2010 Ford Focus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Ford Focus has a complaint index of 31 and ranks 10th out of 14 model years, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 287 complaints, no recalls, and 22 crashes, with Engine issues the top problem area at 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 31/100
- #10 of 14 Focus years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 287
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 34.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2010 Ford Focus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine94 (33%)
- Structure & Body53 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain45 (16%)
- Electrical System43 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (13%)
- Fuel System32 (11%)
- Other29 (10%)
- Brakes13 (5%)
- Steering13 (5%)
- Airbags12 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartments have smoked and caught fire after low-speed crashes, in one case fully destroying the vehicle.
- Some engines have stalled at highway speed and behaved as if out of fuel, including one case tied to a fire.
- Front airbags have failed to deploy in multiple head-on and rollover crashes, even when side and passenger airbags fired.
- Rear tires have exhibited unusual wobble or rotation problems, with the steering wheel shaking while driving.
- The roof has separated from the body in at least one deer-strike crash.
- Batteries have sparked during jump-starts, in one case linked to a damaged starter and electrical short.
2010 Ford Focus recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2010 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Ford Focus reliable?
- Compared with other Focus model years, the 2010 rates Good, with a complaint index of 31 and rank 10 of 14 years tracked. NHTSA lists 287 complaints and no recalls for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2010 Ford Focus?
- Engine complaints lead at 33% of all complaints (94 of 287), with a median failure mileage of 56,000 miles. Suspension and structure/body issues follow at 13% and 18% respectively.
- Does the 2010 Ford Focus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2010 Focus, unlike several later Focus model years such as 2012-2018 which carry multiple recall campaigns.
- How does the 2010 Focus compare to the 2012-2014 Focus?
- The 2010 has a complaint index of 31 versus 100 for 2012, 85 for 2013, and 92 for 2014, all rated Avoid. The 2010's Good verdict reflects far fewer reported problems relative to those years.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2010 Ford Focus?
- Yes, NHTSA complaint samples describe front airbags failing to deploy in several head-on and rollover crashes, sometimes resulting in injuries.