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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags118
- Electrical system85
- Power train43
- Latches/locks/linkages30
- Vehicle speed control27
- Tires24
- Structure24
- Suspension23
- Exterior lighting14
- Steering13
- Seat belts12
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
28
30
33
48
43
40
26
38
35
18
15
8
13
3
5
5
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 48 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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”
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…”
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.”
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.