KNOWN FAULTS · Ford

Known faults for the Ford Focus (IV).

2018–2025 · Petrol / Hybrid / Diesel

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

5 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.0 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV (Hybrid) · 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 2.3 EcoBoost ST (Petrol) · 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Electronics, driver aids and campaigns on the Focus IVElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Ford Focus IV (petrol, mHEV, ST and diesel)
Period mentioned: 2018 onwards
Symptoms: Traffic-sign recognition showing wrong limits, parking sensors, Sync 3, stop-start, auto hold and flat batteries; windscreen trims that come loose and the panoramic-roof seal.
Possible cause described: The guide rates the engines as reliable. Recalls: rear-lock spring (child lock), a brake-pedal bolt that could break, an automatic-gearbox stud rubbing the wiring (21/3/2018–7/3/2019) and the 2.0 diesel automatic wiring (31/7/2019–4/3/2020), both with possible engine stalling.
Check for the garage: Check the campaigns by VIN (especially the brake pedal); ask for software updates.
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: 1.0 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV (Hybrid)

Applies if: Same engine as the models NHTSA is investigating (Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport); have the belt checked at the garage.

Applies if: Same three-cylinder 1.0 EcoBoost with an oil-bathed belt, here with a 48 V mild-hybrid system.

1.0 EcoBoost wet belt: blocked oil pumpEngine

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.

Engines: 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol)

Applies if: Same three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost as the US Escape; the recalls cited are US ones: ask Ford by VIN.

Cracked injectors on the three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost: petrol leakFuel system

Engine / equipment: Three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost (in the US, 2020–2022 Escape and 2021–2023 Bronco Sport; in Europe, the same engine as the Kuga III and Focus IV)
Period mentioned: 2020–2023
Symptoms: A petrol smell in the engine bay or under the car, engine warning light and, in the worst case, fire under the bonnet.
Possible cause described: The fuel injectors can crack and let petrol out onto hot parts. Ford recalled cars in the US in November 2022, March 2024 and again in 2025: the fix is software that detects the damaged injector and reduces power; Ford says the underlying condition may still exist.
Check for the garage: With a petrol smell, do not start it and take it to the garage; ask Ford by VIN whether your car has the update or an equivalent campaign.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)

Applies if: Only the 1.5 diesel built up to 19/1/2023.

Ford diesel particulate filter: regeneration and emissionsExhaust and emissions

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.

Engines: 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)

Applies if: Only the 2.0 EcoBlue (oil-immersed belt); confirm the interval for your version at the garage.

Oil-immersed timing belt on the 2.0 EcoBlueTiming system

Engine / equipment: 2.0 EcoBlue diesel: Transit, Transit Custom, Ranger, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Kuga and Focus
Period mentioned: 2016 onwards
Symptoms: Often with no prior warning: belt debris in the oil, an oil-pressure warning or a broken belt with serious engine damage.
Possible cause described: Diesel from unfinished particulate-filter regenerations gets into the oil and degrades the belt, which runs in it; in extreme cases material comes off and blocks the oil-pump strainer. Ford cut the belt, tensioner and idler change from 10 years or 240,000 km to 6 years or 160,000 km on the Transit and Transit Custom.
Check for the garage: Follow the new 6-year or 160,000 km interval, check the belt condition and whether the oil level rises (diesel dilution); avoid trips that cut regenerations short.
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.