Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel and front end of the vehicle began to vibrate excessively. In addition, there was a strong burning odor inside of the vehicle. The speed was reduced and the vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact noticed the front passenger's side tire completely deflated. There was no flames present. The roadside assistance replaced the defective tire with a spare. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times for the similar. The technician stated the defect was related to faulty suspension. The repairs were performed on different occasions which consisted of replacing the front lower control arm, front rack and pinion. In addition, a four wheel alignment and camber kit installation was performed. The failure recurred after the repairs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the brakes failed. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer yet the failure was unable to be duplicated. The dealer advised there were no failures within the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel would intermittently pull to the right. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 16,555 and the current mileage 18,150. Updated 11/12/10 the consumer stated he has been involved in three accidents due to the brakes not failing. The consumer stated when he applied brakes the vehicle went out of control and hit a concrete storm drain pipe. The consumer also stated the vehicle could not be aligned and it pulls hard to the right at speeds above 45 MPH. Updated 11/24/10
Purchased vehicle less than a year ago, from a dealership. New tires were put on at that time. Mileage when purchased was 29000. While driving on snow and icy roads it would wobble and get squirrelly, which I attributed it to the lightness of the vehicle. There was no reason for me to suspect the tires as I have them rotated according to manufacturer specs, and no abnormalities have been mentioned to me by the dealer. However, last week I had an accident as a result of a worn out tire blowing out on a snowy road. Inspection determined that all the tires were unevenly worn, and that the cause was that the arms which maintain tire alignment were physically incapable of doing so. This is not a manufacturing defect, it is a *design flaw*, which resulted in personal injury (broken arm, facial contusions).
Car purchased new from out of area dealer in December 2008 - no accidents or pothole contact. At 10090 miles, had right rear tire blowout, tire was replaced. Six months later, replaced both rear tires due to uneven wear, competed alignment at quality provider with no problems noted. Did not use dealer for the alignment because of local ( dealer's poor customer service and integrity reputation. December 2010, noticed same problem - severe diagonal cupping of rear tires. This time we took to different tire place and was told they could not do 4 wheel alignment due to a rear suspension componant issue. Immediately took the car to dealer where purchased, got excellent service however, they said they could not allign either, probably because we ran something over, which we knew we did not. We were not satisfied so they kept the car close to a week for testing, measuring, calibration etc. …
Car purchased new from out of area dealer in December 2008 - no accidents or pothole contact. At 10090 miles in August 2009, had right rear tire blowout, tire was replaced. Six months later, replaced both rear tires due to uneven wear, competed alignment at quality provider with no problemsidentified. Did not use dealer for the alignment because of local dealer's poor customer service and integrity reputation. December 2010, noticed same problem - severe diagonal cupping of rear tires. This time we took to different tire place and was told they could not do 4 wheel alignment due to a rear suspension componant issue. Immediately took the car to dealer where purchased, got excellent service however, they said they could not allign either, probably because we ran something over, which we knew we did not. …
Car purchased new from out of area dealer in December 2008 - no accidents or pothole contact. At 10090 miles, had right rear tire blowout, tire was replaced. Six months later, replaced both rear tires due to uneven wear, competed alignment at quality provider with no problems noted. Did not use dealer for the alignment because of local dealer's poor customer service and integrity reputation. December 2010, noticed same problem - severe diagonal cupping of rear tires. This time we took to different tire place and was told they could not do 4 wheel alignment due to a rear suspension componant issue. Immediately took the car to dealer where purchased, got excellent service however, they said they could not allign either, probably because we ran something over, which we knew we did not. We were not satisfied so they kept the car close to a week for testing, measuring, calibration etc. …
It first started when I was driving down the highway and I started to feel my steering wheel shake. Nothing major, I just thought it was out of alignment. Days later, I had my front windows rolled down when I was pulling out of my drive way and I could hear my front and rear suspension creaking really bad. And now even when the cars turned off and not moving at all its still making a high pitched screeching noise coming from the suspension noise...no clue how that's even possible. I know its not coming from the engine cause the cars turned completely off, and I've tested it out with the hood open to see if I could possibly hear it better but im still hearing it from the front and rear suspension area. …
My 2009 Ford Focus has had obvious suspension issues since 6000 miles. Rear tires always slip in wet conditions from a stopped position during a normal initial acceleration. Furthermore at speeds greater than (>) 60 MPH the steering wheel vibrates and the car shakes. I am a fairly good driver and in countless "normal" driving conditions my car has gotten into an "out of control state" luckily I was able to recover. I had taken the car to a Ford dealership to be told the tires were causing the problem. I replaced tires, had an alignment performed and again in short order (less than 6000 miles driven) the issues came up again. This is an extremely dangerous safety issue. First of all the need to accelerate without your back tires and rear of vehicle sliding/shifting side to side is essential. Furthermore, a car should not vibrate and rattle violently at speeds of only 55 MPH. …
This is getting absolutely ridiculous! I am on my sixth set of tires!! They wear uneven after less than 20K miles making a more than annoying wobble. I have gotten numerous alignments and new sway arm links. Dealership said I needed new bearings another alignment and another set of tires! At this point I have spent over $6000 on repairs to this vehicle all related to the same issue!!! There's obviously something wrong that Ford needs to fix! I have seen tons of complaints on here involving the same issue, so this is obviously not related to my driving. A recall needs to be made and this needs to be addressed! I did not buy this car brand new off the lot for 26K to have to keep dumping money into it! The fact that Ford will not own up to this being a horrible assembly/planning/product is appalling and I will never buy a Ford product again!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact noticed a humming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed a vibration in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the driver and passenger rear tires would have to be replaced and an alignment would have to be performed. After the repair, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The rear tires were replaced twice. The contact stated that the tires were wearing excessively from the inside. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Suspension complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Ford Focus, 11% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Ford Focus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2009 Ford Focus. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Focus suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.