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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
7%of 205 total for the year
Median mileage
58,126miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Focus, 7% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,126 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I purchased this car and recently my car has been bogging down and losing power. I was told it was a oxygen sensor . Now my shift is off , cannot tell what gear it's in . And my drivers door handle has broken not once but twice .”

NHTSA complaint #10563815, filed 2014-02, 45,862 miles

“I chose 'crash' above only because there was contact between two vehicles. At a red light, the Focus rolled into the car in front at no more than 3-5 MPH. Air bag deployed, seat belts locked. Zero damage to either vehicle, except small dent to the license plate, I took the vehicle to my body shop. After inspecting the vehicle, they are also confused as to why it deployed. Estimate to repair is $1800. Is this normal? Is this a known issue with the 2006 Focus?”

NHTSA complaint #10543805, filed 2013-09, 176,000 miles

“When accelerating from stop the transmission wouldn't go into gear, when it did it would jerk and sometimes there would be a squeeling noise as if it was trying to stop the car. It jerks as if the transmission is going to fall out and the over drive comes on while driving and won't go off. Sometimes the transmission just jerks and jerks continuously so bad it won't go into gear and won't gain any speed. I have to pull off the road. Thank god I haven't been hit by someone, it's very scary and dangerous when this happens.. …”

NHTSA complaint #10459138, filed 2012-05, 43,000 miles

“Transmission problems. Transmission intermittently does not kick into gears when accelerating. I went to get on the high way,(speed limit 65mph), got up to 55 and the transmission just started revving as if I was locked in neutral, almost caused 2 accidents from moving traffic, as my car was driving considerably slower than the rest going the speed limit). Very dangerous and very scary. Pulled off at next exit(was considerably close). Car would then not go over 25 MPH. It's like it would not switch into the next gear. Had to call a tow. …”

NHTSA complaint #10410278, filed 2011-07, 56,000 miles

“Ford 2006, Focus zxw, when parking the car, the moving the automatic transmission stick to park does not lock in all the time. It does seems to park, car does not roll, but trans mission stick easily move away and fll into other gears, and the car moves. When it does not lock unable to remove the key. Most of the time after about up to 3 min later you hear a ting sound then it locks. Once it locks key can be removed. I also had the same issue with 2003 Ford Focus 2 years earlier, dealer replaced the lock then it would release the key, every time I parked.”

NHTSA complaint #10224250, filed 2008-04, 60,253 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201831938%
201745551%
201667457%
201555955%
20141,57660%
20131,10252%
20121,44738%
20112018%
20104516%
20093917%
2008239%
20074311%
2006147%
20054711%
2004205%
2003485%
2002586%
2001905%
20002256%

Other parts of the 2006 Ford Focus

Electrical system
47 complaints
Air bags
40 complaints
Vehicle speed control
25 complaints
Fuel system
18 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
14 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Tires
12 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Engine cooling
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 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