Ford Focus Best and Worst Years (2010–2018)
Avoid 2012–2014 Ford Focus models: they carry Complaint Index scores of 100, 75, and 88 versus 0–13 for the best years, driven mostly by Transmission & Powertrain complaints (38–61% of each year's total). The 2010 and 2011 are the best years, with only 287 and 113 total complaints and index scores of 13 and 0.
- Model years
- 9
- 2010–2018
- NHTSA complaints
- 12,810
- Recall campaigns
- 23
- Crashes reported
- 345
- Fires reported
- 51
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 13 | 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 | 75 | 2,111 | 49 | 12 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 88 | 2,601 | 68 | 9 | 12 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 1,018 | 31 | 4 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 63 | 1,181 | 27 | 2 | 10 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 25 | 896 | 18 | 2 | 10 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 38 | 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 is the worst year, ranked 1 of 9 with a Complaint Index of 100 and 3,768 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,427 miles. Steering problems account for another 25%, failing around 78,500 miles. NHTSA lists 107 crashes, 15 fires, 88 injuries, and 5 deaths tied to this year, along with 7 recall campaigns covering fuel system and structural latch issues. Owners describe unexpected stalling, loss of steering control from tie-rod failure, and airbags that failed to deploy or deployed incorrectly in crashes.
2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 steering problems →2012 engine problems →
2014 Ford Focus Index 88 · 2,601 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2014 Focus ranks 2 of 9 worst with a Complaint Index of 88 and 2,601 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 61% of the total, failing at a median of 41,000 miles, and this year has 1 do-not-drive recall. NHTSA lists 68 crashes, 9 fires, 46 injuries, and 1 death, plus 12 recall campaigns tied to fuel system and structural issues. Owners describe sudden stalling at low mileage, unexpected acceleration while parking, and airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including one on black ice.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 fuel system problems →
2013 Ford Focus Index 75 · 2,111 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Focus ranks 3 of 9 with a Complaint Index of 75 and 2,111 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 52% of complaints, failing at a median of 39,000 miles. Engine complaints follow at 20%, median 43,000 miles. NHTSA recorded 49 crashes, 12 fires, 28 injuries, and 3 deaths, with 11 recall campaigns including a block heater coolant leak and structural latch issue. Owners report engines losing power or catching fire after low-speed impacts, transmissions behaving unpredictably, and steering components separating during driving.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →
Most common Ford Focus problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain6,189 (48%)
- Engine2,899 (23%)
- Fuel System1,762 (14%)
- Steering1,632 (13%)
- Other1,279 (10%)
- Electrical System1,216 (9%)
- Structure & Body847 (7%)
- Brakes338 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires254 (2%)
- Airbags188 (1%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Ford Focus should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Ford Focus. These years have Complaint Index scores of 100, 75, and 88, far above the 0–13 scores of the best years, mostly due to Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
- What is the best year for the Ford Focus?
- The 2010 and 2011 Ford Focus are the best years based on NHTSA data, with Complaint Index scores of 13 and 0 and only 287 and 113 total complaints, the lowest of the 2010–2018 range.
- Are 2015 and 2016 Ford Focus models safe to buy?
- They are listed as Caution years, with Complaint Index scores of 50 and 63, better than the 2012–2014 Avoid years but still above the Good and Best years like 2017, 2018, 2010, and 2011.
- What is the main problem with the Ford Focus?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem across all years covered, accounting for 6,189 complaints, or 48% of the 12,810 total complaints logged by NHTSA for the 2010-2018 Focus.
- Does the Ford Focus have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns across the 2010-2018 Focus, including fuel system recalls tied to the Canister Purge Valve and campaigns addressing engine block heater coolant leaks.