RoadVitals

2006 Ford Focus Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Mar 2, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 204 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Mar 2, 2019

PASSENGER BACK DOOR LATCH BROKE. CAR DOOR TAPED

NHTSA ID
11183626
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 22, 2017

EVERY FOCUS OWNER I HAVE TALKED WITH HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME SINCE 2013 THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME, AND IF I DON'T FIX IT MYSELF, DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE $250 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, AND COVERED ON FORD'S EXPENSE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, FEBRUARY 2017, IT BROKE NOT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT ALSO THE INSIDE HANDLE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. SO NEITHER THE OUTSIDE, NOR INSIDE LATCH WILL OPEN ON, AND THAT'S A DEATH SENTENCE IF (KNOCK ON WOOD) I GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT. SEPTEMBER 19TH 2017, THE EXTERNAL HANDLE IS BROKEN AND I AM CURRENTLY NOW UNABLE TO OPEN NEITHER DOOR (IT'S A 2 DOOR). I LITERALLY HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE HATCH UNTIL THAT DECIDES TO BREAK ON ME. I CAN LEAVE MY WINDOW DOWN JUST ENOUGH TO STICK MY ARM IN TO UNLATCH IT, BUT U LOVE IN RAIN ASS OHIO, AND DON'T FEEL LIKE HAVING FLOOD ISSUES ONTOP OF THIS MESS. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? I SWEAR I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD IN MY LIFE AFTER HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS. IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND SADLY WILL TAKE SOMEONE DYING TO GET THIS ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD. VERY DISAPPOINTED, AND I'M RISKING MY LIFE EVERYTIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11024955
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 6, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

RAINFALL ON/OFF/MODERATE. TIRES ~5/32" TREAD; MICHELIN; AGE? WHILE NAVIGATING INTERCHANGE FROM I-64W TO I-81N (STAUNTON, VA) CAR LOST TRACTION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO STEER TO INSIDE CURVE SHOULDER RESULTED IN VIOLENT FISHTAILING & TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE SLID ABOUT 100 YDS. IN GRASSY DITCH, FLIPPING "1+?" TIMES, LEAVING DRIVER HANGING UPSIDE DOWN. LEFT TEMPLE HEAD INJURY. STERNUM INJURY UNDER SHOULDER BELT. DRIVER WALKED AWAY DIZZY BUT ORIENTED. "RECKLESS DRIVING" CITATION ISSUED. CAR TOTALLED. GROCERY TRIP ENDED BADLY BUT DRIVER GLAD TO BE "ALIVE". OWNER PURCHASED AUTO USED IN 2013 SEEKING ESC AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. FORD DENIED PROVISION OF SAME. ACCIDENT ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE/UNNECESSARY DUE TO MANUFACTURER NEGLECT OF KEY SAFETY EQUIPMENT AS STANDARD ISSUE (ELECTRONIC STABILIZATION CONTROL.)

NHTSA ID
11021674
Incident
Sep 1, 2017
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2016

RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PASSENGERS. FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY KNOWING THAT YOUR PASSENGERS ARE SAFELY SECURED AND NOT AT RISK FOR ACCIDENTALLY OPENING DOOR AND THRUST OUT OF THE VEHICLE. DOOR WAS ACIDENTALLY OPEN WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
10870174
Incident
May 19, 2016
Mileage
5 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2016
Crash reported

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE.

NHTSA ID
10825700
Incident
Feb 10, 2016
Mileage
199,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 18, 2015

WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR, THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BROKE. I AM ABLE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10684066
Incident
Feb 18, 2015
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jul 20, 2014

REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WILL NOT OPEN ON THE OUTSIDE,, WENT TO OPEN TO GET IN AND IT JUST PULLED UP BUT DIDN'T OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614786
Incident
Jul 15, 2014
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 4, 2014

THE TRUCK LATCH ON MY 2006 FORD FOCUS ZXW WOULD NOT ACTUATE ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE BUTTON ON THE FOB OR ON THE DASH WAS PRESSED DUE TO BROKEN WIRE IN A WIRING HARNESS RUNNING FROM THE INTERIOR TO THE REAR HATCH DOOR. IT WOULD ALSO BLOW FUSE #63 ON THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL WHICH MADE REPLACEMENT DIFFICULT (THE FUSE IS REALLY ON THE BACK OF THE FUSE BOX, THE MANUAL RECOMMENDS THAT ONLY THE DEALER SERVICE OR REPLACE THIS FUSE MAKING THIS ISSUE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO PARTIALLY RESOLVE IMMEDIATELY). UNTIL THIS FUSE COULD BE REPLACED, MY INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE ACTUATED ELECTRICALLY (POWER LOCKS OR FOB) WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AS ANY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT COULD NOT BE EASILY REACHED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. ONE WOULD NEED TO MANUALLY UNLOCK ANY AND ALL DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CULPRIT WAS WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD WIRES WITH DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AND TWO BROKEN WIRES. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND ANY AND ALL PICTURES OF THE DEFECTS. THE DAMAGE OCCURS WHEN THE HARNESS BENDS AS THE REAR HATCH IS SHUT DUE TO POOR DESIGN THAT DID NOT INCORPORATE A STAIN RELIEF TO EITHER END OF THE HARNESS WHERE MAXIMUM BENDING STRESSES WOULD OCCUR. THE WIRES MAY HAVE ALSO SHORTED AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT OPERATION, MARKER LAMP OPERATION, AND NUMEROUS OTHER FUNCTIONS AS THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED TEN WIRES THAT RUN IN PARALLEL IN THIS HARNESS AND ALL WIRE EXCEPT TWO HAD MULTIPLE INSULATION DEFECTS THAT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SHORTS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL HARNESSES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10608191
Incident
Jul 2, 2014
Mileage
92,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 11, 2014

