I heard that the focus is the most recalled car ever. I never owned one but I have heard nothing but bad things about them
Focus
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Maine
We have a 2000 LX sedan, 5-speed. It is a lot of fun to drive, and gets good mileage. However, reliability has been fair at best- in the last 70K the following have been replaced (not necessarily in this order): brake-light switch, clutch-starter interlock switch, trunk latch ***'bly, power steering pump, ignition switch, heater fan resistor. However, it has only stranded us 1.5 times- when the ignition switch stuck on off; and when the clutch-starter interlock switch went (I did get it started, but it took a while to find the problem.)
It does well in the snow, though, and is a comfortable highway cruiser that gets good mileage. I don't really know what they are worth, but $5,000 sounds a little high to me, given the reputation these cars have.
It does well in the snow, though, and is a comfortable highway cruiser that gets good mileage. I don't really know what they are worth, but $5,000 sounds a little high to me, given the reputation these cars have.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
From: central TX
I wouldn't. Quite a few friends have/had them (2 for sure were 00's). Lots of little problems like CEL's all the time, weird noises that never got diagnosed, electronics going out(stereo's, windshield wipers and more).
The bad thing is how many times they've left them stranded. Alternators, fuel pumps(common), ignition switches (almost guaranteed to fail, a couple of them more than once). My ex's (an OO') had all three of these and the last time it died all the dealers paperwork said was "throttle body". Maybe a TPS (they did replace something, but I've never heard of a TB going out), but the car stalled going thru a turn and wouldn't start (it's gone now).
They all also complained about the brakes(wearing out), though this could be a defective operator. Maybe this area just got a bunch of bad ones, but in my experience this is the most unreliable car of the last decade. They do have some good points, but it's hard to focus on them thru the problems.
Edit: I swear I didn't mean to make the pun in that last sentence
The bad thing is how many times they've left them stranded. Alternators, fuel pumps(common), ignition switches (almost guaranteed to fail, a couple of them more than once). My ex's (an OO') had all three of these and the last time it died all the dealers paperwork said was "throttle body". Maybe a TPS (they did replace something, but I've never heard of a TB going out), but the car stalled going thru a turn and wouldn't start (it's gone now).
They all also complained about the brakes(wearing out), though this could be a defective operator. Maybe this area just got a bunch of bad ones, but in my experience this is the most unreliable car of the last decade. They do have some good points, but it's hard to focus on them thru the problems.
Edit: I swear I didn't mean to make the pun in that last sentence
Last edited by tdister; Mar 12, 2005 at 03:10 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: South...
GEE!!! Everything I've read/heard about the Focus (until NOW) led me to believe it was the best, most reliable, economical vehicle in its class...glad you all posted this...I might have bought one as my next commuter when my Taurus gives up the ghost.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
$5000 is a lot of money for a five-year-old car that sold for $15,000 or so new, regardless of reputation. For a commuting car in the 99-01 range, get an Escort or Tracer (if you like Fords anyway). Not the nicest thing on wheels but reliable and pretty economical.
Last edited by mikebon08; Mar 12, 2005 at 11:16 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
The early Focuses (Foci?) were very toublesome and unreliable with lots of recalls. The newest ones have improved a lot and are supposed to be on par with the rest of its competition.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
I had a 2003 Focus for my company vehicle that I just got rid of this last week because we got new cars. We went to the Chevy Cobalt(not my decision) and over the last month, I couldn't wait to get the chevy and get rid of the focus, even though I would much rather drive a Ford any day over a Chevy. This thing was starting to fall apart and only had 74000 miles on it. The brakes were almost completely shot, The rotors were so bad that everytime you touched the brakes, the whole car would shake very badly. This thing pulled very hard to the right, even after having the front end alignment done and new tires. Had nothing but trouble with the tires as it kept eating them up because it pulled so hard.
I also had trouble with the truck latch as would lock, but the light inside would be on saying a door was open. Go out and pull the truck release from inside the truck and shut it and it would go away. Also the truck would not open with just the push of a button. You had to open it by pulling the truck up, while pushing the button, and locking it was just as hard.
I realize this car had all of those miles on it in just about 15-16 months, so I guess it is expected to have all those problems.
I also had trouble with the truck latch as would lock, but the light inside would be on saying a door was open. Go out and pull the truck release from inside the truck and shut it and it would go away. Also the truck would not open with just the push of a button. You had to open it by pulling the truck up, while pushing the button, and locking it was just as hard.
I realize this car had all of those miles on it in just about 15-16 months, so I guess it is expected to have all those problems.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
74,000 miles is 74,000 miles, whether it's in fifteen months or five years. Actually should hold up better since there isn't time for wiring to degrade, bushings and seals to dry out, etc. Of course it depends on how it was driven--highway, in town, etc. 74K miles in town will ruin just about anything, especially brakes.
We bought a 2005 Focus wagon in November. It's a comfortable car to drive, still getting used to it 'cause it's quite a bit different than the Escort and Tracer. A few things worry me--there's no mechanical latch to open the rear door from the outside, just a button (electrical), and I get the feeling that there's a lot of other stuff controlled by a computer or relay that I'd like to have some manual control over. But, that said, it's a pretty nice little car. I do wish Ford offered better than 3-yr/36k mile warranty, though--brother got (I think) 7-yr/70k warranty on a Chevy Aveo (used to be Geo Metro) and if Chevy will offer that on a $13k car, Ford sure ought to be able to match it on a $18k one. OTOH, the '99 Escort and '95 Tracer are both still alive and well, no major mechanical problems, just the stuff that comes up on cars with 70k and 100k miles.
We bought a 2005 Focus wagon in November. It's a comfortable car to drive, still getting used to it 'cause it's quite a bit different than the Escort and Tracer. A few things worry me--there's no mechanical latch to open the rear door from the outside, just a button (electrical), and I get the feeling that there's a lot of other stuff controlled by a computer or relay that I'd like to have some manual control over. But, that said, it's a pretty nice little car. I do wish Ford offered better than 3-yr/36k mile warranty, though--brother got (I think) 7-yr/70k warranty on a Chevy Aveo (used to be Geo Metro) and if Chevy will offer that on a $13k car, Ford sure ought to be able to match it on a $18k one. OTOH, the '99 Escort and '95 Tracer are both still alive and well, no major mechanical problems, just the stuff that comes up on cars with 70k and 100k miles.
Last edited by mikebon08; Mar 13, 2005 at 09:47 AM.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
My mom has a 2000 SE Sedan. It's had its share of problems (brakes and fuel pump), but we bought it with a 100,000 mile warranty. One of my friends has a 2001 sedan, and has had very little problems with it. I'd stay away from the 00's if I were you, and go with an 01 or 02.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
