Ford Focus (2008 – 2011) Review
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Ford Focus (2008 – 2011) At A Glance
Much improved 2004 Focus. Great to drive. Comfortable and well laid-out interior. Wide range of engines. Low emission ECOnetic versions offer 55mpg +.
Other hatchbacks offer more bootspace and rear passenger room.
The 2008 facelift Ford Focus may be a common sight on our roads and was the default choice for many company car drivers, but there's a very good reason for it. It's a genuinely great hatchback that excels in nearly every area. And that's no mean feat when the competition includes the the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic.
Technically the 2008 Ford Focus isn't really new, it's a revised version of the second generation Focus, introduced in 2004 with most of the faults of that model corrected. The basic structure has been left along, so it retains the superb handling and comfort of before, along with the five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating.
But the outside was sharpened up while the interior got a major revamp with improved quality, better soundproofing and a neater design. As before, there's plenty of room for four adults while the layout of the buttons and controls is very user-friendly. Usefully, ESP stability control was also made standard on every 2008 Focus and there were more variations than ever.
Aside from the high performance Focus RS and Focus ST models, it's the super efficient Focus ECOnetic 90 with Start-Stop that grabbed the headlines thanks to economy of 74.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km that means it still qualifies for free annual VED.
There's no doubt that the 2008-2011 Focus was better than ever before, with a high quality feel, great handling, a comfortable ride and a wide range of engines. But there was one big drawback - the list price. High list prices made the Ford Focus a relatively expensive car and the entry-level models cost more than the cheapest Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.
Ford Focus 2008 facelift Range Road Test
Reviews for Ford Focus (2008 – 2011)'s top 3 rivals
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Ford Focus (2008 – 2011) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.4 to 2.0 Automatic
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 23–68 mpg
I'm calling this a ‘pre-test' because they didn't have any 114g/km Focus ECONetics, or any cars with Ford and Getrag's ‘Powershift' equivalent of VAG's DSG transmission. Instead, all we got to drive were a 2.0 litre 145PS petrol Zetec 3-door, and a 2.0 litre 135PS diesel estate, both ‘lever Espana' (Manuel).
The Zetec had the ‘Sport' option, which includes 205/50 tyres on jewel-like 17" alloy wheels and sports suspension. So it should have ridden a bit hard, but it didn't. Instead it had the astonishing ability to isolate driver and passenger from bumps and thumps as if they were happening elsewhere. And it combined this with simply stunning handling and roadholding. At any kind of reasonable speed, and as long as you didn't do something daft like brake half way round a corner, it simply gripped. Not in a sportscary Porschy way, reassuring you that you're some kind of hot stuff behind the wheel. But in a calm, unflurried manner, as likely to appeal to a vicar as to a rally driver.
The 2.0TDCI 135 estate we tried next day came with top-level Titanium trim, which include a fully carpeted load area, satnav and 205/55 x 16" tyres.
I wanted to try the wagon because there had been some criticism of noise levels inside the old model. And, in truth, at 70mph, with the engine turning over at just 2,000rpm, you could still hear it was a diesel. No problem with tyre noise, but, of course, the thick carpeting would have deadened any of that. Yet, despite being on slightly deeper profile tyres than the Zetec Sport, the ride wasn't as good. Maybe stiffer suspension for load carrying. Maybe worse roads. But with this car the rough stuff was merely cushioned rather than absorbed. Still not bad by class standards. Just not as good as the Zetec Sport.
The handling, however, was every bit as fine. This car takes to corners like The Stig does to the Top Gear track.
Ford has also sorted out the power delivery. Instead of nothing to torque about under 1,800 rpm, the new car will pull up fairly steep hills from just 1,200rpm in third.
Unfortunately, though, it's in Emissions Band E, so won't find as many buyers as the Band B 1.6 TDCI.
Like its predecessor the new Focus is an excellent car. Only this time more so. Not entirely fault-free. Our 2.0i Sport had a duff gear change gate that made 3rd hard to find. (No doubt something the garage could fix.) And it's now just a 5-speed rather than 6-speed. But nothing else gets close to the car's stunning combination of ride and handling, except, maybe, a Volvo C30, which is based on a Focus floorpan.
