2005 Ford Focus Latches/Locks
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY HIS DAUGHTER THAT BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR FAILS TO LATCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED ,SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD LOCATED AT 5900 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48327, PHONE NUMBER: (248) 674-4781, WHERE TO VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH OR STAY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V3000 (LOCKS/LATCHES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,811.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
A FEW MONTHS AGO MY PASSENGER DOOR LATCH HANDLE FAILED AND BROKE SO WAS OPENING IT FROM THE INSIDE. NOW MY DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE/LATCH IS NOW BROKEN. I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE HATCHBACK TO OPEN THE DOORS. THESE HANDLES/LATCHES ARE VERY POORLY MADE AND WHAT HAPPENED IF I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR/HANDLE FAILED AT THAT TIME WHERE THEY COULDN'T OPEN IT AND GET SOMEONE OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS LOOKED INTO. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE IN YOUR DATABASE. THESE HANDLE SHOULD NOT GIVE OUT THIS EASY. *TR
REAR PASSENGER ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK FROZEN. DOOR WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED MALFUNCTION AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR CHILDREN AND THE DISABLED. FORD NEEDS TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD SO THEY CAN INFORM OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2005 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 1 1/2 AGO. RECENTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY THE 2005 FORD FOCUS FROM A CERTAIN MANUFACTURING LOCATION. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY 2005 FOCUS WAS NOT MANUFACTURED FROM THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION. SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS THE DOOR LATCH AND WOULD COST $271.44 TO REPAIR. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I'VE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE RECALL AND I'M VERY UPSET SINCE IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING YET IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT VEHICLES NEED REPAIRS FROM TIME TO TIME BUT ITS TROUBLING TO ME THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL, BUT I'M OUT THE MONEY BECAUSE MINE WASN'T A PART OF IT. MY HUSBAND AND I OWN 2 FORD VEHICLES AND WILL BE IN THE MARKET FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE SOON AND DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
DOOR LATCHES WORK VERY BADLY ON PASENGER AND DRIVERS DOORS. FINALLY THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH BROKE. *TR
THERE IS THIS PLASTIC SLEEVE ON THE BOTTOM OF MY SHIFTER THAT SLIPS DOWN. WHEN THAT PIECE IS DOWN I CANNOT RETRIEVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF. THE LOCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STOPPED WORKING WITH THE KEYFOB. IT WORKED MANUALLY UNTIL TODAY, NOW I HAVE TO ENTER AND LEAVE MY CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE PANEL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. SO REPLACING THE PROBLEMATIC DEVICE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I CALLED FOR A LOCKSMITH. AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRYING TO OPEN THIS DOOR, HE GAVE UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 09/07/2011 *LN THE CHEAP, CHEESY PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES HAVE ALL BROKEN. A LOBE PROBLEM CAUSED LATCHES TO FAIL. UPDATED 10/07/2011 *LN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR RELEASED WITHOUT INTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY AND HAD TO BE SECURED WITH A BUNGEE CORD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2005 FOR A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOOR: LATCH) AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,950. UPDATED 08/19/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH BECAME DEFECTIVE AND THE DOOR OPENED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE VIA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,266.
2005 FORD FOCUS SW. THE TRUNK LATCH IF OPENED BY REMOTE THEN CAN'T CLOSE BACK. IF REMOTE CONTROL OF LATCH IS NOT OPERATED AND USING ONLY THE KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THEN IT'S OKAY. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE LATCH SO THAT I CAN USE THE KEY ONLY TO OPERATE THE TRUNK GATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED UNLESS THE CHILD SAFETY FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WITH REMOTE OR MANUALLY WITH ROCKER SWITCH. *TR
2005 FORD FOCUS HAS BACK DOOR THAT NO LONGER LOCKS (POWER LOCKS). DEALER STATES DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACING ($400.00). WENT ON INTERNET TO SEE ACTUAL COST OF PART AND HOW INVOLVED TO FIX. AMAZED TO FIND THE NUMBER OF CASES WHERE LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE GONE OUT ON FORD FOCUS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN LOCKED IN THEIR CARS AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT WINDOWS OR OUT THEIR TRUNK. OUR CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE COULD CRAWL INTO THE BACK OF OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE AND ATTACK HER - BECAUSE HERS IS STUCK IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. OR WHAT IF THE OTHER DOORS GET STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION AND SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULDN'T GET OUT OF HER CAR.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH AND DOOR HANDLE WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,090.
THE LEFT REAR DOOR ON MY 2005 FORD FOCUS DOES NOT LOCK. EVEN WHEN I LOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND THE ALARM IS ARMED, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL OPEN. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE '05 FOCUS. *TR
HATCH IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, LAST ONE BEING 11-22-08, THE HATCH OPENED COMPLETELY WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THEY DO NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION, THE HATCH WAS RETURNED TO US FROM THE DEALER WITH A DENT RESULTING FROM THE FORCE NEEDED TO CLOSE HATCH. DEALER PAID TO FIX DENT, BUT DENTS RETURNED. *TR
POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK UNEXPECTIALY WHILE ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS WITH OVER 84K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE OPENING THE DOORS. THEY USED TO STICK BUT NOW THEY JUST DON'T CLOSE. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR STICKS AND IS HARD TO OPEN & BOTH REAR DOORS DO NOT CLOSE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RUSS MILNE FORD IN MACOMB MICH. THEY WANT OVER $700 TO REPAIR THE DOORS. I FOUND IT APPALLING THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THAT MUCH MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT I VIEW AS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR FOR FREE CONSIDERING THE SAFTEY HAZARD THIS COULD CAUSE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND OPENED TICKET #0615822478 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. I REALIZE THIS IS NOT A LUXURY SEDAN SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS LOUD WIND NOISE, SHAKES AND RATTLES AND EVEN THE FRONT ARM REST FLINGING ITSELF OFF ITS BASE AND BREAKING DOESN'T REALLY BOTHER ME OR THE MP3 PLAYER NOT READING THE DISCS OR THE TRUNK BUTTON REQUIRING SEVERAL PUSHES BEFORE IT OPENS THE TRUNK DOESN'T GIVE ME GREAT CONCERN, BUT I CERTAINLY EXPECT THE DOORS TO CLOSE. IF I WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHEAP WHEELS THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE ALREADY OR THE TIRES OR THE ENGINE, I COULD SEE BEING TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT THESE ARE DOORS THAT I SHOULD EXPECT TO CLOSE. I READ THROUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND EVEN THOUGH IT BROKE OUT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR TIRES, OIL, ETC, NO WHERE DID IT SAY THAT ONE COULD EXPECT THE DOORS TO STOP CLOSING AFTER "X" MILES. AT HOW MANY MILES SHOULD I HAVE EXPECTED THE DOORS TO STOP CLOSING? 25, 30, 50 THOUSAND? I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR 2004-5 FOR THE EXACT THING THAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY DOORS. RECALL NUMBER: 05V030000 SO WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT RECALL WAS ONLY FOR VEHILCES BULIT UP TO JANUARY OF 2005 AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN JULY OF 2005. IMAGINE THAT, I HAVE THE SAME ISSUEI WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO MY CASE. THANKS.
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The 2005 Ford Focus has 26 Latches/Locks complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.