KNOWN FAULTS · Ford

Ford Focus (I) common problems.

2000–2004 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Zetec (Petrol) · 1.8 TDDi / TDCi (Diesel)

Applies if: First-generation Focus.

Weak points of the first-generation FocusKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Ford Focus I: 1.4–2.0 Zetec petrol and 1.8 TDDi / TDCi diesel
Period mentioned: 1998–2004
Symptoms: Unstable idle, thermostat-housing leaks and coil failures; on diesels, injection-pump failure (TDDi), a weak turbo or camshaft sensor (TDCi). Also rust on door seams, tailgate and bonnet, water in the footwells and seizing rear brakes.
Possible cause described: Wear from age and mileage: the idle valve gets dirty, the thermostat housing fails often and, according to the ADAC, the fuel pump is a weak point of the range. Water gets in around the pollen filter.
Check for the garage: Clean or replace the idle valve, check for coolant leaks and coils; on diesels, read codes and check the pump. Check rust, wet carpets and rear brakes before the roadworthiness test.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.8 TDDi / TDCi (Diesel)

Applies if: Only the 1.8 TDCi built from 05/2001 to 04/2002 (not the TDDi).

Will not start or runs rough with the glow-plug light flashing: high-pressure pump on the first TDCi engines (2001–2002)Injection / turbo

Engine / equipment: First Ford common-rail diesels with the Delphi system: Focus 1.8 TDCi and Mondeo III 2.0 TDCi
Period mentioned: 2001–2002
Symptoms: The engine will not start or runs unevenly, and the glow-plug warning light flashes.
Possible cause described: According to a Hella bulletin (May 2007), the cam ring and rollers of the high-pressure pump wear excessively and the pump can no longer build the required pressure; metal particles get into the injection system and ruin the injectors. It affects the Focus 1.8 TDCi built from 05/2001 to 04/2002 and the Mondeo III 2.0 TDCi from 10/2001 to 04/2002; a modified pump is fitted from April 2002.
Check for the garage: The garage measures rail pressure and looks for metal particles in the fuel. The repair is a modified high-pressure pump plus new injectors, and the whole fuel system has to be cleaned so no particles remain; replacing only the pump is not enough.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.