It will continue to be Britain's most popular car. No less than 1 in 20 cars sold in the UK over the past 9 years have been the Ford Focus. As always, that will put off the snobs who feel somehow superior driving a Golf, even though they're not really enjoying enjoying themselves as much. People still remember David Bailey's 23 year old commercial, ‘Few things in life are as reliable as a Volkswagen' and delude themselves it's still true.
So Golfs will continue to sell very well. But don't be surprised to see their price premium being eroded and ever increasing quantities finding their way to auction via Ford dealers.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 43 mpg | 14.1 s | 157 g/km |
| 1.6 | 42 mpg | 11.9–12.2 s | 159 g/km |
| 1.6 Automatic | 37–38 mpg | 13.6–13.9 s | 184 g/km |
| 1.6 TDCi | 63–71 mpg | 10.9–12.9 s | 104–119 g/km |
| 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic | 66–71 mpg | 10.9–12.9 s | 104–115 g/km |
| 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic Start-Stop | 74 mpg | 11.8 s | 99 g/km |
| 1.6 Ti-VCT | 43 mpg | 10.8 s | 157 g/km |
| 1.8 | 40 mpg | 10.3–10.5 s | 167–169 g/km |
| 1.8 FFV | 40 mpg | 10.3–10.5 s | 167–169 g/km |
| 1.8 TDCi | 53–54 mpg | 10.8–10.9 s | 137–139 g/km |
| 2.0 | 40 mpg | 9.2–9.4 s | 169 g/km |
| 2.0 Automatic | 35 mpg | 10.7–10.9 s | 189 g/km |
| 2.0 TDCi | 50–51 mpg | 9.3–9.5 s | 144–148 g/km |
| 2.0 TDCi 135 | 51 mpg | 9.3 s | 144 g/km |
| 2.0 TDCi 135 Powershift | 49 mpg | 9.6 s | 154 g/km |
| 2.0 TDCi 135 PowerShift | 49 mpg | 9.9 s | 154 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Ford Focus (2008 – 2011)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
84%
Real MPG
23–68 mpg
MPGs submitted
1702
Ford Focus (2008 – 2011) interior
- Boot space is 385–1525 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4337–4481 mm |
| Width | 1839–1879 mm |
| Height | 1497–1503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2640 mm |
Inside there are new trim materials, new plastic, a new dash with bright red readouts to answer criticism that on the previous Focus you couldn't read the readouts. You get the standard stalk to choose menus such as trip computer, how much steering power assistance and whether you want the Electronic Stability Control on or off. The stalk works so naturally it comes as second nature as soon as you've used it once. And some models have dual climate control, so it isn't pistols at dawn between driver and passenger to decide how hot or cold they're both going to be.
Ford Focus (2008 – 2011) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4337–4481 mm |
| Width | 1839–1879 mm |
| Height | 1497–1503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2640 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1227–1460 kg |
| Boot Space | 385–1525 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £14,645–£21,395 |
| Insurance Groups | 10–19 |
| Road Tax Bands | A–J |
| Official MPG | 35.3–74.2 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | 4 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until March 2011
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Style 1.6 5dr | £16,330 | 42.2 mpg | 12.2 s |
| Style 1.6 Auto 5dr | £17,195 | 36.7 mpg | 13.9 s |
| Style 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £17,661 | 64.2 mpg | 11.1 s |
| Style 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £17,406 | 64.2 mpg | 12.9 s |
| Titanium 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £19,449 | 64.2 mpg | 11.1 s |
| Titanium 2.0 5dr | £19,035 | 39.8 mpg | 9.4 s |
| Zetec 1.6 5dr | £16,994 | 42.2 mpg | 12.2 s |
| Zetec 1.6 Auto 5dr | £17,859 | 36.7 mpg | 13.9 s |
| Zetec 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £18,325 | 64.2 mpg | 11.1 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £18,989 | 64.2 mpg | 11.1 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 5dr | £18,575 | 39.8 mpg | 9.4 s |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Sport 1.6 5dr | £16,895 | 42.2 mpg | 11.9 s |
| Sport 1.6 Auto 5dr | £17,745 | 36.7 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Sport 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £18,195 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Style 1.6 5dr | £15,545 | 42.2 mpg | 11.9 s |
| Style 1.6 Auto 5dr | £16,395 | 36.7 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Style 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £16,845 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Style 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £16,595 | 64.2 mpg | 12.6 s |
| Titanium 1.6 5dr | £17,301 | 42.2 mpg | 11.9 s |
| Titanium 1.6 Auto 5dr | £18,166 | 36.7 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Titanium 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £18,631 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Titanium 2.0 5dr | £18,218 | 39.8 mpg | 9.2 s |
| Zetec 1.6 3dr | £15,871 | 42.2 mpg | 11.9 s |
