Ford Focus / 2006
2006 Ford Focus problems
Owners have filed 270 complaints about the 2006 Ford Focus with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 17.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 15.6%.
Complaints270
Crashes35
Fires4
Injuries23
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 17.8% · 48
Air bags 15.6% · 42
Vehicle speed control 9.3% · 25
Structure 5.6% · 15
Latches/locks/linkages 5.2% · 14
Power train 5.2% · 14
Tires 4.4% · 12
Unknown or other 4.4% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 35 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 23 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Ford Focus in this data, 2006 draws comparatively few complaints; 2000 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 11 in the last three years against 28 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 62,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The rear passenger door does not lock on our 2006 Ford Focus zx4. It opens and closes correctly. It just won't lock, even with child lock on. All other doors operate correctly. This door operated correctly before. We heard Ford had a problem with this on previous Focus models. Cut off was the year 2005 for this problem. We feel unsafe from this problem because we transport our senior moms to shopping trips. Electrical system · reported at 103,352 miles
My 2006 Ford Focus hatchback developed frayed wires in the hatchback harness that caused a short so that the dashboard lights do not come on as they should when the exterior lights are turned on unless the rear window defroster is also turned on. Despite being covered by Ford's 'extra care' extended service plan that is supposed to cover wiring harnesses, Ford is refusing to pay for the repair. Electrical system · reported at 62,000 miles
About half to 3/4 of the time my ignition will not start on my Ford Focus. This presents a major problem when I am away from the home and my car will not start due to ignition switch problems. At times I have to turn the key 20-50 times for the car to come on. I am 76 years old and this is a major issue for me. I don't want to even drive my car for fear that I will not be able to re-start it. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…