CarBrief

NHTSA has 229 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Ford Focus[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 45 of them[2].

229owner complaints[1]
27–28MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the reports, biggest first.

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name several parts.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2009 Focus[11].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] 24 / 35 / 28 $2,400
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[12] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR FWD[13], 4 DR FWD[14].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FOCUS 2DR COUPE FWD S/SE/SES[15] 175 in 68 in 59 in 103 in 2,586 lb
FOCUS 4DR SEDAN FWD S/SE/SES[16] 175 in 68 in 59 in 103 in 2,621 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2000: 3,686 complaints, 11 recalls20002001: 1,761 complaints, 7 recalls2002: 971 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 977 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 387 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 441 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 205 complaints, 0 recalls20062007: 391 complaints, 0 recalls2008: 250 complaints, 1 recalls20082009: 229 complaints, 0 recalls22920092010: 287 complaints, 0 recalls20102011: 113 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 3,803 complaints, 10 recalls20122013: 2,181 complaints, 14 recalls2014: 2,659 complaints, 14 recalls20142015: 1,034 complaints, 11 recalls2016: 1,194 complaints, 11 recalls20162017: 907 complaints, 10 recalls2018: 837 complaints, 7 recalls2018
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Focus model year. The 2009 is highlighted[11].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20003,68611
20011,7617
20029712
20039771
20043871
20054411
20062050
20073910
20082501
20092290
20102870
20111130
20123,80310
20132,18114
20142,65914
20151,03411
20161,19411
201790710
20188377

NHTSA's counts for the Focus show 229 complaints and 0 recalls for 2009[11]. Among the 19 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 16 have more[11]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (113) and the most are for 2012 (3,803)[11]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2009 Focus?

The 2009 Focus has a real complaint history on file, with 229 reports[1]. Electrical and power train issues lead the list[2][4]. Some groups carry more serious outcomes, such as air bags with 13 crashes[8] and speed control with 4 crashes[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show what owners reported and not how often a problem happens. If you are shopping for one, look at the sections above for recalls, fuel economy and crash ratings, and have a mechanic look over the electrical and power delivery parts.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Focus?
Owners filed 229 complaints[1]. The biggest groups are the electrical system[2] and the power train[4], followed by speed control[5].
Does the 2009 Ford Focus have recalls?
Recalls are listed in the Recalls section of this page. The by-year count is in[11].
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Focus get?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the official figures.
Is the 2009 Ford Focus reliable?
The record shows 229 owner complaints[1], including 45 for the electrical system[2]. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
Is 2009 the best year for the Ford Focus?
See the by-year comparison on this page. We do not rank years in the text.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Focus

Compare all model years of the Ford Focus

Other Ford models from 2009

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2009: compact cars

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 229 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Ford Focus (26 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 21 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 45 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,661). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 35 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 39 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,641). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 33 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 25 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 23 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 1 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,576). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 22 complaints name the wheels component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 18 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Focus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FOCUS 2DR COUPE FWD S/SE/SES: length 175 in, width 68 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,586 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FOCUS 4DR SEDAN FWD S/SE/SES: length 175 in, width 68 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,621 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.