Ford Focus (2011 – 2014) Review
Ford Focus (2011 – 2014) At A Glance
In the beginning was the Ford, and the Ford was a Focus. The rather unassuming hatchback has become the default choice for many and a car against which everything else is measured. Look up 'affordable family hatchback' in that imaginary dictionary everyone goes on about and you'll see a picture of a Focus. Probably a silver one.
In a way it's become the modern day 'peoples car'. A reliable, practical and affordable vehicle that's liked by everyone from families to pensioners to those who want something enjoyable to drive. In essence it is the perfect all-rounder that's even branched out to performance models with the ST and RS. So when a new Focus comes along, it's - not unsurprisingly - a big deal. No pressure then.
You'll doubtless read plenty of road tests of this generation Focus and many of them will go on about the original Focus (which replaced the unbelievably drab Escort in 1998) and how it 'set the benchmark' for hatchbacks and 'revolutionised' the way people thought about family cars.
They may be cliches but they're accurate. At the time the competition was - and lets be kind here - dire at best with alternatives like the Nissan Almera and Vauxhall Astra. Hardly stuff to get you excited. So when the Focus came along it blew everything else out of the water.
The general consensus of the third generation Focus is that it doesn't 'change the game' in the same way the original did. But then it was never going to. A lot has changed since the first Focus was launched, not least with the quality and comfort of small cars. The competition is now better than ever, driven by the high demands of customers, especially us in the UK. Instead Ford has taken the strengths that made the Focus a success and built on them.
So while this Focus may not as exciting to drive as the original, it still excels in nearly every other department. It's quiet and comfortable on the move, easy to drive, has a high quality interior and some mightily impressive (and efficient) engines. There's very little to criticise (aside from a cut in boot space) and much to praise. Okay, so it may not rock your world, but the Focus does everything you want it to and does it well.
We also covered this car as a live launch. Click here for a replay of what happened.
Ford Focus 2011 Road Test and Video
Ford Focus (2011 – 2014) handling and engines
- Engines range from Electric to 2.0 TDCi 163 Powershift
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 27–68 mpg
While the styling of the new Focus might divide opinion, once you're behind the wheel most people would agree that there's very little to criticise. In the usual mundane everyday kind of driving we all have to do, the Focus is quiet, smooth and an absolute doddle to drive.
All the controls such as the gear change, clutch and brake pedal, are precise and easy to operate. It's a very agreeable car indeed.
The ride deserves special mention. The suspension is softer than the old Focus which means it's far more adept at dealing with potholes and bumps, giving an overall impression of refinement and that 'big car' feel everyone goes on about. If you found the old Focus a little too firm, give this one a chance and we reckon you'll be impressed. It's certainly as comfortable as a Golf.
The body structure is stiffer than before too which helps with the feeling of quality while both noise and vibration are kept to a minimum, even over rough roads at a decent pace. But don't think that the Focus has gone all soft. It's still very surefooted in corners and although not as agile as the original Focus, is still keen and responsive when you turn into a bend while there's good front end grip if you're coming out of a slow corner.
It's helped by Ford's clever new Torque Vectoring Control system which is standard on all models. It's similar to the XDS system that's used on certain SEAT and Skoda models in that is uses the brakes to imitate the effects of a differential. So the theory is that by gently braking the inside front wheel in a corner and giving more power to the outside wheel, it'll feel more direct with better grip and steering.
However it operates, the simple fact is that it works a treat. On twisting roads it's a real delight and makes the Focus feel sharp in corners and means you don't have to work the steering wheel as much when you're on a particularly demanding bit of road.
The new Focus also gets a steering system which is electric rather than hydraulically assisted. It's met with a mixed response and does take a little getting used to, but it works perfectly well and is well weighted, although could do with a bit more feel and does have tendency to want to centre itself a bit too keenly.
The entry-level engine is the 1.6 TI-VCT petrol with a five-speed manual gearbox. It's available with 105PS or 125PS and seems more than adequate for the Focus plus both versions have a claimed average fuel consumption of 47.9mpg and CO2 of 136g/km.
It's the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that catches the eye though. This is basically Ford's equivalent of the TSI engines you get in Volkswagen models with the idea being to make the engine size smaller but fit it with a turbocharger to give it the extra power. However, as the turbo isn't needed all the time, fuel consumption is much lower.
It effectively replaces the 2.0-litre petrol in the old Focus but is faster and more efficient. It's a great engine too with plenty if character to it and a real buzzy nature that makes it feel like a little performance hatch. It'll happily hit high revs with no drop off in performance but it's 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds only tells half the story.
It feels very rapid when you're accelerating in gear and is one of those engines that just loves to be worked. It's just hugely enjoyable to drive. And the good news is that deapite having 150PS on tap emissions are just 139g/km while claimed economy is 47.1mpg - pretty outstanding considering the pace it offers.
The TDCi diesels are carried over from the old Focus but have been tweaked to be more efficient. There's no full ECOnetic model as yet but the fuel saving technology is used on various models. So the 1.6 EcoBoost and 1.6 TDCi models get the engine stop/start system while all models get a grille that closes when cooling isn't needed, to reduce air drag.
This helps the 1.6 TDCi manual average a claimed 67.3mpg with emissions of just 109g/km of CO2. It may seem a lowly engine with just 115PS (a lower powered and cheaper 95PS version is available which is aimed at company buyers - it's slower but no more economical) but is surprisingly swift and pulls really strongly thanks to 270Nm of torque while there's an extra 15Nm thanks to an overboost function which kicks in if you accelerate hard - ideal for quick overtaking.
It's so good in fact it almost make you think twice about the 2.0 TDCi. This is available with 115PS, 140PS or the impressive 163PS version. If you're wondering why there's a 115PS version (and it's a very good question), it's because it comes with Ford's new PowerShift twin-clutch automatic gearbox which it seems doesn't work with the smaller 1.6 TDCi.
The 140PS and 163PS versions come with a satisfyingly positive six-speed manual as standard while the PowerShift is available as an option at £1250 - a bit steep in our book. It doesn't get steering wheel paddles as you'd expect either. Instead there are ridiculous buttons on the gear lever itself which we don't expect to last. Expect to see a swift alteration very soon. If you want an automatic, though, it’s the obvious choice and a private buyer won’t pay any more annual tax for it than you would for a 1.6 petrol.
Like the 1.6 TDCi, the 2.0-litre diesels are quiet, smooth but punchy and ideal for long distance motorway driving. The torque is immense too and on the motorway you'll rarely, if ever, have to take it out of sixth gear. The 140PS versions have 320Nm while the top of the range 163PS models deliver an impressive 340Nm.
Still the fact that the most powerful diesel covers the 0-62mph benchmark in the same time as the 1.6 EcoBoost shows you how far petrol engines have come in recent years. Economy is better in the diesels, although not by that much. The manual 2.0 TDCi has a claimed average of 56.5mpg while the PowerShift gearbox sees this drop slightly to 53.3mpg - that's regardless of which power version you go for.
Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 EcoBoost 100 | 60–66 mpg | 12.5 s | 99–109 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 125 | 57 mpg | 11.3 s | 114 g/km |
1.6 | 48 mpg | 10.9–14.9 s | 136 g/km |
1.6 EcoBoost 150 | 48 mpg | 7.9 s | 137 g/km |
1.6 Powershift | 45 mpg | 11.7 s | 146 g/km |
1.6 PowerShift | 45 mpg | 11.7 s | 146 g/km |
1.6 TDCi 115 | 67 mpg | 10.8 s | 109 g/km |
1.6 TDCi 115 Start-Stop | 67 mpg | 10.8 s | 109 g/km |
1.6 TDCi 95 Start-Stop | 67 mpg | 12.5 s | 109 g/km |
1.6 TDCi ECOnetic | 76–83 mpg | 11.8 s | 88–99 g/km |
1.6 Ti-VCT 105 | 48 mpg | 12.3 s | 136 g/km |
1.6 Ti-VCT 125 | 48 mpg | 10.9 s | 136 g/km |
1.6T EcoBoost | 48 mpg | 7.9–8.6 s | 137 g/km |
1.6T EcoBoost 150 | 48 mpg | 8.6 s | 137 g/km |
1.6T EcoBoost 182 | 48 mpg | 7.9 s | 137 g/km |
1.6T EcoBoost Start-Stop | 47 mpg | 8.6 s | 139 g/km |
2.0 TDCi | 58 mpg | 8.6–8.9 s | 124 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 140 | 58 mpg | 8.9 s | 124 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 140 Powershift | 54 mpg | 9.5 s | 134 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 163 | 58 mpg | 8.6 s | 124 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 163 Powershift | 54 mpg | 8.9 s | 134 g/km |
2.0 TDCi Powershift | 54 mpg | 8.9–9.5 s | 134 g/km |
Electric | - | 11.0 s | - |
Real MPG average for the Ford Focus (2011 – 2014)
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
76%
Real MPG
27–68 mpg
MPGs submitted
2670
Ford Focus (2011 – 2014) interior
- Boot space is 237–1215 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4358 mm |
Width | 1858–2010 mm |
Height | 1461–1484 mm |
Wheelbase | 2648 mm |
It's all change inside the Focus with a new interior which is shared with the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX. This means a very high quality feel to the finish although you do wonder why car manufacturers decide to put soft touch materials on the dash top and then finish the tops of the doors - an area you touch all the time - in a much harder and less tactile plastic.
