Ford Focus reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 12,822 complaints about the Ford Focus with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and engine. Ford has filed 13 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 23 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Focus? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Focus a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 12,822
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 13
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 23
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Focus with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 837 | Transmission and drivetrain (38%) | 7 | 2 |
| 2017 | 898 | Transmission and drivetrain (51%) | 10 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1,182 | Transmission and drivetrain (57%) | 10 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1,021 | Transmission and drivetrain (55%) | 9 | 8 |
| 2014 | 2,603 | Transmission and drivetrain (61%) | 12 | 11 |
| 2013 | 2,112 | Transmission and drivetrain (52%) | 11 | 12 |
| 2012 | 3,769 | Transmission and drivetrain (38%) | 7 | 13 |
| 2011 | 113 | Electrical system (22%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2010 | 287 | Cruise control and speed control (17%) | 0 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Focus model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Focus, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011–2016
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Non-Ford Part Usage: ⢠Vehicles that are still covered…
- Warranty extensionJul 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2016
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2016
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2014
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2014–2016
Certain 2014 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2014 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2016
Certain 2011 Through 2015 Model year fiesta and 2012 Through 2016 Model year focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission control module extended warranty coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Certain 2011 Through 2014 Model year fiesta and focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission clutch shudder / transmission input shaft seal warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionJun 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2015
Certain 2011 Through 2015 Model year fiesta and 2012 Through 2015 Model year focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission control module extended warranty coverage
- Warranty extensionMar 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2013
Customer satisfaction Program 14M01 - Supplement #5 Certain 2011 thr ough 2014 Model Year Fies ta and Focus vehicles equipped with a DKPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Clautch Shudder/Transmission Input Shaft Seal warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionAug 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Ford 2011 Through 2014 Fiesta and focus vehicles: Service bulletin regarding excessive transmision clutch and transmission leak warranty extension. *lj updated 10/08/2015
- Warranty extensionJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2012–2013
Information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. Models 2011-2013 Edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, mkz, F-150, f-super duty.
- Warranty extensionMar 2012· Equipment and accessories· model years 2012
Ford/lincoln: Warranty extension has been provided for certain model vehicles with accessory protocol interface module (apim or SYNC module) to 4 (four) years on ford and 5 (five) years on lincoln vehicles regardless of mileage and subsequent owners are automatically covered.
- Service campaignAug 2026· Engine· model years 2015–2018
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015–2018
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignSep 2020· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2014
This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Focus model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain6,194 (48%)
- Engine2,170 (17%)
- Steering1,599 (12%)
- Fuel and propulsion1,343 (10%)
- Other or unspecified1,252 (10%)
- Electrical system1,172 (9%)
- Cruise control and speed control580 (5%)
- Body and structure517 (4%)
Safety recalls
23 recalls cover at least one Focus model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts.
The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength.
The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button.
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
And 8 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA26004Engineering analysis· opened Jul 2026, still open· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Timing Belt Failure
- PE25020Preliminary evaluation· opened Dec 2025, closed Jul 2026· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Timing Belt Failure
- PE23015Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2023, closed Feb 2024· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
Oil Pump Failure
Led to recall 23V905.
- RQ23006Recall query· opened Sep 2023, closed Dec 2024· Fuel system· model years 2012–2018
Loss of Motive Power
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2017–2018
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2012–2015
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- PE16001Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2016, closed Oct 2016· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2012–2015
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 16V643000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2018 Ford Focus has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Focus reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 12,822 owner complaints, 13 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns Ford filed, and 23 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (3,769), 2014 (2,603), 2013 (2,112). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Focus?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (48%), engine (17%), steering (12%). Ford has filed 13 warranty extensions covering the Focus, listed on this page.
Which Focus model years have the most complaints?
2012 (3,769), 2014 (2,603), 2013 (2,112). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Focus with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Focus?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2011–2016); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012–2016); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2014), and 10 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Focus?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 23 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.