2005 Ford Focus Problems: 1 Issues Every Owner Should Know
2005 model year · 2,200+ owner reports · Updated April 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,200+ owner reports, the 2005 Ford Focus has 1 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. The most commonly reported issue is Rear Wheel Bearing Premature Failure with 2,200 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $250 to $500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
All 1 Known Issues
On the 2000-2018 Ford Focus, the Ford Focus across all generations (2000-2018) is prone to premature rear wheel bearing failure, a problem documented extensively on Focus Fanatics Forum and FocalJet.com. Some owners report recurring failures with bearings needing replacement every 20,000-30,000 miles. The rear wheel bearing is a sealed, non-serviceable unit that cannot be repacked with grease, making it susceptible to moisture infiltration and premature wear. RepairPal estimates replacement cost between $317 and $429 for most Focus model years. One FocalJet forum member reported replacing the passenger side rear bearing at least 10 times in 2 years. The bearings are not adequately protected from road spray and debris, and salt-belt vehicles fail significantly sooner. The 2012-2018 Focus models appear to have a slightly improved bearing design but still experience failures, particularly on vehicles with rear drum brakes.
Common Symptoms
- Humming or growling noise from rear wheels that increases with speed
- Rumbling noise that changes pitch when turning (load shifts off bearing)
- Vibration felt through vehicle floor
- Uneven rear tire wear
- ABS warning light if bearing play affects wheel speed sensor
- Loose or wobbly feeling in rear end
- Grinding noise from rear at highway speeds
How to Fix
Replace the rear wheel bearing/hub assembly as a complete unit - the bearing is sealed and non-serviceable. RepairPal estimates $317-429 per side. When replacing, clean the knuckle bore thoroughly and apply anti-seize compound to prevent the new bearing from seizing in the housing (makes future replacement much easier). If the vehicle is in a salt-belt state, replace both rear bearings simultaneously - the other side will likely fail soon after.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 2,200+ owners who fixed this issue
- TipWhen replacing rear wheel bearings on a Focus, apply anti-seize to the hub-to-knuckle bore interface. Many Focus owners report that the bearing seizes into the knuckle from corrosion, making future replacement a nightmare without anti-seize.
- TipTimken or SKF bearings are the most recommended aftermarket brands for Focus rear wheel bearings. Cheap no-name bearings from Amazon have extremely high failure rates - some Focus owners report failures within 10,000 miles on cheap units.
- UpgradeQuality wheel bearing/hub assembly for noise-free and safe wheel rotation (Timken Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly)