← New search

2009 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Focus are lower than the model-year median of 864.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

229 reports
67,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

HIT IN REAR WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. OUR VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO CAR IN FRONT OF US. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF - SIDE AIR BAGS DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574013

112,236 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Visibility

SUNROOF SHATTERED: MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY HIT A FEW POT HOLES AND MY SUNROOF JUST SHATTERED. NOTHING HIT IT IS JUST MADE A CRASHING SOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568856

80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2009 FORD FOCUS FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN STOCKTON, CA. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE FAST LANE, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WENT IN TO (WHAT MY MECHANIC CALLED) LIMP MODE. THE CAR INSTANTLY WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 15 MPH - VERY SCARY! AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN VERY HEAVY COM…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2009 FORD FOCUS FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN STOCKTON, CA. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE FAST LANE, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WENT IN TO (WHAT MY MECHANIC CALLED) LIMP MODE. THE CAR INSTANTLY WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 15 MPH - VERY SCARY! AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN VERY HEAVY COMMUTE TRAFFIC. DEFINITELY A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER INTO THE SLOW LANE AND LIMP OFF THE FREEWAY, DOING 15 MPH FOR ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE. QUITE HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW I DID IT WITHOUT BEING SLAMMED INTO BY OTHER VEHICLES. ALL I COULD DO WAS COAST. I CAME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXIT RAMP. THE CAR IDLED VERY ROUGH. I TURNED IT OFF, WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. IT STARTED RIGHT UP AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. OUR MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES IN THE COMPUTER. APPARENTLY, THEY WERE CLEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. AFTER THIS EVENT OCCURRED A FEW MORE TIMES AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT HIGH SPEEDS, I DECIDED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME SO MY MECHANIC COULD COME AND CHECK THE CAR FOR CODES WHILE IT WAS STILL RUNNING. IT WAS LIKE CLOCK WORK. THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR CLOSE TO ONE HOUR AND MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CODES WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (BY OUR LOCAL MECHANIC) TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $600. LOOKS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THERE HAVE PROBABLY BEEN FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT THEM. A RECALL IS IN ORDER!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568743

60,000 miles · Mar 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN OTHER ENTRIES ON THIS SITE, AND SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE NYTIMES TODAY ABOUT GM CARS (ALTHOUGH MINE IS A FORD- PROBABLY THE SAME FAULTY COMPONENT IS IN BOTH GM AND FORD). NUMEROUS TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WILL INEXPLICABLY "STALL OUT"- THE ENGINE CO…

Read full complaint

EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN OTHER ENTRIES ON THIS SITE, AND SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE NYTIMES TODAY ABOUT GM CARS (ALTHOUGH MINE IS A FORD- PROBABLY THE SAME FAULTY COMPONENT IS IN BOTH GM AND FORD). NUMEROUS TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WILL INEXPLICABLY "STALL OUT"- THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND NO LONGER ACCELERATES. FIRST TIME WAS WITH MY WIFE DRIVING WITH OUR BABIES ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS TERRIFIED, AND DID A HEROIC JOB OF GETTING OVER TO THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED TO ME ON A COUNTRY ROAD- WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. THEY DROVE IT OVER A HUNDRED MILES AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN ANOTHER WEEK OR SO, IT DID IT TWICE IN ONE DAY, BOTH CITY DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I'D PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, COME TO A STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC. THEY DROVE IT ANOTHER 75 MILES WITH THE SAME LACK OF DIAGNOSIS. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON AN EMPTY STRETCH OF OPEN ROAD GOING ABOUT 40, AND I WAS ABLE TO JUST SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE NEVER ACTUALLY STOPPING IT. REALIZING THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN STOPPING TRAFFIC AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THIS IS HOW I HAVE RESTARTED THE CAR AND RESUMED ACCELERATION IN THE SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS DONE IT SINCE. BUT I AM A VERY SKILLED DRIVER- SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE WHILE COASTING IN TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY NOT A SOLUTION FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND I AM NOT ADVISING ANYONE TO DO IT. I'VE PUT A TON OF MILES ON THIS CAR QUICKLY, SO OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2009 FOCUSES MAY NOT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. BUT MORE WILL LIKELY BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE IT AS THEIR CARS GET OLDER. PLEASE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568043

