Ford Focus Review 2024
Ford Focus At A Glance
Insurance Groups are between 13–17
On average it achieves 80% of the official MPG figure
The 2018 Ford Focus has all the attributes that have traditionally made the model one of the UK’s best-selling cars, and has accentuated them even further. Yes, a Skoda Scala is cheaper, and a Volkswagen Golf feels posher. However, no rival is better to drive than the Focus, and the Ford does well enough on all these other points to ensure its popularity. It may be one of the obvious choices in the class, but that’s because it’s one of the best family cars on sale.
Occasionally, Fords get accused of being boring. Ordinary. Common. Humdrum, even. But have you ever stopped to think why that might be?
Could it be because they’re absolutely everywhere? After all, they do say familiarity breeds contempt. However, the reason that Fords are such a common sight on our roads isn’t because they’re boring. It’s because they’re popular. Really popular. And why’s that? Well, it’s because most of them are really good.
Take the Focus. This is one of the UK’s best-selling cars each and every year, meaning it’s also one of the most popular, and it has been for a long time. Is it the most glamorous choice? Nope. Is it the most interesting? Probably not. But is it a good choice? You bet.
Let’s start with the area in which it excels the most, and that’s in the way it drives. This is a car with a level of dynamic polish that many more expensive cars could only dream of.
It changes direction with incredible sharpness thanks to strong grip and tight body control, and the controls - the steering especially - give you lots of information about what’s going on, making you feel part of the action every step of the way. And no, it’s not all about boy-racer handling.
It’s just as much about the feeling of safety the car gives you. Ask any little old lady who owns a Focus, and she’ll tell you that she loves driving it, but she doesn’t really know why. Well, that’s why.
Even more impressively, the Focus manages to combine this handling prowess with a level of ride comfort that’s a match for just about anything else in the class, and that’s not an easy thing to achieve.
Meanwhile, you have a wide range of petrol (named Ecoboost) and diesel (called EcoBlue) engines that give a good mix of power, refinement and economy.
The Focus does a very solid job in other areas, too. The latest version is roomier than ever thanks to increased space in the back, and it’s now among the class leaders on that score. The boot is also very competitive on size, and the cabin comes stocked with a decent amount of standard equipment. Most of the latest infotainment gadgetry is present and correct, along with all the important safety gear.
Granted, there is one area in which it struggles relative to many rivals, and that’s on interior quality. Some of the plastics on show inside the cabin just don’t have the lustre that they do in competitors. Judged in isolation, however, it stops short of feeling cheap overall, and there’s no reason to suspect it won’t be durable.
The Focus isn’t the cheapest family car on sale, either, but it is very competitive on that score, so it does stack up financially. All in all, we can see why the Focus has proved so popular over the years, and that’s because it’s a sound, sensible - not to mention really enjoyable - choice.
Ford Focus handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.0 EcoBoost 85 to 2.0 TDCi 150 Automatic
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 28–71 mpg
Ford Focus 2024: Handling and ride quality
This makes the car feel assured and agile as it changes direction, putting a smile on your face and delivering a satisfying feeling of safety.
If you’re worried that such nimble handling will result in a car that’s uncomfortable over bumps, you needn’t. The suspension is supple enough to absorb most of what a ragged road surface can throw at it, and the ride is also superbly controlled at all speeds, so your life is comfortable and civilised at all times.
ST-Line models sit 10mm lower, which makes them marginally more agile, but happily, that doesn’t put any dent in your comfort levels.
An adaptive suspension was also available through the options list, which varies its behaviour according to which driving mode you select, but we haven’t yet had the chance to try it.
Ford Focus 2024: Engines
The petrol range kicks off with turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines with either 85PS, 100PS or 125PS, and there are also 1.5-litre units with either 150PS or 182PS. So far, we’ve only had the chance to try the most powerful 1.0-litre and both 1.5s.
The 1.0-litre will be fine for most buyers. It’s not fast, but it’s flexible enough to pull you around easily. Upgrade to one of the 1.5s and the performance you get is a good bit fizzier, with more low-down pull and more willingness to rev. You won’t actually detect much of a difference between the two, though, so we wouldn’t bother paying to upgrade to the 182.
We’ve also tried the 120PS 1.5-litre diesel engine, and it’s great, with enough low-down punch for any situation and a very decent turn of pace. This engine is also available with an output of 95PS, and there’s also a 150PS 2.0-litre diesel. However, we haven't had the chance to try either of them yet.
