Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control was engaged, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. In addition, the cruise control failed to disengage. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the vehicle ahead. There were five other passengers in the other vehicle sustained…
2011 Ford Focus cruise control problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 4 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Of the 14 model years of Ford Focus we track for cruise control problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was driving westbound on flamingo enroute to work speed limit 45 MPH each direction I had the yellow flashing left arrow as I started my left turn the car died no power another vechicle was approaching from west to east as I was turning left I turned my emergency flashers and the car came within inches of htting me. I had my car towed and found out it was the throttle body sensor serial…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 cruise control problem on the 2011 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 66,333 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2011/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.