2005 Ford Focus: won't start

8 of the 441 complaints about the 2005 Ford Focus describe won't start.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2018
27
2017
25
2016
34
2015
18
2014
50
2013
59
2012
102
2011
3
2010
6
2009
13
2008
7
2007
7
2006
2
2005
8
2004
16
2003
42
2002
47
2001
64
2000
122
1999
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Electrical · 149,000 miles · RI

Was driving on the highway and broke down. Car towed to garage and alternator replaced along with the battery. The car ran fine for about 1 week where after turning the car off it wouldn't start again. Again had it towed to the garage and the battery needed to be changed. A week later the car did it again and again the battery was replaced. I took the card to my ford dealership and had an electrical check done and the electrical test came back that the battery that was just put it was low and the alternator had tested fine. Changed the battery again..yup you guessed it...it died again. Changed the battery again and the car has now been running for 2 weeks now. Called ford's home office and filed a complaint not that it will do anything.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 77,000 miles · AZ

So idk every [xxx] year! For the last few years! It goes good then she starts acting funny boom battery light comes on. I use the voltmeter and everything's fine full charge same with the alternator. A week or so passed then the starter went out replaced 7/3/13!! Wtf! Fried put a new one in. Now my[xxx] clutch feels different don't know what it's not slipping but it's really smooth.2 days go by and boom acts like the battery is dead..nope take key out get voltmeter it's at 12.5 so I try again seems ok doesn't turn over. Again turn key all lights on seems ok nothing.... Ok 1 more turn key struggles like starter then lights flicker dash wacks out boom dead nothing!!!!! Get out still 12.5volts. I don't know try 1 more time I pumped the clutch ad it hesitated to turn over and boom it works!!!! Get home. Turn it off all is well acts like nothing is wrong! 4 to 6 days again this time it did it 2 him just different.here's the kicker!!!!! It's fine fully charged all lights ok all volts ok he pulls out ( ha ha pulls out!) then she idles irregularly like a loop higher loop get it home and keeps looping. So I remember this from like 5 yrs ago it was something with the maf or ecg I believe so I look for answers.... Now he goes out 4 hrs later nothing dead won't turn over won't do nothing!!!!! I hate this car!!!!! I swear I will find the [xxx] problem to this [xxx]!!!!! I can't believe this [xxx] car! She was so good now she's a lil [xxx]! I know it's something stupid as [xxx] and watch just like last year in august the [xxx[ clutch is going to go out again! I loved this car but from reading constantly I've decided this is a serious ford issue!!!! I have spent thousands on this! If I didn't have lifetime warranties on the alternator etc I could only imagine the cost!! Through all this horror I've also had to replace o2 sensors maf sensor all engine mounts 3 times!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 10, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 98,000 miles · OK

2005 ford focus will not start when the weather turns cold or will start but for no apparent resin just stops running no fuel pressure and fuel pump does not run when the problem arises when the weather turns worm the car starts and runs fine does not display any engine fault coeds. From what I have read this seems to be a ford problem that doesn't won't to except.

Filed Jan 7, 2011 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · NC

Intermittently keys get stuck in ignition, after a few days they usually come out may be weeks or months before it happens again, while driving I hear a clicking noise, lights in the dashboard and all the gauge lights start flickering, if you shut off the car it will not start again and lose all power, no lights, locks anything power shuts down, I have been stranded due to this problem. Have already had some wires replaced, problem still continues ..when it happens the car starts to hesitate, very dangerous if on an interstate or going through an intersection..car is back in the shop again for this issue, only 54000 miles on the car...even when I get it back from shop this time am afraid to drive the car, I was told it was fixed last time, who is to say that it is truly fixed this time, don't want to be stranded or in an accident.

Filed Nov 29, 2009 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · NC

My 2005 ford focus has been having issues with key not turning in the ignition. I have been stranded twice due to this problem. In the past three months I have had this occur over 8 times but until recently the car has eventually started. This last time the car would not start and had to be towed to a shop. I am currently awaiting the correct actions to take inorder to fix this problem.

Filed Mar 26, 2009 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · VA

Key stuck in ignition started car drove home. Parked car. Turned it off. Key stuck. Disconnected battery. Key came out. Reconnected battery. Reinserted key. Key wouldn't turn. Car wouldn't start. Left overnight. Tried again. Left alone for a few more hours. Re inserted key. Depressed brake...moved car out of park and back into park. Key then worked fine.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · FL

Car bought sept 2004. Car regularly doesn't start, and if it does always runs at over 3500 RPM for up to 5 minutes with no accelerator pressure. Alarm goes off when driving, for no reason. Car swerves and vibrates on road in dry and wet conditions (seems like steering and / or suspension broken / defective). Brakes also creak. All problems from car purchase to now, march 2005. Taken to 2 dealerships on 4 separate occasions, who could not "replicate the concern". Reported to ford motor company in january who informaed me that the original dealer service manager would contact me. So far, 7 weeks on, and no contact. Possible lemon law case.

Filed Feb 1, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 1,500 miles · NJ

I purchased my vehicle in early november 2004. As the weather began getting colder and damper, my vehicle would not start properly. The engine would stumble and crank, but would not turn over. I would have to try 3-4 times before the car would actually start. I took the vehicle in for service in december 2004 and tsb 04-23-4 was performed. The vehicle correctly started for a while after that, but is having the same problem again now.