There are 35 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2005 Ford Focusin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
2005 FORD FOCUS ZX5 S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CONCERNS WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION IF ANY INTO AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING SPEED CONTROL. *JS
I HAVE A STANDARD AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH WHEN MY GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN BETWEEN SHIFTING. I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BUT IT WOULD NOT GO. I HAD TO LET MY CAR COAST OVER TO A TURNING LANE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF COMING TRAFFIC. I PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND HAD TO LET MY CAR SIT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT WORK. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE GAS PEDAL STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND RESTARTED IT AND LET THE CAR SIT AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE PEDAL FINALLY WORKED BUT AS SOON AS I MADE IT TO THE NEXT INTERSECTION AND MADE MY TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK, THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AGAIN. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND LET IT COAST INTO A PARKING SPOT.
I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, ON FARM TO MARKET ROAD 1960 (STATE HIGHWAY FM 1960) WHILE IN MOTION AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE. THE MOTOR REVVED UP AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE GAS PEDAL UP. THIS DID NOT WORK THOUGH. THE LIGHT BY THE GRACE OF GOD TURNED GREEN. I CONTINUED DRIVING FORWARD WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR. I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND THE MOTOR ACCELERATED FASTER. I IMMEDIATELY STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN. I WAS ACCELERATING AT A FASTER SPEED. I QUICKLY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO STOP SO I TURNED LEFT INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOT OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I THREW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT REVVED UP OUT OF CONTROL AS IF IT WANTED TO EXPLODE. I THREW IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I TOWED MY CAR TO MY HOME. THE ISSUE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. I WILL SEND MY CAR TO A MECHANIC ASAP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,300.
I WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH NEAR MIDWAY AIRPORT IN CHICAGO. I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK AND MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY PRESS THE BREAK TO ATTEMPT TO BRING MY CAR TO A STOP ... BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN AN ACCELERATION MODE. I ATTEMPTED TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL AND DEPRESS IT ... WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STILL STUCK. I HAD TO TURN MY CAR OFF FOR JUST TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND RESTART MY VEHICLE TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS (SUBURBAN FORD, LOCATED AT 37000 HIGHWAY 26 SANDY, OR 97055, 503-688-5511 AND GRESHAM FORD LOCATED AT 1099 E POWELL BLVD GRESHAM, OR 97080, 888-644-3418) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500... .UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 12 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
DURING COLD MORNINGS AND NOT EVERY COLD MORNING THE ACCELERATOR WILL BE STUCK SO YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE. ONCE THE CAR HEATS UP IT IS FINE. ON 10/22/14 A COOL MORNING (NOT COLD) THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH. I HAD SLOWED DOWN FOR A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND COULD NOT RE-ACCELERATE DUE TO THE STUCK PEDAL. MY SPEED WAS RAPIDLY DECREASING AND I HAD TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER (AND NOT HIT) WHERE AFTER PUTTING MY FULL BODY WEIGHT ON THE ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES TO FINALLY GET IT WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
STICKING ACCELERATOR ALMOST CAUSE ME A CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,163.
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THIS TIME IT TOOK 25 MIN OF THE CAR RUNNING FOR IT TO MOVE. YOU CAN PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES . THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN POST. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY INCREASED IN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND REPEATEDLY APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING BRAKE ODOR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE STATED THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A CONDITION TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE PCV WAS BLOWING AIR IN THE A PLASTIC TUBE OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. UPDATED 01/27/12
THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS NOVEMBER 19,2011. I HAVE A FILE COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH NHTSA. THIS OCCURRENCE OCCURRED SATURDAY JANUARY 19,2013. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMS TO BE STUCK. I HAD BEEN DRIVING 30 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM. I HAD TO TAP IT TO GET IT TO RELEASE. I KEPT DRIVING AND HAD TO TAP IT AGAIN TO RELEASE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS MOVING TO 65 MPH. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 85 AND IT WAS MOVING TO 75 MPH. I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT 85 MPH. I BRAKED HARD TO TURN TO MY JOB. I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND WAS STANDING ON BY BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY HUSBAND HE YELLED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THE ENGINE REVVING. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING KILLED. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TALKING TO SOMEONE FROM FORD CORPORATION ABOUT MY TERRIFYING INCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING UPWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ UPDATED 12/23/11
DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE GAS THROTTLE STICKS (APP. 45-HIGHER). THE SPEED CONTROL ALSO GOT STUCK BEFORE. THE CAR ALSO HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. IN MORNINGS AND EVENINGS, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS START. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR FROM ACCELERATING AS THE GAS PEDAL STOP WORKING. TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANYONE, I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE MEDIAN, BRAKE AS HARD AS COULD, THROW MY CAR INTO PARK AND TURN IT OFF. IF I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, YOU COULD STILL HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING FROM THE ACCELERATOR STILL BEING STUCK IN ACCELERATOR MODE. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER COST OF REPAIR - ONLY OFFERING A 12,000 MILE OR 12-MOS SERVICE PARTS WARRANTY. *TT
Showing 1–20 of 35 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026