Ford Focus 2024: Safety
Importantly, automatic emergency braking is standard across the entire Focus range, along with lane-keeping assistance, electronic stability control, hill start assist and brakes that lock themselves on after an accident to help prevent any further impacts.
The standard roster also includes MyKey, a programmable fob you can give to your kids when they drive the car, which allows you to pre-set maximum thresholds for things like speed and stereo volume. Clever stuff.
Meanwhile, Vignale models add brighter LED lights and a head-up display that beams key driving information onto the windscreen so you don’t have to look away from the road as often.
Optional extras for buyers of new Focuses included blind spot monitoring and a Driver Assistance Pack, which includes traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with lane centring.
The Focus was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2018, and scored the full five-star rating. Bizarrely, it was then tested again in 2019, and predictably, the result was very similar.
Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 EcoBoost 100 | 60 mpg | 12.1 s | 107 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 125 | 57–59 mpg | 10.0–10.3 s | 108–130 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 125 Automatic | 49–50 mpg | 10.2–11.1 s | 122–139 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 125 MHEV | - | 10.2 s | 118–129 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 155 | - | 9.0–10.0 s | 116–125 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 155 Automatic | - | 8.4 s | 119–120 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 155 MHEV | - | 8.4–9.0 s | 117–124 g/km |
1.0 EcoBoost 85 | 59 mpg | 13.5 s | 110 g/km |
1.5 EcoBoost 150 | 53 mpg | 8.8 s | 121–123 g/km |
1.5 EcoBoost 150 Automatic | 46–48 mpg | 8.9 s | 133–138 g/km |
1.5 EcoBoost 182 | 51 mpg | 8.3 s | 126 g/km |
1.5 EcoBoost 182 Automatic | 46 mpg | 8.4 s | 137 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 115 | - | 11.8 s | 129–134 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 120 | 76–81 mpg | 9.8–10.6 s | 94–124 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 120 Automatic | 64–67 mpg | 10.2–10.9 s | 111–131 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 120 Powershift | 67 mpg | 10.2 s | 113 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 150 | - | 8.5 s | 125–128 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 150 Automatic | - | 9.3 s | 128–132 g/km |
1.5 TDCi 95 | 81 mpg | 11.4 s | 91 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 150 | 63–64 mpg | 8.5 s | 114–116 g/km |
2.0 TDCi 150 Automatic | 61–64 mpg | 9.3 s | 114–121 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Ford Focus
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
80%
Real MPG
28–71 mpg
MPGs submitted
605
Ford Focus interior
- Boot space is 341–1620 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4358–4667 mm |
Width | 1979–2010 mm |
Height | 1459–1485 mm |
Wheelbase | 2700 mm |
Ford Focus 2024: Practicality
Rear legroom is among the best in the class, and headroom is very good, too, and this allows tall passengers plenty of room to stretch out, even behind a comparatively lofty driver.
Bear in mind that cars with a panoramic roof are appreciably shorter on rear headroom, but still, your passengers would need to be pretty gangly to feel short-changed.
Sitting three in the back is comfier than it is in most rivals, too, because the cabin and the middle seat are wide, while the central tunnel running down the middle of the floor is low and flat, so it’s comfy to sit with your feet on top of it if you wind up in the middle.
The boot is satisfactory for size, but it can’t dust it with the very best. There’s a lip that you’ll need to heave heavy items over, too, but it’s only small. The rear seats drop to boost your cargo bay, and they lie almost flat, with no awkward steps in the floor.
Ford Focus 2024: Quality and finish
Unless you find yourself an early Style car, you’ll get nice leather wrappings for the steering wheel and gear shifter.
Elsewhere on the dash, however, are plastics that are harder, scratchier and of a considerably lower quality, and many of these are in plain view the whole time. One or two of the panels don’t line up with quite the precision that they do in rivals, either.
This doesn’t give the cabin a low-rent feel overall, but these inconsistencies means that the Focus feels some way behind not only the Volkswagens and Hondas of the world for poshness, but also the Kias and the Hyundais.
Ford Focus 2024: Infotainment
Early Style-trimmed cars have a very basic stereo system. It still has DAB and Bluetooth, but the tiny 4.2-inch screen looks a bit rubbish. Zetec and ST-Line cars get a bigger 8.0-inch screen, which is the same size as the one you get in all versions.
