2006 Ford Focus

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Electrical

Electrical leads by volume: 48 of 204 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 441 in 2005 to 204 in 2006.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2006: 2 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20042005200620072008vs. 2006 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,300–3,7002,400–2,7002,400–2,7002,300–2,7002,250
Combined MPG21–2723–2623–2623–2728
City / Highway MPG18–24 / 26–3220–22 / 28–3220–23 / 28–3120–24 / 29–3324 / 33–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)329–423342–386342–386329–386317
Complaints filed387441204391250Not compared
Recalls issued65222Not compared
Crash-involved complaints3443226021Not compared
Fire-involved complaints139370Not compared
Injuries reported3441197520Not compared
Deaths reported10120Not compared
Configurations compared73332

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Focus have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Ford Focus?

Electrical: 48 of 204 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Focus get?

EPA rates it 23–26 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Ford Focus?

EPA estimates $2,400–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (5)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars23 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Manual 5-spd42.3LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg (low)28 mpg (low)23 mpg (low)$2,700 (high)386 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Station Wagons22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Station Wagons23 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine81100
Transmission & Drivetrain141000
Fuel System172000
Electrical482200
Brakes143010
Steering52000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires230010
Airbags & Restraints41140141
Driver Assistance & Speed Control252000
Body, Seats & Latches323040
Visibility & Lighting140100
Other140000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 08E050000 · Aug 14, 2008

    Defect: 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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: 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.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E056000 · Jun 23, 2006

    Defect: 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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

    Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

    Remedy: 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.