Model year report

2007 Ford Focus: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2007 Ford Focus

On the 2007 Ford Focus, the failure owners report most often is other body or interior problem, and the reports cluster around 70,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other wheel or tire problem, reported by a median of 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 75 out of 100, severe risk for a 2007.

Severe risk for a 2007 — 41st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. 524 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 53 named failure modes on the 2007 Ford Focus, and the three most-reported carry 26% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Other body or interior problem leads with 48 reports, about 96 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 54k to 92,500 miles.

Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault follows with 45 reports, usually reported between 43k to 82,500 miles.

Alternator or charging system failure follows with 41 reports, usually reported between 42k to 77,500 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (88), electrical (82) and body (58).

At what mileage it happens

442 of the reports on the 2007 Ford Focus came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 55,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 46% by 50,000 miles, 82% by 100,000 miles and 96% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 3 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 12% of the dated reports.

31% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

In the order they tend to show up: other wheel or tire problem around 18k, other suspension problem around 28k, other engine problem around 30k and other brake problem around 36k.

Median

Other body or interior problem

70k
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault

60k
Alternator or charging system failure

65k
Other electrical problem

52k
Other powertrain problem

57k
Other wheel or tire problem

18k
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash

45k
Other speed control problem

41k
Seat belt or retractor failure

58k
Other suspension problem

28k
Other brake problem

36k
Other engine problem

30k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 53. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 55.2k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 3 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

Severity, and what it costs

Across the named modes, 65 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 53 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.76, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault at $300–$1,600, alternator or charging system failure at $450–$1,600 and other electrical problem at $250–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

13% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other body or interior problem	body	48	46	54k	70k	93k	95.8	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	45	31	43k	60k	83k	89.8	$300–$1,600	High
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	41	41	42k	65k	78k	81.8	$450–$1,600	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	27	23	37k	52k	77k	53.9	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other powertrain problem	transmission	26	25	23k	57k	70k	51.9	$400–$4,500	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	23	17	14k	18k	25k	45.9	$200–$1,500	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	20	18	20k	45k	110k	39.9	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Other speed control problem	adas	20	14	33k	41k	56k	39.9	$250–$2,000	Critical
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	18	15	36k	58k	95k	35.9	$200–$900	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	12	8	24k	28k	46k	24.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other brake problem	brakes	11	10	8k	36k	103k	22.0	$300–$1,800	High
Other engine problem	engine	10	10	4k	30k	60k	20.0	$300–$4,000	High
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	9	7	—	31k	—	18.0	$600–$2,500	Critical
Instrument cluster or gauge failure	infotainment	8	6	—	37k	—	16.0	$350–$1,400	Moderate
Other visibility problem	glass	8	7	—	31k	—	16.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Loss of braking	brakes	7	6	—	72k	—	14.0	$400–$3,000	Critical
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	7	2	—	89k	—	14.0	$400–$2,200	High
Door latch or handle failure	body	7	7	—	69k	—	14.0	$250–$1,200	High
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	7	6	—	52k	—	14.0	$100–$900	Moderate
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	6	6	—	75k	—	12.0	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Other fuel system problem	fuel	6	6	—	53k	—	12.0	$300–$2,200	High
Stalling while driving	engine	5	5	—	75k	—	10.0	$300–$2,500	Critical
Transmission slipping	transmission	5	1	—	54k	—	10.0	$1,200–$5,500	High
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	5	2	—	60k	—	10.0	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	5	5	—	33k	—	10.0	$400–$3,500	High
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	5	5	—	226k	—	10.0	$250–$1,500	High
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	5	4	—	32k	—	10.0	$200–$1,500	Critical
Other lighting problem	lighting	5	4	—	60k	—	10.0	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Complete transmission failure	transmission	4	4	—	16k	—	8.0	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	4	4	—	17k	—	8.0	$700–$3,000	High
Air conditioning failure	hvac	4	4	—	81k	—	8.0	$400–$2,800	Moderate
Other steering problem	steering	4	4	—	81k	—	8.0	$350–$2,400	High
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	3	3	—	37k	—	6.0	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	3	3	—	36k	—	6.0	$350–$1,900	High
Heater core failure	cooling	3	3	—	163k	—	6.0	$700–$2,400	Moderate
Wheel bearing or hub failure	drivetrain	3	3	—	53k	—	6.0	$350–$1,200	Moderate
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	3	3	—	25k	—	6.0	$500–$2,400	High
Parking brake failure	brakes	3	2	—	103k	—	6.0	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Airbag deployed without a crash	airbag	3	3	—	93k	—	6.0	$2,500–$8,000	Critical
Alignment fault and uneven tire wear	suspension	3	3	—	692	—	6.0	$150–$1,200	Moderate
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	2	2	—	62k	—	4.0	$0–$0	Critical
Cruise control failure	adas	2	2	—	48k	—	4.0	$200–$1,400	High
Rust or structural corrosion	body	2	0	—	—	—	4.0	$500–$6,000	High
Complete engine failure or seizure	engine	1	1	—	40k	—	2.0	$4,500–$12,000	Critical
Engine knock or bearing noise	engine	1	1	—	40k	—	2.0	$2,500–$9,000	High
Transmission will not engage a gear	transmission	1	1	—	62k	—	2.0	$1,500–$6,000	Critical
Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure	transmission	1	1	—	52k	—	2.0	$250–$1,400	High
Fuel leak or fuel odor	fuel	1	1	—	800	—	2.0	$300–$2,500	Critical
Fuel gauge or level sensor failure	fuel	1	1	—	69k	—	2.0	$300–$1,200	Moderate
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	1	1	—	30k	—	2.0	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Power steering pump or fluid leak	steering	1	1	—	198k	—	2.0	$350–$1,600	Moderate
Strut, shock or spring failure	suspension	1	1	—	865	—	2.0	$500–$2,000	Moderate
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure	body	1	0	—	—	—	2.0	$250–$1,500	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	67	53	36k	75k	92k	133.7	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2007 Ford Focus draws about 1,046 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 99th percentile of complaint rates among 2007 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 501 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2007 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 ford focus. The air bag light flashes on and off when an occupant is seated in the front passenger seat. The dealer stated that the ocs sensor was malfunctioning and they made the replacement. However, the failure was not corrected. The dealer stated that the passenger's weight caused the light to flash, but they did not know how to correct the failure. The current mileage was 32,544 and failure mileage was 91.