You also get Apple Carplay and Android Auto. However, while the screen size stays the same, the upgrade to ST-Line X, Titanium or Titanium X trims gets you a more sophisticated system that also includes built-in sat-nav and voice control. Vignale trim adds a reversing camera and an upgraded surround sound system.
The various systems use the same user interface, and it could be better. The graphics look dated, the software is slow and some of the on-screen icons are small and fiddly. And, because it’s a touchscreen, you have to concentrate hard on hitting exactly the right bit of the screen, which is distracting.
Ford Focus value for money
Ford Focus 2024: Prices
If you were to buy your Focus brand new, then at the time of writing, prices started at just over £20,000 for the 1.0 Ecoboost 100 Zetec manual, and rose to just over £30,000 for the 2.0 EcoBlue 150 Vignale Auto.
Look at the two versions that we reckon will be of interest to most buyers, those being the 1.0 Ecoboost 125 manual and the 1.5 EcoBlue manual, both in Titanium trim, and these sit either side of the £23,000 mark, separated by a sum of about £500.
Compare prices with those of key rivals such as the Honda Civic, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra, and there’s barely anything in it, although all of them are appreciably cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf. Ford usually carries some pretty good finance deals on its website, too.
At the time of writing, we found the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 125 ST-Line being offered for £220 per month on a three-year PCP following a deposit of around £5,500. That equates to a £750 deposit contribution from Ford.
There’s very little to separate the Focus from its rivals on residual values, so prices on the used car market are likely to be just as tight. But thanks to the Focus’s incredible popularity, used examples will be incredibly high in number, meaning you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that suits you perfectly.
Ford Focus 2024: Running Costs
As usual, it’s the diesels that’ll give you the best fuel returns according to the official WLTP figures. Both versions of the 1.5 deliver a maximum average just shy of 63mpg, while the figure for the 2.0-litre stands at 60mpg.
With the petrols, the 1.0-litre will deliver between 51mpg and 53mpg depending on which power output you go for, while the 1.5s will deliver between 48mpg and 47mpg. Bear in mind, too, that if you add an automatic gearbox to any of these, you’ll sacrifice another two or three miles per gallon.
If you ignore the sporty ST models, insurance groupings for the Focus lie between groups 8 to 21. Between these extremes, though, look at the versions that will appeal to most buyers, and they all sit in the mid-teens.
This should mean affordable premiums, especially for those with a decent no-claims bonus, and importantly, the Focus compares well with rivals on this score.
Satisfaction Index
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Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index nowFord Focus models and specs
The Focus has a slightly unconventional trim structure, so you might have to bear with us on this one. The original entry-level version, called Style came with a decent amount of standard equipment, including manual air-conditioning, four powered windows, automatic lights, remote locking, a space-saver spare wheel, DAB radio and Bluetooth.
However, most buyers upgraded to Zetec trim at the very least, as it provided cruise control, cornering fog lights, leather wrappings for the steering wheel and gearknob, a heated windscreen and a touch-screen infotainment system.
That’s why Style trim was eventually dropped, making Zetec trim the entry point. From that point on, you make the decision to choose either the sporty path up the trim structure, or the more luxurious one. Those who go sporty will come across ST-Line trim next, which gets you a host of sporty styling touches inside and out, plus keyless entry and a sports suspension.
Then there’s ST-Line X, which adds more luxury items such as heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, part-leather upholstery, automatic wipers, rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors and two-zone climate-control.
Those who go down the luxury route will get most of that on the Titanium trim, but if you want the privacy glass, part-leather upholstery and powered driver’s seat, you’ll need to upgrade to Titanium X. At the top of the tree sits the Vignale, which adds full leather, a heated steering wheel and active parking assistance, on top of its own unique styling touches.