| Zetec 1.6 5dr | £16,177 | 42.2 mpg | 11.9 s |
| Zetec 1.6 Auto 3dr | £16,736 | 37.6 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Zetec 1.6 Auto 5dr | £17,042 | 36.7 mpg | 13.6 s |
| Zetec 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 3dr | £17,202 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Zetec 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £17,508 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 3dr | £17,866 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £18,172 | 64.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 3dr | £17,452 | 39.8 mpg | 9.2 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 5dr | £17,758 | 39.8 mpg | 9.2 s |
On sale until November 2010
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £17,695 | 70.6 mpg | 11.1 s |
| Style 1.8 5dr | £16,445 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Titanium 1.8 5dr | £18,195 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Titanium 2.0 Auto 5dr | £19,495 | 35.3 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £21,195 | 48.6 mpg | 9.9 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £19,895 | 50.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Zetec 1.8 5dr | £17,095 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £20,095 | 48.6 mpg | 9.9 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £18,795 | 50.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TI-VCT 5dr | £17,545 | 42.8 mpg | - |
| Zetec S 1.8 5dr | £17,745 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £20,745 | 48.6 mpg | 9.9 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £19,445 | 50.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £16,895 | 70.6 mpg | 11.8 s |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi (DPF) Start-Stop 5dr | £17,345 | 74.2 mpg | 11.8 s |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £16,645 | 70.6 mpg | 12.6 s |
| Style 1.8 5dr | £15,645 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Titanium 1.8 5dr | £17,395 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Titanium 2.0 Auto 5dr | £18,695 | 35.3 mpg | 10.7 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £20,395 | 48.6 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £19,095 | 51.3 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Zetec 1.8 3dr | £15,995 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Zetec 1.8 5dr | £16,295 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £19,295 | 48.6 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £17,995 | 51.3 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TI-VCT 3dr | £16,445 | 42.8 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec S 1.6 TI-VCT 5dr | £16,745 | 42.8 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec S 1.8 3dr | £16,645 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Zetec S 1.8 5dr | £16,945 | 40.3 mpg | 10.3 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 3dr Auto | £19,645 | 48.6 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £19,945 | 48.6 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 135 3dr | £18,345 | 51.3 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Zetec S 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £18,645 | 51.3 mpg | 9.3 s |
On sale until June 2009
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Studio 1.6 5dr | £16,445 | 42.2 mpg | 12.2 s |
| Studio 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £17,695 | 62.7 mpg | 12.9 s |
| Style 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £19,445 | 53.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Titanium 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £21,195 | 53.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Zetec 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £20,195 | 53.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi 3dr | £18,145 | 65.7 mpg | 12.6 s |
| Studio 1.4 3dr | £14,645 | 42.8 mpg | 14.1 s |
| Studio 1.4 5dr | £14,945 | 42.8 mpg | 14.1 s |
| Studio 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £16,695 | 62.7 mpg | 12.6 s |
| Style 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £18,445 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Titanium 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £20,195 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec 1.8 TDCi 3dr | £18,895 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £19,195 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec S 1.8 TDCi 3dr | £19,645 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
| Zetec S 1.8 TDCi 5dr | £19,945 | 54.2 mpg | 10.8 s |
On sale until February 2009
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi 5dr | £18,195 | 65.7 mpg | 12.9 s |
| Style 1.8 FlexiFuel 5dr | £17,195 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Titanium 1.6 5dr | £18,445 | 42.2 mpg | 12.2 s |
| Titanium 1.6 5dr Auto | £18,445 | - | - |
