Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Ford Focus problems

Owners filed 391 complaints about the 2007 Ford Focus with NHTSA between Jan 2007 and Dec 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (118).

Complaints
391
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
60
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
75
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags118
  2. Electrical system85
  3. Power train43
  4. Latches/locks/linkages30
  5. Vehicle speed control27
  6. Tires24
  7. Structure24
  8. Suspension23
  9. Exterior lighting14
  10. Steering13
  11. Seat belts12
  12. Engine and engine cooling12
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  14. Fuel/propulsion system9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200728
200830
200933
201048
201143
201240
201326
201438
201535
201618
201715
20188
201913
20203
20215
20225
20231
20242

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

118 reports42 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, a vehicle crashed into the front of the contact’s vehicle. Additionally, two other vehicles crashed into the side and rear of the contact's vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact and the passenger sustained injuries and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11527184

Electrical system

85 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key ceased in the ignition when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the ignition switch. The key fob was replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2021Electrical systemODI 11420828

Power train

43 reports1 crash
“Console transmission shift lever detents not noticeable in any positon including Park (mushy shifter) and I am unable to remove ignition key in any position, on, off or lock. Therefore the car can be easily stolen by anyone (minor or adult) by simply breaking the window, reaching the unlock and driving off. Shifter, steering column, and key removal malfunction.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2022Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11451960

Latches/locks/linkages

30 reports1 crash
“THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT CATCH ALL THE TIME AND REQUIRES SEVERAL TIMES SHUTTING THE DOOR BEFORE IT WILL CATCH. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR WILL BECOME UNLATCHED AND OPEN ON ITS OWN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON OTHER YEARS WITH THE SAME PART BUT NOT ON THE 2007 FOCUS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2016Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10924216

Vehicle speed control

27 reports4 crashes
“I GOT MY VEHICLE FROM AN AUCTION SITE, SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY HISTORY ON IT BEFORE 2016. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT REGULAR INTERVALS, ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE CAR IS IN EXTREMELY COLD OR HOT TEMPERATURES. THE GAS PEDAL, ALSO, GETS STUCK, REGULARLY, I WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH MY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING. I HAVE NOTICED THIS, OVER THE YEARS, WITH THE CAR IN STATIONARY MODE AND WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, CITY OR HIGHWAY DRIVING BUT, ESPECIALLY, AFTER HAVING TO PERFORM A HARD BRAKE IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE ITSELF FROM WHATEVER IT IS ALLOWING GETTING STUCK TO, THEN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR IS BETTER, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME OF IT HAVING TO BE UNSTUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT, THE MECHANICS DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM DESCRIBING. OF COURSE, WHEN THESE PERSONS TEST DRIVE MY CAR THEY DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM, LIKE I DO, SO THERE IS NO DOCUMENTATION IN MY POSSESSION ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH COIL THINGY. I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE OF…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2021Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11389516

Tires

24 reports2 crashes
“Tire completely blew out under normal driving conditions on [XXX] between [XXX] in Roseville California. The tire was size 205 /45 r17 one of a matching installed set from America's Tires in Antelope California.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2024TiresODI 11633439
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.