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4358–4667 mm |
Width | 1979–2010 mm |
Height | 1459–1485 mm |
Wheelbase | 2700 mm |
Miscellaneous | |
---|---|
Kerb Weight | 1255–1518 kg |
Boot Space | 341–1620 L |
Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
Servicing | 10000–12500 miles |
Costs | |
---|---|
List Price | £26,775–£32,415 |
Insurance Groups | 13–17 |
Road Tax Bands | A–E |
Official MPG | 46.3–80.7 mpg |
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
---|---|
Adult | - |
Child | - |
Pedestrian | - |
Overall | 5 |
Currently on sale
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
ST-Line T EcoBoost 125 MHEV Start/Stop 5dr | £29,065 | - | - |
ST-Line T EcoBoost 155 MHEV PowerShift Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £27,605 | - | 8.4 s |
ST-Line X T EcoBoost 125 MHEV Start/Stop 5dr | £31,265 | - | - |
ST-Line X T EcoBoost 155 MHEV PowerShift Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £32,415 | - | 8.4 s |
Titanium T EcoBoost 125 MHEV Start/Stop 5dr | £28,235 | - | - |
Titanium T EcoBoost 155 MHEV PowerShift Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £26,775 | - | 8.4 s |
Titanium X T EcoBoost 125 MHEV Start/Stop 5dr | £30,435 | - | - |
Titanium X T EcoBoost 155 MHEV PowerShift Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £32,285 | - | 8.4 s |
On sale until March 2024
On sale until December 2023
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
ST-Line 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
ST-Line Style 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
ST-Line Style T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
ST-Line T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
ST-Line X 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
ST-Line X Style 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
ST-Line X Style T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
ST-Line X T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
Titanium 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
Titanium Style 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
Titanium Style T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
Titanium T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
Titanium X 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
Titanium X Style 1.5 TDCi 115 EcoBlue Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.8 s |
Titanium X Style T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
Titanium X T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 10.2 s |
On sale until November 2022
On sale until January 2022
On sale until October 2020
On sale until April 2020
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
1.0 100 Style Nav EcoBoost 5dr | - | 60.1 mpg | 12.1 s |
1.0 125 Style Nav EcoBoost Auto 5dr | - | 50.4 mpg | 11.1 s |
1.0 85 Style Nav EcoBoost 5dr | - | 58.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
1.5 Tdci 120 Style Nav Ecoblue Auto 5dr | - | 67.3 mpg | 10.2 s |
1.5 Tdci 95 Style Nav Ecoblue 5dr | - | 80.7 mpg | 11.4 s |
On sale until March 2020
Hatchback | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
1.5 150 St-Line X EcoBoost Auto 5dr | £25,900 | 46.3 mpg | 8.9 s |
1.5 150 Vignale EcoBoost Auto 5dr | £27,300 | 46.3 mpg | 8.9 s |
Model History
- April 2018: Ford Focus unveiled
- June 2020: Ford Focus updated with mild-hybrid tech
- October 2021: Facelifted Ford Focus priced from £22,465
- April 2024: Ford Focus ST Edition brings race-inspired suspension and uprated brakes for £42,905
April 2018
Ford Focus unveiled
Engine options include an optimised version of Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost and new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, both enhanced with Ford’s industry-first cylinder deactivation application for three-cylinder engines.
New 1.5-litre EcoBlue and 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines deliver improved fuel-efficiency, and a new intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission adapts shift patterns to driving style, and is controlled using a stylish and ergonomic Rotary Gear Shift Dial.
The upper instrument panel and door interiors are constructed from soft touch materials for a more premium feel.
Prices start at £17,930 for the Focus Style – £2,300 below the model it replaces. Focus Zetec and ST-Line – together representing 55 per cent of sales – are now £850 and £250 less respectively.
The new Focus range will comprise seven variants from launch. Starting with Style (at £17,930), the range progresses through Zetec (£19,300), ST-Line (£21,570), ST-Line X (£24,050), Titanium (£21,550), Titanium X (£22,820) and Vignale (£25,450).
Focus Style comes as standard with 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning, DAB digital radio with Bluetooth and Emergency Assist, electronic parking brake, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist and Lane-Keeping Aid.
Zetec models add highlights such as Ford’s acclaimed SYNC3 DAB Radio with a 6.5in touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lights and QuickClear heated windscreen.
Titanium models bring additional comfort and convenience features including front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a larger eight-inch colour touchscreen, satellite navigation and FordPass Connect wireless connectivity.
The Titanium X boosts the luxury further with partial leather trim, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, privacy glass and 17in alloy wheels.
For sporty drivers, the ST-Line offers unique body styling, including unique upper and lower grille, rear spoiler and polished twin tailpipes. Inside are a flat-bottomed steering wheel, black headlining, aluminium gearknob, alloy finish pedals and red stitching. The ST-Line X adds 18in alloy wheels, red brake calipers and many of the luxury features found on the Titanium X model.
