The 2006 Ford Focus has 2 safety recalls and 205 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (48 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints205filed by owners
Crashes · fires23 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths19 · 1reported in complaints
2006 Ford Focus in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008 · 1,921 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E056000 · Jun 13, 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2006 Ford Focus 2-DR. Hatchback
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2006 Ford Focus 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Focus
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Focus Station Wagon
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Focus
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Focus Station Wagon
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Focus
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Ignition; Ignition › Switch
48
2
1
0
58,607 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
43
17
0
16
65,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cables
25
2
0
0
82,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
15
3
0
2
47,073 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
14
1
0
0
58,126 mi
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
14
0
0
0
84,574 mi
Unknown or other
12
0
0
0
110,000 mi
Tires Tread/belt; Sidewall
12
0
0
1
45,074 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
11
3
0
0
52,000 mi
Suspension Rear
10
0
0
0
23,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings; Foundation components › Disc
9
1
0
0
30,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
8
0
0
0
55,407 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 31, 1969 · crashAir bags Blind sides reflectors cause accidents has fuel system problems over heat makes car catch on fire
Feb 10, 2026 · 1 injuryAir bags 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…
Sep 8, 2023Power train Driving on hiway and vehicle shifted gears. Would no shift normally afterwards. Tried several times. Left myself and granddaughter in hiway in danger. Had local mechanic inspect the vehicle. Was told defective shifting linkage. Has occurred multiple times.
Jul 25, 2023Unknown or other Shifting linkage, was driving and went to shift into next gear and nothing. Clutch engaged, shifter goes in slot but doesn't stay it won't lock into gear, further examination found rubber clip and plastic clip from linkage broken and had fallen to topside of transmission.
Dec 27, 2022Suspension The welded retainer of the front bushing on the right side lower (control) arm had rusted through. This allowed the control arm to separate from the frame and the right front wheel to turn outward (while I was traveling straight ahead). The drive shaft was pulled from the transmission and some parts hit the ground. Luckily, I was approaching a stop sign and traveling at less than 30 miles per hour. (The day before I was on I95 at 65 mph) Upon inspection you can see that the control arm is forged in the shape of a "C" from very thick metal where the bushing rests against the arm. However, the bushing is retained by a much thinner metal, welded across the arm forming the other side of the…
Oct 3, 2020 · 76,000 milesElectrical system THE WIRING HARNESS FLEXES WHERE IT PASSES FROM THE BODY TO THE TAILGATE CAUSING THE IINSULATION AND WIRING TO BREAK AND SHORT TO THE BODY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE AND NO REAR LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILST DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY OPENING THE HATCHBACK.
Mar 12, 2020 · 86,000 milesAir bags AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS PARKED AND THEN STARTED. ENGINE STARTED, AND THE AIR BAG SRS LIGHT CAME ON AS PART OF SELF TEST, WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, CAME BACK ON THEN STAYED ON. CAR WAS NEVER IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT. ONLY ACCIDENT WAS SCRATCHED BUMPER FROM SIDESWIPE WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. CHECKED UNDER AND AROUND 2 FRONT SEATS FOR DEBRIS PER OWNER'S MANUAL. ALL OK WITH INSPECTION. LATCHED AND UNLATCHED SEAT BELTS (DR AND PASS), PULLED AND RETRACTED SEAT BELTS. NO CHANGE, AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON.
Feb 12, 2020 · 160,000 milesElectrical system DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GAS PEDDLE GET STUCK AND SOMETIMES WONT PUSH DOWN TO GO SOMETIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL LIGHTS FLICKER ALL THE TIME WHEN I HAVE THEM ON AT NIGHT GOTTIN PULLED OVER A COUPLE OF TIMES TOOKIN IT TOO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID EVERYTHINGS OK ON HIGHWAY 36 BETWEEN BROOKFIELD AND CHILLICOTHE MO
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