91 miles NHTSA complaint 650489 filed 2007-12-20

Driving on the interstate with a friend the air bag deployed while driving 65 MPH we hit nothing thank god it was not the drivers air bag the car is only 8 months old we have a bumper to bumper warranty with ford motor company. They would not look at it and told us to go to our insurance company. We had to pay a 500.00 they found that the computer recorded a head on accident which will not be erased so the car value is now lost they took pictures of everything showing no accident at all the insurance company changed all the sensors and then the air bag light would not go off it indicated a passenger in the seat so the sent it to thoroughbred ford and said they did not care what they had to do but fix the car so the did. It cost me 500.00 deductible and the insurance co 1,800.00 so now the are waiting for ford to except liability. We no not feel our son is safe driving this car I feel most accidents should be looked at as which happened first an accident or the air bag. We could have lost four young men because of this I am very angry with this total process it took 3 weeks to get the car back this also involved missing work…

10,445 miles NHTSA complaint 664475 filed 2008-04-05

Alternator or charging system failure

I was driving my 2007 ford focus purchased it new, currently has 19,000 miles on it. While driving down the road today smoke started to fill the passenger compartment. I pulled over and looked under the hood and my engine was on fire. Wires melting all over the place, flames and smoke coming out of the alternator. This was a safety hazard, the smoke could've over come me or my passengers, plus the fire itself could have caused injuries if I had driven a block or two down the road. It was towed to the nearest ford dealer, but it wont get looked at until next week. My car is under warranty. *tr

19,000 miles NHTSA complaint 630472 filed 2007-07-14

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 ford focus. The contact stated the vehicle has 40,000 miles and the alternator has failed. The vehicle has shut off on four occasions and continuously failed to hold a charge. The dealer informed the contact that the repair cost will not be paid per the warranty since it expired at 36,000 miles. The failure mileage was 40,000.

40,000 miles NHTSA complaint 734274 filed 2009-09-04

Recalls on the 2007 model year

NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2007 Ford Focus, affecting an estimated 513 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover exterior lighting:headlights and fuel system, gasoline. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.

08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1,921 vehicles 2008-08-11

Defect: K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequence: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

06E056000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

58,640 vehicles 2006-06-13

Defect: Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from january 16 through june 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Consequence: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters usa at 800-230-5876.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2007 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2007 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2007 sits in the model line

Severe risk for a 2007 — 41st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 20 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1999 comes out best at 55 and 2014 worst at 80, with 2007 itself at 75.

If the model year is negotiable, 1999, 2011, 2009, 2004, 2010, 2005, 2003, 2001 and 2000 score lower than 2007 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 1999–2007 generation specifically, 1999 is the strongest year at 55 and 2007 the weakest at 75.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 1999-2007 generation, 1999 Ford Focus scores best at 55 and 2007 Ford Focus worst at 75.

What the numbers say to check

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other engine problem from about 4k, other brake problem from about 8k, other wheel or tire problem from about 14k and airbag failed to deploy in a crash from about 20k.

On a 2007 Ford Focus with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other engine problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.

What this page cannot tell you

524 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 524 reports, 442 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 84% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Ford Focus?

The most-reported failures are other body or interior problem (48 reports, median 70,000 miles), airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault (45 reports, median 60,000 miles) and alternator or charging system failure (41 reports, median 65,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2007 Ford Focus problems start?

Other wheel or tire problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 20,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 15,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 55,000 miles.

Is the 2007 Ford Focus reliable?

It scores 75 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 41st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2007 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Ford Focus is best?

Within the 1999–2007 generation, 1999 scores best at 55 out of 100 and 2007 worst at 75. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 20 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed