2009 Ford Focus

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 229 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Ford Focus years to avoid. Which Ford Focus years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
45,690 milesMedian miles at failure

189 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,000–40,000 miles.

Most common 2009 Ford Focus problems

36 of the 229 complaints (16%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System32
000
Power Train · transmission28
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration23
201
Air Bags · airbags17
1008
Wheels15
306
Latches/Locks/Linkages · door locks and latches14
000
Suspension13
010
Unknown or Other10
000
Engine10
000
Tires9
100

2009 Ford Focus electrical system problems

16% of all complaints

36 of the 229 complaints are about the electrical system. This is what owners describe:

  • will not start19% · 7
  • loses power8% · 3

Share of the 36 electrical system complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
85,000 mi
median of 27 reports
Peak year of filing
2017
8 electrical system complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
0 · 0 · 0
in these complaints
Recalls on the electrical system
None
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the ignition switch and housing were replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and had the starter replaced.”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 13, 2021 at 170,000 miles
“My ignition is not working. I turn the key over and over and over and the car won't start. The lights come on, the battery is charged, the air works, but the vehicle won't start. I used to be able to get it started but I now have blisters on my hand from trying to start this car.”
Owner complaint, filed Oct 14, 2019

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2009: 5 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'092010: 24 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2011: 24 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'112012: 26 complaints, 4 about the electrical system2013: 19 complaints, 1 about the electrical system'132014: 46 complaints, 5 about the electrical system2015: 21 complaints, 7 about the electrical system'152016: 16 complaints, 2 about the electrical system2017: 13 complaints, 8 about the electrical system'172018: 13 complaints, 3 about the electrical system2019: 12 complaints, 2 about the electrical system'192020: 4 complaints, 3 about the electrical system2021: 2 complaints, 1 about the electrical system'212022: 0 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2023: 3 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'232024: 0 complaints, 0 about the electrical system2025: 0 complaints, 0 about the electrical system'252026: 1 complaints, 0 about the electrical system
All complaintsAbout the electrical systemRecall (red: the electrical system)

Complaints about the 2009 Focus peaked in 2014, with 46 filed that year. No recall on file covers the electrical system, the subject of 16% of the complaints. In 2026 owners filed 1 so far.

Technical service bulletins

18 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2009 Focus. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 5electrical system 2brakes 2engine 2steering 2transmission 1airbags 1throttle and acceleration 1
SSM 54601Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 24, 2026electrical system

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label …

TSB-20932Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 1, 2009electrical system

FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A PARTS NO CRANK/NO START CONDITION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 9DTC) P1260 IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND U0100 IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC). *PE

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed May 24, 2026WA

Incident [XXX], Parking in front of Physical Therapy clinic, suddenly the motor revved and car shot across the sidewalk and went through the wall of the clinic. No one was there and no one was hurt. Insurance was notified. (Hartford) Googling Auro malfunctions for Ford Focus, I come across several things which could have malfunctioned and caused "unpredictable acceleration. Car had within 2 weeks had been to automotive shop for maintenance. I think this was a serious malfunction and should have been noticed. thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 10, 2023MI

Rocker panels rust out and cause the lifting points on the car unable to be used. Mechanics refuse to work on my car due to not being able to lift the vehicle per manufacturer lifting points.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 29, 2023PA

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parked in the driveway, the contact opened both rear doors; however, while attempting to close the doors, the doors failed to latch securely. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the latch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 13, 202380,000 milesRI

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact felt the front passenger’s side brake was seizing. The contact stated there was smoke coming from the brakes. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had the brakes replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 14, 2021PA

My car started to rough idle, when I go to press the gas pedal there is no rev or acceleration or anything. It came up with a code for the throttle body and had it replaced and it worked fine for a while and then it happened again, so I replaced the throttle body again and it started happening right away again. This has happened at 80 MPH and almost caused an accident! I just want this to be understood, and I am not the only other person having this issue!!

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 13, 2021170,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the ignition switch and housing were replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and had the starter replaced. A few months later after the repair, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and housing for a second time. After the failure occurred for the fourth time, the initial independent mechanic instructed her to place the vehicle in neutral to see if the restarted. The vehicle was started in neutral and the mechanic replaced the neutral safety switch. Despite the repair, the failure recurred. A dealer was notified of the failure and a representative acknowledged that the failure was a known issue; however, there were no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The manufacturer was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 2020130,000 milesGA

THE FUEL PUMP KEEP DISABLING! WHEN TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR IT WILL CONTINUE TO TURN OVER AFTER THE KEY HAS BEEN PULLED BACK OUT OF THE START POSITION

Electrical System
Filed Jun 22, 2020122,827 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT SON STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,827.

