2005 Ford Focus Ford Focus 2005

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2005 Ford Focus repairs by problem area

Engine (23%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 243 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Ford Focus.

2005 Ford Focus electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (1%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (44%)

< $100 (47%)

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Chart based on 68 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Ford Focus

Engine not specified

108000 mi

US $1100
dash gauge went dead, radio flashed Low Batt and went dead, car surged too dangerously to drive, then went dead. replaced battery, alternator, serpentine belt, antifreeze. 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

45260 mi

C $380
low oil pressure, low batt light flickering on. Found faulty ground in rear hatch harness. Not replaced due to high cost 
59560 mi

C $200
Internal short causing quick batt. discharge. typical of Focus SW, rear hatch harness shorted. 
76880 mi

C $50
damaged side light (from a block of ice) + internal short diagnostic (no side door locks work):no success yet.. 
81220 mi Never located short. Used a small battery charger. 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

111000 mi

US $160
Intermittent position on wiper switch not working - relay replaced. 
87000 mi

US $130
Electric tailgate latch replaced 
94000 mi

US $25
Headlight dimmer switch repaired--stuck on high beam so headlights burned out 
105000 mi

US $470
Alternator replaced along with original serpentine belt 
119000 mi

US $55
Faulty headlamp socket replaced 
125000 mi

US $40
Replaced both taillight sockets and modified taillight housings with a Dremel tool due to heat from the lamps warping the housings, causing the sockets to freeze inside and become inoperative. 
105500 mi

US $50
Recharged the air conditioning. It was barely cooling. 
163000 mi

US $50
rear brake lights and reverse lights. had to diagnose the problem. worked when the headlights were off. brake lights did not work when headlights were on. 
64000 mi Rear electric defroster not working; mech. traced short, and got it working. After one or two days, it stopped working again. Mech. fixed problem; no cost, but no explanation of fix. 2 wks later, it has stopped working again! Have Not yet sched. job. 
137200 mi

US $10
Tailgate license plate lights: poor weather sealing-awash with salt/road water; plastic bracket in tailgate has broken two of three brass-in-plastic bolts; bulb terminals BADLY corroded, 1 completely gone VERY FLIMSY DESIGN: LIGHTS ARE OUT 
111400 mi

US $450
"Accumulator" in AC system required replacement; works fine now. 
142000 mi

US $100
Master control switch for power windows replaced 
157500 mi

US $200
The center dial for climate control- direction of vented air- is not working properly. A mechanical cable and another part were ordered, and I expect the repairs to take another day (1 + 1 more will = 2 days). 
161000 mi

US $70
Two dials are "frozen" - dials will not turn. The temperature dial and the selector dial. This is a continuation of a prior condition/repair. Mechanic suspects the problem is farther down in the plenum. 
165000 mi

US $473
Replaced alternator 
148500 mi

US $170
The license plate lamp at the rear of my Focus wagon has been a problem for years. Poor design allowed salty water to collect in the socket. I switched to LED circuits twice before they failed. Ford now has replacement kit for problem. 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

84000 mi

US $80
Replace window switch for driver's side window. 
3200 mi Multi-Disc changer jammed, replaced under warranty. 
165000 mi

US $500
Stock OEM alternator bit the dust which fried the battery as well. Replaced with Oreilly brand alternator which lasted for 2 weeks before also failing (VR). I will have to replace the new (but bad) alternator again this week. I also replaced the serpentine belt while I had it off as it looked rather old. Alternator's and ESPECIALLY the alternator pigtail connector are common failure items for this Focus generation. I will now be replacing battery/alternator/starter cables, alternator pgitail connector, and the alternator. 
100000 mi

US $15
Burned out headlight. Replaced both myself. Due to very little room to work under hood, took over an hour and multiple scratches on hands. 
136000 mi

US $360
New alternator. 
245000 mi

US $15
The cable for the vent/floor/defrost selector needs replaced next payday (If I can remember) I love this car!!! 
263700 mi

US $150
After 267,300 miles - the original starter konked out. Imagine that!!! 267300 MILES! Fast and easy repair. Did I ever mention that I LOVE THIS CAR??? 
26000 mi Both tail light signals went haywire.  
47000 mi

