Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2014 | 63 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2013 | 84 | 4% | 51,000 miles |
| 2012 | 332 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 12% | 82,000 miles |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% | 73,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 41 | 16% | 74,000 miles |
| 2007 | 24 | 6% | 89,000 miles |
| 2006 | 15 | 7% | 47,000 miles |
| 2005 | 43 | 10% | 79,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% | 114,000 miles |
| 2003 | 40 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 51 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2001 | 60 | 3% | 110,000 miles |
| 2000 | 138 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My vehicle seized up as I was driving it and I wrecked it aside a median. I had to tow it to the ford dealership for them to diagnose it as the recall stated. The recall wasn't officially out yet, so I had to tow my vehicle back to my house. This happened in February 2024. I have received a new engine, but had to continue to make payments on a car that I was not able to drive and only received a rental within the past 6 weeks since I have paid for new brakes, new battery, new tires, and an alignment. None of these things were covered for the recall except the engine. The dealership clearly states that because my car has been sitting I have to purchase these other items. I have reached out to corporate and the dealership and haven't gotten anywhere. I don't know if even doing this will help, but I definitely feel taken advantage of. …
My Vehicle has been with me since I've had It since 32,000 miles it's up to 87,000 miles now The first thing I had to replace the starter at 32,000 the alternator and CV axle on the passenger side and the clutch is second and third clutch And the inside dome lights an the dash lights shorted out all went out the day after I got it now since then at 84,000 the The front clip just fell off going down the road it never dragged the ground an it was never broken but going down the interstate at 70 the speed limit it fell down an ripped out from under the car an hit the car behind me costing me a lot of money but now currently at 87,000 The cv axel on the passenger side has started knocking again bye far one of the worst cars I've ever bought
Beside the two safety recalls 18v-735 and 19v-515 there is another issue with the car which when it rains all the rain water penetrates the back door of the car and it stays there for a long period of time due to the poor design of Ford motor company and its negligeance and fraud. I believe this issue might be a safety risk and it should be investigated. After the recalls and the poor repairs the car still unsafe to drive because the transmissions problem is irreparable which means this car will never be safe to drive and everyday I drive it to work whenever I stop in a hill at a traffic light or stop sign I hear noise coming from the transmission and if it happened that I stopped suddenly in the middle of the hill due to traffic the car losses its power and barely moves forward ( loss of power due to faulty transmission)this issue caused me an accident early this year when the car lost …
On 3/21/19 while driving my vehicle, the front passenger door opened. The door just popped open, I was driving in an intersection of a busy street and about to make a turn when this occurred. It was terrifying and I barely missed an accident. Luckily I was right by a gas station when this happened and I had the car towed to the dealership. I requested that the dealership examine all 4 doors as I was afraid this might recur. On 4/14/19 the same problem happened, only this time it was the left rear passenger seat. The door popped open while driving and would not shut. I took the car straight to the dealership the next morning. I am afraid to drive this car. I was told this could be a child safety lock issue, yet I do not use this feature, as I do not have small children. I have requested that all latches on all doors be replaced. This is a very dangerous situation. …
wheels such as automatic and manual transmissions, transfer cases, fluid cooling/management systems and related hoses and pipes, electronic control units and software, shift lever/gear control and indicator devices, clutches and torque convertors, drive axles, hubs, i have my service system report from the diagnostic. I've called the manufacturer they said they could not do anything.i have to go get my police report again i lost it mam ive gotnmy other paper work until then thank you i have been having problems with these people please help me god bless
The contact's girlfriend's daughter owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his girlfriend's daughter was driving 65 MPH, she either drove over a pothole or a rock on the roadway and the vehicle started jerking. The driver veered to the side of the roadway to inspect the vehicle and noticed damage to the front driver's side bumper that was detached from the subframe. The contact stated that the hood release hinges on the driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle fractured causing the hood to inadvertently, smashing into the windshield shattering the windshield. The driver called the contact to the scene for assistance. The contact was able to secure the hood with bungee cords for the driver to drive the vehicle to the residence. The following day the vehicle was towed to a body shop to be inspected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the key fob was inadvertently touched and the rear lift gate erroneously opened. The contact indicated that the fob was not pressed twice as needed to open the hatch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 16V698000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 15,000.
I was driving down the highway and my door locking latch and cable failed. The door came open going 75 MPH.The defective dealership part I found out is the subject of recalls on other Ford Focus year models but my model was left off the recall. This is a huge safety concern as my door is unable to lock at all times including highway driving.
Related recalls (2)
Structure › Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." the resultant hic(d) value at one target location ap1, located on the trim panel at the juncture of the a-pillar and roof side rail, May be greater than design intent.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the left and right side b-pillar and a-pillar trim panels, revise the headliner edge near the tops of the a-pillars to accept the new a-pillar trim panels with their energy absorbing tubes, and…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (332), 2000 (138), 2013 (84), 2014 (63) and 2001 (60) model years. Body complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-052 (body, Jan 24, 2017); 00V-218 (frame and members, Aug 11, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Focus body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (645 mentions), followed by the body › door (147).
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.