FordFocus2009Overview/ford/focus/2009/base/

2009 Ford Focus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Focus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Ford Focus is a passenger car that uses a 4.5‑qt oil capacity with a 5W‑20 API rating and is paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, the model recorded 229 owner complaints — well below the 3,881 complaints peak in 2000 but higher than the 11 complaints in the earliest year — and it carries a single recall. Thus, the 2009 Focus represents a later‑model entry in a lineage whose complaint volume has generally trended downward since the early‑2000s.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/33/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.2 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight2586 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 33 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Focus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2009 SES Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec140 hpFWD
2009SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec140 hpFWD
2009SES Sedan 2.0L I-410.20 sec17.60 sec140 hpFWD
2008SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.40 sec140 hpFWD
2008SE Sedan 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
2008SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.30 sec140 hpFWD
2008SES Sedan 2.0L I-410.10 sec17.50 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.9
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts41 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
RPM55 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 DOHC ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29-39 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle92 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.0905 in
Drum Maximum Machining8.031 in
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteDiscard value not supplied by manufacturer

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts to finger tight. Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 604 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (replace)
At 150,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Ford Focus sits at the lower end of the complaint arc for this generation, with 229 complaints and only one recall—fewer than the 250 complaints in 2008 and substantially less than the spike to 3789 complaints in 2012. Recall activity is minimal in 2009, mirroring the single recall recorded that year, which contrasts with the 11 recalls in 2016 and 12 in 2013. The top complaint categories—Electrical System (29), Power Train (24), Air Bags (16), and Latches/Locks/Linkages (14)—indicate that while the vehicle is relatively well‑maintained, attention to electrical and drivetrain issues may be prudent. Fire‑related complaints are low (2) and crash complaints modest (26), suggesting no emergent safety crisis. Overall, 2009 represents a comparatively stable year within the generation, making it a reasonable choice for a used buyer seeking a balance of lower complaint volume and minimal recall history.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
229
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 229 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System29
Power Train24
Air Bags16
Latches/Locks/Linkages14
Vehicle Speed Control12
Unknown Or Other10
Suspension10
Tires7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 463322017-01-24EquipmentREPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Focus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Focus take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Focus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Focus get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined mpg.