Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
My 2006 Ford vent selector that moves from defrost to vent has broken twice now. I am told it is a 600 fix but I see so many complaints about this issue why is there no recall.. Next same car the gas pedal sticks in cold weather take to a auto shop they clean throtthle body and runs fine for a bit but again a lot of complaints yet no recall why. They both happen while in motion
Engine speed (RPM) intermittently increases, or fails to decrease when throttle is released. Progressively worsenening. Last night, stuck at interstate speed and kept engine at high RPM. Wife semi panicked hit brakes and pulled off on shoulder. After 2 hour wait, still sticky, but driveable. Many identical reports/fixes on utube. Possibly related fault codes p0410 , p0491
On 6/19/10 my car would not brake to a full stop while exiting the freeway (speed had gone up to 80 on own without brakes applied) the light turned green and I let my foot off the brake. The car accelerated on its own without applying the gas. The car would not come to a stop and I subsequently crashed at approximately 10-15 MPH to prevent a major accident in the intersection of a busy street in the middle of the day. (due to my background and knowledge I was able to prevent a far worse accident) after the car came to a rest against a palm tree I put the car in park and the rpms revved to 5-6. Several days prior to this when I put the car in park it would rev to 3-4 rpms and then settle down after applying the brake while in park. This had never happened prior. …
While traveling on the nys thruway my car began to accelerate on its own. I took my foot off the gas pedal & it began going faster. At 85 miles per hour I pressed the brake pedal & shifted the car into neutral (5 speed manual). The gas pedal fell to the floor. I eventually got over to the shoulder but the car was revving extremely high. I immediately turned the car off. I waited a few minutes,started it up again & it still was revving very high. I removed the floor mat & inspected the gas petal, there was no interference. I pushed on the gas pedal several times. It now had some pressure but was a bit sticky feeling like it was catching. When I started the car up again, it ran normally. I got off at the next exit & drove it home. While driving home it began accelerating on it's own again. I had to use the brake pedal several times to keep my speed down. …
Bought the car brand new in May 2006. On 01/23/07 driving on a surface street I realized the gas pedal seemed to have broken and I could not accelerate. I could only coast and was able to pull into a shopping center. Had the car towed to dealership where bought and was told the speed control cable had broken. On 10/26/11 it happened again, only this time I was on a 65mph freeway in rush hour. (5-lane freeway in each direction - major highway.) (mileage 65040.) I was able to coast to the shoulder and get off at the next exit. Had it towed again to Ford dealership and confirmed it was the same cable that had broken. I had the dealership save it and you can see how the cable was completely frayed. Luckily the cable has not become stuck while accelerating like some other reports I have read on the 06 Focus, but I think still this is a major safety concern.
After accident occurred on sept 6, 2009, I noticed that the gas pedal seems to stick especially after or during use of the cruise control. Car engine also revved in park once, and a couple of times seemed hard to brake. Car taken to dealership and diagnosed for $100. Dealership says it is not related to accident but that the throttle body needs to be replaced because the pedal is sticking and it is a safety issue - cost almost $400 not including the cost of the diagnostics. Second dealership confirmed price of throttle body and said that I needed to get it fixed because it's a safety issue. My car is a 2006 Ford. I was not able to get the car fixed. I don' t have that much money, dealership put that I refused service.
Same problem as odi #10182755. When attempting to stop as for a traffic light or parking, the car would suddenly kick into high revs, (over 5000 RPM, and attempt to accelerate, but would stop if brakes applied very strongly. First incident happened less than 24 hours after purchasing the car in April 2006. Several more incidents over the next month, including two times where the car had to be towed back to the dealership for repair. Dealer replaced throttle body assembly and a cruise control cable; neither repair fixed the problem. Final attempt at repair dealer drove the car over 600 miles in 5 days and reported no problem found. Problem disappeared until March 2007 when it occurred again.
My 2006 Ford Focus had a gas pedal sticking on two occasions. The dealer eventually figured out the throttle cable from the cruise control had kinked. The result is a pedal that completely stops and freezes. It feels like it is a lead weight. The car temporarily has no acceleration. In a congested traffic area this is an extremely dangerous situation. It most likely only happens at high speeds, because of where the kink is. This happened with no warning. There appears to be similar events happening to other owners. The dealer did not offer to fix the cable (post warrantee), but did disconnect it, after I paid $100 diagnoses. The problem has not re-occurred yet.
Acceleration complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Ford Focus, 12% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Focus acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Ford Focus. 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 2006 Ford Focus acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.