FORD FOCUS · model year

2011 FORD FOCUS

156 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011FORDFOCUS carries 156 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 FOCUS is electrical system with 25 filings, followed by power train (19) and latches/locks/linkages (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2011 FOCUS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

156
Complaints
15
Crashes
0
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

156 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
POWER TRAIN19
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
STRUCTURE:BODY10
STEERING9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
AIR BAGS6
WHEELS5
SUSPENSION5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4
TIRES4
SERVICE BRAKES4
SEAT BELTS3

Recent Complaints

20250924STEERING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction and instead turned in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed steering column. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised that the parts to repair the vehicle were discontinued. In addition, the contact was informed that the aftermarket parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Mileage: 19,000

20240801UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I hit an animal in my way to work as I reported the accident to my insurance company they were going to cover the parts and have it towed to my choice as it was however the professional car shop wasn't able to fix the anti theft that caused my car to not turn over as I was then told to take it to the nearest Ford dealer to get it reprogrammed to the original status I was told that it would cost more to fix the problem then what my car was purchased for so my insurance company claimed a total loss of the vehicle, Oliver Ford Lincoln Mercury in Plymouth Indiana sold me a lemon as I was a customer to them for over 8 yrs and covid came in the middle of my lease being up on 2017 Ford fusion I asked if I could purchase my lease vehicle but was refused and told no because I was collecting unemployment benefits but for the last year and half I paid my car note out of my unemployment benefits money each month but they didn't seem to accept my money then, I have always been a Ford customer and d

20240730UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I did not crash the vehicle I bought it preowned

20240228STEERING

My car made grinding sounds when turning the steering wheel. My mechanic found a leak on Power Steering Pump & replaced it. My car has only 48,800 miles & there's a recall for Ford Trucks with the same problem.

20240210STRUCTURE:BODY

Door latches inoperable. Cannot open from outside the vehicle. Passenger side front and both back doors. Back door passenger side door does not open from inside either. Had to pay $373 to Ford dealer to replace driver door latch because it wouldn't latch and made the dashboard not work. Latch codes as follows: driver 02717a (new), passenger 224100 (or 224188 cant see it clearly). Left rear 22418a Right rear cannot open door at all to see latch code. These 3 doors cannot be opened from outside and the rear right door cannot be opened at all. The contact is just inquiring if these door latches will be recalled.

20231114POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the wrench symbol was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and shaking and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, the engine was still running and attempted to shift into reverse(R), but the vehicle would not shift into reverse(R). The contact was able to shift into drive(D) however, the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact had been informed by the mechanic that the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

20230309LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side and both the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors failed to open. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door was able to open by lowering the window and manually opening the door from the exterior door handle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front passenger’s and rear driver’s side door latches to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear driver’s side door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unkno

20220215WHEELS

The lug nuts are corroded and we are unable to remove them for tire rotation.

20200919STEERING

BACKING UP THE WHEEL BARELY TURNS AND IT LOCKS UP WHILE BACKING UP, MAKING TURNS, THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AS I MAKE TURNS LEFT AND RIGHT I'LL BRING IT TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THIS ISSUE PERSISTS EVERY YEAR I BUY A NEW POWER STEERING SYSTEM EVERY YEAR. I HAVE BROUGHT 3 POWER STEERING SYSTEMS FROM FORD 3 YEARS IN A ROW.IT'S DEADLY!

Mileage: 150,000

20200919SUSPENSION

BACKING UP THE WHEEL BARELY TURNS AND IT LOCKS UP WHILE BACKING UP, MAKING TURNS, THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AS I MAKE TURNS LEFT AND RIGHT I'LL BRING IT TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THIS ISSUE PERSISTS EVERY YEAR I BUY A NEW POWER STEERING SYSTEM EVERY YEAR. I HAVE BROUGHT 3 POWER STEERING SYSTEMS FROM FORD 3 YEARS IN A ROW.IT'S DEADLY!

