Home · 2011 Ford Focus · Complaints

What 113 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Focus

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (113)Crash / fire / injury (9)Electrical system (25)Transmission & drivetrain (20)Latches & locks (17)Body & structure (14)Steering (10)Speed control (9)Airbags (6)Wheels (6)Brakes (5)Suspension (5)

Newest first · 113 complaints · page 3 of 5

Jun 2, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TAKATA RECALL I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT READY TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO SLOW DOWN. I TRIED TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH AND IT WAS STUCK. I LET MY FOOT OFF AND TRIED AGIAN. THE CLUTCH WENT DOWN. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD AND DANGEROUS. I WAS GLAD MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING. I WANTED TO PULL OVER AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I GOT IN THE TURN LANE. WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN TO GO THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS STUCK IN THE TURN LANE. IT WAS A BUSY ROAD, BUT I WAS OFFERED HELP AND WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT THROUGH THE LIGHT AS IT CHANGED. I NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTION FROM THE CLUTCH TO THE PEDAL WAS BROKEN. A PLASTIC PIECE HAD BROKE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 57000 MILES. I FEEL LIKE I WAS LUCKY NOTHING HAPPENED. THAT PART SHOULD NOT BREAK ON A CAR. I WANT TO FEEL SAFE WHEN ME OR MY WIFE ARE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10871979

Apr 13, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERED WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND HESITATED, BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,719. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO THE CLUTCH. HOWEVER, THEY WERE ONLY TEMPORARY FIXES. UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10855333

Mar 2, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LOCK BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED ON THE FOBIK KEY, THE DOORS LOCKED BUT WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOORS LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS DIRT IN THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

NHTSA ODI 10839489

Mar 2, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE "POWER STEERING FAILED" AND "CHECK POWER STEERING NOW" MESSAGES APPEARED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT BOUNCED INTO A CURB AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STEERING SEIZED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 10839577

Feb 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VIBRATE WHILE IDLING. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 10838958

Feb 20, 2016

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AND NOT LOCK. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOLDING THE DOOR WITH ONE HAND AND HOLDING THE OTHER HAND ON STEERING

NHTSA ODI 10837343

Feb 19, 2016Body & structureLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,423. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 02/22/16. UPDATED 05/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10837123

Feb 18, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V793000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10836943

Feb 17, 2016Electrical system

THE RIGHT POWER WINDOW GOES UP AND DOWN SEVERLY SLOW, DURING THIS ACTION THE WINDOW EMITS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING SMELL. (BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING) OUT SIDE TEMP WAS 24 DEGREES, SPEED WAS APPROX 5MPH

NHTSA ODI 10836745

Feb 8, 2016Electrical systemLights

DRIVERS LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO FAILURE IN UNDER DASH FUSE BOX/ SMART JUCTION BOX

NHTSA ODI 10824931

Nov 25, 2015Speed controlBrakesCrash5 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD. THERE WERE FIVE OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 10806768

Nov 13, 2015Electrical system

THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY. THE ODOMETER AND THE MILES TO EMPTY DO NOT AGREE. THE AC WILL CUT OFF THEN BACK ON. THE WIPER BLADES WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH BUT LATER CORRECT. THE MILES PER GALLON ARE NOT CORRECT. IT WILL REGISTER 34.8 TO 22.0 SITTING STILL PANEL LIGHTS WENT OFF WHEN I TURNED HEADLAMPS ON HIGH LATER IN THE DAY IT WAS ALRIGHT. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON GOING FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE HAD IT TO FORD MOTOR ON 11/8/2013 AND 11/4/15.

NHTSA ODI 10790147

Oct 29, 2015Electrical system

RIGHT FRONT & REAR DOORS WILL NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT. CANNOT UNLOCK REAR DOOR BY PULLING UP ON THE DOOR LOCK AS IT WILL NOT MOVE. LOCK ISSUES ARE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE BECAUSE IT IS SPORADIC. RADIO SPEAKERS ON LEFT SIDE COME ONE & OFF. HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI 10786976

Aug 15, 2015

REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE

NHTSA ODI 10748904

Aug 13, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 10748534

Jul 13, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS UNTIL ONE OF THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH ALL FOUR DOORS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND SHE WAS STILL UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 10733699

Jun 25, 2015SteeringElectrical systemCrash

UPON ENTERING A SCHOOL ZONE AND DECELERATING TO 35 MPH, WHILE ENTERING INTO A LEFT CURVE THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP PREVENTING THE TURN INTO THE CURVE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD AND HITTING A ROAD SIGN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER MIRROR AND RIGHT REAR DOOR AND QUARTER PANEL.

