Most common 2006 Ford Focus problems
Share of the 205 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Focus complaints by model year
Best Focus years: 2011, 2006, 2009. Years to avoid: 2012, 2014, 2013, 2016, 2017. Compare all years →
What 2006 Ford Focus owners say
Electrical system all 47 →
Hello national highway traffic safety administration, I would like to create a vehicle complaint regarding the Ford Focus 2006 sedan zx4 that I purchased the vehicle September 20, 2017. While driving within a service road, the vehicle's stalled and stopped running while driving upon multiple instances over the same day of purchasing and through out the weekend of September 22 - September 30th. As a result, I returned the vehicle to the dealer of lansing power motors inc. For an inspection September 23, 2017. Upon completion of the inspection, the mechanics confirmed that "nothing was wrong with the vehicle" and suggested to purchase a new computer for the vehicle. On October 30, 2017 I was involved in a car accident which I think was due to bad electrical brakes which resulted in the vehicle being t-boned by another driver within a residential intersection. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. The contact stated that when the ignition key was turned, it would remain stuck in the on or off position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was informed that the key might need to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was left at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Air bags all 40 →
My sister was driving my 2006 Ford Focus along a highway. Out of nowhere, the airbag in the side of the driver's seat deployed. This was the only airbag that deployed. The airbag deployed into the side of my sister emitting a white smoke or powder substance. She saw black from the trauma of the airbag impact. She was able to then gain control of the vehicle as no other vehicles were around. She got into the emergency lane and slowly made her way to the offramp then into a gravel parking lot. She then called her daughter to pick her up, who then took her to the ER. She was not thinking clearly or she would have called an ambulance. My husband took off work and took our car dolly and towed the vehicle to our house. My sister was diagnosed with head trauma, concussion, and whiplash. She has since been to her primary doctor who is following her care now. …
Vehicle slid on black ice, up an embankment and into a utility pole. The airbags did not deploy. Operator was wearing seatbelt, struck forehead on steering wheel sustaining a laceration that required 20 stitches. Operator was transported to hospital by ambulance, where he was subsequently put on a ventilator because of possible bleeding in the brain. Operator, thankfully made a full recovery, but will be permanently scarred.
Speed control & acceleration all 25 →
While driving, the vehicle began to accelerate on it's own. When brakes were applied the rpms sky rocketed. Turns out it was a broken cruise control module cable that would cause the throttle to get "stuck". At the same time it was also bogging out and shutting itself off while driving. The check engine light remained on throwing a p071? Code which is associated with o2 levels.this turned out to be a broken "breather hose" which is connected to the air intake. Both parts have proven to be extremely difficult to track down. After replacing the "breather hose", ccm throttle cable, and also an o2 sensor the overall cost for parts was $300 and labor was $300. Thankfully no injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. While driving at a low speed and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact almost crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
2006 Ford Focus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Ford Focus a good car?
Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Focus rates better than average: 80% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Focus at the same age. It is one of the best Focus years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford Focus?
The electrical system — 47 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the air bags (40) and speed control & acceleration (25).
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Focus have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Ford Focus. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Focus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2006 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2014, 2013, 2016 and 2017. See the full Ford Focus years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Focus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.