Ford Focus problems
229 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
At approx. 50,000 miles the ignition switch was difficult to turn eventually unable to turn key over. Had a new switch installed and now six months later it's starting to go out again. Very poor quality switch.
The rear passenger door latches have stopped working. My wife was driving home with my son in rear seat and the door came open around a turn. They are lubricated regularly and they will move properly but internally they will not latch, therefore they will not stay closed. I…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford focus. During brake application there was a grinding sound coming from the brake pads. She then noticed grease and oil on both front wheels. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that brake dust was accumulating on the…
The ignition switch is very difficult to turn or start the car. If I do not play with the steering will it will not start. I don't think that it should be this hard to start a car.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Ford Focus reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ford Focus is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Ford Focus?
The 2009 Ford Focus is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Ford Focus?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 40 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,365 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 47,843 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Focus has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Ford Focus?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 229 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.