At the top of the all-new Focus range sits the luxurious Focus Vignale, joining the upscale Ford range that already includes Mondeo, S-MAX, Kuga, Edge and Fiesta Vignale models.
Featuring a unique front grille and body styling with 18in wheels, the Focus Vignale is distinguished by full LED lighting front and rear. Inside, the Focus Vignale presents a distinctive character with leather upholstery, head-up display, rear view camera, heated steering wheel and the 675-watt 10-speaker B&O Play Premium Audio System. The Focus Vignale will also be available in an exclusive Dark Mulberry body colour.
The acclaimed B&O Play audio system is available as a £350 option on Titanium, Titanium X and ST-Line X models.
June 2020
Ford Focus updated with mild-hybrid tech
New 48-volt mild hybrid technology - as debuted on the Ford Puma - enables the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid to deliver 155PS of power alongside 116g/km CO2 emissions (WLTP) – a 17 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared with the outgoing equivalent combination of 150 PS 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission.
In addition to the new electrified powertrain option, the updated Focus also delivers a more premium driver experience with a new 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, and the improved connectivity and ownership experience enabled by a standard FordPass Connect modem.
A new Focus Zetec Edition variant delivers standard specification to benefit business and private drivers including a wireless charging pad and navigation for the SYNC 3 voice-activated connectivity system with 8-inch touchscreen. Front and Rear parking sensors and Powerfold mirrors are also fitted as standard.
October 2021
Facelifted Ford Focus priced from £22,465
Ford has revealed a revised Focus with fresh design and fuel-efficient electrified powertrains alongside advanced connectivity and driver assistance technologies designed to make the ownership and driving experience easier and more rewarding.
Ford says the new iteration of its “human-centric” design philosophy brings greater confidence and boldness to the Focus exterior, with a more distinctive approach to the Titanium, ST-Line and Active variants. Each gains unique styling elements that express their individual personalities, with an expanded Vignale pack delivering ultimate luxury and exclusive design features.
The new Focus introduces Ford’s next-generation SYNC 4 technology to greater numbers of customers than ever before, enabling cloud-connected navigation and connected voice control with natural language understanding. SYNC 4 is supported by a new 13.2-inch landscape centre screen with an intuitive interface designed to make it effortless to navigate a comprehensive range of driving and comfort features. The technology also allows Ford Power-Up wireless software updates to improve functionality over time.
Advanced driver assistance technologies introduced to Focus for the first time include Blind Spot Assist,which monitors the driver’s blind spot for vehicles approaching from behind, and can apply counter-steering to warn the driver and discourage a lane change manoeuvre if a potential collision is detected.
New Focus also for the first time introduces an automatic transmission option for the fuel-saving EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt mild hybrid powertrains, offering up to 155PS. The seven-speed, dual-clutch Powershift automatic makes driving less demanding – particularly in city and stop-start traffic – while complementing the hybrid powertrain’s electrically-boosted performance for typical Focus fun-to-drive.
April 2024
Ford Focus ST Edition brings race-inspired suspension and uprated brakes for £42,905
Ford has announced the Focus ST Edition. Aimed at track-day enthusiasts, the new model features adjustable coilover suspension from specialist manufacturer KW Automotive and 363mm Brembo front brakes.
Only available as a hatchback and with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Focus ST Edition's 280PS 2.3 engine allows for a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds.
The car's specification includes the options that Focus ST customers choose most for ultimate day-to-to comfort, including the B&O audio, Driver Assist Pack and Winter Pack as standard
Azura Blue exterior paint, lightweight gloss black alloys and Motion Blue interior stitching are also included. The Focus St Edition is available to order, priced from £42,905.
What to watch out for
2nd report of Petrol Particulate Filter light of 2018 Ford Focus coming on at 1,001 miles. Warning states: “Exhaust filter at limit. Drive to clean now”. Suggested 50 miles at 2000 - 3000rpm.
07-04-2018:Report of Active Park Assist failing on 2018/68 reg Ford Focus. Dealer told the owner he couldn't fix it because "it's a software problem".
18-12-2018:Mystery report of brake issue with new Focus. Reader was an hour away from collecting his new 1.5 Ecoboost 182 8-speed auto when dealer called to say it was being recalled because of "brake torque" problems. Ford told us, "Dealers are being advised of a ‘brake pedal hinge bolt torque check’. The pedal’s bolt needs to be checked for tension of 35 Newton metres. Advice now on dealer-wide distribution to be acted on, and hopefully enable re-scheduling of new Focus handovers."
