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Ford Focus Reliability by Model Generation
Results are for year ending June 30, 2018. Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year and Model | % of Average Repair Frequency | |
 2012 - 2018 Ford Focus |
Best
125%
Worst
|
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 2008 - 2011 Ford Focus |
Best
122%
Worst
|
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 2005 - 2007 Ford Focus |
Best
93%
Worst
|
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Reliability And Durability of the Ford Focus
| Ford Focus Reliability And Durability: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The 2nd generation of the North American Ford Focus does surprisingly well in reliabilty rankings. Look at TrueDelta stats and else where. According to the shop I frequent the only weak point is braking rear springs in areas where road salt is used. In addition I found that the motor mounts are prone to failure. full 2010 Ford Focus review |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The Duratec 20 is a well made and reliable engine. Paired with the 5 speed manual transmission i should never have a trans failure for the life of the car. full 2009 Ford Focus review |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Have a 2001 with over 362,000 miles full 2009 Ford Focus review |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
So far it has been about 5 months, and I have 10000miles on the odometer and there have been no strange noises, problems or anything. I have been rear ended twice and both times I took a very small amount of damage, so maybe the rear is pretty durable full 2009 Ford Focus review |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I hear great things from most Focus owners about the great reliability and few repairs/low cost of ownership. full 2008 Ford Focus review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
No problems with the car in terms of reliability, and holds up very well on the terrible roads we have in New Jersey full 2007 Ford Focus review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I will be afraid to buy any other vehicle after owning this one. I have had so few problems of any sort, I do not know how it could get any better. The vehicle has been put through its paces and endured more than most, without faltering once. I would have no problem recommending this car to someone who needs a reliable vehicle. full 2007 Ford Focus review |
| 2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Other than 2 problems covered under the warranty, this car has caused no problems. Brakes lasted longer than expected. The only problems encountered were due to driver error. full 2007 Ford Focus review |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
This car has been very reliable. I have driven it hard and fast on a daily basis and have only had a few minor mechanical problems. At 45k the alternator needed replaced and the steering fluids replaced, but it was covered under the extended warranty I purchased, so I didn't have to pay a thing other than labor costs and the usual 45k checkup costs. At 68000 miles the transmission had to be flushed and fluids replaced--not covered by warranty, cost about 280usd. I consider these minor costs for upkeep, considering the use this car has seen, and the car runs perfectly after these repairs. full 2007 Ford Focus review |
| 2006 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
In the 35 months since I bought the car, I have put more than 60,000 miles on it. The car has never been back to the dealer for service. Since I have owned it, I have only changed the oil and replaced the tires. full 2006 Ford Focus review |
| Ford Focus Reliability And Durability: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2012 | 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Had a clunking noise in first 1000 miles that required front struts to be replaced. Clunking noise appears to be slowly reappearing. Starting to occasionally hear a low groaning noise when transmission shifts between 20 & 30 mph. full 2012 Ford Focus review |
| 2005 | 4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
There are only three reasons why I would hesitate to recommend a used 2001 - 2007 Focus, and two of them are just picking nits. First reason, the side mirrors are two sizes too small. For what was a $23,000 car in 2005, the side mirrors speak to the decontenting in this class of car. I would have been happy for a trade-off of an extra $100(?) for better and larger mirrors. My other nit to pick was the heater fan - at maximum it sounded like a F4 Phantom was taking off inside the cabin. My only major complaint with the Focus is the appearance of rust. Throughout the model run the Focus ZX3 and ZX5 rusted in the same places - under the trim piece on the hatchback and the rear bottom corner of the rear passenger door frame. I regularly detailed the car, and the interior was absolutely mint, but even after giving up and having the hatchback professionally repaired, the rust had taken root. full 2005 Ford Focus review |
| 2003 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Most of the car holds up very well. But where the roads are salted the rear wheel openings start to rust after about five years. full 2003 Ford Focus review |
| 2003 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Lots of teething problems when I bought this car, it was fixed under warranty but the clutch broke prematurely and they were unwilling to help. full 2003 Ford Focus review |
| 2002 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The interior was designed around a budget. Feels cheap, but because it is cheap. Everything seems held together with glue when it should be with bolts. full 2002 Ford Focus review |
| Ford Focus Reliability And Durability: Neutral | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2014 | 4dr Sedan 103-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I backed into a GMC people carrier. Massive damage to his front end. Mine looked like it just came off the assembly line. Not even dust on the clearcoat. full 2014 Ford Focus review |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The Focus had a terrible launch from a reliability perspective, but selling the car with relatively few changes over the next eight years meant lots of time to iron things out. I've had only a few very minor reliability issues with the car in the last three years, though it was diagnosed with bad engine mounts when I got it -- repaired by the dealer for free. It's notable that because you can buy a much newer used Focus than you can most other small cars, it's going to have that much more life in it. A Civic may have better reliability ratings for the same year, but you're not getting a 2007 Civic for the price of a 2007 Focus. full 2007 Ford Focus review |
