Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Interior & seats reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Aug 29, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 229 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming interior
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parked in the driveway, the contact opened both rear doors; however, while attempting to close the doors, the doors failed to latch securely. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the latch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ID
11541362
Incident
Aug 3, 2023
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AND WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A MODULE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
NHTSA ID
11268988
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
145,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ED MULLINAX FORD (8000 LEAVITT RD, AMHERST, OH 440011, 440-296-3021) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST THAT WAS LESS THAN THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ID
11181517
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
101,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT REMAINING SHUT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BUNGEE CORDS TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,292.
NHTSA ID
10905747
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Mileage
33,292 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR, AND THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED. THE DOOR HANDLES COULD NOT BE USED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY NOR WOULD THEY UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROD THAT WAS SECURING THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ID
10622151
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
46,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jun 23, 2014
2009 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME AND YOU WILL GET LOCKED IN AND HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT IT DOES NOT UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS SO YOU CANNOT GET IN SINCE THE DOOR ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE IF IT IS UNLOCKED. YOU CANNOT MANUALLY UNLOCK THE FRONT DOORS BUT YOU CAN CRAWL OVER THE SEATS AND PULL UP THE REAR DOOR LOCKS OR CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS AND I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND YOU CANNOT GET THE DOORS OPEN. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A DEATH BEFORE FORD WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. MY SON HAS TO KEEP THE DOORS UNLOCKED SO HE CAN GET INTO A PASSENGER DOOR AND OPEN THE INSIDE LATCH TO GET INTO HIS CAR. I GOT LOCKED IN AND HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO GET OUT SINCE I THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING. WE HAVE THE DOOR PANEL OFF AND DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY OUT SO NOW I AM ON THE HUNT FOR REPAIR PARTS. THE HANDLE SEEMS TO BE IN WORKING ORDER BUT THE LATCH IS NOT. WE LUBED IT BUT IT KEEPS LOCKING UP AND YOU CANNOT OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I THINK FORD WANTS PEOPLE TO SPEND A FORTUNE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR JUST BUY A NEW CAR THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10605301
Incident
Feb 24, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Apr 13, 2013
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE I CAN NOT GET MY DOORS OPEN BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAVE HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF ANOTHER DOORS A NUMBER OF TIMES. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10508123
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
52,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND AFFECTED EACH DOOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ID
10497725
Incident
Nov 17, 2010
Mileage
25,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED USING THE REMOTE. THE DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
NHTSA ID
10473180
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
53,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SPRAY WATER AND APPLY DRIED LUBE AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
NHTSA ID
10460515
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
13,200 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB AND MANUALLY USING THE KEY, BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ID
10459870
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
15,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 16, 2012
DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY MALFUNCTION. THE KEY TO THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT TURN. FRONT DOORS CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED BY THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE REAR DOORS CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. REAR DOORS ARE UNLOCKED BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE LOCK PEG AND USING THE INSIDE LOCK SWITCH ON THE FRONT DOOR TO FIRST LOCK AND THEN UNLOCK, LET OFF THE LOCK PEG AND TOGGLE THE SWITCH AGAIN. DISCOVERED THIS TRICK AFTER MANY WASTED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONE REAR DOOR LATCH WAS REPLACED BUT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH IT. AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT (36K), I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT, IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $200/DOOR TO FIX. THIS IS CAN BE A SERIOUS MATTER IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10451881
Incident
May 7, 2010
Mileage
17,934 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE DOOR REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 09/30/11
NHTSA ID
10418559
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Mileage
28,000 mi
Interior & seatsTires & wheels
Filed Jul 16, 2011
2009 FORD FOCUS SE. BOUGHT NEW JULY 2009. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH POWER DOOR LOCKS NOT UNLOCKING FROM INSIDE/OUTSIDE W/KEY,REMOTE,HANDLES. WARRANTY WORK, 3 TIMES IN PAST ONE (1) YEAR ON DOOR LOCKS. LATEST 7/15/11. SAFETY CONCERNS OF BEING TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. CONSTANTLY BEING TOLD BY FORD TECHS. ROAD DUST CAUSING MALFUNCTION. HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN MANY OTHER MAKES/MODELS OF FORD CARS/TRUCKS W/ POWER LOCKS ON GRAVEL ROADS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. ONLY THIS CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM. 1ST. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAD LOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED.WOULDN'T UNLOCK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. 2ND. LEFT BACK WOULDN'T UNLOCK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DOOR LOCK ADJUSTED BY FORD TECH. SO FAR BOTH WORKING OK. 3RD. TRAPPED OUTSIDE CAR. FINALLY UNLOCKED W/ REMOTE AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. KEY IN OUTER LOCK WOULDN'T UNLOCK DOOR. NOW IT'S THE DRIVER DOOR THAT HAS TO HAVE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THIS DONE.ALSO HAVE COMPLAINT OF ORIGINAL NEW TIRES (HANKOOK P195/60/R15) WEARING OUT AND HAD TO REPLACE AT 21,000 MILES ON 7/09/11. PS. TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR IS A USELESS DEVICE. *TT
NHTSA ID
10413114
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
12,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 11, 2011
POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK AND STAY LOCKED NOT ABLE TO GET THEM TO WORK CORRECTLY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF YOU NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THIS VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO. *TR
NHTSA ID
10405952
Incident
Jun 10, 2011
Mileage
42,150 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 29, 2010
MY GRANDDAUGHTER OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES DO NOT WORK. IT WAS TAKEN IN TWICE TO BE FIXED. THE DEALER SAID IT IS FROM DUST AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY $900 TO UPGRADE THE LOCKS AND LATCHES. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY BECAUSE I AM VERY WORRIED THAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT MY GRAND DAUGHTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10368162
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Sep 15, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH WHICH IN TURN CAUSED ME TO SLAM INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVERS SEAT I WAS SITTING ON WAS BENT AND MOVED BACK. THE AIR BAG DEVICE UNDER THE SEAT WAS DETACHED AND DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO THE SEAT AND FOR AIRBAGS NOT TO DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10355733
Incident
Sep 9, 2010
Mileage
22,050 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 6, 2010
DOOR LATCHES AND DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. HAVE HAD THEM FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THEY STILL CONSTANTLY ACT UP AND WON'T WORK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10347752
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 21, 2010
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN THAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE UNABLE TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE THE LOCK IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN DELAYS WITH INGRESS/EGRESS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10344324
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
67,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own