20-12-2018:Report of dashboard of new Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 with 2,000 miles on 5 occasions showing 'exhaust filter at limit. Drive to clean'. On each occasion, owners carried on driving the car and after a short period the display reverted back to normal. Country driven car and driven briskly. But owner reports. "The management display on the dash keeps telling us to change up, yet this condition implies that really you need to change down." This is the result of conflicting EC requirements. It is a Type Approval requirement that new manual cars have to have an indicator suggesting changes. But if this is applied during the first 5-10 mies after a cold start the PPF will not necessarily get hot enough to clear the cold start particulates. Suggested running at up to 2000rpm for the first 5-10 miles.
02-01-2019:Report of several minor faults with the electrics of a new Ford Focus forcing ower to park it on his driveway for 3 weeks waiting for parts. The latest fault affects the engine performance, and leaves owner reluctant to take the car out.
23-01-2019:Report of many electronic systems on a new September 2018 Ford Focus either malfunctioning or not working at all: "almost immediately there were problems with the touch screen and reversing camera. It displays warnings such as 'collision assist warning service needed' and several other messages randomly. The rear camera often remains on when driving forward again and then the whole system crashes. Despite numerous visits to the dealer no one can find the cause of the fault."
13-02-2019:Third report of Petrol Particulate Filter light coming on, this time in a 2019 Ford Focus ST Line 1.0 EcoBoost 125 at just 300 miles from new. Owner made a run of 15 miles dual carriage way and motorway and it came back on when he made the return journey. Booked into Ford for diagnostic next week. Ford dealer carried out a static forced regeneration of the filter. Mechanic said he had it up to 750 degrees to clean it. Manual says it should clean at 550 degrees.
16-04-2019:Report of clutch failure of new, 2019 Ford Focus in just 450 miles.
23-08-2019:Report of "small browny red light to the right of the milometer at the top of the dash display that very occasionally comes on for three of four seconds every 300 to 400 miles" in new Ford Focus 1.5 3cyl Ecoboost 182 Vignale 8-speed auto. Explanation is that the light comes on to show the engine going lean. The PPF works differently from a DPF and works a little and relatively frequently by comparison to a DPF. It only comes on a typical motorway journey. Owner drove from Newcastle to Leamington Spa last week, the fuel consumption was 50.1mpg on way down and 48.2 on way back. This is about 5 to 6mpg better than his previous 1.5 4cyl 182hp manual.
15-09-2019:Report of delivery of Ford Focus Estate 2.0 TDCI x Ecolube Auto 19B with panoramic roof in dark grey metallic ordered on 21-5-2019 being held up, probably due to RDE1 emissions testing. Originally supposed to have been delivered in August (on a 19 reg), delivery then stretched to October 2019, then "no build date until December 2019".
26-10-2019:Report of replacement steering rack for April 2019 Ford Focus ST Line X on back order. Power steering rack failed and owner has been without car since 7th October, but provided with a courtesy car.
17-11-2019:Report of judder from stop/start system on 2018 Ford Focus 1.5ST automatic. Also judders when accelerating hard from T junctions.
17-12-2019:Numerous electrical faults reported in new Ford Focus 1.5 Ecoboost 8-speed automatic since summer 2019: "Charging System Alert!! Service Now! warnings, displays changing randomly, the seatbelt warning alarms going on even when the engine was switched off, and so on. Fearing imminent breakdown owner called out the RAC. After connecting his diagnostic interrogator to the car it revealed dozens of different faults including low voltage to the brake servos and steering servos etc. etc. After a lot of head scratching he looked under the bonnet and found a faulty battery earth connection. The earth bolt was only partly inserted into the body, cross-threaded and the cable was making and breaking connection.
01-02-2021:Report of “Exhaust filter limit reached. Drive to clean now" warning message on 2018 Focus 1.0- EcoBoost. Ford suggests driving at a varied range of conditions, including motorway for a minimum of 20 minutes or until the message disappears. Driver should also maintain engine speed between 1500 and 4000rpm.
20-05-2022:Report of Sync3 system freezing on 2018 Focus. Occasionally and for no obvious reason the touchscreen freezes. The only way to get it all to work again seems to be to turn the car off for at least fifteen minutes or more.