Ford Focus Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 306 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Ford Focus across 16 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (118). The words owners use most often: “rear window” (10% of reports).
- 306visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $670typical repair cost reported by owners
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear window: mentioned in 31 of 306 complaints (10%)
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 24 of 306 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Ford Focus at $670, and half of them between $470 and $1,100.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 163 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 306 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 6 an injury.
Ford Focus visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Focus | 1 | 0% | 14,500 |
| 2015 Focus | 2 | 0% | 28,283 |
| 2014 Focus | 1 | 0% | 7,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 6 | 0% | 19,200 |
| 2012 Focus | 23 | 1% | 37,116 |
| 2010 Focus | 6 | 2% | 12,750 |
| 2009 Focus | 5 | 2% | 17,010 |
| 2008 Focus | 5 | 2% | 74,000 |
| 2007 Focus | 8 | 2% | 30,500 |
| 2006 Focus | 3 | 1% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Focus | 10 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Focus | 9 | 2% | 27,000 |
| 2003 Focus | 25 | 3% | 32,000 |
| 2002 Focus | 28 | 3% | 52,000 |
| 2001 Focus | 56 | 3% | 50,878 |
| 2000 Focus | 118 | 3% | 60,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Model years: 2012
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 focus vehicles manufactured from august 1, 2010, through october 18, 2011. A seal in the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor may be missing.
Risk: Water or other contaminants may accumulate in the connector, resulting in an intermittent or inoperative passenger side wiper motor, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and as necessary, clean and properly seal the passenger side wiper motor connector. Any inoperative wiper motors will be replaced. This service will be provided free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2000, 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
Risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the window motor in the passengerâs side window was no longer functioning while attempting to roll down the window. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wipers were inadvertently activated. The windshield wipers failed to operate when the contact attempted to activate the wipers. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle when it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford focus. While driving 65 mph and making a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment and was notified that the wheel barrel and wheel hub needed to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the windshield wipers turned on without warning. The contact stated that the switch for the windshield wipers failed to work properly and the contact had no control over the wiper speed. The contact stated the same failure occurred…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford focus. While the vehicle was idling, the sun roof spontaneously shattered. There were no injuries. The failure occurred without warning. Bob maxey ford inc. (1833 e jefferson ave, detroit, mi) was contacted, but did not assist since the sun roof was not covered by…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Focuss have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 306 owner complaints about visibility for the Ford Focus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Focus visibility?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Ford Focus?
Owners report a typical cost of $670 (half paid between $470 and $1,100), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “rear window”, in 31 of 306 complaints, followed by “windshield wipers” (24).
Other Ford Focus problems
- Power Train problems (6,803)
- Electrical System problems (4,342)
- Engine problems (2,318)
- Steering problems (2,099)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,440)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,281)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (1,158)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,076)
See all Ford Focus problems.