Overview & Reviews

For 2006, an MP3-compatible CD player is standard on all models, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls are included with CD changer-equipped systems. A new Street Appearance package includes unique fascias, a spoiler and a bright-finish exhaust tip.

• Fun-loving character, forgiving ride quality, responsive steering, comfortable seats, simple controls, wide selection of body configurations and features.

• Sloppy build quality, mismatched interior plastics, inadequate storage and cupholders, no rear head restraints, 2.3-liter engine limited to ST sedan.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 156.00

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  Great Little Car - 2006 Ford Focus
  By jpeters - February 7 - 3:32 pm

  Purchased brand new in March 06. Coming up on 4 years and 108,000 miles and not a single issue. Have done regular oil changes every 5,000 miles and am on my third set of tires, have replaced one rear light at about 80,000 miles. Thats it for maintanence. Fun to drive, great gas mileage, practically maintenance free. Good acceleration and handling, passing is a breeze. Only complaints are engine noise at about 62 mph but only at that particular speed, not higher or lower. Not comfortable on long drives, say over about 3 or 4 hours, definite booty pain. Has been a fun and faithful little car. Love it!

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  Problems - 2006 Ford Focus
  By April - December 10 - 1:11 pm

  I bought this car used a year and a half ago, because I was going through a divorce and need something that wasnt a gas guzzler and compact. Since the purchase it has needed a new transmission, a new fly wheel and I just replaced the starter. When I bought it the back passenger side strut was already squeaking (and still does). Luckily the transmission and fly wheel were covered by the warranty. However, it cost me $460 to replace the starter. I know there is up keep in buying a car but geez...

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  06 Focus SES ZX5 AT - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Sgeur67 - December 1 - 2:48 am

  Purchased my Focus SES ZX5 new. Love it. getting 25mpg city/30mpg hwy at 70mph. Original Pirelli P6s were super noisy, replaced them after 400 miles with Goodrich TA radials. Quieter than the P6s and far far better traction in snow. After 54K mi brakes are still great, no noise, no squeaks, no dust and still now wore out. AC is always cold when you really need good and cold. This car has all the power you need for every day commuting and quite comfortable on 4hr trip too. I would buy another 4dr hatch if Ford made it. Great little car.

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  Liked the car Didnt like the repairs - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Holly - November 23 - 2:47 am

  I drove my Focus for just shy of three years when it met a premature death in an accident about a month ago. Honestly, I liked the look of my car and had a lot of fun with it. Unfortunately, my transmission failed at 37,000 miles just beyond the when the factory warrenty expired requiring a rebuild. Two months after the the transmission fiasco, the front drivers side wheel bearing woreout. Also, the CD player was rather tempermental. It only worked when the temperature outside ranged from 60-80 degrees. Im not very sure what that issue pertained to as it seemed to be a luxury concern compared to the other required repairs to a new college grad with student loans!

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  Sporty, roomy, good gas mileage, BUT - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Joe C - October 23 - 5:30 am

  This is my second Focus. I purchased a 2000 Focus SE, and now have 93k miles on it, and it still runs well. So, I took out a lease recently on a 2006 ZX4 SES--and mind you, I try many rental cars, so I like to compare. This Focus has all the creature comforts pretty much. It handles firmly like the Corolla, and is roomier both in cabin and trunk space over the Corolla and Civic. The gas mileage is a little less than my 2000 SE, but still very good. Reliability problems experienced in the first 1k miles: doors dont shut smoothly--I have to slam them shut Also, instrument cluster light and tail lights failed--looked for failed fuse--found none so far. Gas cap light on for unknown reason.

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  Ford Focus Superstar - 2006 Ford Focus
  By jezmanuk - October 1 - 9:37 pm

  I purchased my 06 Focus new. Wanted Grey, hatchback, Stick, shopped around and got a 3 door SES with leather moon roof and winter package for $14000. I have had ZERO problems with it for 26000 miles, service has been excellent from dealer (even replaced a wheel with a good used one for free when I kerbed mine). The car is fun to drive, very reliable (Consumer reports rates it with Civic and Corolla), looks good and I have had a very stress free ownership. The Original Pirelli P6s (unusual size205/50 ZR16) werent great and had lots of road noise. I changed all 4 due to a sidewall puncture @ 24K miles for BF Goodrich G-Force Sport which are much quieter and have much better dry traction

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  Great replacement for my Honda - 2006 Ford Focus
  By G Clark - September 18 - 2:07 am

  Believe it or not. Bought this car after my Honda wagon got smashed. I know its now 10 years old but has been a great car for the last 40K miles. Only major repair was alternator at 90K. It is NOT a cheap fix. I fit well into it, and I am 64". Much noisier than my Honda, but most of that is road noise and wagons are just noisier than sedans. My only major complaint is that mileage is below expectations. 26 mpg for city driving with lots of freeway. I can tow a 450 lb. trailer and still have 500 lbs of cargo capacity. I like the looks. I love the utility. The paint has held up well. I have used the integrated roof rack several times. Glad I had one. The center arm rest/storage bin is a cheap piece of junk and mine, like so many, is broken, too. But the engine and drive train have held up well. Shocks are not very robust and need replacement at 92K . I plan to drive mine for many more miles. I really like this car and have same affection for it that I had for 2 Volvo wagons and one Honda wagon.

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  you get what you pay for - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Yoon - July 13 - 1:29 pm

  i bought this car after researching for several months. Car and Driver ranked the 1st generation focus as a "ten best car" and consumer reports gave the focus high marks. after 58,000, the AC went out due to a bad compressor. that was a $1300 bill. up until then, i had no problems except normal wear and tear (im still on original brake pads and rotors). the car is not as refined as a civic, corolla, or mazda3. its more fun to drive than a corolla, but a corolla has better fit and finish. overall, this car is fun, but rough around the edges. wish gas mileage was better. i get 25 mpg with lead foot.

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  Great little car - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Shelley - June 2 - 1:42 pm

  I love my Ford Focus and am so glad I purchased it last year. It gets’s great gas mileage and drives well. The only drawback to this vehicle is that it isnt great in the snow beyond that I have no complaints. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a reliable inexpensive automobile as long as you’re less than 6 ft tall, my husband is a bit uncomfortable in the drivers seat. It has all the bells and whistles you need without the expensive price tag.

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  Fun, reliable commuter - 2006 Ford Focus
  By NHowner - May 31 - 9:09 pm

  5sp SES, owned since new, now 55k. Fun, practical, economical, even works well on long trips (for two adults). 33-38 mpg with manual trans on part- highway commute, taking it easy and using cruise. Never less than 30mpg, even with local stop and go. Stock Pirellis lasted 45k, now on all season Dunlop Signatures, better in snow, great in wet&dry. Only two repairs, under warranty: left rear door seal leak and power steering pump. Great in winter - heated seats, mirrors, traction control, ABS. SES interior for price is good. No squeaks or rattles. Some wind noise, but tolerable. 5sp is notchy, but you get used to it. Roomy trunk, rear seats fold nearly flat. View out back not so great