Faults:

Trims started coming off.

Rust on seat rails.

Seats began tearing.

Third brake developed a crack.

Transmission squeaking.

Brakes squeaking, gone after 5,000 Ks.

Several major recalls.

Transmission died.

General Comments:

Ford dealerships refuse to deal with the major problems, gave us the run-around till the warranty expired. The car needed new brakes which were not under warranty. Transmission is gone on it, not covered under warranty.

Spends more time in the service bay than us driving it.

Overall, piece of scrap metal.

Will never buy another Ford again.

Complete Nightmare!

Faults:

The Focus has had 6-8 recalls. Most worrisome is the awful grinding noise which seems to come from the right front of the car. Three dealer visits and no fix of problem. Brake pads and rotors changed as well as wheel bearings to no avail. Dealer now doesn't hear noise!!!. Fuel pump failed as well and suspension parts which have loosened up so much the car feels like an amusement park ride - at only 30,000 miles - very disappointing.

General Comments:

Despite all the problems, the Focus has a huge aftermarket following. If you speak with some of the focus specialists they can be very helpful in trouble shooting and getting your Focus to drive and perform better than one could imagine. For the average person looking for transportation I would have to discourage the purchase of a focus. For an enthusiast who can pick one up cheap - it could be a fun car to modify and correct some of its flaws.

Faults:

The transmission started slipping at 28 thousand miles. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer several times and it was always the same story. They found nothing wrong and if it did it again bring it back. The vehicle has around 55 thousand miles and it still occasionally slips to this day.

Also on long hot trips the engine loses power and has to be shut off for at least a half hour. After letting it set for the half hour it starts right up and goes like nothing was ever wrong. It has left my family literally on the side of the highway till it cools off. The dealer looked it over after it happened. Again they said they could find nothing wrong. A few thousand miles later the warranty ran out.

The radio buttons pop off for no reason other than poor workmanship. Rewind the tape and when it stops it time to look for the button.

General Comments:

This car has really let me down and I will never buy another Ford product again.

The car has since lost value and trading it in is going to be a whole other story.

Faults:

There were 3 recalls, which the dealer made as pleasant as possible.

What started as a leaking power-steering hose ended up requiring a whole new pump.

Most recently, replacement of the entire steering column was required when the ignition key would not turn in the lock.

General Comments:

I am 65 years old and had sworn never to buy another new car, but I drove a Focus ZX3 and fell in love with it.

The design of the interior and the high seating position make it easier to get in & out of when your old joints don't bend the way they used to.

It is possibly the ugliest car I have ever owned, but the performance and handling are first rate.

I love the car, but I am beginning to believe that Consumer Reports is right about reliability.

The two major repairs covered under warranty would have probably cost $1000 and, with my warranty expiring in 2 months, I worry about future expenses.