Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
My vehicle has displayed an intermittent but increasing issue with electrical components. It started with a warning on the dash (including the warning chime) about a tire pressure monitor fault, and spread to include many and various warning lights. These include the parking brake light, and the door ajar light. When these lights are displaying, my turn signal indicator will not report on the dash, although I have been able to verify that the signals themselves are working on the outside of the car. Over time, this went from an occasional issue to being almost constant. At times, the tire pressure warning light will come on with constant chiming. I have experienced battery dead / non-start issues, although after jumping the vehicle, it will be fine for days. …
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. …
I am a widow, I have children to take care of. So for something like the ignition coil to all of a sudden go bad and cost me $850 is rediculous. I was at work and my car would not start. No warning, no nothing. Especially when I have read others online with the same problem. I'm beginning to wonder if Ford is just ignoring this or is it a way for Ford to make more money off of innocent hard working people. I am now in debt because of this and don't know how I'm going to get out. Needless to say my children did not have much of a christmas. I was warned about buying a Ford and I am starting to regret it. I also have had hub assembly probls and now all of a sudden I need a motor mount. I guess this is what I get for not being able to afford a brand new car. So now my daughter and I have to drive around in something terrifying.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that when the lock button was depressed on the fobik key, the doors locked but when the unlock button was depressed the front and rear passenger side and rear driver side doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the front and rear passenger side and the rear drivers side doors lock without warning. In addition, when the vehicle was stopped, the doors failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was dirt in the locking mechanism. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear driver side door failed to lock. Years later, the rear passenger side door failed to lock. The contact had to tie down the door to keep it closed. The contact called liberty Ford parma heights (6600 pearl rd, parma heights, oh 44130, [phone]) and was informed that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but did not get back in touch with the contact. The approximate failure mileage was 88,254. Updated 12/03/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the interior lighting and the parking lights illuminated independently. The driver door ajar indicator illuminated without the door open. In addition, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.
The electrical components are not registering correctly. The odometer and the miles to empty do not agree. The ac will cut off then back on. The wiper blades will only work on high but later correct. The miles per gallon are not correct. It will register 34.8 to 22.0 sitting still panel lights went off when I turned headlamps on high later in the day it was alright. These problems have been on going for 2 years. I have had it to Ford motor on 11/8/2013 and 11/4/15.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Ford Focus, 22% of the model year's 113 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Focus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2011 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 2011 Ford Focus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.