2001 Ford Focus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Focus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3686 complaints 2001: 1761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 440 complaints 2005 2006: 204 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3755 complaints 2013: 2103 complaints 2014: 2586 complaints 2014 2015: 1007 complaints 2016: 1174 complaints 2017: 882 complaints 2017 2018: 821 complaints 2018
2001: 1761 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003686
20011761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005440
2006204
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123755
20132103
20142586
20151007
20161174
2017882
2018821

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 193 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 140 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 129 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 94 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 89 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

2001 — complaint volume: 1761
R 20010124 — seats

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A FOLDING 60/40 SECOND SEAT THAT BECOMES A LOAD FLOOR IN THE FOLDED POSITION. WHEN THE 60% PORTION OF THE SEAT IS F

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.

Campaign 00V418000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010403 — seats

PM CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING AN IN-PROCESS TEST AND THE OCCUPANT MAY NOTICE A CHUCKING, OR PERCEIVED LOOSENESS OF THE FRONT SEAT BA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON

Campaign 01V108000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010820 — visibility

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS

Campaign 01V258000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011210 — wheels

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2000-2001 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER VEHICLES, ORIG

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ADDITIONAL BEARING SEALS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 20

Campaign 01I017000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020211 — PE (closed 20020816)

AIR BAG BURN INJURIES/VEHICLE FIRES

I 20020228 — PE (closed 20020918)

INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20020404 — PE (closed 20020909)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20020501 — PE (closed 20020909)

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM

I 20020731 — EA (closed 20021113)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20020816 — EA (closed 20030815)

BURN INJURIES DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20020909 — EA (closed 20040116)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20020909 — EA (closed 20030219)

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

R 20030210 — electrical system

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAM

Campaign 02V288000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030210 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONAB

Campaign 02V289000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040119 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT

Campaign 03V482000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050309 — latches/locks/linkages

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A

Campaign 05V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

R 20120330 — equipment

RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRI

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CO

Campaign 12E007000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (193 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (140 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (129 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V418000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V108000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V258000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I017000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V288000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V289000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V482000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V030000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12E007000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2012 ■ 2000 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Ford Focus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Ford Focus is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Focus?

The most-reported component is electrical system:ignition, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Focus have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.