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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,260 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #11

Sep 082023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Ingleside, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 062018

Focus

  • miles
2006 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to anti theft system and manual transmission issues.

- Depauw, IN, USA

problem #9

Jan 012014

Focus

  • 45,862 miles
I purchased this car and recently my car has been bogging down and losing power. I was told it was a oxygen sensor. Now my shift is off, cannot tell what gear it's in. And my drivers door handle has broken not once but twice.

- New Haven, KY, USA

problem #8

Sep 152013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 176,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I chose 'crash' above only because there was contact between two vehicles. At a red light, the Focus rolled into the car in front at no more than 3-5 mph. Air bag deployed, seat belts locked. Zero damage to either vehicle, except small dent to the license plate, I took the vehicle to my body shop. After inspecting the vehicle, they are also confused as to why it deployed. Estimate to repair is $1800. Is this normal" is this a known issue with the 2006 Focus"

- Coventry, RI, USA

problem #7

Jan 162013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
Vehicles shifter button failed to engage. Initially discovered it was due to a blown fuse (#32.) after replacing, vehicle operated fine for a few days, but again shifter button failed to engage. Investigated on the internet and found out the blown fuse was due to cracked wiring insulation causing exposed wires in the rear hatch. Also learned this issue caused the rear tail and brake lights not to operate. Found multiple complaints on the internet regarding this same issue of which it was ultimately due to a design flaw because the wires on the rear wiring harness are too short.

- Burns Harbor, IN, USA

problem #6

Jun 012013

Focus

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission failed while driving 65 mph and the contact was unable to accelerate over 35 mph. In addition, the gear shift lever could not be shifted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 121,000.

- Mesquite , NV, USA

problem #5

Feb 242013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not run as smooth when driving at 45 mph and the vehicle would also jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who performed a diagnostic but was unable to generate a failure code. The transmission was also inspected and the failure was located at the transmission solenoid springs. The transmission was rebuilt by the mechanic and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls pertaining to the transmission. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000 and the approximate current mileage was 49,000. Updated 05/08/13

- Northumberland , PA, USA

problem #4

Sep 152012

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 5 speed. I have had to replace the clutch master cylinder 3 times within a years time. The problem is the part is plastic and over time it starts to leak due to the pressure it takes to change gears. I'm in rush hour traffic daily and having to stop and start. The master cylinder shares fluid from the brake reservoir. I have had low to non existent braking power. The master clutch has leaked inside my car and oil dripped onto the clutch and brake peddles causing foot slippage. The latest situations I was stuck in traffic, stop and go, and began having problems getting the car in gear. Next I was backing up slowly when I experienced no clutch peddle and the car began speeding up I could not get it out of gear I had to shutdown the engine to stop the car from pulling and get it out of gear. The car idles high when I come to a light or stop sign and eventually comes down. The gas peddle sticks in cooler weather. There are times when I'm in traffic I have to press really hard.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The transmission went out at 43,000 miles. The powertrain was under warranty at the time, but the Ford dealer repaired only certain parts of the transmission. Now, 25K miles later, the transmission is again bad. Ford refuses to fix because the car is no longer in warranty, and there is no recall. I think the car's transmission was defectively manufactured.

- Boiling Springs, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 252011

Focus

  • 43,000 miles
When accelerating from stop the transmission wouldn't go into gear, when it did it would jerk and sometimes there would be a squeeling noise as if it was trying to stop the car. It jerks as if the transmission is going to fall out and the over drive comes on while driving and won't go off. Sometimes the transmission just jerks and jerks continuously so bad it won't go into gear and won't gain any speed. I have to pull off the road. Thank god I haven't been hit by someone, it's very scary and dangerous when this happens.. the car is in the shop on diagnostics and so far we are being told there is no communication from the car computer to the diagnostic analyzer. I've found other complaints about this same transmission problem with this car online and I'm wondering why Ford hasn't issued a recall for this problem. One person said he had to have his transmission replaced. When these same kind problem occurs it sounds like it is a Ford motor product problem and should be treated as such. What is causing this and where's the recall Ford"?"

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 192010

Focus

  • miles
I purchased 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 in may of 2006. It was a brand new car with only 8 miles on it. When I purchased the car it was very loud and rough. I thought it was because it was new and needed some time to be driven. After three and half years nothing has changed. I called Ford companyand was told to take it to Ford dealer. (I took it to Ford dealership and told them what the problem was. I also stated that it stops shifting into 4th gear and will not shift up if I have to accelerate quickly. The dealer info: Ford bredemann 2038 waukegan road glenview, il 60025 (847) 510-5585). I left the car for about a week and when I came to pick it up I was told that engine and transmission were on good condition. There are some things that needed to be changed like tires..etc.. however, I have had instances on the road where I almost could have ended up killed just because the car wont accelerate. It happened to me about two weeks ago. 2nd problem is steering wheel. It is so stiff that its hard to turn it left and right. I feel like it is so unsafe for me to drive this car..not just unsafe for me but for other drivers on the road was well.

- Chicago , IL, USA

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