2009 Ford Focus: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 229 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (18% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
229
owner complaints
2
fire reports
45,845
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaigns2 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)18% · 38 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)13% · 28 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)9% · 20 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)9% · 19 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)8% · 17 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)8% · 17 complaints
“incident [XXX], Parking in front of Physical Therapy clinic, suddenly the motor revved and car shot across the sidewalk and went through the wall of the clinic. No one was there and no one was hurt. Insurance was notified. (Hartford) Googling Auro malfunctions for Ford Focus, I come across several things which could have malfunctioned and caused "unpredictable acceleration. Car had within 2 weeks had been to automotive shop for maintenance. I think this was a serious malfunction and should have been noticed. thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
“Rocker panels rust out and cause the lifting points on the car unable to be used. Mechanics refuse to work on my car due to not being able to lift the vehicle per manufacturer lifting points.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parked in the driveway, the contact opened both rear doors; however, while attempting to close the doors, the doors failed to latch securely. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the latch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“My car started to rough idle, when I go to press the gas pedal there is no rev or acceleration or anything. It came up with a code for the throttle body and had it replaced and it worked fine for a while and then it happened again, so I replaced the throttle body again and it started happening right away again. This has happened at 80 MPH and almost caused an accident! I just want this to be understood, and I am not the only other person having this issue!!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact felt the front passenger's side brake was seizing. The contact stated there was smoke coming from the brakes. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had the brakes replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2021
“The fuel pump keep disabling! When trying to crank the car it will continue to turn over after the key has been pulled back out of the start position”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact's son owns a 2009 ford focus. The contact son stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The vehicle was jump started and resumed normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was contacted however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,827.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2020
“The transmission started to hesitate shifting then wouldnt go past third shift and then completely stopped working while driving on the road.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2020
“When I try to start my car, sometimes it won't turn over when turning the key. I have to try a few times if not multiple times in order for it to start and it just keeps getting worse over time.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently shift into neutral at various speeds. The contact had to wait until he could shift into the correct gear in order to continue driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2009 Ford Focus reliable?
NHTSA has 229 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Ford Focus. The most complained-about area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Focus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,845 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.