The Lemon Index2006 Ford Focus.
The 2006 Ford Focus is better than average by owner complaints: 65 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 53, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 23 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 205 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Focus year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 94K miles on the car (172 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 37K–79K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 35K–107K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 61K–101K miles
Recalls 2
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Mil on/rough running - mutiple dtcs -0201, p0202, p0203 or p0204 present in the powertrain…
- 2006-2007 focus- wiring - 14401 harness chafe condition
- Mtx-75 premature clutch failure
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a 2006 Ford Focus and the key keeps getting stuck inside of the ignition without any warning. It will stay stuck for a few weeks and then one day it will just come out.
2006 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10224149
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator blinks on and off. When it air bag indicator is off the passenger is not protected by the air bag. This began four days after the vehicle was purchased.
NHTSA complaint 10163736
2006 Ford Focus continuously gets the key stuck in the ignition it seems it is due to the gear shift not locking in place. I have had to leave the key in the ignition on a few of those occasions and place the emergency brake on.
NHTSA complaint 10295233
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Ford Focus reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2006 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), airbags (17%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Focus have?
2 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Focus get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,500 and 94,400 miles. The middle report was at 59,900 miles, from 172 complaints.
Does the 2006 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Ford Focus have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works