There are plenty of swoopy lines and curves in the design and a nice thick-rimmed steering wheel that gives even the entry-level models a sporty feel. It's very much the sort of interior you'd expect in a larger car, like the Mondeo for example and all cars get features like the DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and a USB connection - something which no other hatchback at this level can match.
The digital display on the dash top adds to the expensive feel - no old fashioned displays for the Focus - plus there is a multifunction trip computer, called very theatrically the 'Human Machine Interface' by Ford with a display between the instrument dials, again adding to the premium appearance.
There have been a few criticisms of the stereo controls as they're the same as the Fiesta but there's no denying they enhance the Focus (a Sony stereo is available as an optional extra which does look very neat). However, with all the extras fitted, it can feel a little overhwhelming with buttons and switches everywhere. For instance the steering wheel has buttons for controlling the trip computer menu and switches on the underside for the stereo.
It's spacious though, especially for the driver and front passenger. The seats offer lots of adjustment and it feels considerably wider than the old Focus (even though the figures say it's actually narrower - how does that work?) while the seats are comfortable with good support too.
We suppose space in the back is best descibed as 'reasonable' and feels about the same as the previous model. It's not as roomy as a Honda Civic (which is one of the best in this class) but is in a par with a Golf we reckon.
The surprise is bootspace. At 316 litres with a mini spare wheel (and only 277 litres with a full size spare) it's about 50-litres smaller than the previous Focus and less than five-door versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra which both have around 350 litres. On the plus side, it's a very square boot floor with a wide opening and only a small boot lip. The back seats fold down really easily too.
We think the Driver Assistance Pack is great value at £750 and comes with some genuinely useful systems to make driving easier. There are actually six different bits to it, which makes it seem even better when you look at how much premium manufacturers charge for similar systems.
Firstly there's a lane departure warning system that vibrates the steering wheel if you drift aross the white lines on a motoway without indicating and includes the Lane Keeping Aid which will actually gently steer the car back.
The Driver Alert system can recognise if the driver is getting drowsy or falling asleep and will trigger a visible and audible warning to make sure they're awake while Auto High Beam automatically switches the headlamps between full beam and dipped if a car is coming the other way.
There's even a Traffic Sign Recognition systems that uses a digital camera to identify signs in either side of the road, displaying the info (such as speed limits, no overtaking etc) in the instrument cluster.
But the most impressive feature is the Active City Stop. This uses a forward facing laser (next to the rearview mirror) to detect cars ahead. It constantly monitors the distance to the vehicle in front and if - for example - the car you're following brakes suddenly and you don't react in time, it will automatically apply the brakes. It works at up to 20mph and even if it can't avoid a collision, will minimise the impact.
Standard equipment from launch (March 2011):
Edge is the base-level model but still comes pretty well equipped with manual air conditioning, electric mirrors, remote central locking, ESP with torque vectoring control, front, side and curtain airbags, a mini spare steel wheel, DAB radio with a CD player, Bluetooth, voice control, USB, a Thatcham category 1 alarm, integrated rear spoiler and driver seat lumbar support.
Zetec is the most popular trim and has 16-inch alloy wheels, a Quickclear heated windscreen, front fog lights, leather trimmed steering wheel, premium centre console with armrest, stowage compartments, 12v power sockets and a Z-shaped handbrake, sports style front seats and heated door mirrors.
Titanium models come with the 'Power' engine start/stop button, a Sony stereo system, cruise control, rain sensitive wipers, automatic headlights, a leather gear lever, dual zone climate control, hill start assist, rear lights with LED technology and a gloss black lower grille.
Titanium X is the top grade and adds Active Park Assist (with front and rear parking sensors), 17-inch alloy wheels, partial leather trim, LED driving lights, heated front seats, xenon headlights, electrically folding mirrors, headlamp jet wash and interior ambient lighting with multi-coloured LEDs.
Ford Focus (2011 – 2014) models and specs
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4358 mm |
Width | 1858–2010 mm |
Height | 1461–1484 mm |
Wheelbase | 2648 mm |
Miscellaneous | |
---|---|
Kerb Weight | 1270–1700 kg |
Boot Space | 237–1215 L |
Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
Servicing | 12500 miles |
Spare Wheel | |||
---|---|---|---|
Standard | Space-saving spare wheel | ||
Alternative | Full-size spare wheel |
Costs | |
---|---|
List Price | £13,995–£33,580 |
Insurance Groups | 7–26 |
Road Tax Bands | A–F |
Official MPG | 44.8–83.1 mpg |
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
---|---|
Adult | - |
Child | - |
Pedestrian | - |
Overall | 5 |
On sale until January 2015
On sale until November 2013
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
Titanium 1.0T 100 EcoBoost 5dr | £19,295 | 60.1 mpg | 12.5 s |
Titanium 1.0T EcoBoost 5dr | £19,795 | 56.5 mpg | 11.3 s |
Titanium 1.6 Powershift 5dr Auto | £20,555 | 44.8 mpg | 11.7 s |
Titanium 1.6 TDCi 115 5dr | £20,395 | 67.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
Titanium 1.6T Ecoboost 5dr | £20,305 | 47.9 mpg | 8.6 s |
Titanium 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £21,395 | 57.7 mpg | 8.9 s |
Titanium 2.0 TDCi Powershift 5dr Auto | £22,655 | 54.3 mpg | 9.5 s |
Titanium ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi 105 5dr | £20,645 | 76.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
Titanium X 1.0T 100 EcoBoost 5dr | £21,295 | 60.1 mpg | 12.5 s |
Titanium X 1.0T EcoBoost 5dr | £21,795 | 56.5 mpg | 11.3 s |
Titanium X 1.6 TDCi 115 5dr | £22,395 | 67.3 mpg | 10.8 s |
Titanium X 1.6T Ecoboost 5dr | £23,055 | 47.9 mpg | 7.9 s |
Titanium X 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £23,895 | 57.7 mpg | 8.6 s |
Titanium X 2.0 TDCi Powershift 5dr Auto | £25,155 | 54.3 mpg | 8.9 s |
On sale until July 2013
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
Zetec 2.0 TDCi 5dr | £19,895 | 57.7 mpg | 8.9 s |
Zetec 2.0 TDCi Powershift 5dr Auto | £21,155 | 54.3 mpg | 9.5 s |
On sale until January 2012
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
Titanium 1.6 125ps 5dr | £18,745 | 47.9 mpg | 10.9 s |
Titanium X 1.6T Ecoboost (Start-Stop) 5dr | £21,495 | 47.1 mpg | 8.6 s |
Zetec 1.6 125ps 5dr | £17,495 | 47.9 mpg | 10.9 s |
Zetec S 1.6 125ps 5dr | £18,745 | 47.9 mpg | 10.9 s |
Model History
- September 2010: New Ford Focus revealed
- December 2010: Prices Announced
- January 0001: Performance and Economy
- April 2011: Focus ECOnetic announced
- August 2011
- March 2012
- August 2013
- July 2016
September 2010
New Ford Focus revealed
Distinguished by its sleek and sporty design, the new Focus is packed with more affordable technologies and features than ever before in this segment. The next-generation Focus also offers customers the highest standards of quality and detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy, and takes the legendary Focus driving dynamics to a new level.
The new Focus has a modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish centre console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels. Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features.
On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive colour display. My Ford is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.
A key innovation in the new Focus is the new Low Speed Safety System, which appears in a Ford vehicle for the first time. The system is designed to help drivers avoid the kind of low speed frontal collisions which are very common in congested urban driving conditions, and operates at speeds below 20 mph.
Using a forward facing optical sensor, this system detects objects in front of the car and continuously (50 times per second) calculates the brake force required to avoid a collision. If the system considers that a collision is imminent and the driver is not taking any action, it automatically reduces throttle input and applies the brakes.