NHTSA ODI 10730451

May 4, 2015Electrical system

MY VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED AN INTERMITTENT BUT INCREASING ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IT STARTED WITH A WARNING ON THE DASH (INCLUDING THE WARNING CHIME) ABOUT A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT, AND SPREAD TO INCLUDE MANY AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS. THESE INCLUDE THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT. WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYING, MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WILL NOT REPORT ON THE DASH, ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY THAT THE SIGNALS THEMSELVES ARE WORKING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. OVER TIME, THIS WENT FROM AN OCCASIONAL ISSUE TO BEING ALMOST CONSTANT. AT TIMES, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WITH CONSTANT CHIMING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED BATTERY DEAD / NON-START ISSUES, ALTHOUGH AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE FINE FOR DAYS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DASH TO WORK PROPERLY BY SLAPPING THE DECK JUST ABOVE THE DISPLAY, ALTHOUGH THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT TIME. I TYPICALLY ONLY DO THIS NOW WHEN THE CONSTANT CHIMING STARTS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT, AND WILL BE DOING SO AGAIN TODAY. LAST TIME, THEY TIGHTENED SOME WIRING UNDER THE DASH, AND THE ISSUE APPEARED TO GO AWAY FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS, THEN CREPT BACK QUICKLY. THE INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, ALTHOUGH AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE ISSUE STOPPED AFTER WIRING WAS ADJUSTED, AND I SUSPECT SMACKING THE DASHBOARD WON'T FIX AN ALTERNATOR, OR PROVIDE MORE POWER TO DASH LAMPS. THANK YOU. BY THE WAY, I AM IN CANADA, YOUR FORM BELOW DOESN'T OFFER THAT AS AN OPTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10714361

Apr 26, 2015Electrical systemBody & structure

THE BACK DOORS WOULD POP OPEN OFTEN, NOW WE HAVE TO KEEP THE PASS, SIDE DOOR IN THE BACK LOCKED BECAUSE IF WE USE IT WONT STAY CLOSED.AND NOW THE PASS, SIDE DOOR IN THE FRONT WONT UNLOCK. WE HAD IT CHECKED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY GREASED IT.ONE THING THAT ALSO HAPPENED WAS THE PAINT WAS PEELING WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT, THEY REPAINTED THE AFFECTED AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712940

Apr 3, 2015SteeringAirbagsSpeed controlBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 5/15/15*CN UPDATED 09/16/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10703535

Mar 16, 2015Electrical systemSpeed control

I HAVE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN MY FORD FOCUS 2011. DURING THE DAY TIME THE DASH LIGHTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO COME ON AT NIGHT WHEN YOU CUT THE LIGHTS ON COME ON DURING THE DAY TIME AND WON'T CUT OFF WHICH CAUSES THE BATTERY IN MY CAR TO GO DEAD. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED MY CAR BATTERY TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TO BEAT ON MY CAR FOR IT TO CUT ON AND LATELY THAT HASN'T BEEN WORKING AT ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS THAT THE CAR SAYS THAT THE TRUNK IS AJAR WHEN IT'S CLOSED AND THE REAR DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S CLOSED, THE EMERGENCY BREAK IS ON WHEN IT'S NOT. MY CAR CUTS OFF EVERY TIME I STOP. EVERYTHING IN THE DASH CUTS OFF AND FREEZES SO I WON'T BE ABLE TO TELL IF I NEED GAS OR HOW FAST I'M GOING. BOTH CAR KEYS AREN'T BEING RECOGNIZED BY MY CAR. I'VE REPEATEDLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I GOT MY CAR FROM AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO COME ON SATURDAY AND WHEN I GET THERE THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MECHANICS AVAILABLE. I'VE CALLED TRIPLE AAA EVERY OTHER DAY TO JUMP START MY CAR AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN'T GET IT STARTED BECAUSE THE DASH IN MY CAR WON'T CUT ON. MY DASH IN MY CAR DOESN'T CUT ON WHEN I TRY TO CRANK UP MY CAR MY CAR DOESN'T START. EVERYTHING ELSE COMES ON IN MY CAR BUT THE DASH. I WENT ON VACATION THE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN MY CAR AND THEN IT WASN'T THE BATTERY THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I WENT ON VACATION TO FLORIDA AND IF I DIDN'T GET THE DASH TO COME ON I WOULD'VE BEEN STUCK IN FLORIDA. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM EVERYDAY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694721

Jan 6, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND THE PARKING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER DOOR AJAR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE DOOR OPEN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10670459

Jan 5, 2015Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE WHEEL LUG NUTS THAT HELD THE TIRE TO THE AXLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 10670274

Dec 3, 2014Latches & locks

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR TRUNK FAILED. NO LONGER POPS OPEN.....DEALER STATES THE REPAIR WILL COST $250. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10661896

Sep 24, 2014Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10638670

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Working with the data? Download all 113 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Ford Focus verdict →