FORD: EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH WHEELS ONLY; STEERING FOLLOWS ROAD IRREGULARITIES AND/OR RUTS. VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING SEEMS TO FOLLOW ROAD IRREGULARITIES. FIRST, COMPARE TO A SIMILAR VEHICLE UNDER THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS. IF COMPARABLE PERFORMANCE IS EVIDENT, CONSIDER THIS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NO REPAIRS SHOULD BE PERFORMED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Ford Focus steering problems
severe Owners of the 2009 Ford Focus have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Focus | 18 |
| 2006 Focus | 5 |
| 2007 Focus | 13 |
| 2008 Focus | 12 |
| 2009 Focus (this page) | 9 |
| 2010 Focus | 13 |
| 2011 Focus | 10 |
| 2012 Focus | 932 |
| 2013 Focus | 273 |
5crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 9 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 10/3/05 MAY EXPERIENCE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF THE POWER STEERING (P/S) SYSTEM LEAKING AND/OR SYSTEM NOISY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My 2009 Ford focus has had obvious suspension issues since 6000 miles. Rear tires always slip in wet conditions from a stopped position during a normal initial acceleration. Furthermore at speeds greater than (>) 60 MPH the steering wheel vibrates and the car shakes. I am a fairly good driver and in countless "normal" driving conditions my car has gotten into an "out of control state" luckily I…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Ford Focus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 15,479 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/Focus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.