The comprehensive range of smart driver assistance technologies available on the new Focus also includes:
- Active Park Assist
- Lane Keeping Aid and Lane Departure Warning
- Auto High Beam
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Driver Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert and Collision Mitigation by Braking
- Blind Spot Information System
- Speed Limiter
- Rear Seat Beltminder
- Power Child Locks
- Rear View Camera
Leading the petrol engine range is the brand new 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost unit, which is available in 150 PS and 180 PS versions. One of a completely new generation of downsized, high-efficiency, low-CO2petrol engines from Ford, the 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost is a lightweight, all-aluminium design which combines three technologies – a centrally-mounted high-pressure direct injection system, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) – to create an advanced combustion system which brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency to petrol engines in this power range.
December 2010
Prices Announced
Engine | PS | CO 2 | All-New Ford Focus | |||||||
Duratec Petrol | 5-dr/Est | Edge | Zetec | Titanium | Titanium X | |||||
5dr | Est | 5dr | Est | 5dr | Est | 5dr | Est | |||
1.6 TI-VC | 105 | 136 / 139 | £15,995 | £17,095 | £16,995 | £18,095 | ||||
1.6 TI-VCT | 125 | 136 /139 | £17,495 | £18,595 | £18,745 | £19,845 | ||||
1.6 Ecoboost (Start-Stop) |
150 | 139 /139 | £19,745 | £20,845 | £21,245 | £22,345 | ||||
Duratorq Diesel | ||||||||||
1.6 TDCi (Start-Stop) |
95 | 109 / 109 | £16,995 | £18.095 | ||||||
1.6 TDCi (Start-Stop) |
115 | 109 / 109 | £17,495 | £18,595 | £18,495 | £19,595 | £19,745 | £20,845 | £21,245 | £22,345 |
2.0 TDCi | 140 | 129 / 129 | £19,495 | £20,595 | £20,745 | £21,845 | ||||
2.0 TDCi (Powershift Auto) | 140 | 139 / 139 | £20,745 | £21,845 | £21,995 | £23,095 | ||||
2.0 TDCi | 163 | 129 / 129 | £22,745 | £23,845 | ||||||
2.0 TDCi (Powershift Auto) | 163 | 139 / 139 | £23,995 | £25,095 |
January 0001
Performance and Economy
Fuel consumption l/100 km (mpg) |
Performance | |||||||
Engine | Power (PS) |
CO 2 (g/km) |
Urban | Extra Urban |
Combined |
Max speed kph (mph) |
0-100 kph 0-62 mph (sec) |
50-100 kph 31-62 mph (sec)* |
Focus 5-Door | ||||||||
1.6 TiVCT (5-sp man) |
105 | 136 | 8.0 (35.3) | 4.7 (60.1) | 5.9 (47.9) | 187 (116) | 12.3 | 15.5 |
1.6 TiVCT (5-sp man) |
125 | 136 | 8.0 (35.3) | 4.7 (60.1) | 5.9 (47.9) | 196 (122) | 10.9 | 13.7 |
1.6 EcoBoost (6-sp man) |
150 | 139 | 7.7 (36.7) | 5.0 (56.5) | 6.0 (47.1) | 210 (130) | 8.6 | 8.6 |
1.6 TDCi (6-sp man) |
95 | 109 | 5.1 (55.4) | 3.7 (76.3) | 4.2 (67.3) | 180 (112) | 12.5 | 10.9 |
1.6 TDCi (6-sp man) |
115 | 109 | 5.1 (55.4) | 3.7 (76.3) | 4.2 (67.3) | 193 (120) | 10.9 | 9.9 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
115 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 196 (122) | 10.9 | n/a |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp man) |
140 | 129 | 6.3 (44.8) | 4.2 (67.3) | 5.0 (56.5) | 207 (129) | 8.9 | 8.6 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
140 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 205 (127) | 9.5 | n/a |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp man) |
163 | 129 | 6.3 (44.8) | 4.2 (67.3) | 5.0 (56.5) | 218(135) | 8.6 | 8.4 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
163 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 215 (134) | 8.9 | n/a |
Focus Estate | ||||||||
1.6 TiVCT (5-sp man) |
105 | 139 | 8.1 (34.9) | 4.8 (58.9) | 6.0 (47.1) | 187 (116) | 12.5 | 15.8 |
1.6 TiVCT (5-sp man) |
125 | 139 | 8.1 (34.9) | 4.8 (58.9) | 6.0 (47.1) | 196 (122) | 11.1 | 14.0 |
1.6 EcoBoost (6-sp man) |
150 | 139 | 7.7 (36.7) | 5.0 (56.5) | 6.0 (47.1) | 210 (130) | 8.8 | 8.8 |
1.6 TDCi (6-sp man) |
95 | 109 | 5.1 (55.4) | 3.7 (76.3) | 4.2 (67.3) | 180 (112) | 12.7 | 11.1 |
1.6 TDCi (6-sp man) |
115 | 109 | 5.1 (55.4) | 3.7 (76.3) | 4.2 (67.3) | 193 (120) | 11.1 | 10.1 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
115 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 196 (122) | 11.1 | n/a |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp man) |
140 | 129 | 6.3 (44.8) | 4.2 (67.3) | 5.0 (56.5) | 207 (129) | 9.1 | 8.8 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
140 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 205 (127) | 9.7 | n/a |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp man) |
163 | 129 | 6.3 (44.8) | 4.2 (67.3) | 5.0 (56.5) | 218(135) | 8.8 | 8.6 |
2.0 TDCi (6-sp PowerShift) |
163 | 139 | 6.8 (41.5) | 4.4 (64.2) | 5.3 (53.3) | 215 (134) | 9.1 | n/a |
April 2011
Focus ECOnetic announced
The vehicle is powered by a new 105PS version of the 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel which has been optimised for enhanced fuel efficiency, with a new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge cooling and further friction reduction measures.
The Focus ECOnetic also benefits a number of additional low-CO2features which have been developed specifically for this model including a unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres and a revised final drive ratio.
The new Focus ECOnetic incorporates the full range of Ford ECOnetic Technologies shared with other models in the all-new Focus line-up, including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.
The common-rail fuel injection system of the diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with eight-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1,600 bar, controlled by a more powerful engine management system. The new injection system delivers more precise control and increased combustion efficiency.
To provide more accurate control of the charge air temperature and to deliver a cooler, denser charge, the intake system features a water cooled intercooler in place of the standard air-to-air system.
Other new, or completely revised, features to enhance fuel efficiency include:
- New variable geometry turbocharger design
- Reduced engine friction from low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump
- Additional reduction in engine losses from low inertia vacuum pump and asymmetric crank sprocket design
- Updated emissions system combining a diesel NOX-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system.
Available with either five-door or estate bodystyles, the new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be produced for the UK market at the lead Focus manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Market introduction is scheduled to be in early 2012. The existing Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, which went on sale in March 2011, and is available across all series, emits 109g/km while returning 67mpg.
August 2011
Ford has introduced the Studio trim to the new Focus range, starting at £13,995, just in time for the 61-plate’s introduction in September. The Focus Studio will the starting point into the new Focus range, and is fitted with a 1.6-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine, which produces 85PS and is capable of 47.9mpg on the combined cycle.
Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, air-con, USB connectivity, electric door mirrors, ‘Easy Fuel’ capless refuelling and ESP. Available as a five-door hatch, the Studio will be available in black, silver and white. The Focus Studio replaces the Focus Sport, which was a final run-out edition of the previous generation Focus, and is now sold out.
March 2012
Ford's first ever all-electric passenger car, the Focus Electric, was on show at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The battery-powered version of the Focus has a range of 100 miles and can be charged in around three to four hours. It will go on sale in the UK in 2013.
Although prices haven't yet been announced Ford says it will be a viable and cost-effective car. It shares much with the standard Focus with the same steering, handling and braking feel. The lack of a normal combustion engine means improved aerodynamics and of course less noise.
From its launch, the Focus Electric will be fitted with Ford’s advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface, known as SYNC. This includes features designed to 'enhance the enjoyment of driving an electric vehicle in the most efficient way' according to Ford.
The Focus Electric will be the flagship of a whole range of electric vehicles from Ford which will sit alongside the every increasing line-up of efficient fuel-saving ECOnetic models.
August 2013
Ford announced a new ultra-efficient version of the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost that was the first petrol-powered family size car in Europe to offer 99g/km CO2 emissions and Zero annual VED. The Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost has returned 67.5mpg in tests thanks to its specially calibrated 100PS version of Ford's award-winning engine.
The new Ford Focus features Ford ECOnetic Technology including ultra-low rolling resistance tyres, unique aerodynamics under the car and revised gearing to help deliver the company's most fuel-efficient ever petrol-powered family car.
July 2016
Warranty on 6-speed dry clutch Powershifts now extended to 5 years. New Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 and 1.5 Ecoboost 150 automatics now come with a 6-speed torque converter auto. 1.5TDCI remains with 6-speed Powershift. 2.0TDCI autos have wet clutch 6-speed Powershift.
