VehicleVerdict

Ford Focus years to avoid

The Ford Focus years to avoid are 2000, 2012, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2016, 2015, 2017, 2018 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1999 is the cleanest year on record.

29,704

Total complaints

45

Recall campaigns

1999–2018

Years covered

9

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Ford Focus NHTSA complaints by model year5,152 complaints1999: 15 complaints2000: 5,152 complaints2001: 2,361 complaints2002: 1,198 complaints2003: 1,224 complaints2004: 499 complaints2005: 599 complaints2006: 270 complaints2007: 524 complaints2008: 336 complaints2009: 323 complaints2010: 409 complaints2011: 157 complaints2012: 4,967 complaints2013: 2,913 complaints2014: 3,614 complaints2015: 1,313 complaints2016: 1,560 complaints2017: 1,165 complaints2018: 1,105 complaints
Ford Focus NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Focus years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2000High complaint rate5,152
2012High complaint rate4,967
2014High complaint rate3,614
2013High complaint rate2,913
2001High complaint rate2,361
2016Open safety investigation1,560
2015Open safety investigation1,313
2017Open safety investigation1,165
2018Open safety investigation1,105

Every Focus year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2018avoid1,1057
2017avoid1,16510
2016avoid1,56010
2015avoid1,3139
2014avoid3,61412
2013avoid2,91312
2012avoid4,9678
20111570
20104090
20093230
20083362
20075242
20062702
20055995
20044996
20031,2247
20021,1988
2001avoid2,36114
2000avoid5,15218
1999150

Common questions

What are the worst Ford Focus years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus years to avoid are 2000, 2012, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2016, 2015, 2017, 2018. The cleanest year on record is 1999.

What is the best year for the Ford Focus?

By complaint volume, 1999 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Focus years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Ford Focus have?

Across all model years, the Focus has 45 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 29,704 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.