2009 Ford Focus recalls & problems
The 2009 Ford Focus has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 229 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (47 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints229filed by owners
Crashes · fires26 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths21 · 3reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2009 Ford Focus.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2009 Ford Focus 2-DR. Hatchback w/SAB
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2009 Ford Focus 4-DR. w/SAB
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Focus FWD
28mpg combined
| City / highway | 24 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Focus FWD
27mpg combined
| City / highway | 24 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system Ignition; Horn | 47 | 84,661 mi |
| Power train Automatic transmission | 39 | 57,641 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 33 | 59,000 mi |
| Suspension Rear | 25 | 25,000 mi |
| Air bags Frontal | 22 | 44,576 mi |
| Wheels | 22 | 32,500 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch | 18 | 42,150 mi |
| Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems; Tread/belt | 17 | 26,000 mi |
| Engine | 16 | 54,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 87,000 mi |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 87,500 mi |
| Structure Body; Body › Door | 12 | 61,500 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Apr 20, 2026 · crashFuel/propulsion system
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) - Oct 10, 2023Structure › Body
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. - Aug 3, 2023Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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. - Feb 8, 2021 · 80,000 milesService brakes
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact felt the front passengerâs 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. - Aug 18, 2021Unknown or other
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!! - Jul 1, 2019 · 170,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the ignition switch and housing were replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and had the starter replaced. A few months later after the repair, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and housing for a second time. After the failure occurred for the fourth time, the initial independent mechanic instructed her to place the vehicle in neutral to… - Aug 11, 2020 · 130,000 milesElectrical system
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 - Jun 19, 2020 · 122,827 milesElectrical system
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 complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.