What to watch out for
Complaint of badly fitted nearside doors and DAB radio not staying on station.
29-01-2012:Complaint that stop/start function not working on 1.6 Ecoboost that regularly does 300 mile runs.
17-03-2012:One complaint of a sticking clutch pedal on a 10,000 mile 2011 1.6TDCI. At first thought to be due to a faulty return spring, but persisted so probably due to a lazy clutch slave cylinder.
04-07-2012:Complaint of synchromesh failure on 5th gear of 6,000 mile 1.6 Ecoboost. At the time the parts to fix it were "on back order".
18-07-2012:Reports of 1.0 Ecoboost turbo failures seem to be the result of owners switching the engines off when the turbos are too hot. Though water-cooled, these turbos need to be idled for at least 20 seconds before switching off, and longer if the car has just completed a long ascent or the engine has been revved hard.
21-07-2012:Report that ECU shuts down fuel injection of 2.0TDCI when clutch/DMF 'slip' is detected, preventing quick standing starts.
09-08-2012:235x40 R18 tyres only last around 11,000 miles, front and back.
16-09-2012:Powershift dual clutch automatic transmission requires fresh fluid every 3 years at a cost of £250.
30-01-2013:Report of problems with 115PS 1.6 DV6C diesel engine in Focus manifested in stuttering and hesitating. F ixed by having 2 PCM updates and a replacement clutch master cylinder. Apparently also occurs in same engine designated D2 in Volvo.
01-04-2013:One reader suffered faulty stop/start in 1.6 EcoBoost, but since a sensor was replaced had no further problems over the following 9 months, so presumed fixed.
07-06-2013:Report of a repeat o/s driveshaft oil seal leak on a 2011 Focus 1.6 125 petrol model. Fixed once under warranty, then the replacement leaked and is being replaced again under warranty.
01-09-2013:Spate of problems with year old 1.0 EcoBoost. Minor problem of USB connection failing. Major problem of engine losing coolant due to a cracked expansion chamber which eventually led to the engine seizing. New engine authorised by Ford.
14-11-2013:Clutch slave cylinder problem can develop on Focus 1.6 TDCI 115 (DV6C). Reader needed new clutch plates as a result after 35,000 miles.
16-11-2013:Complaint of juddering of Powershift transmission at low speed in 2012 Focus 1.6 estate, as if car is trying to start off in 2nd or 3rd gear. First complaint of dry clutch Powershift with 1.6 petrol engine.
18-12-2013:Clutch failed on 2011 Focus 1.6 TDCI (DV6C). Replaced under warranty, but car came back feeling less lively. Probably slave cylinder problem. ECU would have been routinely remapped to latest Ford spec and if the model had been suffering drivetrain problems then this would have been countered by reducing torque output slightly in 1st and 2nd to protect the DMF, clutch and transmission.
27-12-2013:Yet another report of leaking clutch slave cylinder contaminating the DMF and clutch of a 2011 Focus 1.6TDCI (DV6C) and the clutch, DMF and slave cylinder all being replaced FoC under warranty.
09-01-2014:Report of clutch and DMF failure on 2012 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 at 10,500 miles. Quoted at £1,700 for replacement. (Logged here in case of further reports. Not sure if caused by same slave cylinder problem as 1.6TDCI).
11-01-2014:Wet clutch 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 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.
19-02-2014:Repeat failures of clutch and DMF on 10 month old Focus 1.0 EcoBoost. First time at 9,000 miles, not covered by warranty, so £975. Then again after a further 3,000 miles, not covered by warranty, so £975 again. 100 miles later, smell of clutch burning again. Possibly a duff clutch slave cylinder, or something wrong with the ECU throttle damping programme in 1st and 2nd gear. See 9-1-2014:
14-04-2014:Report of Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift "suddenly" shooting forward in a supermarket parking space. Seems to have been a case of a throttle malfunction, but the driver was driving one-footed so was unable to control it.
29-04-2014:Focus rear light cluster confusion. The driver's manual logically states that there are separate rear brake lamps and combined fog and tail lamps, which there are. However, a retired electrical engineer tells us that the 'Bulb Specification Chart' says that there are separate rear fog lamps and combined brake and tail lamps.
23-06-2014:More clutch problems reported on 2011/61 Focus 1.6 petrol. Two clutch slave cylinder failures; one clutch master cylinder failure.
06-07-2014:Long list of problems over 20,000 miles with 2013 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost bought new in June 2013: Had possible leak on turbo, a new clutch, water pump, coolant pipe, faulty wiper blades, central locking rear doors locked whilst rest of car unlocked, digital display trip computer/mileage, blackouts, wipers turning off from continuous speed, into intermittent on motorway. Latest fault: front n/side top suspension mount bearing failure, also now needs a new GEM module to fix the wipers, central locking, digital trip display.
08-07-2014: Clutch burned out on 2 year old Focus 1.0 EcoBoost at 24,000 miles. Required new clutch, DMF and slave cylinder. See 9-1-2014 and 19-2-2014.
Single CD player of 2012 Focus is prone to overheating after playing 5 or 6 tracks. Must be a known fault because it is mentioned in the driver's manual.
15-09-2014:Complaint of passenger door seal of 2012 Ford Focus becoming unstuck.
17-10-2014:Two consecutive Focus 1.6 Powershift models suffered judder, probably from transmission oil seal failure leading to transmission fluid leaking onto the clutch pack. Have had other reports of this in twin dry clutch Fiesta Powershift.
30-10-2014:2011/61 Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 125 Powershift suffered total electrical failure while driving on the motorway. Engine re-started but car had lost drive. But when checked at independent garage ran fine as if nothing had happened.
03-11-2014:2011 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI suffering repeated battery failure.
06-11-2014:On 19k mile 2012 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost, plastic union of water pipe to turbo split and engine overheated to the extent the head gasket failed and the car needed a new engine. (see photo 8-10-2016) Suggests owner must have frequently switched the engine off when the turbo was red hot and that eventually the post switch off turbo cooling system beccame overloaded.
25-11-2014:Repeat temporary dashboard and electrical failures in 2014/14 reg Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125. Voltage weakness detected by dealer and fixed, but subsequently re-occurred.
30-11-2014:Another report of Focus clutch problems. Owner of 7,400 mile 2013 1.0 EcoBoost having difficulty engaging 2nd from 3rd when engine is warm. First time a part was fitted to gearbox. Second time a nw clutch was apparently fitted. Problem is recurring now. Car has been off the road at garage for 3 weeks or more in 18 months. See 9-1-2014, 19-2-2014 and 8-7-2014.
09-02-2015:5th report of clutch/DMF failure on a 5,800 mile 2013 Focus 1.0 Ecoboost. Reg: EK13 UUO; Ford Case number: 2-280336104. See 9-1-2014, 19-2-2014, 8-7-2014 and 30-11-2014.
11-03-2015:6th case of clutch/DMF failure on a Focus 1.0 EcoBoost reported. This one on a May 2014 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost on which the clutch failed in December 2014 at 5,888 miles. Matter referred to Ford Customer Service on 11 March 2015. Ford refuse to investigate whether there are other cases and say even if there were, it wouldn’t change their position because the garage has diagnosed this as driver error. Ford case reference is 2-274771422.
15-03-2015:7th case of clutch/DMF failure on a Focus 1.0 EcoBoost reported. This is a May 2013 car and clutch slip started to occur at 6,440 miles. Clutch and DMF both replaced at a cost to the owner of £1,200. When confronted with coinsumer rights, the supplying dealer reduced the price by £300, but should have met virtually the entire cost of rectifying this increasingly well-known fault.
11-05-2015:Report of failure of clutch, DMF and slave cylinder of 2013 Ford C-Max 1.0 Ecoboost at 22,000 miles. Ford said it's not willing to cover under warranty as it maintains that clutch overheating caused the problem and the clutch is not covered under warranty. Customer looking at £1000+ repair.
28-05-2015: 8th case of case of clutch/DMF failure on a Focus 1.0 EcoBoost reported. C ar just under two years old and had done 18,988 miles. Owner reported the problem to Ford via the Dealers Champion network. He awaits their comments as discussed in Don't get Done, Get Dom on 21st May 2015.
9th case of clutch/DMF failire on a Focus 1.0 EcoBoost reported. This one on a 2012 Focus at 26,000 miles, still under warranty, but dealer said that the part may not be covered under the warranty and would charge £600 if it proved not to be. (This seems to be the 'pensioner discount' rated because another readers was charged £1,600.)
28-06-2015:Continuous trouble reported from 2012 Focus 1.6 Powershift automatic.
