostic test which did…
ODI 10416251
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford focus. The contact stated the check engine light constantly illuminated causing multiple failures with the vehicle. The failure was within the electrical part of the vehicle including the solenoid, transmission, valve body and the safety switch. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who performed a diagnostic test but did not diagnose a definite solution for the repairs. The manufacturer…
ODI 10411738
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · 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…
ODI 10606955
Electrical System
2005 ford focus station wagon rear hatch: the wires that go to the hatch (near the top) are too short and so weak that after 26,000 miles the wires broke and due to this break/short the car would not go out of "park". The brake lights quit working and it blows one fuse after another fuse. Due to the wires being so short it is impossible to repair the breaks. This appears to be a very common problem from what i see…
ODI 10396025
Electrical System
Just like all the other complaints. 'my key became stuck in the ignition and was stranded hundreds of miles from home" how thoughtful of ford to only charge me four- hundred dollars! *tr
ODI 10386184
Air Bags · Electrical System · Seats
On 2/26/2011 at approximatly 1900 hrs. I was at nellis air force base in las vegas nevada i had to pull over in a safe area to look for my id as i got out of the car with the car in park and emergency brake on i proceeded to lift the handle in front of the seat that allowes it to be moved forward so i can look under the seat for my id,i couldn't see it so i proceeded to do the same with the passanger seat and it…
1 injury
ODI 10462681
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 ford focus will not start when the weather turns cold or will start but for no apparent resin just stops running no fuel pressure and fuel pump does not run when the problem arises when the weather turns worm the car starts and runs fine does not display any engine fault coeds. From what i have read this seems to be a ford problem that doesn't won't to except. *tr
ODI 10375348
Electrical System
An electrical short in the rear wiring harness in the liftgate has caused the rear defrost, the rear wiper and the high-mount rear brake light to all fail, concurrently. The dealership has commented that this was a common problem with zx3 ford focus model and was as recalled service issue on a prior model year. It was also cautioned by the tech that fire could result. *tr
ODI 10403681
Electrical System
Having problem with alternator and keys stuck in the ignition for 2nd time in two years. Key will not release but will turn. *tr
ODI 10364019
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exterior · Exterior Lighting · Latch · Rim · Seats · Steering · Suspension
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…
ODI 10487466
Electrical System
The ignition in the ford focus falls apart and you are stranded!!!. I had my handicapped daughter with me and it was night. I can imagine a young woman by herself with this problem. You cannot be jumped or a mechanic cannot look at it. The only solution is to be towed, which for us was 49 miles away. Very unsafe for my daughter and me. We had to leave her walker behind and she was without it (immobile) until i could…
ODI 10365042
Electrical System
Intermittently keys get stuck in ignition, after a few days they usually come out may be weeks or months before it happens again, while driving i hear a clicking noise, lights in the dashboard and all the gauge lights start flickering, if you shut off the car it will not start again and lose all power, no lights, locks anything power shuts down, i have been stranded due to this problem. Have already had some wires…
ODI 10375055
Electrical System
Driving at 50km/h, abs and brake lights come on, shortly after all electrical systems shut down, including power steering, front lights, gauges...everything. Engines continues to run, when the vehicle slow to almost idle, engines stops. Unable to restart, no ignition no sign of life whatsoever. Waited 20min, was able to start engine, electrical came back and drove for 5min before same thing happened. Dealer…
ODI 10358313
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Ford focus 2005 wagon. Noticed that electric lock will not open hatch back, but took no action to correct. Incident: could not move shift lever out of park leaving motorist stranded. Found that shared brake light fuse was blown. Replaced fuse, but wondered about root cause so tested brake lights. Immediately noticed that brake lights remained on when brake pedal was not pressed or pressed. Realized that this is a…
ODI 10356049
Electrical System
Purchased the car new, have had to have alternator and battery replaced 3 times now. Every time it goes out without warning and in most cases on the highway or in heavy city traffic. I almost couldn't stop nor steer the car safely away from the road. Each occurrence has cost me 500.00 usd from towing, parts, and labor. *tr
ODI 10477988
Electrical System
Intermittently car will seem to short out for split seconds. If i let it idle all is ok but as i apply the gas the split second short comes back. This can happen at various speeds and sometimes if i go over some bumps all becomes ok. Friend with a madza3 had similar problem hat was fixed by changing the solenoid. *tr
ODI 10349784
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2005 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.