Is Ford Focus Reliable?

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Geoff Cudd

Geoff Cudd

I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.

I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.

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Ford Focus started with an impressive reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 27th out of 36 compact cars. This is before dropping low to the 72nd position out of 75 vehicles reviewed for reliability, a significant setback for the Ford Company. But is Ford Focus reliable?

Ford Focus is a reasonably reliable car dangling on reliability charts across different years. Ford Focus 2012 and 2014 ranked 13^th and 14^th in the 20 worst cars to drive. This was too low for an economical and budget-friendly vehicle.

However, there have been some improvements in newer Ford Focus models for years. JD Power gives the 2018 Ford Focus a Reliability score of 76/100; this is an impressive score against the 2012 model, which has a low score of 58/100.

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates Ford Focus as a good car with improved crash and safety ratings. You can rely on the Ford Focus for decent gas mileage, low maintenance cost, and an impressive design.

Let’s explore Ford Focus’s reliability ratings and how it dropped its reliability standards.

Is Ford Focus Reliable?

Ford is a reasonably reliable car. Not as good as you may expect, Ford Focus is not one of the favorite cars that we will recommend for reliability.

Although Ford Focus ranked as the 4th best-selling car in Britain in 2020, the reliability of the Ford Focus doesn’t match its fame.

Ford Focus holds an overall reliability rating of 40. This is below the score 50 average reliability rating.

We can confirm that the drop in Ford Focus reliability rating is because of the ongoing power shift transmission problems and the numerous problems synonymous with different production years.

In 2018, Ford Focus strengthened its stronghold by holding 33rd place out of 75 car models. This took a drastic turn, dropping to the 79th position out of 100. Ford Focus dropped further in 2021, to the 72nd position out of 75 cars.

With the series of backlashes trailing the Focus brand, you should note that it has received a lot of impressive safety ratings. From IIHS to the Euro NCAP, Ford Focus is considered one of the best cars with good safety features.

You shouldn’t expect a wild burst of power from Ford Focus. Ford Focus features 1.0L, 1.5L, 1.6L, 2.0L, and 2.3L, Ecoboost I3, I4, Duratec TDCi, and TI-VCT I4 engines delivering horsepower between the ranges of 123 – 179hp.

Ford took a significant leap with the Ford Focus RS by equipping it with a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 HP and 350 lb-ft torque.  Unfortunately, Ford stopped making Focus RS in 2019.

Ford Focus won’t give you the taste of a fast car, but you will surely enjoy a fun ride. With a Ford Focus, you are sure of fewer visits to the repairman, quiet passages, better handling, and cheaper maintenance and repair cost.

Ford Focus Reliability and Common Problems

Here are four significant areas of reliability of Ford Focus:

1. Fuel Economy

Ford Focus boasts of efficient powertrains. This makes fuel economy one of the most reliable benefits of Ford’s Focus. Ford Focus operates with three major types of engines across different years: the 1.0L Ecoboost engine, 2.0L EcoBoost, and 2.3L EcoBoost engine.

• The Ford Focus 1.0L Ecoboost engine has an estimated fuel efficiency of 30/40 MPG for city and highway rides.
• The Ford Focus 2.0L Ecoboost has an estimated fuel efficiency of 22/30 for city and highway rides.
• The Ford Focus 2.3L Ecoboost delivers estimated fuel efficiency of 19/26 highway MPG.
• We observed that the Ford Focus SE and 2018 models have a fuel efficiency boost of 25/34 city/highway rides.

2. Safety

You can always rely on Ford Focus's safety features. The Focus brand has won an impressive five-star rating from Euro NCAP and a “good car” rating from IIHS, all on safety and driver’s protection.

The Ford Focus car is fitted with excellent safety features and technology.

Some of the safety features of the Ford Focus include:

• Evasive steering assist
• Autonomous emergency braking system
• Co-Pilot 360 – Traffic Sign Recognition, adaptive cruise control
• First head-up display
• Radars and ultrasonic sensors
• An improved airbag technology – dual-stage, front-seat side-impact, driver’s knee airbag. This includes the safety canopy side-curtain airbag.

Ford announces that the Focus brand is built to withstand at least 40% extra load in the event of a front impact.

This gives the car an impressive 85% adult protection and 87% child-occupant safety. All indications prove that Ford’s Focus is one of the safest Ford cars.

3. Comfort

Ford Focus boasts of one of the most comfortable, impressive designs and high-quality interiors that Ford has ever released. Ford Focus is “fun-to-drive,” but this doesn’t come at the expense of driver’s safety.

Ford Focus features bolstered seats, accommodating seats, spacious room to stretch your legs, comfy fittings, and a 13.2 cu-ft cargo area that gives enough space to stash in your luggage. The cargo area space will differ for different years and models.

4. Handling and Steering

Most Ford Focus years feature electric power steering. This enhances the responses.

These cars have an adaptive suspension that makes it fun to drive through bumps. Ford Focus introduces a ride technology that allows drivers to switch through comfort, track, and sport modes.

Ford Focus has technological support designed to make it easy to keep the car in the center lanes. The steering gives a great feel that makes twisting and rotation easier.

Ten Common Problems of Ford Focus

• Transmission issues
• Engine misfiring, cut-outs, and failure
• Airbag defects
• Fuel and water leaks
• Brake defect
• Overheating
• Ignition key issues
• Alternator
• Door latch defects
• Power steering failure

Final Verdict

Ford Focus is a popular model. It is one of the cheapest compact cars on the market. Although Ford discontinued the production of the Focus due to “high demand” and the inability to meet the needs of users, we are more concerned about the numerous problems that the Focus comes with.

You must note that a lower reliability rating doesn’t mean the vehicle is terrible. Ford Focus can serve you differently, but not as much as you expect on reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which years are the worst to buy a Focus?

We’ve gathered reports on some Ford Focus model years that you should not buy. This is because of the numerous problems with the car. You should avoid purchasing the Focus model for 2000 – 2003 and 2012 – 2016. 2012/2014 is the worst Focus year.

Which Ford Focus engine is the best?

The Ford Focus RS engine is the best. This is the 2.3L EcoBoost engine, which can live up to 200,000 miles. With fewer repairs, just essential maintenance, you can always rely on the Focus 2.3L Ecoboost engine. The 2.3L EcoBoost engine delivers a 310hp and 350lb-ft torque.

Is Ford Focus expensive to maintain?

Ford Focus is not expensive to maintain. The average yearly repair and maintenance cost for Ford Focus is $569. This is cheaper than the average $652 for compact cars.

Do all Ford Focus have transmission problems?

Transmission problems are one of the most common problems with all Ford Focus cars. Although there are significant improvements on the 2018 Ford Focus model, there are fewer chances that you will have to battle with transmission problems.

Which Ford Focus is most reliable?

The 2018 Ford Focus is the most reliable of all models. You have fewer problems to deal with, and there are no common transmission issues on the 2018 Ford Focus. The 2018 Ford Focus also features one of the best Focus engines; the 2.3L Ecoboost engine.