02-07-2015:2013 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 that missed the turbo coolant pipe recall (see photo 8-10-2016) reported as using half a header tank of water every 20 miles. Expansion tank and pipe replaced but this failed to fix it, so looks like the turbo needs replacing.
26-08-2015:Another failed dual mass flywheel and clutch at 12,349 miles on a 2014 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI. Ford dealer and Ford both blamed driver abuse. However, this adds to the number of failed DMFs and clutches that could be the result of failed clutch slave cylinders that would have the same effect on the clutch and DMF as driver abuse.
28-09-2015:2013 Focus 1.6 Powershift reported to be intermittently juddery when pulling away from rest. Not cured by a dealer software download.
02-10-2015:Clutch problems with Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 100PS, now with 5,600 miles. Lot of dust created inside bellhousing and occasional burning small. Also poor fuel economy: 37mpg at best on a run.
19-10-2015:Another clutch and DMF failure reported, this on Focus 1.6TDCI 115 at 23k miles. Replacement charged at £816, which implies about £600 of goodwill from Ford or from the dealer. Failure probably due to failed clutch slave cylinder, though, as usual, 'driving pattern' was blamed.
15-11-2015:Report of another clutch pack failure on a Focus Powershift. Reader reports that his dealer had replaced four recently as well as shaft seals, but no clutch packs were contaminated by oil. The dealer thought the fault was in the design of the dry Getrag clutch pack itself.
19-11-2015:Another complaint of juddering from Powershift transmission on 2013 Focus 1.6. Transmission clutch pack replaced in March 2015 plus software upgrade. Problem returned and persists.
21-11-2015:Another case of judder from the dry clutch of a 2103 Focus 1.6 Powershift. In the USA a class action has been taken out against Ford Motor Company which is being sued over “faulty transmissions in Fiestas and Focuses” in the US District Court of the Central District of California. At date of writing the parties were still in discussion to see if a settlement could be reached or whether they will go to court. (The reader got this direct from the court officer.)
22-11-2015:Fumes reported on start-up of 85k mile 2011 Focus 1.6TDCI. Probably a blocked EGR unable to cope with the crankcase fumes.
03-12-2015:Significant coolant problem with 2012 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost purchased April 2014, problem began May 2015 with coolant loss from expansion tank (see photo 8-10-2016). Since then: 1. New Water pump, 2. Supposed air lock in coolant system, 3, Plastic valve /clip behind water pump was cracked and leaking, 4. Gasket leaking coolant on main fly wheel (for which dealer tried to charge £900, negotiated down to £100). By then car out of Ford and Ford dealer warranty. Sunsequent smell of coolant leak and coolant tank empty again.
07-12-2015:Turbo failure on 2011 Focus 1.6TDCI at 93,341 miles, probably due to coking up of the oil feed and oil return pipes to the turbo bearings.
09-12-2015:Gearbox bearing failure reported in 60,000 mile 2011 Focus 1.6TDCI.
21-12-2015:Gearbox failure reported on 2012 Focus 1.6TDCI after 38,000 miles. First became noisy. Then found to be low on fluid (needed 1 litre). Then found to need new gearbox. Ford offered £1,200 towards repair, leaving customer to pay £1,955.
10-01-2016:Transmission fluid change cured slight judders felt from transmission of 2012 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift.
18-01-2016:2013 Focus, still less than 3 years old, found to be leaking into nearside footwells where the aerofoil joins the body. Dealer who sold the car 30 months previously wanted £400 to fix as not covered by Ford or his own warranty.
03-02-2016:Turbo problems reported on 2012/62 reg Focus 1.0 EcoBoost just 1 month out of warranty. Dealer "applied an update to the software" and cleared some low pressure faults for the turbo that came up on diagnostics. Not covered by warranty or goodwill. Charged £109.
28-02-2016:Welded seams of rear wheel arch of 2013 Ford Focus dried and contracted leaving gaps that allowed water ingress. Dealer wanted £610 to fix it.
22-03-2016:Reports in a Backroom thread of coolant loss from 2012/2013 Focus 1.0 EcoBoosts due to failure of the coolant pipes and/or the waterpump. Since the turbo is watercooled this can lead to very expensive total engine failure.
28-03-2016:Another clutch and DMF failure reported, this time on a 2013 1.0 EcoBoost at 50,000 miles. Car purchased used in August 2015 at 48k miles. 2 weeks later the engine failed because the de-gas TSB recall had not been carried out. Another Ford dealer replaced the engine and noted that the clutch was worn. 1,500 miles later the clutch failed, but estimate for replacement was only £600, so maybe only the clutch and not the DMF was damaged, or maybe some of the cost was swallowed by Ford.
05-04-2016:Report of Ford dealer selling a 2012 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost with 45k miles without checking whether it had received the degas hose to turbo check against damage or cracking.
29-04-2016:Report of clutch failure in August 2014 Ford Focus EcoBoost at 7,737 miles. Ford initially offered 90% of cost, then withdrew offer. Being quoted £591, but that would only be for the clutch.
10-05-2016:Class action legal proceedings have been issued against Ford Australia by Banister Law over problems with Ford/Getrag Powershift automatic transmissions. Bannister Law claims that, while driving, its clients have experienced, without warning, “sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration and, in some circumstances, difficulty in stopping the vehicle whilst braking." The models fitted with Powershift transmissions include the Focus 1.6 and 2.0 models built between 2011 and 2014, the 1.6-litre Fiesta and 1.5-litre Fiesta produced between 2011 and 2014 and the 1.5-litre EcoSport crossover built from 2013 to 2014. The facelifted Australian Focus that went on sale in 2015 is not affected because it is fitted with a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic. (Thanks to Just-Auto.com for the report.)
08-06-2016:Leak into load area of 2011/61 Focus reported. Might be due to expansion and contraction of lens of one of the rear light clusters. Or might be a failed low level cabin vent in the sides of the load area.
10-06-2016:Head gasket failure reported on 2011/61 Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost estate. Dealer quoted £1,700 to fix.
11-06-2016:Complaint that pressure build-up inside the cooling system of a 2011 Focus led to fracturing of the heater matrix at a point directly over the driver's clutch foot, dumping scalding water directly onto the driver's foot and leading to a crash.
26-06-2016:Problems reported with 2012 Focus Powershift. Owner had two TSB Powershift repairs under warranty: (1) update mechatronic firmware (earlier change down); (2) replacement clutch plates with new modified oil seals to overcome clutch judder.
29-06-2016:Coolant leak reported by Ford Service garage on 2012 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 at 23,700 miles. "Coolant is starting to seep out of one of the seals, this is not at this stage losing coolant on the vehicle but eventually could cause problems with your vehicle. For this repair we need to replace the seal on the vehicle, however due to its location the repair is very labour intensive." 3 days' work. Engine out. £1,008. Dealer says Ford will pay £572 towards this.
18-07-2016:Juddering problems reported on 2012/62 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift together with surging when slowing down. The first Ford dealer cure is to re-set the ECU that apparently corrects about 30% of the cars. The next stage is to replace the dry clutch pack and replace the transmission fluid. As long as the fluid has been replaced at 3 yearly intervals, Ford now warrants Powershifts for 5 years.
23-08-2016:Coolant leak from heater of 2011 Focus reported. Dealer replaced entire heater matrix at a cost of nearly £1,000. Owner asked for old matrix back, tested it and found the leak was from the union between the matrix and engine coolant pipe. Dealer explained that the pipe seal and clips had been improved but were not available separately.
31-08-2016:Ford ordered by Thai Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to buy back 100 Focus and Fiesta models with faulty transmissions if it cannot fix them once and for all within 6 months. If Ford fails tyo fix them it will be compelled to buy them back at a fair price set by the OCPB. Not clear if the transmissions are Powershift dry clutch automatics or manuals.
04-09-2016:Report of January 2014 Focus 1.6 125 Titanium losing a/c refrigerant. First regassed in May 2015, then, by September 2016 and at 22k miles, needed regassing again. Might have been lost through a stoned condenser. Or might be filled with the new R1234YF refrigerant gas imposed by the EC that is notorious for leaking and costs five times as much as the old R134a gas.
16-09-2016:Report of seat height mechanism of 2013 Ford Focus failing in hot weather, automatically raising the seat to its maximum height. Particular problem for owner who has limited monility and states that the supplying Ford dealer "does not seem interested" in fixing it.
23-09-2016:Report of knocking from transmission of 2013 Focus 1.6TDCI on gearchanges 1-2-3, and vibration through car at idle speed. Thought to be a failing DMF.
26-09-2016:Mass demonstrations by owners in Thailand against problems with 6-speed dry clutch Powershift transmissions in Ford Focus and Fiestas and Fiesta models. Ford of Thailand promised action.
