Most common 2011 Ford Focus problems
Share of the 113 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 2011 Ford Focus owners say
Electrical system all 25 →
Upon entering a school zone and decelerating to 35 MPH, while entering into a left curve the power steering locked up preventing the turn into the curve. This resulted in the vehicle running off the road and hitting a road sign causing damage to the passenger mirror and right rear door and quarter panel.
I have a serious electrical problem in my Ford Focus 2011. During the day time the dash lights that are supposed to come on at night when you cut the lights on come on during the day time and won't cut off which causes the battery in my car to go dead. I've already replaced my car battery twice because of this problem. I have to beat on my car for it to cut on and lately that hasn't been working at all. Another problem I'm having is that the car says that the trunk is ajar when it's closed and the rear door is ajar when it's closed, the emergency break is on when it's not. My car cuts off every time I stop. Everything in the dash cuts off and freezes so I won't be able to tell if I need gas or how fast I'm going. Both car keys aren't being recognized by my car. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 20 →
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.
Several times, my breaks have not responded while pressing down on them, my foot will be to the ground and there is nothing. It caused my vehicle to crash into the vehicle in front of me the first time it happened going 35 miles an hour.
Locks & latches
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. When the driver was attempting to unlock the doors, the front locks automatically lifted up, but the rear locks remained inside the doors. All four doors were not able to be opened. The driver attempted to lift the rear locks, but the knobs for the door locks were located. The driver was unable to manually lift the knobs due to them being inside the door panel. The driver had to roll down the windows in order to get out of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (windell Ford) who informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that all locks failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the fact that the locks could not be manually disengaged was not a safety issue. …
2011 Ford Focus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 34 / 29 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Ford Focus a good car?
Based on 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Focus rates better than average: 88% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Focus at the same age. It is one of the best Focus years by this measure. 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 2011 Ford Focus?
The electrical system — 25 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (20) and locks & latches (17).
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Focus have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Ford Focus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 47% 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.