Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Focus, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 30 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 14% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 7% |
| Tires | 10 | 5% |
| Power train | 8 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 3% |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% |
| Structure | 6 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My sister was driving my 2006 Ford Focus along a highway. Out of nowhere, the airbag in the side of the driver's seat deployed. This was the only airbag that deployed. The airbag deployed into the side of my sister emitt
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Shifting linkage, was driving and went to shift into next gear and nothing. Clutch engaged, shifter goes in slot but doesn't stay it won't lock into gear, further examination found rubber clip and plastic clip from linka
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The welded retainer of the front bushing on the right side lower (control) arm had rusted through. This allowed the control arm to separate from the frame and the right front wheel to turn outward (while I was traveling
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE WIRING HARNESS FLEXES WHERE IT PASSES FROM THE BODY TO THE TAILGATE CAUSING THE IINSULATION AND WIRING TO BREAK AND SHORT TO THE BODY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE AND NO REAR LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILST DRIVING AN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS PARKED AND THEN STARTED. ENGINE STARTED, AND THE AIR BAG SRS LIGHT CAME ON AS PART OF SELF TEST, WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, CAME BACK ON THEN STAYED ON. CAR WAS NEVER IN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GAS PEDDLE GET STUCK AND SOMETIMES WONT PUSH DOWN TO GO SOMETIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL LIGHTS FLICKER ALL THE TIME WHEN I HAVE THEM ON AT NIGHT GOTTIN PULLED OVER A COUPLE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL WOULD BEGIN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE SAME OPENING THEY
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 Ford Focus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 97 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 30 of them (15%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.