Ford Focus Ford Focus

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Ford Focus repairs by problem area

Engine (29%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 3207 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Ford Focus.

Ford Focus repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (13%)

$100 - $499 (44%)

< $100 (37%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 1670 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

Ford Focus problems by year

before 1999 (0%)

2000 - 2004 (31%)

2005 - 2007 (21%)

2008 - 2011 (11%)

2012 - 2012 (17%)

2013 - 2014 (17%)

2015 - 2020 (3%)

Chart based on 3236 repair trips.
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Coupes, Hatchbacks, and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Personal Experiences of the Ford Focus

Ford Focus Personal Experiences: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
good reliabile car full 2009 Ford Focus review
2005 4dr Sedan 136-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
The car is very fun to drive and entertaining full 2005 Ford Focus review
2005 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
I like 3 door hatch backs and the Focus ZX3 was a good example at an affordable price. In fact I had a 2000 Focus ZX3 in yellow prior to purchasing this car. I would consider a third if Ford still offered the car in this configuration. full 2005 Ford Focus review
2005 4dr Wagon 136-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
This is an "exit review" as I just sold the car. I bought this car new in April of 2005, and drove it daily, logging a total of 152Kmi. The car had but one major repair in its time with me, a failed ABS sensor early in its life that was repaired under warranty. That one episode aside, it was unflinchingly reliable, returned good fuel economy, and had an astonishing ability to swallow cargo. It was also reasonably comfortable and capable of handling long trips without punishing the driver. It also punched well above its weight class as far as handling was concerned. full 2005 Ford Focus review
2005 4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
This is an exit review as we just sold this car. I'm actually sad to see it gone, but it's my wife's car and she wanted a new car after eight years. It was a 2005 ZX5 5-door hatchback, combining best-in-class handling with good looks, a snappy drive-train and good fuel economy. In eight years it had two "major" repairs (hatchback wiring harness and heater fan resistor were both replaced under warranty). We purchased a fully loaded model with every option available except the automatic transmission, and it returned stellar mileage (although my wife never liked taking it over 3000 RPM, which would explain the 27-28 MPG she usually returned in mixed driving). It was loud on the highway until I replaced the factory Pirelli P6's with taller profile Michelin summer tires, which made the cabin much quieter, other than for wind noise, which was acceptable for it's class. full 2005 Ford Focus review
2004 4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.3L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
I like the fact that a lot of people drive them. Also, that the 2.3l Duratec that mine had in it was underestimated much of the time. That was when it was mobile though... full 2004 Ford Focus review
2002 4dr Sedan 130-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
Hard to categorize, but I didn't put a lot of thought into the 2002 Focus when I bought it. I needed a new car and it was about the smallest and least expensive car that Ford made. Now it is 12-years old and I am considering replacing it, and there aren't many cars out there that I like better - which says a lot for it. full 2002 Ford Focus review
Ford Focus Personal Experiences: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
this hwa been a yr of fighting with common sense and facts being defeated by dealership stupidity and unwillingness to accept product failure. they accused 2nd dealership of not repairing balance issue and questioned their needing to replaced axle full 2010 Ford Focus review
2008 2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.0L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Dealership will not stand behind their partnership with Microsoft. When you have a problem, they both blame each other and take no responsibility - therefore your problem never gets fixed. full 2008 Ford Focus review
2003 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
My experience with my Focus and my previous Taurus has soured me on Ford forever. I was a Ford guy for a long time but seeing how poorly modern Fords hold has ended it. full 2003 Ford Focus review
2003 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
At the time I considered buying a Focus SVT, I had a Ford Contour SE that had just suffered a major engine failure at 66,000 miles. Ford was not helpful. So instead of buying another Ford I bought a Mazda (which is essentially the Japanese subsidiary of Ford). full 2003 Ford Focus review
 

Ford Focus Problems and Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Ford Focus problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.