08-10-2016:Reader report that in the last six months no fewer than 26 cars fitted with the 1.0 Ecoboost engine have suffered engine failure almost all related to cooling problems but not all related to the union of the DEGAS hose failing. The majority appear to have cracked heads due to the excessive heat build up around the exhaust ports and turbo. To date Ford will not acknowledge that there is a problem with these engines mainly fitted to 2012 and early 2013 cars and just out of warranty. It is interesting to note that the design of the head was changed in later 2013 engines. (Some of this will be due to owners not idling engines with hot turbos after long ascents, after towing and after steady speed on the motorway, but still no excuse to fit a plastic pipe that fails at high temperatures.) Backroom thread about this here: honestjohn.co.uk/user-article/111213/ford-focus-1-0 (Ford later modified the degas pipe with a white nylon union and this has been retro-fitted in service to most early Focus 1.0 EcoBoosts, but anyone with one of these cars should check. See the two photos below.)
29-11-2016:Report that 60k mile 2012 Focus 1.6 Econetic not reaching the required 600C to burn off soot inside DPF. Only reching 300C. Suggested sending DPF to Ceramex tyo clean out the soot and ash.
30-12-2016:Report of 2012 Focus 1.6TDCI developing a misfire when warm driving along at 30 in third or fourth is difficult at 50 it misses a beat and pulls back frequently. At tickover when warm the misfire is obvious when the throttle is gently pressed - time lapse before it revs. Went to a deisel specialist - no fault codes on their machine. It happened once when they had the car. They updated the car's software. Car was a bit better for two days then back to normal. Update £60 total bill over £140. Company happy to investigate further. Cannot take this car on a long journey as its too difficult to drive in town and open road, and keeps pulling back and juddering.
19-01-2017:Backroom Forum report of failure of clutch and transmission of 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 at 52,000 miles. C lutch pressure plate disintegrated and blew a hole in the Gearbox which had to be replaced at owner's cost after numerous visits and stress with the Ford Main Dealer who merely offered to remove the damaged gearbox at a reduced price. Gearbox and clutch eventually replaced by a local mechanic.
27-01-2017:Report of heater matrix (or heater valve) of 2012 Ford Focus Titanium failing, spilling engine coolant into passenger footwell. Lot of dismantling involved to replace it.
01-02-2017:Report of section of degas pipe from turbo to expansion tank failing on a 2012 Focus Ecoboost at 32k miles causing engine to lose coolant and the engine to blow up. Quoted £5k-£6k for new engine. (The photo above shows the original vulnerable degas pipe from the turbo to the expansion tank with a black union. The photo below shows the dealer modified degas pipe from the turbo to the expansion tank with a white nylon union.)
08-02-2017:Problem with hands free of 2011 Focus 16 diesel traced to corrupt MP3 music track. "Whilst using my bluetooth handsfree to phone the wife I cancelled the call using the steering wheel controls as per normal. The USB music on the stick would then not play. Tried using the steering voice control and it doesn't work, but the volume/channel change control does. Took out the USB, tried to initialise it again and it would not work - format error (it is Fat 32 windows). Switched off the stereo without the USB in place - bluetooth engaged with my phone but the voice handsfree will still not activate. Is there a fuse blown somewhere - the radio works fine on all frequencies and I can change channel using said control on the steering wheel and adjusting the volume. Just tried the usb on my home computer and it works fine. Finally checked the memory card on Windows 10 - deleted an mp3 track. Then r eplaced the USB/memory card, reset the Bluetooth and it all works fine again. Fault due to a corrupt music file."
18-03-2017:Report of noise "like a chain on the road" from used 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost bought at 41k miles, now at 44k miles. Cooling system degas pipe has been replaced in previous ownership. Now clutch occarionally seems to be slipping. C ar is doing 45mpg motorway and 38 around town.
29-03-2017:Report of 2012/62 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift Titanium, bought 2nd hand, juddering when it tries to change from 1st to 2nd gear. About to go back to the Ford dealer for the 3rd time on 8th April. They already replaced the clutch pack twice.
10-05-2017:Report of 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost losing coolant subsequent to a service. Coolant getting into the combustion chambers due to failed head gasket. Needs new engine at £4,500. Reasonn is probably failure of the plastic union in the degas pipe (see 8-10-2016).
16-05-2017:Report of 2012 Ford Focus Powershift automatic requiring three replacement clutch packs.
01-06-2017:Report of repeated failure of clutch packs of 2012 Ford Focus Powershift purchased from TrustFord (Ford owned dealership) in 2015.
06-06-2017:Report of Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost needing new engine at 25,000 miles at a cost of £5,500 because the water pump failed and cracked the head of the engine and there is coolant in cylinder 1. Could be the familiar failed degas pipe problem.
17-06-2017:Report of in car entertainment system of 2011 Ford Focus failing to shut down completely and draining the battery overnight. Might have been that ot might have been the interior light delay switch.
20-06-2017: Engine of 2013/63 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost failed at 23,000 miles. Losing pressure via a piston ring.
Report of injector problems on 2012/61 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 TDCi Estate. First failure was with injector 1 and on investigation it became a no fault found, so it might have been a cable fault. Second occurrence was with injector number 3, and this was a short circuit in the device. The third time it was injector number 4 and this was classified as a failure to work.
03-08-2017:Report of a/c compressor clutch of 2012 Ford Focus failing twice in 18 months. Replacement fitted at 17,500 miles at cost of £300 failed again at 24,455 miles. Guess that drivebelt tension was set too tight and that destroyed the bearing. Had another report of the same thing happening on a Mondeo.
04-08-2017:Report of clip failing on coolant pipe to heater matix of 2011 Ford Focus 1.6. Pipe came off and hot coolant scalded passenger's legs.
16-08-2017:Report of clutch failure on Ford Focus 1.6TDCI at 41,000 miles. Replacement £900.
18-08-2017:Report of owner putting 4 year old 25,000 mile Focus 1.0 125 Ecoboost in for annual service and MoT and being told it was suffering from a major coolant leak, to the extent that the mechanics filled it up when they spotted it and as soon as they put the system under pressure it drained out again. They said there was certainly a problem with the water pump, but also pointed out another leak from elsewhere and they will have to virtually strip the engine down to sort it out. We said we had seen no trace of coolant leakage and were told it had gathered under the engine (inside the front engine cover) and then evaporated. Estimate for repair over £800 (mainly labour). Probably due to the same design proble of the degas pipe as reported and illustrated above.
21-08-2017:Report of degas pipe coming off expansion tank of Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost soon after a new a/c condenser had been fitted by an independent garage. Garage says unconnected with the work it did and has taken the car to a Ford main dealer to be assessed with a view to the Ford dealer replacing the engine as part of the recall relating to the degas pipe. RAC man who initially helpd the owner has been excellent and stayed in touch oroviding full support.
22-08-2017:Report of gearbox bearings failure in 2013 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI at 54,000 miles.
30-08-2017:Report of judder from Powershift transmission of 2013 Ford Focus. Should be covered under extended 5 year warranty.
01-09-2017:Historical report of "terrible smell of burning" from September 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 at 22,000 miles. Owner took car to his Ford dealer who told him they would dismantle the clutch and check, but if they found no problem wuth the Dual Mass Flywheel or slave cylinder he would have to pay £400 for the work. He declined, and since then the car has done a further 20,000 miles with no problem.
06-09-2017:Report of 2013/63 reg Ford Focus 1.6TDCI with full Ford service history going into limp mode at 76,000 miles. Probably a sooted up EGR, the DPF full of ash or the regular injector problem.
09-09-2017:Further report of clutch problems with Focus Ecoboost 1.0 125. On this 35k mile 2012/62 reg Focus the clutch has been squeaking and groaning for the last 12 months or so. At las service, Ford dealer recorded on service invoice "groaning noise when driving off - intermittent. Confirmed clutch squark, would require clutch and slave cylinder replacement. Noise is due to an imperfection on friction lining. Doesn't indicate a worn out clutch." Replacement cost quoted at c.£600.
26-09-2017:Report of dashboard warning showing on 63k mile 2011 Ford Focus of a steering assist fault. Drivers switches of and on again and it goes off. Worried that may need a new EPAS motor at £1,400.
28-09-2017:On Focus 1.0 Ecoboost manuals, Ford verbally confirmed it is offering either a free replacement clutch, or partial payment of the replacement costs of the clutch, DMF and slave cylinder, depending on mileage and servicing regime of the car. Highest payments if always Ford serviced.