| Titanium 1.8 FlexiFuel 5dr | £18,945 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £20,995 | 50.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 110 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £21,395 | - | - |
| Zetec 1.8 FlexiFuel 5dr | £17,945 | 40.3 mpg | 10.5 s |
| Zetec 2.0 5dr | £18,445 | 39.8 mpg | 9.4 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi (DPF) 5dr | £19,995 | 50.4 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Zetec 2.0 TDCi 110 (DPF) Powershift 5dr Auto | £20,395 | - | - |
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Titanium 1.6 4dr | £17,595 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| Titanium 1.6 4dr Auto | £17,595 | - | - |
| Titanium 1.6 TDCi (DPF) 4dr | £19,095 | 62.7 mpg | 11.0 s |
| Titanium 1.8 TDCi 4dr | £19,095 | 53.2 mpg | 10.9 s |
| Titanium 2.0 4dr | £18,595 | 39.8 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Titanium 2.0 4dr Auto | £18,595 | - | - |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi (DPF) 4dr | £20,145 | 50.4 mpg | 9.4 s |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 110 (DPF) Powershift 4dr Auto | £20,545 | - | - |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 135 (DPF) Powershift 4dr Auto | £21,345 | - | - |
| Titanium 2.0 TDCi 4dr | £19,845 | 50.4 mpg | 9.4 s |
Model History
- August 2007: Revised Focus unveiled
- November 2007: Prices announced starting at £11,945
- March 2008: PowerShift transmission introduced
- October 2008
- October 2010: Focus ECOnetic on sale
August 2007
Revised Focus unveiled
It also gets enhanced interior quality and a new PowerShift six-speed double-clutch gearbox available from March 2008.
New features and options include Easyfuel capless refuelling (prevents misfuels), Ford Power starter button, tyre pressure warning system, 230 volt socket and LED rear lights. All new models have switchable ESP plus three levels of steering assistance selectable by column 'menu' stalk.
Three-door, five-door and estate body styles were first in UK showrooms, Coupe-Cabriolet and ST sporting flagship variants arrived in spring 2008. Inside, new soft-touch plastics cover the instrument panel as well as the upper front door trim and this is complemented by plush new seat fabrics plus a variety of attractive fascia finishing's.
The instrumentation has been re-designed too and, along with all other interior controls, is illuminated in red. Controls for the upgraded audio equipment and two-zone air conditioning have also been ergonomically improved. 6-speed manual shift quality improved by a new type of lubricant.
November 2007
Prices announced starting at £11,945
Range line up is now Studio, Style, Zetec, Titanium and ST trim. Transmissions include five and six speed manual gearboxes, a conventional automatic or the all-new dual-clutch PowerShift automated gearbox jointly developed with Getrag.
In addition to ESP, every Focus is equipped with ABS, four airbags, electric front windows, CD player, central locking, height adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, curtain airbags and Easyfuel capless refuelling system. This uses a mechanically operated diameter detector that only allows the larger diesel fuel nozzle to be inserted into the filler pipe, and locks out the thinner petrol nozzles.
Style, costing from £13,445 adds body coloured door handles and mirrors, bigger wheels, front fog lamps, air conditioning, remote audio controls, trip computer, leather covered steering wheel and remote central locking.
Zetec lists from £14,695 and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, dark headlamp surrounds, sports suspension, sports seats, Quickclear heated front windscreen, perimeter alarm, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, rear spoiler and upgraded centre console. A body colour rear spoiler, previously an option, is also included as standard.
Focus Titanium lists from £15,445. Equipment highlights are privacy glass, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, Sony CD sound system, electric rear windows, cooled glovebox, aluminium scuff plates and footwell lighting.
Three-door, five-door and estate body styles arrive January 2008 with the revised Coupe-Cabriolet, sporty ST versions and Powershift semi auto following by March.
March 2008
PowerShift transmission introduced
Available in combination with the 136PS and new 110PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. Jointly developed by Ford and transmission specialists Getrag, the gearbox consists of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own wet clutch unit.
Another new development is the Focus ECOnetic which features an array of aerodynamic efficiencies and is powered by a 109 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Average consumption for the Focus ECOnetic is a frugal 65mpg. This corresponds to an average CO2 emission of only 115g/km, which is a class leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment.
Flexifuel version of the 1.8-litre Duratec petrol four-cylinder engine can be fuelled with bio-ethanol E85-fuel as an alternative to conventional unleaded petrol – or in any mix of both. The Ford Focus range also includes CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) derivatives both based on the 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine.
October 2008
Zetec S added to Focus range. Based on the existing Zetec model but with the addition of a full sports styling kit, of front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions, 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminium-style foot pedals and hand brake cover, and an exclusive S badge.
Same wide choice of engines as the existing Focus Zetec with the addition of a 1.6 Ti-VCT 115PS petrol engine. Other engines are the 1.8 125PS and 2.0 145PS chain cam petrol units and the belt cam diesel 1.8 TDCi 115 PS, 2.0 TDCi 136PS, and 2.0 TDCi 136PS with diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can also be specified with Ford's six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.
Focus Zetec S priced just £750 above the equivalent Zetec. (Separately, the additional features would cost over £1,600.) Two optional styling packs are additionally available. The Sport pack (£500) includes 18in alloy wheels and privacy glass, and the WRC pack (£200) includes World Rally Championship 'chequered flag' decals and WRC scuff plates.
October 2010
Focus ECOnetic on sale
The Ford Focus ECOnetic targets customers prioritising low carbon motoring and high fuel efficiency. It features the Ford Eco Mode system as standard – a driver information system that encourages improved fuel economy.
The Focus ECOnetic has Smart Regenerative Charging and Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive) – technologies which combine to deliver lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. The Ford Auto-Start-Stop system is also available, which combines automatic engine start-stop operation with the car's smart regenerative charging and advanced battery management systems.
Power comes from Ford's 109PS (80kW) DV6 FD 8-valve 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF). Target average CO2emissions for the Auto-Start-Stop equipped car are as low as 99g/km, with a combined fuel economy of 74.2mpg
What to watch out for
Diesel Particulate Filters of EU5 1.6 TDCi 110 and 2.0 TDCi 136 can eventually give up at around 100,000 miles and require replacement at a cost of £1,150 from a Ford dealer or £1,034 independently. Most 1.6 TDCi 90 don't have DPF.
27-07-2011:Corrosion of some types of alloy wheels areounf the rims becoming a big problem at 4 years old +.
18-11-2011:Dual Mass Flywheels on diesels failing after as few as 30,000 miles.
08-12-2011:Timing belt failures on 5-cylinder 2.5 litre Volvo engine in Focus ST as early as 28,000 miles. Engine rebuilds cost around £6,000.
04-05-2012:First report of a problem with the Getrag Powershift transmission (box going up and down gears repeatedly) on an 80k mile 2008 2.0 TDCi , possibly caused by failure of the DPF rather than a problem with the transmission.
16-09-2012:Powershift dual clutch automatic transmission requires fresh fluid every 3 years at a cost of £250.
16-12-2012:First report of a DPF disaster on a 38k mile Focus 1.6 TDCi. Car used mainly for short runs, but run on premium diesel and taken for a long run each week to clear the DPF. On on e of these runs the DPF light came on. Car taken for another run by the garage on which the engine suffered a surge of power, then stalled. Later found sump level far too high, injectors "melted" and turbo "blown". £4,000 of damage. Moral is to regularly check these engines for rising levels of sump oil.
10-01-2013:Petrol engined models seem to be suffering quite a lot of fuel tank lifter pump failures, at around £400 a time.
03-05-2013:Apparently suffers stone damaged paintwork where the sills join the bottom edges of the front wings and this inevitably leads to surface rust.
29-07-2013:Two single injector failures 3 weeks apart on 45k mile 2008 1.8 TDCi, cost £500 each.
04-11-2013:DPF failure on 74k mile 2009 1.6 TDCi 110 that only ever gave 40 - 45mpg.
12-12-2013:Some 2008-2011 Focus can suffer the same brake pressure valve fault inside the ABS/ESP module as VAG cars, best fixed by removing the module and sending it to ecutesting.com The fault shows up as the Traction Control light coming on and staying on or the ESP light flashing.
11-01-2014:Powershift transmissions require a change of fluid and microfilter every 3 years or 3rd service whichever comes first. This is essential maintenance. To avoid excessive wear of the twin oil clutches it is also essential to avoid sitting in 'D' at a standstill. Change to 'N'. It's easy to shift between 'D' and 'N' and between 'N' and 'D' with a Powershift because, unlike a VWG DSG, you don't have to stamp on the footbrake to do this.
02-02-2014:Powershift transmission failure on 2009/59 Volvo V50 2.0D at 54,500 miles. (Same drivetrain as Focus Powershift.) Last serviced by independent at 49k miles. Transmission fluid and microfilter had not been changed. First symptom delay in engaging drive. 2nd symptom lost reverse and would on go into 2nd forwards.
29-03-2014:DPF and EGR problems with a 2009 Focus 1.6 TDCi 110 Titanium.
11-04-2014:Rear trailing arm bushes reported to have failed on 26k mile 2009 Ford Focus. £300 to replace.
24-09-2014:Report of a 2008 Focus 1.6 TDCi needing 3 replacement DPFs in 77k miles despite regular driving on motorways and A roads. These 'coated' DPFs (no longer Eolys regenerated) have been reduced in price to £500.
20-10-2014:Sensor failed in wet clutch Powershift transmission in 2008 Focus 2.0 TDCI 110. Reader told that no parts were available for Powershifts, only complete transmissions at £3,000. Tried to fix with Powershift from a wreck but having trouble getting the ECU to recognise the replacement box. Tried new Mechatromic unit but still would not sync.
02-02-2015:New clutch and DMF for a 2010 Focus 1.6TDCI: £1,500. Also electrical problems.
15-02-2015:Report of multiple failures of GEM module fuseboxes on Focus from 2008. Apparently due to corrosion caused by condensation from the a/c for the chilled glovebox dripping onto it. Costs £650 - £1,000 to replace. See: FocusFuseboxFury.
31-03-2015:More electric faults reported on a 2011 Focus (2008-2011 model), bought as an ex demonstrator in September 2011. Electrical fault resulted in all lights flashing, alarm setting off and car unlocking itself. Took Ford dealer 6 weeks to repair and a £1,134 bill. May be the same cause as 15-2-2015.
19-09-2015:Front suspension bushes of 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec failed at 57,463 miles requiring replacement at a cost of £900.
20-12-2015:Intermitted rough running of 2007 (2008 facelift) Focus 1.6TDCI diagnosed by dealer as " breathing heavy - a known issue" (failed turbo baring oil seal?) and it is the resultant oil contamination of the air intake/air filter/MAF sensor that is causing the presumably unnecessary active regeneration, by confusing the computer. They did a 'full PCM software update' and other tinkering and say the DPF is not blocked. D ealer says that the only practical cure is to replace the engine,though it is unlikely to fail in the short term. For a Ford recon that's little change out of £5k - for a car that's worth at best £2.5k when its working and next to nothing while unfixed. In the 1,000 miles since last dealer visit there have been several more 'events' and I already know that there is more oil contamination and several computer faults in the P, U and B categories. It's booked into the dealer for a third look.
21-04-2016:Red light reported on dash of 2009 Focus TDCI. Reservoir had run out of DPS regenerating Eolys fluid. Tank filled. Forced DPF regeneration carries out. But system still not pumping fluid.
22-04-2016:Complaint of Focus TDCI intermittently going into limp home mode, engine management light on, possibly running out of Eolys.
19-06-2016:Wet passenger footwell reported in 2010 Focus, most likley because drains from bulkhead vent well have become blocked leaving rainwater to drain via the pollen folter into the footwell. However, may also be because the heater matrix has failed.
19-06-2016:Complaint that shaft between clutch pedal and clutch master cylinder of 2008-2011 Focus 2.0TDCI broke and repair requires new clutch pedal and master cylinder assembly which has been in short supply from Ford since April 2016. Referred to Google for alternative suppliers.
17-10-2016:Report of 2010 Focus 1.6TDCI stalling from idle just after starting when heated seats and windows switched on. Suggests excessive load on alternator so either alternator or battery problem.
19-03-2017:Leaky load area reported in 2008 Ford Focus Titanium. Suspect either the rear light clusters or the one-way cabin vent flaps hidden behind the carpet in the load area lower sides.
01-05-2018:Report of slave cylinder leaking onto clutch of year 2000 Ford Focus at 20,000 miles, leading to the clutch burning out.
28 Problems reported since January 2011
