Comments: 1-15, 16-18
Rattle in clutch at 6,000 miles, ended up replacing ENTIRE transmission.
Sunroof motor broke at 24,500 miles.
This car is unbelievable fun to drive. Feels like a go cart out on the road.
Handling is awesome, can easily keep up with mustangs.
Seats are racing style, take some getting used to and probably will not be appreciated by most. Awesome sound system.
Unfortunately, Ford has some serious issues with this model. Can't beat the amount of car for the money, unless you start adding up the expenses accrued while your SVT was in the shop. I have
owned the car for 20 months and it has
been in a shop for approx. 3 months of
its life.
I'm still trying to understand the source of your outrage. You bought this car with 123 miles, year-end model apparently, but essentially new. The clutch went out at 6,000 miles (surely it was fixed under warranty), but since then you have put another 19,000 miles on it, averaging 15,000 miles per year. That is pretty good driving. Your comments are all positive regarding the handling and ride. Granted, the motor for the sunroof is an annoyance, but really, that doesn't add up to: "Will never buy a Ford again and will try to convince others to do the same". If that's all that has happened, I'm afraid that your case is not being made.
Ford had a Trouble-shooting Bulletin (TSB) regarding clutch problems with the SVT and they replaced flywheel, pressure plate & disc at no charge. Possibly, the dealer decided to replace the transmission just to ensure your satisfaction. A defunct sunroof motor can happen to any car. I assume your dissatisfaction relates to how long you were without the car, waiting for service, and that could be the dealer's fault.
I love my 2003 SVT it has been trouble-free and a delight to drive.
Sorry, but if a car under warranty is in the shop for three months it means Ford APPROVED of the repairs, not that the dealer was "slow".
Having a car in the shop for three months out of 20 months of ownership was unacceptable in the 1980's, and is certainly unacceptable today regardless of the brand. And you KNOW that Ford didn't offer a free rental car.
The Focus is a deeply flawed car that suckers people in with its low price. I know, I've had to suffer by listening to my friend complaining about his 20 recalls and 10 times to the shop in TWO years.
Wow! I'm glad I found this site. I've been looking at Subarus and Mazdas and just today began considering a Ford Focus. I am grateful for the feedback, and as a result will STOP looking at Fords. Thanks for the input.
To the comment above, I would go with Subaru as Mazda is also made by FORD.
True, and the European Focus and the Mazda 3 (and the Volvo S/V 40) are all built on the same platform.
But for some reason the Mazda3 has outstanding reliability according to both posters here and independent surveys like Consumer Reports.
Both choices are great, and the Mazda will return better gas mileage because it is FWD not AWD.
You guys in the US get a very bad deal with the Focus.
It is known here in Europe as one of the most reliable cars money can buy. The German ADAC voted it outright winner a couple of years ago for fewest breakdowns and faults, beating Mercedes, BMW's, the Japanese - everyone in fact.
In pure ability terms, factoring in handling, performance, build quality, space, equipment etc, it's probably one of the best value cars you can buy. Of course, no 12 grand hatch is perfect, but it's a much better car than the Golf for a lot less cash.
I have a Ford Focus SVT 2003 model. It is a blast to drive. Only problem was the thermostat went out at 33000 miles. Fixed same day by the dealer for no charge.
I strongly disagree with the tone of this column. The Focus is a very strong car with a loyal following. The SVT version of anything is fantastic.
I wouldn't let some of the negative comments keep me from buying a Focus. We have never had ANY problems with any Ford products, nor do I have any friends who have either. We've owned 5 Mustangs, 4 Ford trucks, an Escort and a Focus ZX-3 and none of them was ever in the shop for ANYTHING.
I have a 2003 ZX3 and It's never given me trouble. The SVT's had some known issues (like the clutch going at around 30k, and the colored inserts having white spots) but never anything major. I've seen Focus's run to 150k+ with no problems other than routine maintenance. Ford had some quality control issues when they first brought them to the US because they're built in Mexico (as are North American VW's hence their quality control problems on the previous generation jetta). but mid 2002 all of issues that had been hurting the cars reputation were fixed. There is a reason this is one of the best selling cars in the world. It really is a great car for the money and drives and handles like a much more expensive car. The current ones are becoming a tad dated and will be replaced with the new Focus Europe got for the 2005 model year in 2008. Meanwhile the 1st generation is well worth taking a look at, and SVT's are a steal on the used market since they didn't sell that well.
I drive a 2002 Ford Focus SVT and while I have enjoyed the driving experience I am not happy with the reliability. So far, the two stage manifold has been replaced; the sunroof assembly went bad and was replaced; two alternators have gone bad; various electrical problems have been fixed, the seat bolster broke (I weigh 210 but I am not THAT big!), the seat cloth shows white spots, and the clutch cylinder just went out. Brakes last about 20k miles. The original clutch just went out at 67,000 miles. Parts are expensive as well.
Of course part of the issue is that as a low volume car it does not go through the reliability testing the higher volume cars see, and I do not think the reliability of this car has anything to do with general Ford reliability. The car is a blast to drive, but I would be careful buying a used SVT Focus.
I owned a 2003 SVT and loved every day that I drove it. Despite the clutch and flywheel problem at around 7000 miles (which Ford covered) it was great. At 7500 mis the shifter linkage popped loose. This happened 3 more times. I was so mad, but had faith in my "little red rocket". Never thought twice about selling it for these reasons. Money became an issue so my father bought it from me. I have recently repurchased it from him and finally dropped in a stage 2 turbo pushing 12psi. 307bhp at th fly! Mustang owner friends of mine are embarrassed to run against me. No problems at 41000. :) Enjoy!
I have a SVT and under the SVT benefits, if the car is in the dealer's shop for more than a day for any service other than routine services, the dealer MUST give you a free loaner plus you will receive a full inside outside wash when you get your car back. You may want to check your SVT owner's manual.
Also a point of consideration, not all Ford dealers can service SVTs. There are specific SVT dealers that you should take your SVT to. If you take your SVT to a non SVT dealer, they should refuse service and refer you back to a SVT dealer as they do not stock parts for SVT nor their mechanics trained in servicing SVTs.
I took my SVT back for a ROM flush and the dealer cannot get the car back to me the same day. I had an appointment and it was suppose to be a quick and simple process. They called a car rental place and a rental car was delivered to me after they give me a courtesy drive to work. It costed me nothing. It didn't cost the dealer anything as Ford picked up the tab. It's part of the SVT package and priviledge of owning a SVT.
By the way, SVT are collectibles and generally do not depreciate like other Fords, unless it has been trashed around since it's been known to happen lots. When picking up a used SVT, make sure you have seen the service records. SVTs are sports cars and people who buy sports car may not know how to drive it properly and ended up trashing them.
I love my SVT and the replacement will be another SVT, unless Ford is stupid enough not to make them any more! There are no SVTs available for 2006 and probably not 2007.
The have the Shelby 500 but is not badged as a SVT. Also it is available at all Ford dealers which take away the exclusivity and specialized service that SVT owners has enjoyed.
I have a 02 Ford Focus SVT. The clutch went out around 12K miles. It was replace for free by the dealer. Now my SVT has about 43K miles and the clutch has went out again. Since it is past the 36K mile warranty, I will have to pay out of pocket to get it replaced yet again. There's no reason the clutch should need to b replace once yet twice on a car w/only 43K miles. Thanks Ford for being sooo good to your loyal employees. ha ha ha!
I bought a USED SVT 2003 Focus that I saw at a dealer in December 2006. It had 13.5K miles on it. Car Fax showed 1 owner and then handed around various dealers since 2003.
I Bought a extended warranty $1700.
My previous car, a 2004 ZX3, was traded in with 104K miles. I drive about a 1000 miles a week for work.
A week after I bought the SVT the check engine light came on.
I was told to fiddle with the gas cap, even though the gas cap lite wasn't on. It went away.
At 16K I did the 15k service. $200 No car wash was offered by dealer. In February the car was running rough and surging at 40mph. There was also some sort of noise like a bearing sound, then check engine light came on again, so i took it in.
The dealer replaced the right side front bearings, and said O2 sensor was bad. $488 as O2 was not covered by warranty.
Found out premium care plan is not available on 03,04 cars.
Dealer had my car for about 5 days. Had a free rental, but as I paid for extra insurance cost me $90.
No car wash "dealer said their car wash was broke"
Continue to have bearing type noise coming from front. Took it to Firestone, and had their guy drive it, said the brakes were either warpped and need resurfaced.. at 28K?? And loaded the left side, in his opinion left front bearings need to be done.
Took it back to Ford, Dealer said "tires need to be rotated" and said noise went away. Dealer recommended 30k service. As I drive a lot, went ahead and did this. $388 However no abnormal bearing noise now as I drive. No car wash offered or done.
However as I inspect my tires daily for nails, I noticed the same tire on the left front. After I got home. Called the dealer about this. I was told I was mistaken.
But leaves me dubious of the "tire rotation" theory. As I know the left front tire had a inch long cut. It's still there on the left.
Dave.
But it was an impulse buy with no research prior to buying and I am "paying" for that now. Fun car, but leaves me wondering if it's able to do 1000 miles a week.