2005 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 11%of 441 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Focus, 11% of the 441 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles“The ignition key sticks in my 2005 Ford Focus. It cannot be removed from the ignition. Research on the internet reveals that this a common problem. It has to do with shifter cable that costs $650. Is it safe? I am not certain. I am not sure whether the shift is locking adequately. Why hasn't Ford recalled this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10314033, filed 2010-02, 53,000 miles“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, filed 2013-05, 97,651 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496277, filed 2013-02, 94,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522001, filed 2013-06, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019947Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements.
- 10017922Jun 7, 2005Difficult or unable to shift into 5th gear.
- 10014667Mar 1, 2005Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10014656Mar 1, 2005VENT LEAK.
- 10018945Jan 1, 2005Mtx-75 premature clutch failure.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014596Dec 1, 2004Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10013430Nov 1, 2004Clutch returnability issues - service tip.
- 10013367Nov 1, 2004Difficulty changing gears - unable to engage gears.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Focus
113 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
50 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