2005 Ford Focus Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 11%of 441 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2005 Ford Focus, 11% of the 441 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My focuses rear passenger side door wouldn't lock and neither of the rear doors could lock automatically. This is a safety concern because if someone (small child) pulled the handle they could fall out. I also tried locking the child lock but then the door wouldn't close. I had to get this fixed at a local auto shop and it cost $400. It seems like from what I have read on the internet this is a common problem with the Focus.”
NHTSA complaint #10622323, filed 2014-08, 73,000 miles“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 to do harm or vandelize the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10499423, filed 2013-02, 104,000 miles“My 2005 Ford Focus has broken and shorted wires on the wiring harness for the back hatch in my station wagon. When I turn on the ignition or the headlights the back hatch opens inadvertently. The wires are shorted to the hatch release solenoid. The hatch can open on the freeway. My local Ford dealer refused to fix the problem. This is a recurring problem with the Ford Focus. Needs safety recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10246891, filed 2008-10, 36,500 miles“The left rear door on my 2005 Ford Focus does not lock. Even when I lock the car with the remote and the alarm is armed, the right rear door will open. This is an obvious safety hazard. I have searched on the web and have found that this is a common problem with the '05 Focus.”
NHTSA complaint #10275526, filed 2009-07, 32,000 miles“A few months ago my passenger door latch handle failed and broke so was opening it from the inside. Now my driver's side handle/latch is now broken. I have to crawl through the hatchback to open the doors. These handles/latches are very poorly made and what happened if I was in a accident and the door/handle failed at that time where they couldn't open it and get someone out. This is a safety concern and needs looked into. I've seen other complaints on this issue in your database. These handle should not give out this easy.”
NHTSA complaint #10533144, filed 2013-08, 131,770 milesRelated recalls
- 05V030000Feb 1, 2005Certain passenger vehicles with four or five doors and originally sold in or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine…Covers: Ford Focus 2000–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10183768Apr 21, 2016For 2000-2005 Focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 Safety Recall 05S27 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where…
- 10058099Sep 9, 2014Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. Model…
- 10056643Aug 11, 2014Ford: on some vehicles, operating for an extended time in high corrosion area, a safety recall 05s27 was issued, where rear door latches experience corrosion in pawl pivot area…
- 10205032Jan 26, 2005Safety recall 05S27 - Rear door latch corrosion - requests for recall service action - built on or before 01/26/2005
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2014 | 47 | 2% |
| 2013 | 53 | 3% |
| 2012 | 134 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 15% |
| 2010 | 31 | 11% |
| 2009 | 18 | 8% |
| 2008 | 25 | 10% |
| 2007 | 30 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 50 | 11% |
| 2004 | 28 | 7% |
| 2003 | 82 | 8% |
| 2002 | 45 | 5% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 201 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Focus
113 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsBody and structure
43 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsSteering
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology