Ford Focus hatchback (2011-2014) review | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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My car was great to drive when I first bought it second hand few years ago. Then it was one thing after another. For ages my car went into limp-home mode and the fault was traced to the high pressure fuel pump. The car was just out of warranty. Because of the work over the top of my engine a coolant pipe and the tank split. Both been replaced and the pipe was modified. Since then it has had two recalls both software messages for low coolant and slipping clutch. It has had the clutch replaced under warranty. Still to this day it's losing quite a bit of engine coolant. I can't wait to get rid.

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I bought this Mk2 as the new model just introduced. It had done only 4K miles. Though the new Mk3 was similar in price, from reviews the handling and steering was much better. Although it's not going to break any land-speed records with the mileage it just gets better. I replaced the air filter with a K&N one early in it's life. I recently cleaned this filter and used a genuine Ford replacement whilst it was out. It definitely give better torque, especially at higher 5th gear motorway speeds. Best mpg I have got on a long journey is 72, but driving extremely carefully. It is easy to get greater than 60 by driving sedately, but if you drive enthusiastically it drops to 54mpg. Around town I typically get very late 40's to 50.5. The gearbox is good. I would love greater torque and have thought about getting it chipped. The boot slightly on small side and for someone tall like me need an extra inch when sitting in back seat. I've had two problems, one being a partially blocked fuel filter which manifested itself when 'pressing on'. £160 touch for labour plus part. I had a key barrel fault but this was again about £160 to replace, keeping the original keys. It's difficult to know what I'll replace it with, but probably a later Focus, as the newer variant seems to have better steering and handling than it's none Aston older brother. Sorry some have had problems. Servicing by Ford has been good and Ford Assist has allowed a free hire car whilst mine was off the road for a couple of days.

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I'm glad I choose the Focus over its main rivals. I was left feeling a little nervous about the quality and reliability after reading a few negative reviews from owners - admittedly I did dive straight to the negative ones first. I worried for nothing, the Focus is without a doubt the best and most reliable car I have ever owned, having now covered 95,000 miles, I have absolutely no major electrical or mechanical issues to report, It's almost like a new car. I would be lying if I said it was perfect however, I have a couple of small issues; the rear heat shield bolts have corroded causing an annoying rattle at high speeds - something likely to happen to most cars at some point. The blue oval on the boot has peeled off - Ford set up a replacement program but this is no longer available (previous owner didn't get it sorted). The paint around the number plate on the boot has chipped off at the corners exposing the bear metal - I have seen a few examples with chips in the exact same place, they are very small but it does make me question the standard of the paint finish. I am being picky and these are all very minor problems that could be easily put right. Overall the I am extremely satisfied with my purchase, It is comfortable, refined, economical enough and an unexpected bonus is the performance, it's perhaps childish but it can provide enough power and torque to get away from those unsavoury individuals in their German saloons who think they're car is the best on the road - great fun.

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Ford Focus 1.6 diesel is a nice car to drive with good handling and performance. The car is used for mainly short local journeys hence average 47 mph but I have managed almost 60mpg on long runs (260miles). Car has been very comfortable though has some irritating plastic rattles pretty much suffered since the day it was purchased. Biggest dissapointment has been the recent failure of 2 x fuel injectors at 40,100 miles with car taken to garage in limp mode. A bill of over £550 to identify and repair the faults now back on the road though with regular servicing I could not get a reason for the failure of the injectors. I am generally happy with handling, boot space and comfort levels in the car but left a little concerned that injectors you expect to last around 200,000 fail at such a low mileage. Perhaps unlucky with this failure as I do not see an obvious trend of such failures. Overall the car has been comfortable and nice to drive but dissapointed and surprised with this particular fault at such a low mileage.

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For the price I am very happy with this car. It is a very smooth ride but also has that but of power when needed from the turbo. I mainly drive to and from work and haven't done many long trips in it. It is perfect for the daily commute. Main negative is urban MPG is a lot lower than claimed even though I haven't driven it hard. Overall I am very happy with this car.

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On the face of it, this was a very good car. The seats were comfortable, nice smooth ride. Very good stereo. The facia looked complicated at first but was easy to use. But it was a pig to drive, stalling at lights, very stressful. The engine was completely gutless at low speeds in 2nd gear, taking ages to pull away, even with the foot hard down, could be dangerous turning right in front of traffic. The agent said it was because it only had three cylinders, so that's all right then! Is it something to do with turbo lag, I don't know, but I've had a number of new cars and they all responded to the accelerator, not this one! Again in second gear it was very thrummy in low frequency, annoying but great if you want a sports car sound - I don't. Headache making. In summation, could be a fine car ruined by this poxy little asthmatic engine. I no longer own it. End of.

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I bought this car, Focus Titanium 125 Mk3, 1L ecoboost expecting good mpg but the best that can be achieved is about 35. There's about 9k5 on the clock and a lot of owners say it gets better with time, not mine sadly. Wouldn't mind if I drove the car as I like but drive it with a light right foot to try to improve the mpg. Had an 1.6 Astra, drove like bat out of hell and still got 35mpg, would improve if right foot was a bit lighter. Have spoken to dealer a couple of time who said 35 was pretty average and probably might not be bettered. Apart from this the car is cracking to drive with lots of goodies including sat nav park and hill assist, sync works well. Car is very comfortable for 4 adults and the boot is ample in size. This car would only come with a recommendation so long as mpg was not a priority.

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no major problems. starts fine

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?

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Seems to be ok, got me through the winters in the cold, snow and ice

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Never let me down

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It's only broken once due to me & the clutch

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ford have done a nice job happy so far

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I love it. it is the nicest car that I have ever had. All my cars have been Ford's

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Starts first time,never let me down

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Never had any issues with it...touch wood!

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car sometimes cuts out when cold

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It hasn't failed me yet.

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New car no problems to date

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No problems experienced. Fairly cheap for parts

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Cuts out when starting

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always starts first time, never broken down

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only had it 2 months - seems to be ok so far (touch wood)

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Cannot complain!

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Had no issues with the car

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Was very good for first three years but starting to have a few more problems

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No problems apart from wear and tear.

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I think that the focus is one of the most reliable cars I have driven it starts first time every time,I have had only one major problem with this car since I've had it in two years which was the steering pump fail but since then its served me brilliantly

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Not a problem for first 3 years but starting to have some problems

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great

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I have only had on eproblem which was covered under warranty

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over 200,000 miles never let me down, start first tuch every time performs very well

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Broken down once, serious faults exist.

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Old and high mileage, but it keeps on going.

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has not missed a beat

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not had any problems with it yet!

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no issues

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There is currently a problem with the idle control valve

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its been ok since i have own the car vary pleased

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Automatic & has not let me down

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Quite reliable but doesnt drive well in winter weather!!

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Only owned for 4 months

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Alternator changed no other problems.

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In the four years I have owned the car the only parts that have needed replacing (other than tires) were the off side hub carrier and the fuel pump.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Not had any problems so far

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Yes Green thumbs up

Ford Focus hatchback (2011-2014) review: owner reviews

"The Focus is great to drive, full of technology and very refined, but a small boot means it’s not the most practical five-door around."

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