2011 Ford Focus has zero recalls or investigations with the NHTSA, and registered complaints are stunningly low. Sure, reports have surfaced about faulty door locks and hard-shifting transmissions, but after 10 years on the market, it’s tough to beat this compact car’s reliability record.
Key Points
- Problems with the 2011 Ford Focus listed as “common” are quite rare. Very few used vehicles have less NHTSA complaints after 10 years since release.
- The most frequently experienced problem in the 2011 Focus involves electrical issues, like overnight battery drain, faulty door latches, and vehicle cut-off.
- Other reported issues, such as brake failure, stuck latches/locks, and transmission failure, are rare but potentially hazardous.
- With zero recalls and investigations and few registered complaints, the 2011 Ford Focus is an absolute home-run in terms of reliability.
2011 Ford Focus Skates By with Zero Recalls, Few Consumer Complaints, and only 28 Technical Service Bulletins
The 2011 Ford Focus has proven itself to be relatively free of problems, even earning itself the “Seal of Pretty Good” from Car Complaints. It’s a cheap vehicle that’s good on gas mileage, offers good safety ratings, and has decent space for a compact vehicle. Despite being close, it’s not entirely perfect and does have a few issues.
The 2011 Focus has had no recalls so far, though you could argue the door lock/linkages should have been, as even replacement parts failed very quickly according to many customers, but more on that later. Overall, the NHTSA lists 104 total complaints and 28 TSBs for the final year of the second-generation Focus.
The electrical systems have been the most prevalent issue for 2011 Focus owners. Several reports indicate the vehicle randomly cutting off, oftentimes while stopped at an intersection. Others detail accounts of the engine failing to cut off despite multiple attempts.
Additionally, multiple reports indicate consistent battery drain due to issues such as malfunctioning dash lights, a dome lamp that is stuck on, and door ajar indicators that fail to shut off. Despite having the highest complaint count, electrical issues are not overly common in the 2011 Focus, as the NHTSA electrical complaints total 25 in all.
2011 Ford Focus Owners were Given Extended Warranties for Hard Shifting Transmission Problems
Other reports detail problems with the 2011 Ford Focus powertrain. One driver reported his clutch pedal failing to engage the clutch at 57,000 miles. When investigated, part of the plastic linkage had broken, which occurred in a few other reports as well. Other complaints detail faulty shifting and a lack of acceleration power with some sharing that the issues were fixed by replacing the shift solenoid.
Transmission failure seems to be the most common powertrain issue, however, it seems Ford may simply have produced a bad batch. One driver reported transmission failure as early as 7,000 miles. Most of the transmission problems detail hard shifting, slipping, and stalling.
The problems were enough to result in Ford extending the warranty for the transmission input shaft seal and those experiencing clutch shudder. Another fix was provided by Ford for 2nd-3rd and 2nd-4th upshifting issues in the 2011 Focus.
All in all, gear shifting has been a minor headache for the 2011 Focus, though Ford at least took the initiative to find satisfactory long-term solutions.
Latch and Lock Issues Can Leave Doors Stuck Shut, but Brake Failure is the Most Concerning Problem with the 2011 Focus
The 2011 Focus also seems to have issues with faulty locks, latches, and linkages. Imagine being stuck inside your vehicle, or worse yet, with a child stuck inside and the doors don’t open. Reports of doors stuck shut and failed locking mechanisms were relatively low but consistent in nature.
Many of the complaints shared that even replacement parts quickly failed. Some accounts even detail having to exit the vehicle through a window, this is problematic for many obvious reasons.
To date, there’s no satisfactory fix for the issue. Keep in mind, these issues, while frightening, are not overly common. Nevertheless, if searching for a 2011 Focus, be sure to find one with working latches and locks.
Perhaps the scariest problem of the 2011 Ford Focus, however, is possible brake failure. Like other problems for this year, it’s pretty rare, but terrifying nonetheless as brake failure could result in a fatal accident. Several reports indicate brake failure leading to a wreck, and in one of those reports, the owner stated that her mechanic found the problem to be a burst brake line. There is no consensus as to whether or not Ford is to blame as the problem is seldom encountered.
2011 Ford Focus Proves to be a Reliable Compact Sedan Overall with Limited Problems
The 2011 Ford Focus is nothing short of an excellent car. You might be leary given the nature of some of the problems listed, but it’s important to remember none are widespread. Even when scouring the Focus Fanatics forum, we could find little data to back up any argument for a common problem in the vehicle.
Even when checking Google, we could only turn up regurgitations of NHTSA complaints. If you’re in the market for a 2011 Ford Focus, don’t hesitate, it’s a solid used car.
Photos: Ford
