Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 391 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Ford Focus, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 88 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 50 | 13% |
| Power train | 24 | 6% |
| Tires | 18 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 17 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 4% |
| Suspension | 12 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 3% |
| Structure | 8 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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. INFOR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning, the steering wheel became stiff, and the contact heard scraping sounds emanating from th
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The driver airbag light keeps going off and on. I went to ford dealer shop to fix it. Only shortly after it came back on. I tried different tricks online and they dont last long. This is a common issue among ford focus o
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact stated that her mother-in-law owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her mother-in-law was driving at an unknown speed, the front passenger’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle w
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Had a car stop suddenly in front of me and I had to apply the brakes hard. The ABS system made a strange sound and the pedal went to the floor. I missed the car in front of me, but now my brakes aren't working properly
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owned a 2006 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and as a result, the contact rear-ended another vehicle. The contact mention
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 an
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Ford Focus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 97 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 391 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 88 of them (23%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.