The Lemon Index2001 Ford Focus.
The 2001 Ford Focus is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 991 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 353, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 24 to 28 mpg combined. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,760 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Focus year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 93K miles on the car (950 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 41K–94K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 36K–83K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 37K–92K miles
Recalls 14
- equipment 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTS…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 14 recalls
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- latches/locks/linkages 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMP…
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
- steering 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
- electrical 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.
- wheels 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT.
- visibility 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.
- seats 2001
PM CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING AN IN-PROCESS TEST AND THE OCCUPANT MAY NOTICE A CHUCKING, OR PERCEIVED LOOSENESS OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK, OR THE SEAT BACK…
- seats 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 180 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Charging system indicator illuminated at times or constantly
- Slight engine vibration at idle, most noticeable when engaged in reverse
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2002
- ClosedBurn injuries due to air bag deployment2002–2003
- ClosedEngine stalling2002–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
When putting key in ignition key won't turn, and sometimes it will afterwards jiggle around. Took to dealer, and tumblers replaced. Also, tailgates are too high. Consumer has injured shoulders opening and closing the tailgates.
2001 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 8011404
More owner reports
Ignition switch locked up and I cannot start the car because the key wont turn this is the second time it has done this I was lucky the first time it came loose and allowed the car to start
NHTSA complaint 10096115
The dealership refused to honor the recall for the rear wheel bearing 01 I 017 000 and the battery cable 02 v 288 000.
NHTSA complaint 10014784
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Ford Focus reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 353; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2001 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (19%), engine (18%) and fuel system, gasoline (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Focus have?
14 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Focus get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,000 and 93,000 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 950 complaints.
Does the 2001 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Ford Focus have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works