Ford Focus Reliability: Best and Worst Years

The Ford Focus is a compact car that Ford sold in the U.S. from the 2000 to the 2018 model year, after which it left the American market. It was offered as a sedan, hatchback, wagon and coupe at different points, all with front-wheel drive. Later versions added the performance ST and RS hatchbacks and a battery-electric model. We put all 9 Ford Focus model years from 2010 to 2018 side by side, using the same rule for every year.

Why these years stand out

2012: most complaints. The 2012 Ford Focus scored 1533 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2 times the model average. Of its 3,770 complaints, 1,948 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are power train (1,390), steering (924) and engine (475). NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year and 3 defect investigations.

2010, 2011 and 2015: fewest complaints. The 2010 drew 287 complaints, or 166 per 100,000 sold; The 2011 drew 113 complaints, or 64 per 100,000 sold; The 2015 drew 1,022 complaints, or 505 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.

What Ford Focus owners report most

Transmission complaints lead for the Ford Focus, at 48% of all complaints for 2010-2018. Engine and transmission reports together make up 68%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.

When problems are reported: mileage

9,436 Ford Focus complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 42% were reported before 50,000 miles and 18% after 100,000. The reports are spread across the mileage range rather than bunched at one point.

Ford Focus compared with other small cars

In 2 of 9 model years the Ford Focus drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average small car we track for the same year. For 2018, the Ford Focus scored 738 against a class average of 162. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.

Ford Focus generations

• 2005-2007
  First generation

  2.0L four; 2.3L four (ST) · 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

  From 2005 the U.S. Focus used a 2.0L Duratec engine, with a 2.3L in the ST trim.

• 2008-2011
  Second generation (North America)

  2.0L four · 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

  The North American version was a heavily revised first-generation design sold only as a sedan and coupe.

• 2012-2018
  Third generation

  2.0L four; 1.0L EcoBoost turbo three (from 2015); 2.0L EcoBoost (ST); 2.3L EcoBoost (RS); electric (Focus Electric) · 5-speed manual; 6-speed manual (ST, RS); 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic

  This global design arrived as a sedan and hatchback, with the ST added in late 2012 and the all-wheel-drive RS offered from 2016 to 2018.

Most third-generation automatic cars used a six-speed dual-clutch transmission branded PowerShift. The battery-electric Focus Electric was built until North American Focus production ended in May 2018. The 2018 model year was the last Focus sold new in the U.S.

Ford Focus fuel economy

The 2018 Ford Focus is rated at 22 to 107 MPGe combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.

Crash test stars

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Ford Focus these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2012: 4, 2013: 5, 2014: 5, 2015: 5, 2016: 5, 2017: 5, 2018: 5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.

Questions