2009 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 229 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Ford Focus, 4% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It first started when I was driving down the highway and I started to feel my steering wheel shake. Nothing major, I just thought it was out of alignment. Days later, I had my front windows rolled down when I was pulling out of my drive way and I could hear my front and rear suspension creaking really bad. And now even when the cars turned off and not moving at all its still making a high pitched screeching noise coming from the suspension noise...no clue how that's even possible. …”
NHTSA complaint #10468742, filed 2012-07, 35,000 miles“My 2009 Ford Focus has had obvious suspension issues since 6000 miles. Rear tires always slip in wet conditions from a stopped position during a normal initial acceleration. Furthermore at speeds greater than (>) 60 MPH the steering wheel vibrates and the car shakes. I am a fairly good driver and in countless normal driving conditions my car has gotten into an out of control state luckily I was able to recover. I had taken the car to a Ford dealership to be told the tires were causing the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10441177, filed 2011-12, 6,500 miles“Power steering fluid leak leading to loud noises when running car. Ford knows about this problem and hasn't done jack about it for about 5 or more years. There is either a problem with the o-ring or power steering pump. If the problem is not found there could be more issues like the power steering failing. A recall is needed asap!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10587596, filed 2014-05, 37,000 miles“Driving at normal hwy speed, the rental car (2009 Ford Focus) wandered as if something was wrong in the wheels or steering wheel and then flipped over on the left side of the road. My entire family almost perished that day.”
NHTSA complaint #10315505, filed 2010-03, 2,300 miles“I was involved in a rollover in 2009. The car steering was loose and caused me to lose control on the road. I was switching lanes on the highway, the road was uneven and the steering seemed to stop working. Also the airbags did not deploy. It was a rental car.”
NHTSA complaint #10870650, filed 2016-05Related service bulletins
- 10034586Jul 1, 2010Ford: equipped with 17 inch wheels only; steering follows road irregularities and/or ruts. Vehicles may exhibit the vehicle's steering seems to follow road irregularities. First…
- 10027986Sep 1, 2008Ford: some vehicles built on or after 10/3/05 may experience a customer concern of the power steering (p/s) system leaking and/or system noisy.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 | 4% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 45 | 4% |
| 2015 | 93 | 9% |
| 2014 | 223 | 9% |
| 2013 | 273 | 13% |
| 2012 | 927 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 9% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 73 | 7% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 86 | 5% |
| 2000 | 168 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2009 Ford Focus
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsWheels
22 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsTires
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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