2010 Ford FOCUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
287 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 249 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 287 complaints (17.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 42 | 14.6% |
| Braking behavior | 23 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 50 |
| Electrical System | 42 |
| Engine | 42 |
| Power Train | 38 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 26 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
| Suspension | 17 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 50; Electrical System: 42; Engine: 42; Power Train: 38; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 26; Unknown Or Other: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17; Suspension: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 50 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 71 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 46 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 38 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 50; 25,000 to 49,999: 71; 50,000 to 74,999: 46; 75,000 to 99,999: 38; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 23
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 14; 2011: 31; 2012: 33; 2013: 30; 2014: 40; 2015: 39; 2016: 37; 2017: 13; 2018: 17; 2019: 11; 2020: 5; 2021: 8; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 42 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10326717 · 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)
CAR ENGINE KILLS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES IN THE LAST 23 DAYS, THE LAST TIME ON INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT AT 60 MPH. CAR WILL NOT START FOR SOME TIME AFTER BUT WILL START BUT STALL AGAIN. THE LAST TIME IT STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS A 6 LANE INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FIRST EVENTS OCCURRED AT 174.5 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. ON THE EVENING OF 31 MARCH 2010. CAR RETURNED ON EVENING OF 8 APRIL DEALER STATING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAUSED PROBLEM W…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398911 · 2011-05-04 (May 4, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE VERY LOUDLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329458 · 2010-05-09 (May 9, 2010)
WHILE BRAKING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STARTS REVVING VERY HIGH. DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR IS IN GEAR, THE CAR WILL MOVE EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, IN FACT A VERY INFREQUENT ONE. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS RE: THIS PROBLEM AND NO DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN OBTAINED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. EIGHT SEPARATE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN NOTED, APPROXIMATELY EVERY 150 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN STOPPING, NEVER WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396867 · 2011-04-19 (April 19, 2011)
FOUR WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2010 FORD FOCUS, I TURNED ON THE A/C AND TO MY SURPRISE THE A/C NEVER GOT COLD. I HAD IT RUNNING FOR 20 MINUTES BUT IT NEVER GOT COLD. THE NEXT DAY CALLED AND TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED OUT, THEY KEPT IT TWO DAYS AND HAD ME COME PICK IT UP SAYING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE. THE NEXT DAY I GOT A CALL FROM FAIRFIELD FORD SAYING THAT THERE WAS A OBJECT IN THE A/C AND NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY! WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY IT WAS STILL COLD WEATHER SO NEVER TURNED ON THE A/C WHEN I DID THE TEST DRIVE,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10396867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328918 · 2010-05-05 (May 5, 2010)
OUR 2010 AUTOMATIC FORD FOCUS DEMONSTRATED PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING GEARS AT ABOUT 7,000 MILES. ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP IT WILL NOT SMOOTHLY SHIFT. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-60 MPH, AND DEMONSTRATES MAJOR JERKING WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT, WITH REVVING/INCREASED RPMS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERYTIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR A MAJOR ROAD WITH TRAFFIC, SINCE THE CAR ACCELERATION DOES NOT RESPOND. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IF CAUGHT IN TIME THE COMPUTER IS REPROGRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347611 · 2010-08-06 (August 6, 2010)
THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS LOCK IF THE CONTACT KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION AS DESCRIBED IN MY OWNER'S FOCUS 2010(MANUAL TRANSMISSION) BOOKLET IF WE WANT TO PULL THE FOCUS BEHIND MY 1998 30 FOOT WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. SO I TURNED THE KEY IN POSITION 2, ACCESSORIES, AND DROVE MORE THAN 500 MILES AFTER ADEQUATE WIRING WAS PERFORMED. THE FOCUS BATTERY WAS DEAD. A FORD DEALER COULD NOT SOLVE THIS MYSTERY. JUST IN CASE MY EML IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10347611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307817 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
2010 FORD FOCUS-SHOCKS APPEAR TO FAIL ON FRONT OF VEHICLE WITH A LOUD NOISE ON A MODERATE BUMP-SOME INDICATED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL-BOTTOMS OUT COMPLETELY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM I WONDER IF I SHOULD PARK THIS THING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10335739 · 2010-06-10 (June 10, 2010)
DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN MY NEW FORD FOCUS 2010 AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS LIKE A STONE, I COULD NOT TURN EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL APPEARED "ASSISTED STEERING FAILURE". FORTUNATELY FOR MY PASSAGE BY A QUIET ROAD AND I STOP. TURN OFF AND RESTART IT AND THE FAILURE DISAPPEARED, BUT LISTEN TO HUM TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. TAKE IT TO FORD DEALER AND ONLY RESET THE COMPUTER TO DELETE THE WITNESS OF FAULT AND TOLD ME THAT IS READY NOW. HOW CAN I DRIVE SAFELY AFTER THE LIVED? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415197 · 2011-07-26 (July 26, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WIRING WAS EXPOSED AND WOULD CAUSE THE THIRD CYLINDER TO MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE THIRD CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING WAS CHEWED BY A RODENT, RESULTING IN THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE EXPOSED WIRING. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10463122 · 2012-06-26 (June 26, 2012)
ON JUNE 22, THE MECHANIC'S WRENCH APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD WHILE SITTING IN IDLE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK. THE FORD MANUAL STATES THAT THE WARNING SIGN IS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION. I TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC'S WRENCH WENT AWAY. ON JUNE 25TH, THE MECHANIC'S WRENCH APPEARED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE CAR STARTED TO JERK. IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IT IN THE ROAD. I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES REGISTERED IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499340 · 2013-02-19 (February 19, 2013)
I HAVE A 2010 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS A "RAW GAS SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IN THE TRUNK" AREA. THIS SMELL IS NOT CONSTANT, AT TIMES WE SMELL IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN AT OTHER TIMES NO SMELL. BUT MOSTLY WE SMELL RAW GAS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE. THEY COULD SMELL THE FUMES, WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, BUT COULD NOT FIND WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT THERE FOR A COUPLE DAYS TO BE COMPLETELY CHECKED.. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND NOR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE "GAS FUMES GIVE ME HEADACHES WHEN DRIVIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499340 at NHTSA ↗