2009 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 229 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 26 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
229 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN...CANNOT GET INTO THE CAR UNLESS I LEAVE A WINDOW DOWN...ON RAINY DAYS I HAVE TO LEAVE BACK SEATS DOWN AND GET IN THROUGH THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE...FROM 2015-2016...CAR WAS STATIONARY...I WOULD TRY TO OPEN DOOR THE HANDLE WOULD BREAK YOU CAN THE PIECE THAT BREAKS FALL ON THE INSIDE OF DOOR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE IDLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE ONLY IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 15 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE WARNING LIGHT DIMMED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,600.
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BY PASSERS IN OTHER VEHICLES ALERTED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE PARKING LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSES EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 11, 2016
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY LOSING THROTTLE CONTROL DOWN TO 35 MILES AN HOUR THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND. YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT AND WAVY CAR WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. COASTED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAT FOR 10 MINUTES. STARTED CAR AND TESTED PEDAL. EASED BACK ON FREEWAY. SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR.
Steering, Air bags, May 24, 2016, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER IN 2009. THE CAR STEERING WAS LOOSE AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. I WAS SWITCHING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ROAD WAS UNEVEN AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO STOP WORKING. ALSO THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS A RENTAL CAR.
Power train, May 13, 2016
THE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT HAS BEGUN GOING OFF ( TWICE NOW) BUT ONCE TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON IT DOES NOT COME ON. WHEN IT COMES ON IT LOOSES POWER AND THERE ARE ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION. IT HAS ONLY DONE IT AFTER A LONG DRIVE AND GOING (MOVING) AT A NORMAL PACE OF ABOUT 45 TO 55 MILES AND HOUR. IT HAS NOT GONE OFF AT A TIME THAT ALLOWS IT TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A PROFESSIONAL AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO REGISTER WHEN HOOKED TO THE COMPUTER,. THE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON AND DOES NOT NOT ILLUMINATE IN AROUND TOWN DRIVING.
Electrical system, May 4, 2016
OKAY THE VEHICLE IS 2009 BUT ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES. SOMETIMES I HAVE DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TRYING TO START CAR. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO TRY AND JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL. YESTERDAY I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF , TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, OPENED THE DOOR TO EXIT THE CAR AND THE ALARM OR WARNING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, SHUT THE DOOR, IT STILL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, SO I PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION TO TURN IT ON THEN OFF AGAIN, AND THAT WORKED BUT I STILL HAVE OCCASIONAL ISSUES WITH STARTING THE CAR.
Power train, May 4, 2016
DRIVING AT 45 MPH SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION, WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN BUT EXTREMELY SCARY. THEN YOU REGAINED ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED ONLY TO LOSE IT REPEATEDLY. TOOK CAR TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS RUN, BUT THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2016
THE BACK DOOR LOOKS STAY LOCKED, YOU CAN NO LONGER UNLOCK WITH KEY POD NOR MANUALLY ON THE INSIDE. BACK SEAT IS USELESS TO ME NOW. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS THINGS LIKE CHANGING FUSES SEEING IF I COULD FORCE UNLOCK. BUT I DON'T USE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS SO DON' T THINK THAT IS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE ON THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2016
FUEL TANK RUSTED WHERE THE HALVES MEET AND LEAKS FUEL. CANNOT FILL OVER HALF WAY. STARTED AS A GAS SMELL LAST YEAR, DISCOVERED A DRIP THIS YEAR. TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Seat belts, Mar 21, 2016
THE LITTLE PLASTIC THING ON THE SEAT BELT THAT PREVENTS THE LATCH FROM SLIDING DOWN TO TO BASE OF THE BELT BY THE DOOR FELL OF A WHILE AGO, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO REPLACE IT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2016
THE BACK DOORS HAVE LOCKED, AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB, LOCK BUTTON OR MANUALLY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2016
THE MOTOR MOUNT WHICH SIT ON TOP OF THE ENGINE THAT CONSTANTLY MAKE THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHAKE EXTREMELY. MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACE AND WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE SAME RESULTS.
