1999 Ford Focus Reviews - Page 9 of 15

The car had a lot of problems with the electricals (eg. power windows, sensor lamps going on and off) etc. The authorized service dealer, kept telling me that it is the manufacturer's job to fix it, and he could do nothing about it.

In general, I am really surprised, how people buy these vehicles...

The spring to the driver side window wiper blew off at 3500 miles.

Shortly after the gas tank cover broke off.

Before 10,000 miles I had already replaced the back brake pads and rotors.

At 25,000 miles I noticed the lining around the windows and head lights were badly worn and needed to be replaced.

Before 30,000 miles the center dome light went out.

The driver side parking light went out.

At 40,000 miles the ignition switch went out.

I began to experience sever shaking of the entire car when applying the brakes.

Now at 60,000 miles I have replaced the battery.

The starter went out.

I cannot operate the door locking control from the driver side. Each door must be manually locked and unlocked.

The air conditioner is blowing out warm air.

The latch to my trunk works when it wants to.

I sometimes cannot get the trunk to close at all.

The right headlight is much brighter then the left headlight.

The seats are extremely uncomfortable.

The small cabin makes it very hard to see the blind spot when attempting to make lane changes.

The back seat of the car is too small for a regular sized person.

You cannot comfortably fit an infant rear facing car seat in the middle.

This car is unreliable.

I would not recommend this car to anyone.

Factory recall - wiring fault (fixed under warranty).

Cruise control switched on by itself (ie. without help from driver) which was made scarier by the fact the car wasn't fitted with a cruise control! Fault traced to misbehaving engine control unit - wrong software installed! Software changed all under warranty.

Recirculation control on in-car heater failed. Replaced under warranty.

Dealer service (David Harrison in Peebles, Scotland) was perfect. Especially when compared with my Volkswagen dealership experience.

Service costs were much lower than VW.

Although the two litre engine wasn't the most exciting, it was perfectly adequate.

It wasn't a particularly thirsty car either, returning 40 miles per gallon during warm months and 35 miles per gallon in cold months.

The car has many hidden features: when the front fog lights are switched on the headlight aim is changed to shine lower on the road.

Tailgate has started to rust just under the rear screen.

Cabin is excessively noisy, this has been evident since new, it's transmitted from the road.

Head-lamps poor on low beam.

The best cruising motorway car I have owned and very economical for a 2 litre, averages around 35mpg.

The handling is second to none and with the standard ABS and Traction Control there probably isn't another car as sure footed on the road for the price.

The cabin space is roomy and spacious carries five with ease and there's a good size boot as well, ample load area with rear seats down.

Power steering weighted just right.

Excellent all round visibility.

With the adjustable steering column, getting the right driving position is simple.

Brakes are a delight with plenty of feel through the pedal.

Very little body roll.

First class air-conditioning and heating.

A very good looking car that does not look dated.