Most common 2010 Ford Focus problems
Share of the 287 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Focus complaints by model year
Best Focus years: 2011, 2006, 2009. Years to avoid: 2012, 2014, 2013, 2016, 2017. Compare all years →
What 2010 Ford Focus owners say
Engine & cooling all 53 →
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RMP increased and revved causing the vehicle to crash into an unoccupied vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated there was a minor scratch on the front of her vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened, and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
On June 22 myself and my wife were pulling out of the Food Lion Parking Lot. As we proceeded out to the main Road the gas pedal stuck. The car kept accelerating and know matter what I did I could free the gas pedal. Because of that we hit 3 cars in the intersection. Our car literally exploded putting Myself and my wife in the hospital .My wife has had 3 surgeries for a broken pelvis.She is still in serious condition.Myself I suffered 3 broken ribs and a lacerated liver. Ford should be held accountable for our terrible pain and suffering.?
Speed control & acceleration all 50 →
When driving this car and the speed reaches about 40 MPH the traction control light comes on and the car reduces speed and you can push the pedal all the way down and it will go no faster than 30 MPH. The only fix is to hit the traction control switch on the dash and this turns the traction off and allows you not to get killed. I took it to the shop to see if any trouble codes would pop up and the scan said the car was fine no issues. When you drive the car it tells a whole different story .it will not be long until some one gets to an intersection and a truck is barring down on them and the car will not safely accelerate to get you out of danger. I have found nothing that will fix this problem so I will try to sell it back to a dealership. Sad thing is we still owe $5000. On it but don't feel safe in it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled while the throttle body control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 45 →
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after he shifted the gear shifter to Park(P), the vehicle lunged and rolled backward as he was exiting the vehicle. The contact's right leg was stuck inside of the vehicle, causing him to fall to the ground while the driver's side front tire ran over his right arm. A bystander jumped into the vehicle and was able to park vehicle. The contact later received medical attention for injuries to his legs, right arm, and back, and was diagnosed with a blood infection. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred while the contact was parking the vehicle and he applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling. …
The contacts mother owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her mother attempted to park, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle violently accelerated on its own without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a satellite pole. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries reported. A police report was not filed. The driver was able to reverse the vehicle and park into the parking spot, however the contact stated the failure reoccurred sporadically several times after the crash. The driver took the vehicle to a local dealer to have the vehicle inspected, however the dealer was not able to duplicate the failure. A few months later and the failure reoccurred again and the driver took the vehicle back to the dealer where the dealer repaired and replaced the throttle body control module on the vehicle, but the failure persisted after the repair. …
2010 Ford Focus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 34 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 35 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Ford Focus a good car?
Based on 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Focus rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Focus at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Ford Focus?
The engine & cooling — 53 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the speed control & acceleration (50) and transmission & drivetrain (45).
How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Focus have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2010 Ford Focus. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Focus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2006 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2014, 2013, 2016 and 2017. See the full Ford Focus years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Focus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.