(2-10-2017: Report of EPAS failure on 2011 Ford Focus Grand C-Max at 62k miles. First indicated by "steering assist malfunction" warning. This initially manifested itself as very heavy steering which a re-start resolved, but last week the restarts stopped helping and the car became undriveable. Owner asked local Ford dealer to investigate in April 2017. Apparently a software update was applied. When it failed completely, they looked again and told owner that the electric motor on the steering rack had burned out and he'd need a new one - at a cost of £1,200+.)
03-11-2017:Report of 2nd clutch pack failure on 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift Titanium. First time clutch pack replaced FoC, but not this time.
06-11-2017:Report of Transmission Control Module failure on 2012 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift. It occurred 8 days outside of the extended 5 year warranty period. Ford rejected any goodwill. Owner also told that the car was road tested by the garage after the TCM had been replaced and the garage says there is a judder due to the clutch and that is another repair outside of the warranty.
08-11-2017:Problems reported with 37k mile 2103 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost include a "popping noise" when idling which is worse when the engine is cold. It also loses coolant and has had two water pumps this year. The stop start is not working either, probably a symptom of the battery failing.
08-11-2017:Report of failure of Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost engine because owner had the car independently serviced and the servicing garage was unaware of the degas pipe TSB. Before it was willing to rectify this, Ford wanted to see the service invoices to be sure that servicing had been carried out precisely to its standards using the correct materials and fluids. Owner was unable to supply these.
14-11-2017:Judder reported from clutch pack of 5,800 mile 2014 (pre facelift) Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift. Ford dealer said "out of warranty" (despite 5 year extended warranty on Powershift clutch), quoted owner £102 for diagnostics and £1,300 for a replacement clutch pack.
30-11-2017:Strange report of 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125 needing a third new engine due to repeated failures of the degas pipe leading to overheating. Begs questions as to what exactly was replaced each tme and how the car has been used.
05-12-2017:Engine failure reported in 2012/62 Ford Focus Ecoboost because the degas pipe from turbo to expansion tank failed and engine lost its coolant. Attempted repairs to the engine were unsuccessful. THIS IS A WARNING. IF YOU HAVE A FIESTA OR FOCUS 1.0 ECOBOOST AND HAVE BEEN HAVING IT INDEPENDENTLY SERVICED, YOU NEED TO GET IT INTO A FORD DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT DEGAS PIPE TO BE FITTED.
14-12-2017:In used 2013 Ford Focus 2.0 Ecoboost, 2 months after purchase, engine overheated and warning light advised owner to pull over. After letting it cool he drove it 200 years to his house. Next day it would not start. Towed to a garage that carried out a leak down test and a cylinder head pressure test and found coolant to be escaping via the number one cylinder and coolant in the engine oil compartment. When owner first swa the car in October it didn't have any coolant. He flagged this up to the dealer and requested a service to look at the problem. When he returned the following week to pick it up, it hadn't been serviced but dealer assured him there was no coolant problem. Obviously not. Obviously degas pipe failure and hidden damage had occurred prior to purchase.
12-01-2018:Report of cooling system problem in 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost. The BCm and wiring module have corroded all so the coolant pump 'o' ring seal is leaking coolant behind the timing cover. Cost of repairs quoted at £3,200.
12-03-2018:Report of engine failure of 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost at 58,000 miles.
24-03-2018:Report of in service action notice on Focus 1.6 EcoBoost, ref 17S09, regarding engine cooler sersor. But local Ford dealer unwilling to carry it out because it would take too much time and 'main' Ford dealer told the owner they had put this service action "in abeyance".
27-03-2018:Report of "engine problems" with 2014 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost after a loss of coolant. Car bought from Ford dealer. Now at 43,000 miles. Unfortunately, immediately before the problem occurred it has been serviced at a local independent garage which refuses to take any blame.
28-03-2018:Service action recall letter received for 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 EcoBoost in South Africa. Recall letter received 22-3-2018, generated 9-3-2018: "Urgent Recall Engine coolant system..If driven without sufficient coolant could result in engine cylinder head overheating. May cause cylinder head to crack allowing oil to leak on to a hot surface that could result in potential fire in engine compartment." On that day this did happen to the reader's car causing the engine to crack. Ford has refused to replace the engine, which has only done 40,000 miles and always been serviced by local South African dealer.
14-04-2018:Ford allows owners to check for recalls and service actions and for a 2012 Focus Powershift, just bought from a Ford dealer, the database came up with: Outstanding Field Service Actions: 14M02 - TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. Obviously should ahve been checked before the car was re-sold.
26-04-2018:Ford has been hit with record $10 million fine for unconscionable conduct over its handling of complaints about faulty Powershift automatic transmissions in more than 10,000 Australian cars. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal action against Ford in 2017 after receiving complaints about Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport vehicles fitted with the "PowerShift" transmission. Thousands of drivers complained that their cars shuddered and jerked when accelerating, suddenly lost power or made a lot of noise. "Despite knowing that shuddering was a symptom of the quality issues with the vehicles, Ford frequently told customers that shuddering was the result of the customer's driving style," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said. Ford knew that the symptoms of the quality issues with the vehicles were experienced intermittently, but required customers to demonstrate them on demand in the presence of a dealer in order for repairs to be undertaken." About 75,000 Ford vehicles sold in Australia between 2011 and 2016 were fitted with the "PowerShift" transmission. Complaints began to surface in late 2015, but the ACCC said in many cases Ford refused to offer a refund or replacement. Drivers who wanted a new car were required to make a significant payment towards their replacement vehicle. "Ford told consumers that refunds and replacement vehicles were not an option, when they may have been legally entitled to these remedies under the consumer guarantees," Mr Sims said. Ford has acknowledged it took too long to identify problems with the gearboxes, and vowed to make things right with its customers. Ford Australia chief executive Graeme Whickman said. "We were overwhelmed with the volume of complaints and, while it was not intended, over a 10-month period our processes were inadequate and information provided was either inaccurate or incomplete. We let our customers down and for that we are sorry." Under a deal struck by Ford and the ACCC — and approved by the Federal Court — the car maker will review complaints made by up to 10,500 customers between May 1, 2015 and November 1, 2016. An independent auditor will assess whether those drivers are entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle. The review process will commence in early July 2018 and run for 12 months. Affected customers can register their details to receive updates on the independent review process.
23-06-2018:Report of 2012 Ford Focus EcoBoost suffering coolant loss. (Question arises as to why the original degas pipe had not been replaced by the modified one.)
16-07-2018:Report of repeat problems with Powershift transmission of 2013 Ford Focus purchased for £9,000 from a Ford dealer in July 2016. Within weeks of purchase car would judder when changing up from 1st gear to second so owner took it back to the dealer. First time the clutch was "re-bedded", second time software updated, third time clutch replaced, all under warranty. 13 months later problem returned: First visit to dealer, the software was updated. Three weeks later judder returned. Car back to dealer only to be told another clutch is required. This time however the car/Powershift is out of its extended warranty by two months and new clutch was installed 13 months ago so that was also is out of guarantee. Dealer advised owner to contact Ford Customer Services directly to ask if Ford would replace the clutch as it is an ongoing problem. Ford refused to accept responsibility and advise owner to go back to the dealer which is basically not interested but will buy the car back for £4,000, or a replacement car with £500 off its £9,750 price tag.
17-07-2018:Report of failure of Powershift transmission in 2012 Ford Focus, quoted £3,500 to replace.
17-07-2018:Report of three failures of clutch pack on September 2014 Ford Focus Powershift. it has now started seriously juddering again and the dealer is saying that the 5 year extended warranty does not cover the clutch assembly which they say needs replacing. The dealer says that Ford will not pay for it so they cannot do it.
20-08-2018:Report of 2013/63 Ford Focus needing since December 2017: 2 clutch systems, 3 clutch master cylinders, 1 brake master cylinder and 2 sets of clutch fluid pipes in and still geting air in and losing pressure in the pedal. (The problem is with the clutch slave cylinder.)
25-08-2018:Report of engine failure of 2013/63 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost due to loss of coolant from turbo degas pipe and loss of oil. Unfortunately car had been maintained outside Ford dealer chain and was not taken to a Ford dealer with the problem so Ford has told the owner a claim would not be considered by the warranty/claims team.
25-08-2018:Report of problems with 6-speed dry clutch Getrag Powershift in 2013 Ford Focus 1.6 purchased used in 2016. Typical issues are, once the engine has warmed up, it becomes very jerky pulling away and in some incidences, this delay can create a dangerous driving situation. The car has been back to the local Ford main dealer on three occasions when it has had software upgrades and even had the clutch changed once. There seems to be a slight improvement each time we get the car back but it soon resorts to having the same problem, even after the clutch was changed. The car is booked in again for a few weeks time but the main dealer is talking about looking at it as a good will gesture only as they are "unaware of a major issue with the transmission".