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2015
AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN EVENTUALLY UNABLE TO TURN KEY OVER. HAD A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED AND NOW SIX MONTHS LATER IT'S STARTING TO GO OUT AGAIN. VERY POOR QUALITY SWITCH.
Structure, Dec 29, 2015
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES HAVE STOPPED WORKING. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY SON IN REAR SEAT AND THE DOOR CAME OPEN AROUND A TURN. THEY ARE LUBRICATED REGULARLY AND THEY WILL MOVE PROPERLY BUT INTERNALLY THEY WILL NOT LATCH, THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I HAVE A STRAP HOLDING THE DOORS CLOSED. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED ONCE IN A WHILE. NOW THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE IGNITION HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/02/18*JB
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2015
SOMETIMES THE CAR DOESN'T CRANK OR START AND IT HAS HAPPENED AROUND 6 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011. IT ISN'T THE BATTERY BECAUSE I HAVE JUST REPLACED IT BUT SEEMS LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH OR CYLINDER IS THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Structure, Nov 5, 2015
THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE AT ANY TIME. THE REAL SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT THE LOCKS WILL NOT EVEN MANUALLY OPERATE. THIS WILL IN EFFECT TRAP ANY REAR PASSENGER IN THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE THIS COULD PROVE TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. ACCORDING TO FORD THE WHOLE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MECHANISM MUST BE REPLACED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 13, 2015
THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECT THEN AFTER A MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED THE CAR STARTED THEN WENT DEAD IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT IT ISN'T FIRING RIGHT NOW IT GAVE NO WARNING. THE COMPUTER READ A THROTTLE ACTUATOR TROUBLE CODE AND THAT'S ALL. THE CAR WILL KEEP TURNING OVER AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT HAS NOT DONE THIS BEFORE NOW WE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING UP AND WE HAVE TO TURN IT REALLY HARD TO START GET THE KEY IN THE STARTING POSITION. THE IGNITION SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE THROTTLE BODY WILL UPDATE WHEN I FIND OUT MORE.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2015, crash
I EXITED THE HIGHWAY VIA AN OFF RAMP AND HIT THE BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN. MY BACK END SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND I HIT THE GUARDRAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR. MY CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Power train, Aug 27, 2015
I HAD $2765 WORTH OF TRANSMISSION REPAIR ON A 2009 FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION WITH 81,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS PROPERLY SERVICED. I PURCHASED A PIECE OF JUNK.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR DROPPED OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND COASTED TO 5 MILES PER HOUR. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO RESULT. WE WERE LUCKY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH NEARBY CARS AND COASTED OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO A PARK AND RIDE LOT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER REPAIR. WE WERE TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS FORD CERTIFIED PREOWNED CAR IS STILL COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THROTTLE BODY. NUMEROUS ACTIONS WITH FORD REGARDING FAULTY THROTTLE BODIES IS WIDELY REPORTED AND WE BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A FORMAL RECALL FOR 2009 FORD FOCUS. REPAIR IS $875 WHICH WE BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE COVERING.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2015
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT STEADY 70MPH, ENGINE DROPPED TO IDLE SPEED. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF TROUBLE. VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON. ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. I PUT IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, AND COASTED UNTIL I REACHED AN AREA AREA WHERE I COULD PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. THIS WAS IN A TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AREA. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND NOT NEAR OTHER VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. OTHERWISE THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. WHEN I WAS STOPPED, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT ACCELERATOR HAD NO EFFECT. WITH NO ALTERNATIVE, I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE. OPERATION APPEARED NORMAL WITH NO WRENCH LIGHT ON. I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND CHECKED CONNECTED MY CODE READER. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES. DURING SOME SUBSEQUENT DRIVING, THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER EVENTS OR INDICATION OF PROBLEMS. I AM GETTING A FORD OEM THROTTLE BODY TO REPLACE MY EXISTING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM THAT HAS AVOIDED A RECALL DESPITE THE POTENTIAL DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2015
FREEWAY DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE THROTTLE BODY/TRANSMISSION LIGHT UP AND THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. VERY DANGEROUS AT THESE SPEEDS. SAME PROBLEM AS THE FORD ESCAPE THAT WERE UNDER THE WARRANTY EXTENTION