There are no safety recalls for the 2009 Ford Focus, but owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA.
2009 Ford Focus problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Electrical System | 47 | |
| Power Train | 39 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 | |
| Suspension | 25 | |
| Air Bags | 22 | |
| Wheels | 22 | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 18 | |
| Tires | 17 | |
| Engine | 16 | |
| Unknown or Other | 16 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 | |
| Structure | 12 | |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 9
- Electrical System › Ignition — 4
- Air Bags › Frontal — 3
- Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 3
- Structure › Body › Door — 3
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 2
- Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 45,690 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2009 Ford Focus complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported May 24, 2026
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)…
Structure · reported Oct 10, 2023
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 · reported Aug 29, 2023
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 · at 80,000 miles · reported Jul 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact felt the front passengerâs 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 · reported Sep 14, 2021
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!!
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Ford Focus have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2009 Ford Focus as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ford Focus?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (47 reports), followed by power train (39). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 45,690 miles.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.