Mileage: 150,000

20200819LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LOCKED AND THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AFTER THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE WHITE FORD OF COEUR D'ALENE (315 W CLAYTON AVE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID 83815), AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE HIM TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH AGAIN AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE LATCHES WERE DIRTY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR FAILED THEN ALL THE OTHERS WOULD FOLLOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. INVALID VIN.

Mileage: 15,000

20200214UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS ARE STUCK LOCKED AND THE DOORS CAN'T OPEN OR THEY STAY STUCK OPEN AND THE DOOR DOESN'T STAY SHUT. I'VE HAD THE LOCKS REPLACED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN.

20190826AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL THERE IS A RECALL ON 2011 FORD FOCUS, BUT NOT WITH MY VIN NUMBER. HOWEVER THERE IS A WHITE POWDER ESCAPING FROM THE CONNECTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WHITE POWDER FORMS COLUMNS OF WHITE ON THE HORN ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SERVICE MAN TOLD ME IT COULD BE DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 50,000

20190727ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH A MYSTERY BATTERY DRAIN FOR TWO YEARS. SINCE MARCH OF 2019 IT HAS BEEN STALLING AT STOP LIGHTS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE RPM NEEDLE DROPS. IN THE WINTER OF 2018 I HAD ISSUES TWICE WHERE I TRIED ACCELERATING AND THE MPH NEEDLE WOULDN'T MOVE PAST 20 IT DID EVENTUALLY SPEED UP WITH ME NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL I ALSO HAD A HARD TIME BREAKING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 44,000

20190727ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH A MYSTERY BATTERY DRAIN FOR TWO YEARS. SINCE MARCH OF 2019 IT HAS BEEN STALLING AT STOP LIGHTS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE RPM NEEDLE DROPS. IN THE WINTER OF 2018 I HAD ISSUES TWICE WHERE I TRIED ACCELERATING AND THE MPH NEEDLE WOULDN'T MOVE PAST 20 IT DID EVENTUALLY SPEED UP WITH ME NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL I ALSO HAD A HARD TIME BREAKING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 44,000

20190727FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH A MYSTERY BATTERY DRAIN FOR TWO YEARS. SINCE MARCH OF 2019 IT HAS BEEN STALLING AT STOP LIGHTS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE RPM NEEDLE DROPS. IN THE WINTER OF 2018 I HAD ISSUES TWICE WHERE I TRIED ACCELERATING AND THE MPH NEEDLE WOULDN'T MOVE PAST 20 IT DID EVENTUALLY SPEED UP WITH ME NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL I ALSO HAD A HARD TIME BREAKING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 44,000

20190712POWER TRAIN

MY 2012 FORD FOCUS IS EQUIPPED WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION AND HAS HAD ISSUES FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. SHUDDERING UPON START WAS THE BIGGEST ISSUE. CAR FINALLY STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS REPAIRED AT DEALER BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY NOISY AND WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING, INCLUDING ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEED. TRANSMISSION WILL ALSO SLIP QUITE BADLY UPON LAUNCH AT TIMES WHICH CAN BE A CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 120,500

20190626WHEELS

TIRE SENSOR FAULT , DOUGLES TIRES LOOSING AIR

20190225POWER TRAIN

THE CLUTCH SYSTEM ON MY MANUAL 2011 FORD FOCUS WENT OUT. THE CLUTCH NOW PLAYS ON THE FLOOR BOARD WITH NO CATCH IN IT. THE GEARS WONT BUDGE. I RESEARCHED AND SEEN THE NEWER MODELS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAR. WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT IT WAS ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY IN BRIDGE CITY, TX.

Mileage: 153,000

20190205STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DOOR HANDLES, LATCH AND UNLOCKING MECHANISM FAIL, CAUSING THE DOORS TO REMAIN LOCKED. YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR OR OUTSIDE.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2011FORDFOCUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 FORD FOCUS have?
The 2011 FORD FOCUS has 156 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 FORD FOCUS?
The 2011 FORD FOCUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 FORD FOCUS?
The most-complained component for the 2011 FORD FOCUS is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Is the 2011 FORD FOCUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 FORD FOCUS has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.