THE HATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OF MY FORD FOCUS 2006 DOES NOT FUNCTION AND CAUSES THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO PROHIBITED ME FROM MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559480
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Body & structureElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 9, 2013

THE FIRST INCIDENT OF KEYS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WAS ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009 IN IOWA. WE LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD TO GO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED FOR $485.91. LESS THAN FIVE YEARS LATER ON JUNE 4, 2013 THE KEYS GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AGAIN. THIS TIME LUCKILY WE WERE AT HOME. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WELL KNOWN TO FORD SINCE 2000, YET THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER SOME MORE RESEARCH I FOUND A SOLUTION. THERE IS A THREE RING PIECE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER HANDLE AND THE SHAFT. SIMPLY PUSH IT BACK UP TOWARD THE HANDLE AND PRESTO THE KEYS COME OUT. THIS IS A FREE SOLUTION. I AM CURIOUS IF I CALLED FORD IF THEY WOULD TELL ME THIS SOLUTION OR FOR THAT MATTER EVEN FIX THE PART SINCE IT IS LESS THAN FIVE YEARS. IS IT UNDER WARRANTY? ANOTHER PROBLEM IS OUR CD PLAYER HAS A CD STUCK THAT WE CANNOT GET OUT. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO GO TO BEST BUY AND BUY AN UPGRADED ONE THAN TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP FIX IT. AT 85000 MILES ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WE HAD TO GET OUR HEAT SHIELD REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTING AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10515889
Incident
Nov 27, 2009
Mileage
47,073 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 26, 2012

FOR THE 3RD TIME A REAR DOOR LOCK ON MY FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED. TWICE ON RIGHT ONCE ON LEFT. THE LOCK JAMS. CANNOT LOCK. BUT A DANGER TO A CHILD IN THE CAR AS YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. NOR CAN YOU SECURE THE CAR FROM CAR JACKERS SINCE IT WILL NOT LOCK,. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490081
Incident
Dec 17, 2012
Mileage
61,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Aug 20, 2010

FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSAL TO WARRANT AIR BAG MODULE ON 2006 FORD FOCUS. ACCORDING TO FORD ,MODULE IS IN THE CONSOLE WHERE WATER GOT INTO IT. SHOULD THIS MODULE BE PLACED IN A SPOT WHERE WATER SHOULD NOT LEAK INTO IT. DURING A RAIN STORM ,THE CARPETS GOT WET. I WILL AGREE THAT WATER CAN DAMAGE COMPONENTS.IN THIS CASE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BECAME DISABLED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT FORD TOOK PROPER CARE IN THE PLACEMENT OR THE MODULE OR IN WATER PROOFING IN SOME MANNER..LET ME ADD THIS .THE FUEL PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES IS ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK,IT IS EXPOSED TO WATER YET SOME HOW IT IS PROPERLY SEALED .. *TR

NHTSA ID
10350779
Incident
Aug 20, 2010
Mileage
27,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAME APART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING IN ORDER FOR IT TO COME APART. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,750.

NHTSA ID
10205233
Incident
Sep 18, 2007
Mileage
9,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 21, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING 5 MPH FROM A STOP SIGN ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A VEHICLE TRAVELING 35 MPH IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE OTHER VEHICLE INCURRED SLIGHT DAMAGES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE VEHICLE'S PARTS WOULD BE SCATTER ALL OVER THE ROAD AFTER AN IMPACT OF LOW SPEED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA ID
10168871
Incident
Sep 20, 2006
Mileage
5,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, A TOXIC VAPOR WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THIS WAS PART OF MATERIALS BEING USED WHEN THE DASHBOARD AND SIDE PANELS WERE MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT OF THE VAPOR, THE CONTACT HAS A HEADACHE, SORE THROAT AND ALLERGIES; ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON ANTIBIOTICS FROM THE FAMILY DOCTOR THE SORE THROAT STILL PERSISTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10151295
Incident
Feb 6, 2006
Mileage
40 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .