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Fuel systemPart report

2009 Ford Focus Fuel system Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
7%of 229 total for the year
Median mileage
64,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the fuel system of the 2009 Ford Focus, 7% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“We own a 2009 Ford Focus. Right out of warranty in june of 2012 my husband was driving the car on the highway, approx. 70 miles per hour when the car decelerated down to about 40 and would not go beyond that. We took it to the dealership, they charged us full price for a throttle body replacement. I know that other makes in 2009 were extended on the warranty for throttle body problems. I wanted to report this so that we can get reimbursed.”

NHTSA complaint #10567782, filed 2014-03, 36,500 miles

“Traveling on highway in passing lane with cruise control on,noticed vehicle slowing down. Applied pressure to gas pedal,no acceleration. I had to get off road quickly because car was coming to a stop;almost caused an accident in doing so. Vehicle idled rough and I had no control of acceleration. I shut off vehicle and was able to start it up again and had acceleration control again. Took vehicle to Ford dealer ship and they replaced throttle body. …”

NHTSA complaint #10483347, filed 2012-11, 28,000 miles

“While driving down the interstate at 70 miles per hour, the car dropped out of cruise control and coasted to 5 miles per hour. Pressing the gas pedal had no result. We were lucky to avoid collision with nearby cars and coasted off the interstate into a park and ride lot. Car had to be towed to dealer repair. We were told by Ford dealer that the throttle body had died and had to be replaced. This Ford certified preowned car is still covered by powertrain warranty but this does not include throttle body. …”

NHTSA complaint #10747996, filed 2015-08, 88,000 miles

“Driving 65mph - middle lane of the freeway - the wrench light comes on and suddenly the max speed I could generate was 20 MPH- made it to the pull over lane- had to change my underwear when I got home. The car sat - engine off for about 30 min ( waiting for road service who never showed) the car restarted and you would never know there was a problem it drove fine for several days. I would have written it off as bad gas except for info on the net that made me realize I may have a serious problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10510793, filed 2013-05, 39,500 miles

“Driving on freeway at steady 70mph, engine dropped to idle speed. No prior indication of trouble. Vehicle was slowing down. Wrench light was on. Accelerator pedal had no effect. I put in the clutch pedal, and coasted until I reached an area area where I could pull off to the side. This was in a tight construction area. Fortunately, I was in the right lane and not near other vehicles at the time of the incident. Otherwise the outcome might have been very different. When I was stopped, the engine continued to run, but accelerator had no effect. With no alternative, I shut off the engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #10747435, filed 2015-08, 149,950 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201819623%
201717720%
201623120%
201517217%
201435414%
201326312%
20123409%
201144%
20103211%
2009177%
200842%
2007174%
2006189%
2005276%
2004133%
2003152%
2002677%
200131818%
200041111%

Other parts of the 2009 Ford Focus

Electrical system
45 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
39 complaints
Vehicle speed control
33 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Air bags
22 complaints
Wheels
22 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
18 complaints
Tires
17 complaints
Engine
16 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Ford Focus

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology