2010 Ford Focus problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What is the 2010 Ford Focus safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 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 2010 Ford Focus get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Ford Focus at about 28 mpg combined (24 city / 35 highway).

Q: How much is a 2010 Ford Focus worth?

Comparable 2010 Ford Focus listings run roughly $3,900–$8,400, typically around $6,056 (from 443 vehicles).

2010 Ford Focus at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints287

Combined28 mpg

Typical price$6,056

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

2010 Ford Focus recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2010 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.

2010 Ford Focus common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train

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

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Structure

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

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2010 Ford Focus safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Ford Focus 2-DR. Hatchback w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Ford Focus MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway35 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,200

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

What's a 2010 Ford Focus worth?

Low

$3,900

Typical price

$6,056

High

$8,400

From 443 comparable 2010 Ford Focus listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Ford Focus costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,000

Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,900

Total$14,900

Per mile$0.20

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 ($6,056) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,163), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.