Ford Focus Best and Worst Years (2005–2018)
Ford Focus years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016, each dominated by Transmission & Powertrain complaints and carrying a complaint index of 77 or higher (2012 hits 100). The 2011 Focus is the only Best-rated year, with a complaint index of 0.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2005–2018
- NHTSA complaints
- 14,325
- Recall campaigns
- 25
- Crashes reported
- 517
- Fires reported
- 72
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Focus Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Focus problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 23 | 441 | 43 | 9 | 1 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 8 | 204 | 22 | 3 | 0 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 46 | 391 | 60 | 7 | 0 | Airbags | 26 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 15 | 250 | 21 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 28 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 38 | 229 | 26 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 27.5 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 31 | 287 | 22 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 0 | 113 | 8 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 28.5 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 100 | 3,768 | 107 | 15 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 31 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 2,111 | 49 | 12 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 92 | 2,601 | 68 | 9 | 12 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 69 | 1,018 | 31 | 4 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 77 | 1,181 | 27 | 2 | 10 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 62 | 896 | 18 | 2 | 10 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 54 | 835 | 15 | 3 | 7 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
Focus years to avoid: what went wrong
2012 Ford Focus Index 100 · 3,768 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2012 Focus has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 3,768 total complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 38% of complaints, followed by Steering at 25% with a median failure mileage of 78,500 miles. Owners describe sudden stalling, airbags that failed to deploy or covered the wrong area in crashes, and an active park assist system that reportedly caused unintended reverse movement. Seven recall campaigns cover this year, including fuel system canister purge valve problems and body latch inspections carried over from earlier recalls.
2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 steering problems →2012 engine problems →
2014 Ford Focus Index 92 · 2,601 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2014 Focus shows a complaint index of 92 across 2,601 complaints, the second-highest of any Focus year. Transmission & Powertrain complaints represent 61% of the total at a median 41,000 miles. Owners described vehicles spinning out on ice with airbags that failed to deploy, sudden stalling that led to being rear-ended, and unexpected acceleration while attempting to park. Twelve recall campaigns cover this year, including one do-not-drive recall, plus the fuel system and block heater issues shared with other years.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 fuel system problems →
2013 Ford Focus Index 85 · 2,111 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Focus logged 2,111 complaints with a complaint index of 85. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 52% of complaints at a median 39,000 miles. Owners reported engines catching fire after collisions, cars losing power or stalling unexpectedly on the highway, vehicles rolling despite being placed in park, and a tie rod failure that caused loss of control at 35 mph. Eleven recall campaigns apply to this year, including a fuel system canister purge valve fix and an engine block heater crack that can short circuit.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2016 Ford Focus Index 77 · 1,181 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2016 Focus carries a complaint index of 77 from 1,181 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 57% of complaints at a median 64,000 miles. Owners reported vehicles lurching forward or backward unexpectedly while stopped in drive, sluggish transmission response linked to crashes, and airbags that failed to deploy in low-speed collisions. Ten recall campaigns apply to this year, including a clutch fracture issue tied to prior incomplete repairs and the recurring fuel system and block heater problems.
2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →2016 fuel system problems →
Most common Ford Focus problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain6,355 (44%)
- Engine3,128 (22%)
- Fuel System1,844 (13%)
- Steering1,689 (12%)
- Electrical System1,584 (11%)
- Other1,381 (10%)
- Structure & Body1,118 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires464 (3%)
- Airbags444 (3%)
- Brakes426 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Ford Focus should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 Ford Focus. These years have complaint indexes between 77 and 100, driven mainly by Transmission & Powertrain problems.
- Is the 2012 Ford Focus reliable?
- The 2012 Focus has the worst record of any Focus year, with a complaint index of 100 and 3,768 total complaints, mostly Transmission & Powertrain and Steering issues, plus seven recall campaigns.
- What is the best Ford Focus year?
- The 2011 Ford Focus is rated Best, with a complaint index of 0 and only 113 total complaints, far fewer than other years.
- Does the Ford Focus have transmission recalls?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 44% of all Focus complaints across 2005-2018, and years like 2012-2016 each carry multiple related recall campaigns, including clutch and canister purge valve fixes.
- Are early Ford Focus models (2005-2010) safer than later ones?
- They rank lower in complaint index, ranging from 8 to 46, versus 62 to 100 for 2012-2018, though 2005-2009 verdicts are capped at Good because complaint records for those years are less complete.