Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Referring to case # [redacted]. Upon further inspection it was determined that the root cause of the short was in fact the small bundle of wires going into the liftgate. Repairs have been made to all affected wires. Including installation of a brand new headlight switch Ford certified. Cost of repairs 2347 dollars and 97 cents.upon reading other complaints on this website I've seen at least 40 other cases caused by the same bundle of wires. This is very dangerous and as you can see could potentially cause a vehicle to burst into flames while driving. Something's gotta be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the middle brake light stopped working due to the wiring harness in the hatchback. Also, the lock on the hatchback did not work properly and the harness leading to the battery needed to be replaced due to the failure within the hatchback. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The mechanic stated that the harness for both the battery and hatchback needed replacing due to the failure of the middle brake light. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Fuse continued to blow out causing entire left side of lights from front to back to turn off until new fuse replaced old. Was connected to continued lifting of hatchback on wagon model. Electrical harness was arcing and insulation flaking off and would have caused a fire had not the harness been replaced. This had been on and off for approximately 2 years starting with blowing out the bulbs then the fuse started blowing out in jan 2021. Midas replaced harness this March. Car is a 2005 Focus wagon,
I just purchased this 2005 Ford Focus. As I was checking things out, I noticed the back up light (reverse) were not working. I checked the bulbs and fuse. All was in order. I did some research on the internet and it appears this seem to be a chronic problem with the transmission mounted signal switch on the Ford Focus, as there are several reports referring to this problem. If I had not performed the check, I would not have known the back up light were not functioning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the brake light bulbs overheated and as a result, melted the headlight assembly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,000 and the current mileage was 58,000.
Hatchback wiring harness between body and hatchback, has multiple wire insulation failure and wire breakage causing fuses to blow and non-functioning parking lights, reverse lights, break lights, instrument column lights, and uncontrolled release of electrical trunk while driving.
Excessive heat from taillight/brakelight bulb caused plastic housing to distort and brake lights fuse to burn out, causing loss of rear brake lights. Potential for rear end collision & wiring fire. After fuse was replaced, wiring smoldered until new fuse also burned out.
1)there wasn't much leading up to the failure. It just happened. Not one, but both of the casings for our rear/brake signal lights melted. That meant that the lamp assembly, or hole, that the light bulb socket goes into, melted in both the left and right rear lights even though we never changed the bulbs before in our car. The casing, or lamp assembly, became warped after melting so that we couldn't even twist the light bulb socket to change the bulb. 2) this made it so that both rear/break lights do not work. 3) we took it to the dealership. This is incredibly frustrating. It should have taken us no more than $4 to buy and change a light bulb. Instead it took the $181.89 to replace the left casing (lamp asy), bulb and socket asy. Dealer said problem might be due to driving in stop-and-go traffic and that he has seen this problem before in our car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 for Focus zxw station wagon. The contact stated that when the key was in the ignition and the shift over ride button was depressed, the key would become locked in the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the vehicle was operating as designed. The contact glued the shift over ride button in place and changed the ignition, which resolved the failure. The contact also stated the metal frame of the driver's seat became cracked. The contact had to prop the seat up so that he could drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 205,000. Updated 02/20/13 the consumer stated the transmission was poorly designed. Updated 02/21/13 the consumer stated the experienced numerous problems with the transmission, after having the fluid flushed. …
Bought a 2005 Ford Focus in April, 2018. Told sales man that airbag engine light remains on. Was told is OK. On 6/112018, called customer service Ford cooperate spoke with a lady. She ask for VIN number, I gave it to her. She said 2005 Focus has no airbag recall. I told her that air bag light stays on since we bought the car. She didn't take interest on that. I asked her what company made 2005 Ford Focus airbag? She would not tell me. I called local Ford dealer in wesley chapel fl. Told service tech same thing that I told cooperate of engine light airbag always stays on. He too said is nothing. That VIN number is no recall. I asked him as well which company put airbags in 2005 Focus, was it tahkata? He too wouldn't answer me. So I email mr. W.Ford to explain above situation with airbag light and who placed air bags in 2005 Focus. Have not heard from him or his office, explained to mr. …
Headlight complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Ford Focus, 5% of the model year's 441 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Focus headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2005 Ford Focus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Focus headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.