Ford Focus gearbox and power steering issues

ad astra

Hi all,

I am currently in the market for a used car and was more or less settled on a focus hatch 5dr - plenty floating around, good rep, relatively affordable, and reliable etc. I was on the verge of buying, and as usual, just before sealing the deal, i ran my choice by a mechanic, who is a family friend, and who has always provided useful and reliable advice. I was shocked when he indicated that he personally has encountered numerous issues with the gearbox and power steering, and advised me to steer clear.

This totally flies in the face of all other advice/discussion i've heard about the new model focus - ford focus owners and others in the industry have described it as bulletproof! I'm wondering whether my mechanic's experience is isolated. Has anyone else here heard of or experienced these sorts of issues with the focus?

guil

i have a 05 saloon and had to have a power steerin pipe replaced on it
no trouble with the gearbox thank god

EPM

my dads an 06 focus. Recently had an altenator replaced and also a power steering pump. Ford covered pump under pressure from the supplying non-ford dealer. Otherwise been a top car. I had an 04 that was a nightmare with electrical faults but i really do think it was a monday morning car as all my friends that have them they are great. Only problem was a problem with an early one getting reverse gear. Personally i think they are probably the best option in the class

bazz26

I have a 05 TDCi for 2 years now and have only had 1 issue with it in that time and that was with the boot lock which cost €60 to replace.

Incidently what did your mechanic recommend instead?

ad astra

Anything japanese, specifically Honda, Nissan, Mazda or Toyota. I have no issue with any of these, its just that in any previous conversations/comparison the focus has always won out hands down.

Plus i think (although feel free to correct me) with the focus you get more bells and whistles for your money - specifically i was looking at the 05 focus first edition has pretty good spec at reasonable money at the moment.

bazz26

Well I am a big fan of Jap cars and I've had plenty of them but I would put the Focus up there among them with regards reliability. They are also very nice to drive.

P.S. If you want true value go for the Ghia model, they cost very little over a Zetec these days second hand and are better equipped than most cars from a class above. Just avoid the 1.4 litre though, they are dog slow, the 1.6 litre petrol or diesel are the pick of the bunch.

The Pontiac

Have a 00 1.6 focus hatchback with 112k miles on the clock. Have it for the last three years and had no problems at all. Great cars to drive and mine feels as tight as new, not a rattle to be heard. I know at least another five people with focus's and they had little or no trouble with em. I'd get a different opinion from another mechanic and would be very surprised if he gave you the same advice. Not a fan of Japanese cars at all, very reliable but very boring.

ad astra

The mechanic who advised me had only good things to say about the old focus i.e. pre-2005 models. So this stacks with with what your 00 focus experience.

He said that the issues that he had encountered were only on the new model - 2005 +

The Pontiac

bazz26 wrote: »

.
P.S. If you want true value go for the Ghia model, they cost very little over a Zetec these days second hand and are better equipped than most cars from a class above. Just avoid the 1.4 litre though, they are dog slow, the 1.6 litre petrol or diesel are the pick of the bunch.

Definitely agree but it can be very hard to find the older shape hatchback in 1.6 Ghia spec. Saloon 1.6 Ghia's are everywhere but most hatch's seem to have the 1.4 engine(which is gutless). I was lucky to find a 1.6 Ghia hatckback, but had to tavel a bit.

bazz26

zudo wrote: »

Definitely agree but it can be very hard to find the older shape hatchback in 1.6 Ghia spec. Saloon 1.6 Ghia's are everywhere but most hatch's seem to have the 1.4 engine(which is gutless). I was lucky to find a 1.6 Ghia hatckback, but had to tavel a bit.

However the OP is looking at the newer MkII Focus which there are alot more Ghia hatchbacks around than the MkI.

Examples:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1251563
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1238209
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1349198

The Pontiac

ad astra wrote: »

The mechanic who advised me had only good things to say about the old focus i.e. pre-2005 models. So this stacks with with what your 00 focus experience.

He said that the issues that he had encountered were only on the new model - 2005 +

Heard the newer model was'nt as reliable as the old model. Old model only goes up to 04 and a few 05's. Old model also better to drive(look a car reviews on www.parkers.co.uk) cheaper, more reliable and better looking(IMO). But if your after a newer car then I can't advice you, sorry

EPM

zudo wrote: »

Definitely agree but it can be very hard to find the older shape hatchback in 1.6 Ghia spec. Saloon 1.6 Ghia's are everywhere but most hatch's seem to have the 1.4 engine(which is gutless). I was lucky to find a 1.6 Ghia hatckback, but had to tavel a bit.

Plus the Ghia has a more powerful and economical 1.6 litre petrol engine compared to the LX or the Zetec

lifer_sean

There was a problem with a batch of Focus gearboxes in cars around 01. Something to do with a bolt on a selector not being tightened to the correct torque and coming loose. Never heard of a power steering problem on them, other than the fact that the pumps can weep a very small amount of fluid from the seal (no need to fix).

