The Lemon Index2009 Ford Focus.
The 2009 Ford Focus is better than average by owner complaints: 79 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 61, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 27 to 28 mpg combined. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 229 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Focus year. 2009 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 25K to 81K miles on the car (189 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 52K–116K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 35K–88K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 28K–77K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 18 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Customer concern of the power steering (p/s)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
2009 Ford Focus. Consumer states problem with ticking noise
2009 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10411074
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Focus reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (22%), tires (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Focus have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Focus get?
27 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 81,700 miles. The middle report was at 45,700 miles, from 189 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Focus have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2009?
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