36,500 miles · Mar 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WE OWN A 2009 FORD FOCUS. RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY IN JUNE OF 2012 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROX. 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR DECELERATED DOWN TO ABOUT 40 AND WOULD NOT GO BEYOND THAT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED US FULL PRICE FOR A THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THAT OTHER MAKES IN 2…

Read full complaint

WE OWN A 2009 FORD FOCUS. RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY IN JUNE OF 2012 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROX. 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR DECELERATED DOWN TO ABOUT 40 AND WOULD NOT GO BEYOND THAT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED US FULL PRICE FOR A THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THAT OTHER MAKES IN 2009 WERE EXTENDED ON THE WARRANTY FOR THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS SO THAT WE CAN GET REIMBURSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567782

60,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE HAD SEIZED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE F…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE HAD SEIZED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10562755

101,300 miles · Feb 1, 2014
Structure

INNER DOOR HANDLE PART ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKE, WITH THAT BEING THE ONLY DOOR WITH A KEY LOCK AND NO REMOTE ON THIS VEHICLE NOT ALLOWING ENTRY INTO VEHICLE (WAS EXTREME COLD AND LEFT STRANDED OUTSIDE BEING A SERIOUS HAZARD). VERY SMALL METAL PART THAT WAS ENGAGED FROM PLASTIC OUTER HOUSING WAS CAST METAL AND BROKE EASILY, THIS IS …

Read full complaint

INNER DOOR HANDLE PART ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKE, WITH THAT BEING THE ONLY DOOR WITH A KEY LOCK AND NO REMOTE ON THIS VEHICLE NOT ALLOWING ENTRY INTO VEHICLE (WAS EXTREME COLD AND LEFT STRANDED OUTSIDE BEING A SERIOUS HAZARD). VERY SMALL METAL PART THAT WAS ENGAGED FROM PLASTIC OUTER HOUSING WAS CAST METAL AND BROKE EASILY, THIS IS DOCUMENTED HAS HAPPENING OFTEN ON MANY ONLINE FORUMS. THIS METAL PIECE IS UNDER HEAVY STRAIN, SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED FROM STAMPED/MACHINED STEEL NOT CAST METAL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562461

94,000 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Suspension

MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS NEED REPLACING ON 2009 FORD FOCUS WITH ONLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561471

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2014
Tires

I BOUGHT A SET OF TIRES AT SEARS IN UTAH, THE INVOICE SAID 75,000 MILES/WARRANTY. AFTER 29,000 MILES ON MY CAR I NOTICE LOST OF TREAD. I COMMUNICATE GOODYEAR BY DOING A COMPLAINT WITH BBB ( BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ). GOODYEAR TOLD THAT SEARS DID A MISTAKE, TIRES WARRANTY IN 65,000 MILES. GOODYEAR AGREES TO REIMBURSE PART OF NEW T…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A SET OF TIRES AT SEARS IN UTAH, THE INVOICE SAID 75,000 MILES/WARRANTY. AFTER 29,000 MILES ON MY CAR I NOTICE LOST OF TREAD. I COMMUNICATE GOODYEAR BY DOING A COMPLAINT WITH BBB ( BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ). GOODYEAR TOLD THAT SEARS DID A MISTAKE, TIRES WARRANTY IN 65,000 MILES. GOODYEAR AGREES TO REIMBURSE PART OF NEW TIRES SET AND I DISAGREE, MY CONCERN IS THAT TIRES FABRICATION LOT COULD HAVE DEFECTS THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES. I NOTICE THAT MICHELIN TIRES HAD SAME PROBLEMS AND THEY DID A RECALL. INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE TIRES: DUNLOP SIGNATURE - 195 60/R15 88T M+S DOT (1) MKRB 1XHR 2011 AND (3) MKRB 1XHR 2111. JUST IN TIME, GOODYEAR AUTHORIZED SEARS TO DO A TIRE INSPECTION AND SEARS NOTICE AND CONFIRM LOST OF TREAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559107

40,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
TiresWheels

THE REAR TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY EVEN WITH ALIGNMENTS. REAR SUSPENSION IS NOW A PROBLEM. THREE SETS OF TIRES IN 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558583

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.