The Lemon Index2011 Ford Focus.
The 2011 Ford Focus is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 40 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 19, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about doors, locks & latches, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 28 to 29 mpg combined. It's the best Ford Focus year we track.
One of the most reliable. 5.3× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2012
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 113 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Focus year. 2011 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 30K to 83K miles on the car (90 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 25K–65K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 13K–93K miles
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 28K–63K 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 33 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford 2011-2014 model year fiesta and focus vehicles equipped with a dps6 automatic…
- This tsb contains an owner letter
- Certain 2011 through 2014 model year fiesta and focus vehicles equipped with a dps6 automatic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–2300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Locking mechanism for trunk failed. No longer pops open.....dealer states the repair will cost $250.
2011 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10661896
More owner reports
Suddenly the power windows and power mirrors stopped working. My vehicle is a 2011 Ford Focus se and I don't believe I should be having these problems.
NHTSA complaint 10568234
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Ford Focus reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 19; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2011 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are doors, locks & latches (28%), electrical (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Focus have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Focus get?
28 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,400 and 83,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,800 miles, from 90 complaints.
Does the 2011 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $2300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Ford Focus have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
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