US $421
Returning problem of the AC intake manifold hose leaking. Second time this has occured first time occurred under warranty. 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

105400 mi

C $300
Replaced alternator 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

90000 mi

US $300
Alternator needed replacement. 
146000 mi

US $150
replaced a/c condenser and accumulator 
152000 mi

US $192
alternator started making grinding noises, and only charging occasionally. 
91000 mi

US $120
Senor 
40000 mi Dealer had to repair loose Airbag sensor on Drivers side. Covered under warranty of used car. 
98000 mi

US $120
Replacement of the right rear brake light/turn signal. The door ajar light kept coming on, even when the doors were all shut. The sensor was replaced. 
106000 mi

US $359
The car's air conditioining needed to be recharged. This was done by the dealership. It marked the first time that the air conditioning needed to be recharged since the car was bought brand-new in November 2004. 
127000 mi

US $110
The light bulb behind the speedometer was replaced.  The fuse for the power outlet was replaced. 
131500 mi

US $3
The car would not shift out of park. This refers to the transmission shift lever, not the transmission itself. A brake light fuse was replaced, and the transmission shift selector now works. 
154000 mi

US $80
The car would not shift out of park. This refers to the transmission shift lever, not the transmission itself. A brake light fuse was replaced, and the transmission shift selector now works. 
164000 mi

US $80
The fuse for the brake lights burned out again. This prevents the car from being shifted out of park. 
182000 mi

US $900
The alternator needed to be replaced. As a result of the alternator failure, the battery and battery cable also had to be replaced. 
8990 mi Trunk would not release with key fob or with dash button. Had to use key. Repaired under warranty. Works fine now. 
43800 mi

US $3
Accessory port failed, fuse replaced 
77000 mi Fan switch failed, replaced 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

39680 mi

C $100
Wiring harness assembly for hatchback needed replacement due to short, rendering brakelights inoperable. Cost for parts and labour was $440.00 which was covered by extended warranty, less $100 deductible. 
63440 mi

C $256
Relay for reverse indicator lights failed - replaced. License Plate light failed - assembly was replaced 
71920 mi

C $100
Heater fan bearings failed - replaced under extended warranty. 
108500 mi

C $130
Replaced reverse light switch 
119040 mi

C $70
Replaced broken seat heater switch 
122140 mi

C $150
Replaced failed starter 
46000 mi Cruise will not activate periodically. Cruise control module replaced, but problem remains. 
46000 mi Second unsuccessful repair trip for cruise control. 
62700 mi Dead battery- battery cables were also corroded and new battery did not work initially 
70000 mi

US $220
Control switch for driver power window was replaced; all four windows were not operating from driver's controls Clutch issue never resolved, however we did find out what was causing it: although the clutch was not engaged, the pedal was occasionally sagging enough to fool the cruise control unit that it was. Just had to lift the pedal up a little with my foot. 

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2005 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

68200 mi

C $800
Alternator & Battery 
65100 mi

C $50
replace CD player 
71920 mi

C $50
replace radio 
52000 mi

US $25
Replaced a burnt out blinker bulb. 
105000 mi

US $525
The alternator began to stop charging the battery. Nearby Midas shop was able to get one quickly and replace it the same morning. 
136000 mi

US $715
Replaced alternator. 
156000 mi The controls for the a/c and heater ceased to work and I was told it would cost over $1,700 to replace the parts. I was planning to drive the car for another year but I was not going to spend that much money to fix a 9 year old economy car. 
145800 mi Headlight Bulb Change 
19840 mi Air Conditioner tensioner rattling, berring shot. Service guy did not think it was a problem. I called over one the mechanics who indentified problem in 30 seconds. This was after they had my car all day. Had to go back for another appointment to have fix Fixed air conditioner tensioner. 
35000 mi

US $420
electric door locking actuator for drivers door became inoperative. would not operate either manual or elect. 

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2005 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

142000 mi

US $136
Replaced starter due to solenoid failure 
145000 mi

US $55
speedometer cluster. Vehicle sold 
146600 mi

US $200
Starter lost teeth on gear. Replaced. 

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2005 Ford Focus Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Ford Focus problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.