Ford Focus Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 22,101 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 22,101 owner complaints and 36 safety recalls on file for the Ford Focus, across 20 model years (1999–2018). The 2012 model year has the most complaints (3,769). The most reported problem area overall is power train.

Ford Focus
2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X 1.0 Taken in Warwick. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peak: 2012, with 3,769 complaints
1999: 111999112000: 3,6863,6862001: 1,76120011,7612002: 9399392003: 97720039772004: 3873872005: 44120054412006: 2052052007: 39120073912008: 2502502009: 22920092292010: 2872872011: 11320111132012: 3,7693,7692013: 2,11220132,1122014: 2,6032,6032015: 1,02220151,0222016: 1,1831,1832017: 89820178982018: 837837

n = 22,101 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Ford Focus years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Focus year: 2000, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2012 Focus: 3,769 complaints, 7 recalls
  2. 2000 Focus: 3,686 complaints, 11 recalls
  3. 2014 Focus: 2,603 complaints, 12 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 1999 Focus: 11 complaints, 0 recalls
  2. 2011 Focus: 113 complaints, 0 recalls
  3. 2006 Focus: 205 complaints, 0 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Ford Focus problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Power Train problems6,80219127
Electrical System problems4,3422061
Engine problems2,3181958
Steering problems2,09920112
Fuel/propulsion System problems1,4401927
Engine and Engine Cooling problems1,2812027
Fuel System, Gasoline problems1,1581920
Vehicle Speed Control problems1,07619103
Structure problems9992056
Air Bags problems92620573
Suspension problems9251977
Latches/locks/linkages problems8531912
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems7951971
Tires problems3851831
Wheels problems3791927
Visibility problems306167
Exterior Lighting problems248187
Seat Belts problems2461953
Equipment problems228167
Service Brakes problems2241952
Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems159159
Visibility/wiper problems147151
Seats problems1331918
Fuel System, Other9183
Service Brakes, Air4178
Parking Brake2282
Interior Lighting1962
Back Over Prevention1780
Equipment Adaptive/mobility1480
Forward Collision Avoidance1161
Traction Control System1042
Child Seat640
Fuel System, Diesel220
Lane Departure220
Service Brakes, Electric220
Electronic Stability Control111

Ford Focus problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Ford Focus model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2018 Focus83775★Power TrainAbout as many complaints as other years
2017 Focus898105★Power TrainAbout as many complaints as other years
2016 Focus1,183105★Power TrainMore complaints than other years
2015 Focus1,02295★Power TrainAbout as many complaints as other years
2014 Focus2,603125★Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2013 Focus2,112115★Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2012 Focus3,76974★Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2011 Focus1130—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2010 Focus2870—Vehicle Speed ControlFar fewer complaints than other years
2009 Focus2290—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2008 Focus2501—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2007 Focus3910—Air BagsFar fewer complaints than other years
2006 Focus2050—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2005 Focus4411—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2004 Focus3871—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2003 Focus9771—Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2002 Focus9391—Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2001 Focus1,7617—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
2000 Focus3,68611—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
1999 Focus110—Engine and Engine CoolingFar fewer complaints than other years

More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Focus years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (3,686), 2001 (1,761), 2012 (3,769), 2013 (2,112), 2014 (2,603) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Focus year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Ford Focus?

Power Train, with 6,802 complaints across 19 model years.

How many recalls does the Ford Focus have?

36 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.