2007 Ford Focus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Ford Focus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear door latch and lock failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Ford Focus.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear door latch and lock failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

16 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2016-11

“THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT CATCH ALL THE TIME AND REQUIRES SEVERAL TIMES SHUTTING THE DOOR BEFORE IT WILL CATCH. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR WILL BECOME UNLATCHED AND OPEN ON ITS OWN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND THERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10924216
“MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. WHEN I TRY TO AUTO LOCK IT, IT DOES NOTHING. AND THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOCK IT. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED AT ALL TIMES AND I CANNOT EVEN CHILD PROOF BECAUSE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10485177
“3 OF 4 DOORS HAVE NOW BROKEN ON MY 2007 FOCUS, DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM AS WHAT WAS RECALLED ON THE 05 MODEL -- THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND/OR LOCK. THE DOOR MECHANISM IS THE SAME FOR 2000-07, SO I'M NOT SURE WHY 07 WAS NOT RECALLED AS WELL. I PAID THE DEALER OVER $1000 TO FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10466993

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shift failure and gear shifter breakage

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2022-02

“WAS LEAVING WORK PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR AND THE SHIFTER CAME APART IN MY HAND AFTER IT WAS PUT INTO GEAR. WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR TAKE THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION.WHILE I WAS DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10785205
“I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKING WHEN MY GEAR SHIFTER FELL APART IN MY HAND. LITERALLY THREW UP A SPRING AND THE BUTTON POPPED OFF I MANAGED TO GET IT ACROSS THE STREET TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTSWHERE THE WORKER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO KIND OF FIX IT FOR ME. I HAVE NIGHTMARES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10568158
“TRAVELING ON AN FREEWAY, I DOWNSHIFTED (MTX75, 5SP MANUAL TRANS) AND PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THEN WENT TO UP SHIFT AND FOUND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENTER ANY GEARS. SHIFTER WOULD MOVE SIDE TO SIDE, BUT NO UP AND DOWN INTO THE GATES. TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND TORE DOWN TO FIND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487767

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2022-09

“AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY, BUT FOR PAST TWO YEARS IT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY. HAVE CHECKED WIRING HARNESS UNDERNEATH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SINCE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION CAUSING THE LIGHT TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11047166
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE AN ERROR CODE FOR THE FRONT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10908690
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10543064

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag failure to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2023-06

“The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, a vehicle crashed into the front of the contact’s vehicle. Additionally, two other vehicles crashed into the side and rear of the contact's vehicle; however, the air bags failed to”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527184
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO RAINY CONDITIONS. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10703896
“MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR ACCIDENT, HE WAS THE THIRD CAR IN THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST CAR CLAIMS THAT ANOTHER CAR AHEAD OF HER STOPPED SHORT AND TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR SHE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE SECOND CAR TO HIT HER IN THE BACK. MY SON COULDN'T STOP IMMEDIATELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578940

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag inadvertent deployment without impact

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2017-05

“WHILE DRIVING 70 ON THE TURNPIKE THE DRIVER SIDE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OUT OF THE SEAT WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT OR ACCIDENT CAUSING IT TO DO SO. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED NUMEROUS INJURIES. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10990795
“I TOOK AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN. WHEN I TURNED LEFT AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MPH, I STRAIGHTENED OUT MY VEHICLE, AND AT BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OUT OF MY DRIVER'S SEAT WITHOUT ANY REASON.I DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING NOR DID ANYTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824736
“AT 7:30 THIS MORNING, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY, MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE IN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL OPERATING FINE, BUT THAT THE DRIVER'S”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454825

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Alternator and charging system failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2015-12

“OUT OF NO WHERE MY BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED TO GET GAS AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR CUT OFF AND THE CAR DIED. I HAD SOMEONE JUMP ME AND I MADE IT TO MY HOUSE AND IN THE PARKING SPOT AND AS SOON AS I PARKED MY CAR IT DIED AGAIN. I WENT AND BOUGHT A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10744435
“ALTERNATOR SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IN TRAFFIC INCLUDING THE STEERING. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS LATER ON JULY 2, 2012, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. SUDDEN ALTERNATOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524739
“AT 41,833 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT ON, THE RADIO WENT OFF AND 60 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO 60. TOWED CAR. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. AT 45, 296 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED-LOST POWER WITHIN 60 SECONDS OF ABS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10473859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and throttle sticking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2016-05

“PROBLEMS WITH CAR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, WHEN DRIVING, IT PICKS UP SPEED, RPMS INCREASE AND CONTINUES EVEN WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE TO HOLD DOWN ON BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, WHILE CAR IS STILL ACCELERATING AT SAME TIME SO I WILL NOT CAUSE ACCIDENT. HAVE TO PUT IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10823615
“THE THROTTLE ON MY CAR CONTINUALLY GETS STUCK OPEN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING REPEATEDLY FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND AM PROBABLY GOING TO DIE IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. I GO TO BRAKE AND MY CAR WON'T STOP. TONIGHT, 2/24, I WENT TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10499889
“THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES (20+) WHERE I SLOW DOWN TO STOP AND IT ACCELERATES ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TO THROW IT INTO NEUTURAL AND HIT THE GAS PEDDLE A FEW TIMES TO BRING IT BACK DOWN TO IDLE AND ONCE I COULDN'T GET IT BACK DOWN SO I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10455890

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front control arm failure and wheel detachment

SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2022-06

“The contact stated that her mother-in-law owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her mother-in-law was driving at an unknown speed, the front passenger’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who diagnosed the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469370
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO 5 MPH TO APPROACH AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WAS RUSTED AND SPLIT IN HALF, THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968601
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789644

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

570 crashes 1990–2024

How the 570 occupant deaths break down

440

driver deaths

130

passenger deaths

570

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

60

complaints mentioning a crash

7

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Ford Focus reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.