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 2020150,000 milesWI

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HESITATE SHIFTING THEN WOULDNT GO PAST THIRD SHIFT AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 23, 2020120,000 milesIN

WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR, SOMETIMES IT WON'T TURN OVER WHEN TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE TO TRY A FEW TIMES IF NOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO START AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.

Power Train
Filed Dec 12, 201989,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT UNTIL HE COULD SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 12, 201965,000 milesNY

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE DOORS LOCK AND DO NOT UNLOCK. AFTER HOURS OF SEARCHING THE MANUAL AND GOOGLE I FIGURED OUT HOW TO BYPASS THE AUTOMATIC LOCK AND TURNED THAT OFF SO MY DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK WHILE I DROVE. THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT, THEN THE DOORS JUST STOPPED OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR FOCUS.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 16, 2019145,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AND WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A MODULE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 14, 2019AR

MY IGNITION IS NOT WORKING. I TURN THE KEY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE LIGHTS COME ON, THE BATTERY IS CHARGED, THE AIR WORKS, BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T START. I USED TO BE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED BUT I NOW HAVE BLISTERS ON MY HAND FROM TRYING TO START THIS CAR.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 2019160,000 milesSC

THIRD TIME HAVING A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH! CAR WILL TURN ON BUT WON'T START, COSTING MORE TO FIX THAN THE CAR IS WORTH.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 201988,000 milesGA

THE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT HAS BEGUN GOING OFF ( TWICE NOW) BUT ONCE TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON IT DOES NOT COME ON. WHEN IT COMES ON IT LOOSES POWER AND THERE ARE ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION. IT HAS ONLY DONE IT AFTER A LONG DRIVE AND GOING (MOVING) AT A NORMAL PACE OF ABOUT 45 TO 55 MILES AND HOUR. IT HAS NOT GONE OFF AT A TIME THAT ALLOWS IT TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A PROFESSIONAL AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO REGISTER WHEN HOOKED TO THE COMPUTER,. THE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON AND DOES NOT NOT ILLUMINATE IN AROUND TOWN DRIVING.

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 17, 2019OH

MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT UNLOCK AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AND I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK IT...BUT NOW IT WILL NOT LOCK ...IT IS NOT LATCHING LIKE A SPRING OR SOMETHING ISNT WORKING...I WAS STATIONARY TRYING TO EXIT MY CAR AT MY APARTMENT

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 5, 2019135,000 milesMS

IGNITION MODULE...IGNITION SWITCH. CAR WON'T START WITH KEY, UNLESS PUSHED IN HARD, AND EVEN THEN IT TAKES SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO START.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Feb 21, 2019101,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ED MULLINAX FORD (8000 LEAVITT RD, AMHERST, OH 440011, 440-296-3021) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST THAT WAS LESS THAN THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 2, 201943,165 milesTX

I HAD JUST GOT IN MY CAR TO GO GROCERY AND I STARTED UP MY ENGINE AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. HOWEVER, I WAS GOING UP TO 5000 RPMS JUST TO GO 30MPH AND IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT WHEN I WAS DRIVING, SO I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I DID THIS, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ONLY FUNCTIONAL IN DRIVE. I WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO REVERSE AND THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED IN NEUTRAL. SO, I CALLED FOR MY PARENTS FOR HELP. WE KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SO WE USED A CODE READER TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS GIVING AN ERROR MESSAGE BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE ONE AND PUT IN NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, WE NOTICED THAT THE FORD FOCUSES FROM 2010-2015 WERE ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND SERVICE CENTER LOCATION. WE TOLD THEM THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVE AND PAID FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAD DONE. I WAS TOLD MY YEAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED ONES, SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT 5,00 TO REPLACE IT. HOWEVER, I TOLD THEM THAT IT HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND A TRANSMISSION SHOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO LAST UNTIL 50,000 BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE.

Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2019CO

I HAVE HAD THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD TO REPORT IT AS THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 14, 2019187,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK AND REMAIN SECURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 2018MI

IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY.KEY HAS TO BE TURNED SEVERAL TIMES TO START CAR WHEN PARKED.

WheelsCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Oct 1, 2018120,000 milesCA

LEFT REAR HUB CAME OFF CAR ON FREEWAY, CROSSED OVER TO OTHER SIDE, AND KILLED ANOTHER DRIVER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND HE HAD HIS 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER NEXT TO HIM. I GUESS THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE 2001 FORD FOCUS, FORD KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT YET FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, RESULTING IN THIS MANS DEATH. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE HELD CRIMINALY RESPONSIBLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 30, 2018IL

THE IGNITION IS GOING OUT..REALLY HAVE TO JAM KEY INTO THE COLUM TO GET IT TO START

Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 201855,000 milesCA

AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF AND DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE CLOCK SPRING FAULT. AIRBAG POTENTIALLY NOT FUNCTIONAL.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 7, 201847,583 milesVA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND A/C FAN WOULD NOT GO ON WHEN I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HOT INSIDE FROM BEING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY UNDER THE HOT SUN. I COULD START THE VEHICLE AND THE A/C BUT THE WIPERS AND FAN WOULD NOT TURN ON. ONCE ON THE ROAD, THE WIPERS STILL WOULD NOT WORK NOR THE A/C FAN. I PARKED IN THE NEARBY LIBRARY LOT AND WAITED FOR THE RAIN TO STOP AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE TO GO DOWN. THEN THE WIPERS STARTED TO WORK. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP & GOT AN APPT FOR 8-7-18 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NOW THE REPAIR DEPT WANTS ME TO REPLICATE THE DEFICIENCY. I HOLD THE DEALERSHIP RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE THAT HAPPENS IF THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR ON TIME..

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 26, 2018NC

FRONT END COLLISION AT 45-50 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 2018TX

PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION DOESN'T ALWAYS START THE CAR...I'VE HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME AFTER TRYING FOR 30 MINUTES. ONLY TO HAVE IT START WHEN MY HUSBAND TRIED. ITS BEEN AN ISSUE EVER SINCE HE BOUGHT IT. CURRENTLY HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THIS.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 12, 201858,000 milesGA

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR INCAPACITATED. PART INSIDE DOOR BRAKES AND DOOR BECOMES LOCKED IN PLACE. HAVE TO CLIMB OUT WINDOW OR OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN AN EMERGENCY THIS WOULD BE DIFFICULT. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE AND IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN PART ISHARD TO FIND AND COSTLY TO REPLACE ( FOR WHAT IT IS). PART IS PLASTIC. LUKE PROBABLY FONCTION BETTER IF REPLACEMENT WAS METAL.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 7, 2018NV

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALERS IN BOTH CARSON CITY AND RENO NEVADA. BOTH DEALERS STATE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO DO THE RESULTS.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 201896,000 milesMA

OCCASIONALLY, WITHOUT WARNING OR PREDICTION, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, MY BRAKE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL NEARLY TO THE FLOOR WHICH REDUCES BRAKING TIME AND ABILITY. BRAKING TYPICALLY RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER EACH INCIDENT. AT NO POINT DOES AN ABS OR BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 1 OR 2 TIMES DURING MY COMMUTE EACH WAY TO WORK, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES AWAY OR A 1 HOUR DRIVE TIME WITH TRAFFIC.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 14, 2018TX

INSERT KEY, TURN TO START, WILL NOT START, HAVE TO PUSH IN KEY HARD FOR THE IGNITION TO START CAR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Feb 15, 20185,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY, BUT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH OR THE STEERING FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 201839,000 milesWI

THE AIRBAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY AND IT DOES NOT GO OUT. I RESEARCHED IT ON GOOGLE AND IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON IN FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IN MY RESEARCH I LEARNED ALTHOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, IF THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IF NEEDED.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 27, 2017NY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 3, 201784,323 milesMI

THE IGNITION ,AT TIMES DOSE NOT START CAR. BATTERY STAYS CHARGED.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 4, 201793,000 milesNC

IGNITION SWITCH WORN PARTS, COMMON COMPLAINT RECALL EARLIER MODELS, PROBLEM PERSISTS IN 2009 FOCUS. WARRANTS RECALL AND FORD FIX.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 201782,000 milesCO

THE DOORS BECOME LOCKED AND YOU CANNOT OPEN THEM FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. ALL UNLOCKING DEVICES TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET OUT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

WheelsCrash
Filed Aug 14, 201718,238 milesWV

HAD AND ACCIDENT AFTER 6 MONTHS OF PAYING ON THE CAR, WHICH WAS SEPT. 2009.. INSIDE OF TIRED BALD, TOOK TO FORD TO HAVE OIL CHANGED, AND SUPPOSED LOOK OVER, BUT WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE INSIDE WARN TIRES. BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT, FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, HAVE HAD TO BUY TIRES EVERY SIX MONTHS, BECAUSE CAR WEARS THEM OUT, CONSTANT REPAIRS THAT NEVER SEEM TO FIX THE CAR HANDLING ISSUES.. HAD FAR TOO MANY REPAIRS FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS OF HAVING THE CAR..

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 201795,000 milesTX

AIR BAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON RANDOMLY MAKES A "DINGING" SOUND. TIRES CONTINUE TO WEAR OUT AT A RAPID SPEED, IGNITION SWITCH WILL GET STUCK AN ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER-CAN'T FIND A CAUSE. AND THE A/C STOPPED WORKING THIS WEEK, MECHANIC LOOKING FOR A LEAK UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT THESE ISSUES AND WHY THEY ALL STARTED WITH IN PAST MONTH. EACH PROBLEM THEY CAN'T FIND SOLUTIONS OR TELL ME IT'S PROBABLY A SENSOR OR THE HEAT. THEY HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND IT SHOWS NOTHING WRONG?!?!

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 2017128,000 milesKS

ALL 4 DOOR LATCHES AND LOCKS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. VERY DANGEROUS!!! I CAN'T GET OUT OR GET IN THROUGH ANY DOORS AT TIMES. IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY DAY. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH FOB OR MANUALLY. I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OUT!!!!!!

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 21, 201785,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE IGNITION WOULD TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 21, 201750,000 milesMI

SIDE DOOR LATCH OPENS WHILE DRIVING AND OR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED AFTER OPENING WHILE PARKED

Power Train
Filed Apr 5, 2017122,700 milesIN

CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT FLASHED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY LOST SOME POWER. THIS ISSUE CAME UP WITHOUT ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS. MY MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE AND RESOLVE THE CODE ERROR. LATER ON I FIND OUT ALL THE FORD FOCUS HAVING THE SIMILAR PROBLEM AND FORD DID NOT RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 201765,000 milesMA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY. I RESEARCHED IT ON GOOGLE AND IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON IN FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. MY MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE STATING IT MUST BE DONE AT A FORD DEALETSHIP OUT AND THE PROBLEM IS IN THE BRAIN /MODULE OF THE CAR. FOR THESE REASONS I THOUGHT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IN MY RESEARCH I LEARNED ALTHOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, IF THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IF NEEDED.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 201786,000 milesNY

REAR DOOR LOCKS APPEAR TO BE JAMMED OR PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCKS OR MANUALLY. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY OUT OF NOWHERE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE ALSO BROKE SO I AM ONLY ABLE TO USE ONE DOOR ON MY VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HENCE WHY I SAID THEY APPEAR TO BE JAMMED FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND GET LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 201786,000 milesNY

REAR DOORS ARE JAMMED OR STUCK ON LOCK, FOR NO REASON. POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM AND DOING SO MANUALLY DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THESE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE. MY CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON. I ALSO KEEP MY CAR DUST FREE AND LUBRICATED. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WERE TO BE LOCKED IN MY CAR. MY CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED AND LOCKED WHENEVER I PLEASE AND WHENEVER IS NEEDED. THE FACT THAT I CANNOT EVEN UNLOCK THEM MANUALLY IS DANGEROUS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 17, 2016MO

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY...IN THE PAST YEAR...ALL DOOR HANDLES HAVE BECOME BROKEN...I CAN NOT GET INTO VEHICLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE...I HAVE TO LEAVE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE ON RAINY DAYS I HAVE TO LEAVE BACKSEAT DOWN TO ENTER THROUGH THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE TO GET INTO VEHICLE...THE BACK DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE...I AM CURRENTLY 28 WEEKS PREGNANT THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO ENTER MY VEHICLE...NOT TO MENTION HOW UNSAFE IT IS AND WILL BE ONCE MY CHILD IS BORN.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 12, 201633,292 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT REMAINING SHUT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BUNGEE CORDS TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,292.

Complaints 1-50 of 229, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2018837730Above average
20179001020Above average
20161,1841020Above average
20151,022940Above average
20142,6061291Do not drive
20132,11212123Fatalities reported
20123,7708155Fatalities reported
2011113000Routine
2010287040Above average
2009 — this page229023Fatalities reported
2008250200Above average
2007391272Fatalities reported
2006205231Fatalities reported
2005441590Above average
20043876131Fatalities reported
20039777171Fatalities reported
20029398201Fatalities reported
20011,76114478Fatalities reported
20003,686181189Fatalities reported
199911000Routine

Compare every Focus year →

2009 Ford Focus: questions buyers ask

Is the 2009 Ford Focus a good car?

It is not among the Focus years to avoid. Owners filed 229 complaints, against about 900 for a typical Focus year. The most common complaint is about the electrical system (16%).

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ford Focus?

The electrical system: 36 of the 229 complaints (16%) are about it. Owners most often say it will not start (19%) and loses power (8%). The typical report comes at 85,000 miles.

At what mileage do 2009 Ford Focus problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 45,690 miles. For the electrical system the midpoint is 85,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2009 Ford Focus?

The manufacturer filed 18 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (2), the brakes (2) and the engine (2). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.