2005 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

7 of the 441 complaints about the 2005 Ford Focus describe grinding or squealing brakes.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 22,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Grinding or squealing brakes by model year

2018
13
2017
24
2016
29
2015
24
2014
122
2013
121
2012
116
2011
1
2010
8
2009
2
2008
4
2007
6
2006
3
2005
7
2004
15
2003
23
2002
19
2001
65
2000
189
1999
1

What owners say

Filed May 19, 2009 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · NY

The inner brake pads on the front axles are prone to binding due to rust. The clearances are very tight. This causes premature, uneven brake and rotor wear once the pad rusts up and stops floating. My pads just failed after 42k miles; yet the outer pads were over 1/4" thick. I propose a several-part remedy (first 3 to be done by servicing technician): 1. Examine the pads more frequently than the usual once a year required by typical safety inspections; pull the wheels and check for movement of the inboard pads. The pads may have to be retracted with a c clamp so they have room to move. 2. If the pads are frozen, remove brake disk and pads and remove rust on the sliding surface down to bare metal with a flat file, until pads slide freely. 3. Lubricate surfaces with molykote or similar anti-seize compound. 4. The manufacturer should review the design with brake vendors to come up with a solution which could be incorporated into replacement pads. If slightly shorter pads are the answer, they should include anti-rattle measures. Also, a squealer spring should be added to contact the brake disk when the pad is almost gone to give an audible warning to the driver. These work well on chryslers (I don't know who makes them).

Filed Oct 5, 2008 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · TX

With less then a 1/4 tank of fuel the car will stall when changing lanes, making left hand turns. The fuel pump is making grinding noises.

Filed Sep 3, 2006 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · CA

I own a 2004 and 2005 ford focus. One is an se and one a zx3. The front brakes on the 2004 went out at 32,000 miles and the 2005 went out at 40000 miles. Both vehicles are driven nicely. On both there was a slight grinding for about a week and then total pad failure in the right inside pad. Ford says the pads I bought from the dealer are lifetime warranty but the system when new carries no warranty. By the time problems are noticed, it's too late and both the pads and rotors need to be replaced.

Filed Aug 2, 2006 · Brakes · 2,500 miles · SC

The vehicle has a chronic failure in the rear brakes, they have been replaced 3 times since october 2005. The vehicle is a 2005 ford focus wagon. The rear brakes do not engage, the car skids, and they squeal. I have had the car in the shop over a half a dozen times.

Filed May 3, 2006 · Brakes, Locks · 22,000 miles · KY

Dt*: the contact stated a grinding noise was coming from the driver's side front end. The dealership was unable to hear the noise while test driving the vehicle, but replaced the rotors and brake pads in an attempt to repair it. The trunk latch did open from the inside of the vehicle. Updated 05/30/06.

Filed Aug 27, 2005 · Body, Electrical · 9,000 miles · WA

I purchased a brand new 2005 ford focus zx4 in december of 2005. Upon delivery I noticed my car had a hard time starting and the whole engine would shake and knock. After a month I took it into the dealer and they said they couldn't find a problem. The condition continued and I took it in again and they couldn't find a problem but asked to keep it for an overnight start. I brought it in a few days later so they could keep it over night and they found a bulletin by ford saying they know there is a hard start problem but they don't know how to fix it. I then had to have the driver's seat belt replaced because it wouldn't unlatch occasionally. I then had to have the passenger side door casing replaced because it was discolored. Then about a month and a half ago I was driving down the highway at 62 miles an hour and my clutch went out and my car died in the middle of the highway. I was almost hit by another car and had to weight in 90 degree weather for 2 hours for a tow truck to come. My car was towed to ford and they said my fly wheel had crumbled and my clutch was bad. It took them 9 days to replace my clutch. A day later my car would not downshift without grinding and I had to take it back to the dealer. They said that this time they had to replace my transmission because it was ruined as well. To this day my car is still in the shop and has been there for 32 days just for the replacement of the transmission. My car is only 8 months old and has been in the shop for repair or diagnosis for a total of 45 days so far. Neither wendle motors or ford will replace the car so I am perusing a lemon law case.

Filed Jan 7, 2005 · Brakes · 7,500 miles · CA

While braking at any speed consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the front/rear brakes. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.