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7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$560
Average Mileage:
83,400 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (17 reports)
  2. replaced fuel pump (2 reports)
  3. replace PCM (1 reports)
  4. replace the air sensor (1 reports)
2005 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jun 102014

Focus ZX4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

while driving the engine stalls as if its not getting gas. it seems to be worse as the outside temp rises. We replaced the fuel pump and this seems to work for a while but it is recurring. Has anyone had this issue and is there a solid solution

- Leila P., Edgefield, SC, US

problem #20

Sep 012015

Focus ZX4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 215,000 miles

replaced the fuel pump again and again a temporary fix

- Leila P., Edgefield, SC, US

problem #19

Aug 102015

Focus ZX4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

Engine revving very high and light came on. Had codes ran and said it was fuel rail sensors. Replaced sensors and engine light still on and engine still revving just not as high. Has anyone had this issue?

- Leila P., Edgefield, SC, US

problem #18

May 032016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford should at least have some clue as to what's happening. When taken in for evaluation unable to find problem. Once on the road again clicking under steering column, with radio going on and off on its own, to finally shutting off totally in traffic. Touch battery cable it starts up again. Now you can turn on your emergency flashers and get out of the middle of the street before getting hit this time.

- hercules.stinson, Vero Beach, FL, US

problem #17

Jan 012009

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I do believe there is a legitimate problem with Ford Focus's alternator and battery system. I have had my car die on me while driving, and when not driving...the car would not start and always ends up being towed to a automotive repair shop and the $$!!

Even with brand new alternator or a brand new battery...good duralast type of batteries and brand new alternator, I still end up with a stalled car. and let me say this, I was very lucky I was not driving with this last episode because I or someone else could have been killed.

I think Ford knows of the problem, but until people are killed because of some type of electrical issue that's not meshing with alternator and battery...we are sh*t out of luck!

Please FIX this problem FORD!! and btw..not trying to get back into another Ford after this car.

- a.va, Hampton, VA, US

problem #16

Jul 012015

Focus ZX4 S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

My car stalled two times when car was slowed down to turn at intersections. Air conditioner was OFF at these two times.

- Laura S., Pearblossom, US

problem #15

Feb 182014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,150 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is an ongoing problem, this is the most recent occurence. Car started fine, then the usual flickering lights (headlight and dash) and radio. Then car died. It started right back up this time. New battery a week ago. Previously have gone through several alternators and hundreds of dollars of "diagnosis time" only to be told they have no idea.

- mccornwall, OFallon, IL, US

problem #14

Dec 192013

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 156,000 miles

Car has had intermittent electrical problem where lights flick on and off, radio flicks on and off...all in time to a clicking relay under the dash. But this time I was on the interstate when the car completely dies. No power whatsoever, can't even lower window to signal my rapid departure across 3 lanes to side of road. Very dangerous. This was the first time it had ever completely dies. It has dies on the road a few times since. Oddly enough I can jiggle the negative battery cables and get going again...with what I have read here and elsewhere not sure if this is truly a ground side issue. In any case, Previously have gone through several alternators and hundreds of dollars of "diagnosis time" only to be told they have no idea what's wrong. Dealer and private mechanics have no idea what is wrong. I think Ford is covering it up.

- mccornwall, OFallon, IL, US

problem #13

Oct 222012

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

It was happening daily just after I bought it. It went on for about 3 weeks, and then the dealer fixed it.

He changed the air sensor and now it works.

- Emanuel A., Far, ON, Canada

problem #12

Jan 032012

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Hey guys! I have a 2005 ford focus with a starting problem. I've never had a problem with it starting until the cold weather hit. Snow, heavy coat weather. I noticed one morning that my garage was colder than outside. (The sun was shining bright that day). It seemed to have a refrigerator effect. The focus did start it seemed but shut back off instantly. It repeated this for a few tries and then I pumped the gas to go with starting it. This helped the engine stay running until it got warm enough to stay running on its own.

For the rest of the day it will start just fine no problem. It's only when it gets rather cold overnight that it wont start early in the morning. If you let it sit in the sun for a few hours, it starts just fine again.

Please Help with possible solutions! Cheap ones!!

- skubbasteveo, Beloit, WI, US

problem #11

Sep 152010

Focus 2.3

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

car simply dies while driving. no warning. all electric dead then restarts after a few minutes like nothing ever happened. it may run fine for a week then bang it dies.

- pdunn, Maryville, TN, US

problem #10

Dec 022009

Focus ZX4 ST 2.3L

  • Manual transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I purchased this vehicle brand new, and it has 56000 miles. While I was driving the vehilce made a strange noise than stalled. I attempted to restart it, the lights on the dash lit up but the odometer displayed dash marks which i found strange. The vehicle did nothing. I went on just answer.com and followed the tech's instructions. All signs pointed to needing a new PCM. Ford charges over $800 for this part. I sent it to have it remanufactured which was about $262.00. I am waiting for it to come back to reinstall which hopefully takes care of that will let you know the outcome. At 56,000 mi for the PCM to go is ridiculous. I found other owners on the internet with the same problem. I use to own an escort which was a nightmare. This is it I will never buy a ford again.