Known problems on the Mk 1 Focus:
- rear wheel bearings
- electric window motor, driver's door
- central locking motor. driver's door
- worn keys (as with all Fords of that age)
- thermostat housing seal / water hose flange warping
- coil failure (and related damage to cat if not fixed in time)
None of these are that serious, coil failure being the most common. Overall a very reliable car.

Your mechanic mentions Toyota and Nissan. I have great respect for both brands, but you are far far more likely to have to replace a gearbox in a Nissan or a Toyota than in a Focus.

mumblin deaf ro

I drive a 2006 1.6 Diesel - have only had it since Sept, only problem was the handbrake lever - it wasn't engaging properly but was replaced under warranty and no problems since. Focus has drum brakes at the rear and I'm not sure but I think they work for the handbrake too, so maybe that explains the disconcerting lurch when you take your foot off the brake when parking on a slope.

The Pontiac

lifer_sean wrote: »

There was a problem with a batch of Focus gearboxes in cars around 01. Something to do with a bolt on a selector not being tightened to the correct torque and coming loose. Never heard of a power steering problem on them, other than the fact that the pumps can weep a very small amount of fluid from the seal (no need to fix).

Known problems on the Mk 1 Focus:
- rear wheel bearings
- electric window motor, driver's door
- central locking motor. driver's door
- worn keys (as with all Fords of that age)
- thermostat housing seal / water hose flange warping
- coil failure (and related damage to cat if not fixed in time)
None of these are that serious, coil failure being the most common. Overall a very reliable car.

Your mechanic mentions Toyota and Nissan. I have great respect for both brands, but you are far far more likely to have to replace a gearbox in a Nissan or a Toyota than in a Focus.

Lifer_Sean, whats your opinion on the MK 2 Focus(05 on)? Think OP is more interested in this model. OP's mechanic mentioned they suffer from power steering and gearbox problems, is this true and are they less reliable than old model?

the magician

I drive a Mk2 Focus zetec 2005.Have it 2 years. It's a very good car better to drive than the old model(which I had before and really liked), better built and comfier.
The only problem I have had with mine is a faulty power steering pipe( should have been done when the car was in warranty but mine got missed). cost €120 to replace(parts only). reliability is very good.
Should get a nice 2005 hatch with all the extras for a very good price now.

maidhc

lifer_sean wrote: »

There was a problem with a batch of Focus gearboxes in cars around 01. Something to do with a bolt on a selector not being tightened to the correct torque and coming loose. Never heard of a power steering problem on them, other than the fact that the pumps can weep a very small amount of fluid from the seal (no need to fix).

Known problems on the Mk 1 Focus:
- rear wheel bearings
- electric window motor, driver's door
- central locking motor. driver's door
- worn keys (as with all Fords of that age)
- thermostat housing seal / water hose flange warping
- coil failure (and related damage to cat if not fixed in time)
None of these are that serious, coil failure being the most common. Overall a very reliable car.

Your mechanic mentions Toyota and Nissan. I have great respect for both brands, but you are far far more likely to have to replace a gearbox in a Nissan or a Toyota than in a Focus.

I have an 2003, apart from the inevitable DMF which had to be done at 97k miles, only other problem has been a wheelbearing. Obviously the DMF is not an issue on the petrol.

Gearbox problems are very very common on toyotas!

ad astra

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input - it gives me a better idea of the prevailing view and experience out there and its definitely making me think twice about a 1.4, which is really something that wasn't even on the table until now.

sk8board

If you can afford it, go for the Zetec connection spec; I think it was only available on '07s onwards; beats the Ghia hands down. Personally I always thought the alloys on the ghia, and the fact it has the white head-light casing makes it look like an LX. The Zetec connection has 17" alloys and sleek black headlight surrounds.
As someone who bought one, I couldn't see the justification for the extra money for the ghia for the sony stereo, a coolbox between the seats and a sunglasses holder over your head. I have the brochure here on the book shelf 2.5 years on, and thats what it says is the diff between the Ghia and Zetec.
Search here for discussion on the Connection pack extras, but the best integrated bluetooth I've ever used and keless entry/Go are the 2 main ones. The Connection offer at the time was €3.5k of extra's for €500.
I know someone above said the Ghia had the 1.6 duratec engine as standard, but not according to my brochure, it was 1.6k extra across the range. Our 1.6 has 100hp, v 115 in the turatec, but I've never seen one on the road so I'd say not many people went for the option.

Over 2 years on and we've not had a days trouble. Also got extended 4-year warranty including 4 annual services.

EDIT: carzone has 17 '07 focus 1.6's with the connection pack, from 12-17k.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/results?nParam=102455+102550+4294911142&cacheBuster=123741765443037#nParam=200396+200439+102455+102550+4294911142&sortby=Make|0&keywords=connection

mariadel138

i have a 2008 ford focus 1.6 zetec, bought from a main ford dealer .Last Thursday on my way to work the car locked me out of 3,4,5 and reverse gears.
i brought the car back to where i bought it and they tell me that something is stuck in the gearbox?????
they then told me that it is 36 days out of warrentee but that the main ford people will only cover 50% of the cost????

is this common practice ??
is 50% liable not admitting a manufacture fault??

any help or advise would be great full

maria:D