The 2001 Ford Focus continued to be a favorite with reviewers and drivers for its roomy interior, smooth handling, and great gas mileage. The line's second year in North America proved a difficult one, though, with voluntary recalls for problems with a suspension bolt and with a battery cable on the premium Z-trim engine.

It seemed that if you got a 2001 Focus that was free of these production flaws, you loved it; but when they were bad, they were horrid. Bill Ford soothed investors with press conferences praising the potential of the line, and he probably wasn't spinning too hard. The Ford Focus filled a significant niche in the family compact market, and the line offered one of the most durable, affordable wagons available in the US.

Trims for the 2001 Ford Focus included the Street and SE lines, available as four-door wagon and sedan body models, a four-door LX sedan, and the performance-enhanced ZTS sedan and two-door ZX3 hatchback.