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Before you buy a used Ford Focus (IV).

2018–2025 · Petrol / Hybrid / Diesel · 5 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Ford Focus (IV), real photo of this generation
M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.

  • Electronics, driver aids and campaigns on the Focus IVElectrical and electronic systems
    Period mentioned
    2018 onwards
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

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

1.0 EcoBoost · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV

1.0 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV (Hybrid)

  • 1.0 EcoBoost wet belt: blocked oil pumpEngine
    Period mentioned
    Approx. 2014–2021
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    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.

1.5 EcoBoost

Petrol

2.3 EcoBoost ST

Petrol

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

Diesel

  • Ford diesel particulate filter: regeneration and emissionsExhaust and emissions
    Period mentioned
    2014–2023
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

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

  • Oil-immersed timing belt on the 2.0 EcoBlueTiming system
    Period mentioned
    2016 onwards
    Mileage mentioned
    What the sheet says: 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.

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

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford Focus (IV)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.0 EcoBoostPetrol22 with conditions7
1.0 EcoBoost mHEVHybrid22 with conditions7
1.5 EcoBoostPetrol22 with conditions7
2.3 EcoBoost STPetrolFewest documented11 with conditions7
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueDiesel33 with conditions7

According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.3 EcoBoost ST (Petrol).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Hybrid.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Ford dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Ford airbag and seat-belt recalls (2001–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford brake recalls (2001–2026)Brakes

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford steering recalls (2003–2026)Steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2001–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford engine, transmission and software recalls (2000–2026)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2002–2026)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford body, seat and fitting recalls (2001–2026)Bodywork

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 5 checked

Electrical and electronic systems

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN (especially the brake pedal); ask for software updates.

Engine

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Fuel system

  • Look out for: A petrol smell in the engine bay or under the car, engine warning light and, in the worst case, fire under the bonnet.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Exhaust and emissions

  • Look out for: 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.

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

Timing system

  • Look out for: Often with no prior warning: belt debris in the oil, an oil-pressure warning or a broken belt with serious engine damage.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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