CarBrief

Owners filed 287 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Focus[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 53 complaints[2].

287owner complaints[1]
28MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts. - Engine. 53 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car stalling while moving, a bad smell inside the cabin, and an air conditioner that never got cold. One owner tells of a fire that started after a collision. - Speed Control. 50 complaints[4]. Owners describe the engine racing at a stop, a loud idle, and a warning light on the dash that came with a sudden loss of power. - Power Train. 45 complaints[5]. Owners describe harsh, jerky gear changes, grinding noises from the transmission, and rough idling that came back after dealer visits. - Electrical System. 43 complaints[6]. Owners describe the engine cutting out with no warning, doors that would not unlock, and a key that stuck while the steering wheel locked. - Latches/Locks/Linkages. 31 complaints[7]. - Unknown Or Other. 26 complaints[8]. - Structure. 24 complaints[9]. - Suspension. 19 complaints[10].

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2010 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, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] 24 / 34 / 28 $2,400
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[12] 24 / 35 / 28 $2,400

Safety ratings

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

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2010 Ford Focus with 2.0L 4-cylinder[15] 132 to 140 hp

How 2010 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 recalls2010: 287 complaints, 0 recalls28720102011: 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 2010 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 287 complaints and 0 recalls for 2010[11]. Among the 19 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 14 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 2010 Focus?

The record for this Focus is mixed. The complaint file shows 287 reports[1], and the engine, speed control, power train and electrical groups lead it[2][4][5][6]. NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this year in our data[11]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners reported and not as a score. If you shop for one, ask for service records and test drive it for smooth shifting and steady idle.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Focus?
The engine group has the most complaints[2], followed by speed control[4], power train[5] and electrical system[6]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2010 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Our data shows 0 recalls for this year[11]. Check the recalls section of this page for what is listed.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Ford Focus?
See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2010 Ford Focus reliable?
Owners filed 287 complaints[1], and some mention crashes, fires or injuries. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section and the safety section together.
Is 2010 the best year for the Ford Focus?
Compare years in the by-year section of this page, which lists complaints and recalls for each model year[11].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Focus

Compare all model years of the Ford Focus

Other Ford models from 2010

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2010: compact cars

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 287 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Focus (22 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 53 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,445). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 50 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,663). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 45 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 31 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,188). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 24 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 19 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,100). 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, 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
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Focus with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 132 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.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.