Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
On July 7, 2015, I bought 4 tires 117632 affinity touring bl p195/60r15 87t with a 70,0000 mile warranty. I paid $415.58 which included four of the before mentioned tires; nevada recycling fee; lifetime new tire wheel balance labor; lifetime rubber valve; scrap tire recycling fee; and tire installation. I bought these tires at Firestone complete auto care green valley 220 north stephanie street, henderson, nevada 89074, phone#[phone]. I had 59,284 miles on my car. On December 31, 2019, because of the tires going flat and the wear bar too low for me to drive safely on these tires, I had to buy four new tires. I had 106,125 miles. I still had 23,159 miles left on my 70,000 miles warranty. I bought 4 114572 primewell ps830 195/60r 15 88hbl dot#y9k5d8hk3210 tires prie $47.99. …
I bought my car from the original owner. I had to buy a re-furbished motor, the tires were splitting and the suspension and air conditioner all needed repairing. When I received the recall from dot, [redacted], I immediately contacted tallahassee Ford. They denied there was a recall and I was mistaken. My VIN # was listed in the recall. I tried several times but Ford kept giving me a run-around and they lied. So now, I have apparently missed a deadline which was not listed on the original notice to me. I am a senior citizen and this has really stressed me out and it really makes me not to purchase another Ford from anyone. On ethics alone, I should be able to make them do what they basically refused by lying to me. It was in motion and went to the shop within two weeks after the notice.
My family and I were coming up from florida when it started to rain. I felt the car slipping on the road so I moved over into the far right hand Land. The car slipped again and I hydroplaned and crashed car on nov. 29th due to tires that were only 6months old. I felt these new tires had been worn smooth after only 10,000 miles of usage with a car that had no brake or alignment issues. The tires were full of air at the right pressure and I noticed no tread issues before leaving out of town. When filling out the police report, the officer wrote me a ticket claiming the accident happened because of the tires. We had to stay overnight in a hotel and purchased new tires the next day. I still retain the tires.
My car kept stalling in the middle of the road and at stop signs and where ever it felt like. This started at about 20,000 miles. Then just before it got to 36,000 miles it would stall when ever it became hot. As I was going up and down the mountain passes in washington, oregon and california it would just stop running every mile. It was very dangerous as I had cars behind me and truckers on all sides and the car would just quit at 65 MPH or what ever speed I was at. I had mad truckers and mad cars and trucks, but I didn't know what the problem was. When I limped home (780 miles) I got the car in to be checked and found that it was the fuel rail sensor. I called Ford and they refused to cover it under warranty. I was forced to pay for a faulty part out of my own pocket. Then last week I saw on the news that Toyota and another company had recalled their vehicles for the same exact part. …
I was westbound on 5th st. In olivehurst, ca, and headed to olivehurst drive. The conditions were dry and cool, and the speed limit was 25 MPH. I had not yet come up to the speed limit (below 10 MPH) when my front end began to shake. Seconds later, my passenger and I heard a loud bang, and the front end swerved sharply to the right. I tried to correct to the left, and ended up clipping a pole (on the right side of the road) instead of hitting it head on. My passenger sustained a blow to his knee. No other injuries occurred, and we did not feel it necessary to call an ambulance. As there was minimal scrapes on the power pole, and my car was not covered for collision damage, I did not notify the authorities. My right front tire was bent inward, and the tire was blown down the center of the tread. …
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. …
All 4 Eagle gt tires that are only 6 months old are worn and scalloped due to a know problem to Ford technical service bulletin id: 10034585 July 10, 2010 and service bulletin no.: tb-21399 component(s): tires NHTSA id number: 10034585. Our mechanic ran a diagnostic and service bulletin search for possible manufacturing issues to cause the tire wear. The solution that Ford has come up with it to add 4 additional upper control arms at $140 a piece plus labor. When I spoke with Ford they indicated that the problem is a known one but are unwilling to do anything to correct the problem. They are waiting until people are either injured or killed to correct the problem. Advised them that I will keep all receipts for new tires. This is the 4 set of tires in 3 years due to this problem. …
I recently had a tire failure. I am not sure what to call it as the entire middle section of rubber came completely off. There was only a small amount (if any) sidewall left (I have photos). I took it to a Goodyear dealer who replaced it at a "prorated" rate although my understanding of the warranty was that it would be completely covered. I had it replaced and paid the $80.00. I also contacted Goodyear to make sure this was their policy and that my transaction was handled correctly, I included a photo with my correspondence. They informed me that it was their policy and the dealer had contacted them about my incident. They also assured me that a tire should not do that and they are sorry about it. I am feeling that this is a very dangerous possibility, if it had been a front tire I would not have survived the incident as I would have lost total control (Goodyear tire).
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The vehicle has Goodyear Eagle rs-a tires, size p19560r15. The contact stated that the tires were defective and the steel belt was visible. Due to the low mileage on the tires, the failure should not have occurred. He also noticed wear on the tires. The contact took the vehicle to the Goodyear dealer and they replaced all four tires. Recently, the front tires malfunctioned. The dealer replaced the front tires in December of 2007 with kumho tires. There had been no further occurrences since the replacement. Currently, the rear tires are defective. The purchase date and dot number were unknown. The current mileage was approximately 75,000 and failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
Bought 2005 Focus zx5 new. Orig tires pirelli. Lost air constantly. No one would honr or fix. I had to buy new tires with only 2,245 miles on the car. Goodrich 205/50-16 which the tire dealer said is made for Focus. The Ford dealer said the tires were the wrong tire for Focus. Now the tires have 24,000 miles on them and they are bald. Ford dealer denies he told me tires were wrong and I am now facing having to buy new tires again. Dealer will not help. Tire dealer says "oh well" the car does terrible on wet & snow-icy roads even at 15 to 35 miles an hour. What am I to do? Why is Focus known for abnormal tire wear per TSB's and the dealers will not help? This happens all the time, last time was 3/17/08.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2005 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2005 Ford Focus, 6% of the model year's 441 complaints. The component named most often is hub (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Focus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires 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.