Known faults for the Ford Focus (III).

Engine / equipment

Ford Focus III (petrol, diesel and electric)

Period mentioned

2010–2018

Symptoms

A pressure plate that breaks on manual EcoBoosts; batteries, alternators and boost control (2011); starter (2011–2014); at the roadworthiness test, springs and shock absorbers, suspension, lights, oil leaks already at the first inspection and exhaust; a broken cable in the tailgate hinge.

Possible cause described

Recalls: pressure plate on manual 1.0, 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost (1/8/2012–30/6/2016), the 2.0 TDCi fuel sensor and sump leak, side and knee airbags, alloy wheels and the automatic-gearbox wiring loom.

Check for the garage

Check every campaign by VIN; check oil leaks, suspension and lights; test the battery.

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.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

6-speed PowerShift automatic with dry dual clutch (DPS6 / 6DCT250)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2011–2018

Symptoms

Shudder or judder when pulling away, especially in traffic; gearbox-module faults that can stop the car starting.

Possible cause described

Early wear of the dry clutches (the software did not compensate well for temperature), and failures of the control module (TCM) and clutch actuators.

Check for the garage

Read codes (e.g. P0900, clutch actuator), update the gearbox software and run the relearn drive cycle; if the shudder remains, replace the clutch. Ask Ford about campaigns or warranty extensions for the VIN.

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.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder with oil-immersed belts

Period mentioned

Approx. 2014–2021

Symptoms

Low oil-pressure warning just before a loss of power; sometimes the engine seizes without warning. With no oil pressure the vacuum pump that assists braking can also stop working.

Possible cause described

The oil-immersed belt material can degrade and shed debris that blocks the oil-pump pickup screen; the tensioner arm can also break. The US agency (NHTSA) is investigating almost 136,000 cars; most failures happened before the belt-change interval.

Check for the garage

With the oil-pressure warning, stop and do not restart. At the garage, check the belt and tensioner and look for debris in the sump and pump screen; use the exact oil Ford specifies and do not stretch the change intervals.

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.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.0 EcoBoost, nylon pipe between engine and coolant tank

Period mentioned

2011–2013

Symptoms

Coolant loss, overheating and, if you keep driving, serious cylinder-head or engine damage.

Possible cause described

The nylon coolant pipe could fail at high temperature on about 44,700 cars built between October 2011 and October 2013. Ford replaced it in a 2015 service action and in 2018 committed to paying for outstanding repairs.

Check for the garage

Check with Ford by VIN that the service action was done; watch the coolant level and stop at the temperature warning.

Cost cited in the source

The pipe replacement was free; later damage, case by case by Ford.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Four-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost and 2.0 EcoBoost: Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Focus and C-Max

Period mentioned

Approx. 2014–2019

Symptoms

Coolant loss with no visible leak, rough running on cold start, white smoke and, in serious cases, engine failure.

Possible cause described

Hairline cracks in the block let coolant into the cylinders; it mainly affects older 1.5 units and, less often, the 2.0. Ford revised the block in mid-2019.

Check for the garage

Watch the coolant level; if it drops with no external leak, run a pressure and combustion-gas test and check the spark plugs. Ask Ford by VIN about warranty actions.

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.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 EcoBoost: Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Fiesta ST and Transit Connect

Period mentioned

2010–2014

Symptoms

The temperature rises, coolant is lost and, in extreme cases, oil sprays under pressure from a crack in the head with a risk of fire in the engine bay.

Possible cause described

Lack of coolant circulation causes local overheating of the head. In 2018 Ford recalled cars built between 2010 and 2014: it checks engine and cooling parts and adds a coolant level sensor with a warning.

Check for the garage

Check with Ford by VIN that the recall was done; watch the coolant level and stop at the temperature warning.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Kuga 2.0 TDCi and 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue; 1.5 TDCi and EcoBlue in the Focus, C-Max, Transit Connect and Transit Courier

Period mentioned

2014–2023

Symptoms

Filter regenerations at excessive temperature, a damaged filter and particle emissions above the limit: the car can fail the emissions part of the roadworthiness test.

Possible cause described

Because of how the filter regenerates, particle emissions can rise over the years. Ford recalled several diesels (code 24E06): it recalibrates the regeneration, inspects the filter and replaces it if damaged. The German guide calls the filter the Achilles heel of modern Ford diesels.

Check for the garage

Ask Ford by VIN whether recall 24E06 is outstanding; check the filter and the regeneration history before the roadworthiness test.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall; before that, many owners paid for the filter themselves.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 TDCi (DV6)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2004–2018

Symptoms

Hissing from the engine, diesel smell in the cabin, very dark oil between changes and, eventually, a failing turbo with smoke and loss of power.

Possible cause described

The injectors’ copper washers stop sealing; the gases form carbon that gets into the oil and blocks the mesh filter in the turbo oil-feed pipe, starving the turbo. The wrong oil and switching off with the turbo very hot make it worse.

Check for the garage

Check the injector washers and the turbo oil-feed filter. If the turbo is replaced, also clean the sump, intercooler and feed pipe, or the new turbo can fail again. Use low-SAPS oil.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €1,200–2,500 for a turbo replacement with oil-circuit cleaningA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

PSA 2.0 HDi (DW10) and 2.2 HDi (DW12), including the 2.0/2.2 JTD in the Fiat Ulysse and Scudo and the Lancia Phedra

Period mentioned

1998–2015

Symptoms

Particulate filter warning and power loss; rough idle from a dirty EGR; vibration and knocks when starting or in low gears (dual-mass flywheel); smoke or hesitation from injectors at high mileage.

Possible cause described

The engine itself is very robust, but the ancillaries are not: the DPF with Eolys additive clogs in town use, the EGR and its cooler fill with soot, the variable-geometry turbo sticks and the dual-mass flywheel wears. The 136 hp versions have more problems than the 138 to 163 hp ones.

Check for the garage

Read the DPF status and additive level, check the EGR and cooler, check the dual-mass flywheel at start-up and measure injector balance rates.

Cost cited in the source

Forced DPF regeneration: €100–150; new DPF: €800–1,500; rebuilt injector: €200–250A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–180,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database