2009 Ford Focus problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What is the 2009 Ford Focus safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 Ford Focus crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Focus get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Ford Focus at about 28 mpg combined (24 city / 34 highway).

Q: How much is a 2009 Ford Focus worth?

Comparable 2009 Ford Focus listings run roughly $3,100–$7,000, typically around $5,024 (from 252 vehicles).

2009 Ford Focus at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints229

Combined28 mpg

Typical price$5,024

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Ford Focus recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2009 Ford Focus.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Ford Focus common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Latches/locks/linkages

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2009 Ford Focus safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 Ford Focus 2-DR. Hatchback w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2009 Ford Focus MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway34 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,250

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Ford Focus worth?

Low

$3,100

Typical price

$5,024

High

$7,000

From 252 comparable 2009 Ford Focus listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Ford Focus costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,250

Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,100

Total$14,350

Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,024) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,909), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.