- dm4399, Boston, MA, US

problem #9

Jul 032009

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

I was driving with my three boys when the Focus started jerking, lost power, and died on railroad tracks. I had it towed to Goodyear, and they said the fuel pump fuse blew. They sent me off with a new fuse, and it blew again. I took it back and they replaced the fuel pump.

- xenagina, La Verne, CA, US

problem #8

Aug 082009

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,500 miles

After getting the fuel pump and fuse replaced at Goodyear, the fuel pump fuse blew again. We let the car sit a few days trying to figure out what to do with it when my husband decided to drive it again to see what happens. Well, the car lost power and shut down going over railroad tracks again. We had it towed to a new mechanic now because Goodyear refused to take it back. This new mechanic has replaced the fuel pump again, and he now he has to replace some module inside the fuel tank that Ford didn't know existed when he called to ask. It's been a month since Goodyear replaced the fuel pump! We had barely driven the car since! I'm scared to death how much it's going to cost now because it's been sitting at the mechanic's for a week! If I didn't owe money on this car, I'd have junked it already. FORD: Found On Road Dead; FORD: Fix Or Repair Daily; and FORD backwards: Driver Returns On Foot.

- xenagina, La Verne, CA, US

problem #7

Dec 092008

Focus ZX4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

When I am going to brake & the air conditioning is on, the car should not stall and turn off. Also when I have the heater on it should not run sluggish and slow. Lastly the vehicle should not have issues starting and after driving long distances, it shouldn't need to rest and not start period!!!!!

- Loren H., Tustin, CA, US

problem #6

Jul 252008

Focus ZX4 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I HAD a 2005 Ford Focus. This is the cheapest car in America. Its nothing but a upgraded Escort. (Dont see those on the road any more, wonder why). Now I bought it brand new. The cheapest made interior. High heels punched holes in carpet, water from AC drips in the damn car on the cheap ass carpet. The side mirror feel off from hitting a bugging going like 3 MPH. After having putting about 50,000 you would think it reached 200,000 miles. Fuel pump went out $575 + $98 for rental + $75 for towing. Three months later. I am on the side of the road again for the same reason, car stalls cuts off no warning. Two kids in the car 1and 5 years old. Another $372 to $75 for towing. Month later my car was making a rattle noise. Took it to Ford. They never told me what is was but charged me $55. I was relief from the cost before. Two weeks later my car smells like exhaust while in traffic taking my kids to school, then of course my car stops. I see liquid coming from my hood. Lifted my hood and see the oil cap was off my engine and oil went everywhere. Then Ford states that would not have looked under my hood while it was in the shop? it was going to cost me another $572 to fix my car. Needless to say the car is been there since 7/25/08. I will never buy a Ford and that will be my last.

- Keesha B., Chattanooga, TN, US

problem #5

Jan 062005

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

The car will stall at various times and no it is not a 5 spd. It has stalled in the dead of winter, the middle of summer, with the a/c on, with no accessories on, and just about any other condition imaginable. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to it and happens about once every two months beginning from brand new. The dealer, the last time I had it looked at for this problem, had the car for four days and cannot find the cause. The factory itself is of course no help which leads me to believe it is a design flaw whether it is from the supplier of components or the engineering of the vehicle but nobody has a clue. The car is now out of warranty and with no help offered will not be returned to the dealer for more of the same with a more expensive outcome. Quality is job 1?

- Jeremy N., Chicago, IL, US

problem #4

Apr 212008

Focus ZX4 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

I bought my car brand new in August 05. Since then the battery light kept going on I replaced 2 batteries before they told me my alternator was going out. Now 3 alternators later my car keeps dying on me while driving. The oil light and a yellow light that looks like a faucet comes on just before dying. I wait a few minutes then it starts like new.

- Lori L., Carrizo Springs, TX, US

problem #3

Apr 052008

Focus ZX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,052 miles

I am trying to figure this out f*ck when i push the gas pedal down the car stalls ??

- Robert S., Rancho Cordova, CA, US

problem #2

Mar 312007

(reported on)

Focus ZX4 4C

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,770 miles

I have been reading complaints on the 2000/ 2001 ford focus that are very similar to the problem I am having with my 2005 car. I purchased it brand new and the first time it stalled out on me it had a little more than 4,000 miles and happened when I was driving in traffic at 30-35 mph. I called the dealer and was told probably bad gas and if it doesn't happen when they have it there is nothing to fix. Well 2 years later with 17,777 miles it has stalled out randomly in different situations at different speeds, etc. The dealer has replaced the fuel pump in January 07. It was running great then 2 months later it stalled again. The dealer is taking the car in but again I am told they can't replace anything unless the code comes up. I am wondering if there are similar complaints with the 2005 models as with the 2000/2001. I actually like the car and I really hate that this is happening because I am not comfortable driving this vehicle.

- Barbara W., Taylor, PA, US

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