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Used 2005 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
328 reviews

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Pros
Cons
4.5 out of 5 stars

Not bad at all

nichole, 08/20/2008
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Definitely not a bad car. Only problem is when the alternator went up. Scared the crap out of me and seemed a little ironic that it happened with less than 20,000 miles on the car, but whatever. Not too impressed at needing new tires at 20,000 either. Partial blame on the dealer for not doing it and then the other half on myself for not knowing to ask. Handling is pretty good and parking is really easy. Not thrilled with the road noise at high speeds but I'll take that over having to turn off my AC to get moving above 30 mph in my old car.

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4 out of 5 stars

Meh

Joey, 06/24/2010
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

Coming from a Grand Prix GT (3.8 V6) I am getting the same mileage in the city as I am in the SLOWcus (~23 mpg city). Seems to be reliable though. Trunk unlock is a PITA. Lifetime air filter. Sporty kinda. Get blinker & steering wheel controls confused. Ceiling compartment (sunshades, garage door) blocks part of view from rear view mirror if your tall (6 ft).

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2.13 out of 5 stars

bad transmissions

moses, 03/08/2010
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 13 people found this review helpful

I bought my 2005 focus ZX4 2 years ago. i read the car-fax report and it was good. Then i started to notice certain problems such as: Tire wear quickly, alignment off for no reason, and now transmission and transaxle problem. Mind you, the warranty was up the 5th of march this year the tranny and or transaxle went out the 7th of march this year. Now the car will not roll backwards in neutral if you try to push it. The back wheel seem to be lock when trying to push it backward in neutral. There were no warning of this problem what so ever.I think that FORD should take responsibility for their product. I have now seen over 120 complaints about the same thing in the same car.

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4 out of 5 stars

2005 focus se sedan

Mustanglover1, 11/17/2021
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Let me start off by saying I am strictly a sports car person. I’ve always owned mustangs, firebirds, corvettes, and camaros and always in red. I just do not like sedans or any car with 4 doors. At the time I bought this 2005 focus, I was between cars and needed a car. I couldn’t find any sports cars in my price range so I had to look for any car that ran in order to get to work (2 hour drive one way to work). I came across a boring silver 2005 focus with 150k miles for only $1,000. When I got it, it needed tires, brakes and engine mounts. Ok so I replaced those things. However my mechanic told me the transmission needed to be replaced. Since this car is only temporary while I save up for a mustang or something, I didn’t plan to get the transmission fixed. Well, I drove the car over 2k miles and the transmission hasn’t failed or acted up. Yes it acts a little weird if you drive it too slowly when you first start it up in the morning but then it acts fine. The heat/ac is set to 0 but it still blows a little so it needs to be adjusted to hot or cold while driving but it’s actually really nice. It has some faded paint on the side but no dents or cracked glass. It all works fine. Even though I am embarrassed to drive it and dislike it, it does have personality since it’s so old. It has lots of room in the trunk and parts are cheap, it does pretty good on gas. The front of it is cute, I’m just not a fan of how smashed in the rear end looks. But anyone, for a car that’s 16 years old, everything electrical works, the seats are stained but the cushions still feels new, the headlights are yellow but new lights are $90 online. It also has nice visibility. Good car but I really wish it wasn’t so boring and ugly looking. If you get this car you will not stand out, no one will remember what your car looks like, no one will want to take pictures of your car and you can’t take it to car shows. You can get a spoiler out on the back but you can’t get an after market bolt on exhaust. The steering is very tight but the real shocks are worn. The horn doesn’t work. Common problems with these cars: engine mounts will need replaced, transmission selonoids often need replaced, the rims often get rusty and need painted black, the radio buttons paint flake off. And it’s an ugly car that blends in Pros: a little zippy, good gas, cheap parts, nice visibility, tiny, large trunk, no leaks or smoking, fwd for snow So even though I’m told the transmission fluid is Burnt and the transmission needs replaced and it has a leaking gasket, it still goes very strong and has been pretty reliable. I am not sure if I am going to keep it or sell it when I save up to buy a sports car. I also am not sure if my mechanic is being honest about its issues.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding reliability

Fred, 04/01/2021
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I have had my Ford Focus for 6 years, have 302500+ miles and with regular maintenance, the only things major I have replaced is the transmission and exhaust manifold off the engine. Runs great, get approximately 30-32 MPG highway and am totally expecting to see 400k miles, if not more!!!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Very unreliable

Sarah, 05/21/2020
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I had this car for less than 2 years, mind you it was bought from a private owner with already 193000km on it (it was a gift I did not choose it) and it was literally nothing but problems since the day I got it. Possible that the previous owners did not take good care of it, but it was way more trouble that it was worth. Got rid of it today thankfully, never have to deal with the stress that vehicle caused me again. There was issues with the idle air intake, battery, suspension, tires, and the gas meter.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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3.38 out of 5 stars

2005 Focus

sgallagh, 10/30/2007
2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not impressed with the cheap tires I had to replace after 25,000 miles. Brakes have been replaced twice within first two years. Just took it in for it's 30,000 mile maintenance and had to pay $600 for the parts and labor. Seems like I'm always needing to take it in to have somthing checked out whether it's alignment or brakes. For a car that was rated well by Consumer Reports, I am not all that impressed by the Focus. I was hesitant to buy a Ford but took the chance. Not sure I'm happy I did. The "fun" aspects of the car don't make up for it's flaws.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Love the car, hate the chintzy interior

Carole Child, 07/17/2005
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SES 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I really like my Ford Focus Wagon; it's good looking, zippy, reliable (so far) pretty good on gas around town, excellent on the road. I am not happy with the inferior interior ... when the drivers seat is back as far as it will go there are wires exposed, seat runners and handles exposed and clothing keeps getting caught on the handles. I am a very large person and I find the drivers space very comfortable, unfortunately the back seats are cramped. No space for women to put their purses. Some feature in the trunk for grocery bags, hooks, cut-outs whatever, so groceries aren't rolling all over car. Would I buy it again ... you bet!

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3.75 out of 5 stars

My New car

Melissa, 01/11/2005
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SES 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

This is my new car. I would buy no other. It is fun to drive and be in. It has enough space for my two kids.

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5 out of 5 stars

ford focus

manessi, 07/06/2004
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

When my husband present this vehicle to me, I was very reluctant. I love my ford focus. Not only the performance but the overall look of the vehicle. I am very please with gas mileage per gallon. They way the vehicle hug the curves. Again I am very happy with my focus.

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