28-08-2018:Report of engine cooling system failure of Ford Focus Ecoboost estate in France. Car having to be repatriated. Car was bought used from a supermarket and owner has never taken it to a Ford dealer.
03-09-2018:Report of 2013 Ford Focus 1.0T Ecoboost 125 suffering overheating damage at 30,800 miles prior to its failng degas pipe being replaced. This did not, of course, solve the problem.
16-09-2018:Report of 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost needing a new engine in 2014 and now another new engine in September 2018.
25-09-2018:Report of 2nd degas pipe failure (the modified pipe) on a 2012/62 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost, leading to cylinder head gasket failure. Car had been recalled in 2017 to have the degas hose replaced because of a known fault. But the new hose has now failed just a few months later.
01-10-2018:Ford announced that it will be fitting new 1.0 Ecoboost engines to the 1,000 out-of-warranty Fiesta, Focus and Tourneo Connect models the company had previously refused to re-engine when the engines failed due to loss of coolant (some cars for a 2nd time). 600,000 1.0 EcoBoosts have been produced. 44,000 have had their turbo-to-expansion tank degas pipes replaced as a TSB 'service action'. But 2,000 suffered actual engine failure. Of these, 1,000 have had their engines replaced free of charge, but the other 1,000 had not. Ford rectified this situation on 1-10-2018. Ford's website carries details to encourage outstanding owners who have experienced an issue to get in touch ( https://www.ford.co.uk/owner/resources-and-support/faqs ). With any future cases, subject to being assessed and linked to potential 1.0-litre engine overheating, Ford will contribute 100% of the cost of repair at a Ford dealer. Furthermore, we will re-examine previous cases to ensure that this policy of a 100% contribution to the repair cost is applied consistently. UK owners should contact Ford by emailing mgrcrc@ford.com with vehicle registration number. It will take time to re-examine previous cases thoroughly, but Ford will respond to all correspondence.
10-10-2018:Report of failure of EPAS rack of 2012 Ford Focus bought used. Ford dealer wanted £1,000 for the rack alone, plus fitting. Owner found a reconditioned rack at a specialist and his AA used car warranty paid for it.
21-10-2018:Report of heater matrix failing in Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 in December 2017. Replaced by Ford dealer at cost of £700. Now cooling system is losing coolant again and owner told there is a "leak behind the timing cover". This should now be fixed by Ford FoC. See 1-10-2018.
30-10-2018:Report of "white smoke and a burning smell" from the engine of 2-12 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost on the motorway. Had used a lot of oil, and owner refilled it. About 20-30mins later lost all power a warning of 'service now' and 'engine malfunction' appeared on the dashboard. AA towed it to a safe place, looked at the engine and said that the oil was empty again. "Mentioned something about the third cylinder not working and that it would be a complete recovery back to the North East." Car is now sitting at local independent garage waiting to be looked at. We advised owner to get it to a Ford dealer.
04-11-2018:Ford Focus Powershift owner comment: " After my second replacement clutch peach I complained to Ford Direct and a nice lady in the customer relations dept told me not to worry as the car was now subject to a 5 year warranty due to the problems I had encountered. On fitting of the third clutch pack I was informed that this was a statement mistake and only the clutch pack was covered for 12 months from from fitting."
18-12-2018:Owner of 2011 Focus 1.6 whose clutch destroyed his gearbox casing at 52k miles (19-1-2017) received a recall notice: " The clutch is a friction part which will wear out with normal use. A high degree may lead to unintended clutch slip and reduced power. If a worn and slipping clutch is further subjected to high energy slip events on a sustained basis , overheating may result (usually detected through clutch smell) and in a small number of instances there is a possibility that the clutch pressure plate may fracture (detected by a noise/thud/bang) from the vicinity of transmission. In extreme cases fractured clutch /transmission fragments maybe released, striking under hood components and creating a risk of smoke and fire from under the hood area."
22-12-2018:Report of failure of clutch pack of 2012 Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT Powershift in March 2018. Replaced under used car warranty, then failed again, 4,000 mies later, in November 2018 and Ford replaced it under the parts warranty. Dealer refused to replace it again.
07-01-2019:Starting problems reported on 2013/63 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI with stop/start at 70,000 miles. Lights working fine suggested starter motor but that was replaced. Because fault still occurring could be that the starter ring on the Dual Mass Flywheel is damaged or there is movement on the flywheel itself.
11-02-2019:Report of total engine failure of April 2014 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 manual (Chassis Number - WFOKXXGCBKDC53657) at 32,770 miles. Prior to the last service on 24th April 2018, a noise problem was pointed out to the Ford dealer but was not considered serious enough to be investigated further. The reason given was that it was a common fault on that model. On the 3rd January 2019 owner was told by the dealer not to drive the car until a major overhaul had been completed at an estimated cost of £5,935. As an alternative, he was offered offered a very low trade in price of £3,000 against a replacement second hand car. (No details given of actual fault with the engine or its cause.)
19-02-2019:Report of 2013 Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 6-speed manual needing new dual mass flywheel, clutch, clutch release bearing (and presumably clutch slave cvylinder) at 46,500 miles. Serviced by Ford dealer since new and clutch software TSB carries out in 2018. (Turns out the 'recall' was nothing more than a software upgrade that purported to to deal with clutch slip / failure.)
24-04-2019:Repeated power steering failure reported on 2011 Ford Focus 1.6, bought in January 2018, now at 93,000 miles. Power steering light came on within 3 month warrenty so the garage repaired it. Happened twice more within warranty and they replaced the steering rack. 3 months later the clutch failed: paid £518 to replace. 9 months later the power steering malfunctioned again. The repacement steering rack was still in 2 year warrenty so garage arranged free part replacement and owner paid £200 labour. 2 months after that the heater matrix failed. Owner paid £600. 3 weeks later (3 days ago) the power steering malfunctioned again.
08-06-2019:Report of clutch pack of October 2013 Ford Focus Zetec Powershift Estate 1.6 petrol model starting to judder 3 weeks after 2nd hand purchase. Quoted £2,400 to replace. But the supplying dealer is liable.
11-06-2019:Report of previously very reliable 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift suddenly accelerating, crossing the road and crashing into a wall opposite.
01-07-2019:Report of airconditionong of 2013 Ford Focvus 1.6TDCI not working at all, despite a regas in 2018. Reader thinks no leaks are evident.
02-07-2019:List of complaints received against a 2012/62 Ford Focua 1.6 Powershift purchased from a Ford dealer in May 2017: June 2017 car went back to dealership to have some paintwork touched up (agreed as part of the sale) and also to investigate a knocking noise when wheel is turned and a high pitched squeal when put on full lock. Car came back paint work done, knocking noise still there, but mechanic said "no car should ever be put on full lock". June 2018 - car went into the dealership due to a TCM failure (known issue on this car, and was also listed on ETIS but was not told about this when the car was purchased). Whole TCM replaced. July 2018: Called dealership again as the car still wasn't behaving right, taking too long to change gears and rather juddery. Was told TCM needed time to settle in. June 2019: Car failed its MoT due to a severely damaged/broken steering rack that cost £600 to repalace by a different garage that also found an oil leak near the TCM. June 2019: Car went back to dealership as TCM still under warranty and apparently had faulty seals. These were replaced. But at the same time was told the Clutch Pack needs to be replaced (costing £1k+). Car's current mileage then 48k. 21st June 2019 dealer arranged for an indpendent mechanic to assess customer's complaints, but then the heater matrix failed, needing replacement at a cost of £1,000.
19-07-2019:Juddering clutch pack reported in 2013 Ford Focus Powershift.
24-07-2019:Juddering reported from Powershift transmission of another 2013 Ford Focus.
26-07-2019:Report of 3rd gear of manual transmission of 2011/61 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI starting to fail at 67,000 miles.
30-10-2019:Report of occasional problems with Powershift transmission of 2012 Ford Focus. During the summer (with A/C on) the car sometimes felt struggling to move into the next (probably 2nd) gear when taking off from a traffic light. Once, nearing the end of a trip, the car went into limp mode, and twice an error message “TCM FAILURE SERVICE NOW” (Transmission Control Module) showed up. The car runs fine after turning off and on again. A TSB service fix FSA 14m02 came up as not having been applied to the car. The dealer said it had only been a warranty fix that they will not apply to an out of warranty car. Dealer said would check on the intermittent juddering (probably clutch pack). Said in the worst case it may require a gearbox change costing a few thousand pounds.
13-11-2019:Report of 2012 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI 115 down on power between 4th and 5th gear and when owner accelerates to 70mph it goes into limp mode. Likely to be failing injectors. Common on the 8v 1.6TDCI 115 engine.