I get on my laptop and i wanted to look something up on my car that i was wondering about, and all that comes up is with bad reviews and how there such crappy cars? I mean i love my focus, but why are they so eww about them...haters maybe?

A lot of the earlier ones had lots of problems. Two engines have blown in my '01, and it only has a little over 110k.

most all models have issues in the first years.

most all models have issues in the first years.
True, like are the 03's in that problem area?

True, like are the 03's in that problem area?

I believe that was the year they started getting better.

Yeah '02 back are reported as the ones with the worst problems [:)]

Any car is gonna have its problems though, but foci are pretty durable in my experience [:)]

I've had very few problems with my 03. Only the ignition switch and heater core with 100k miles and 6 years under its belt.

I have an 01 ZX3, with 160,000 miles and still goin. The only problems i've had are: Anti-freeze leakage, (replacing water pump multiple times). And my shift knob jamming (auto).

Well not bad all, i am looking into putting a bigger exhaust on mine, good idea, bad idea? and does the screamin demon coil pack and live wire plug wires make any difference in power/smoothness, i mean its smooth as hell now, but i want the added pep it may bring haha... oh and what spark plugs are good to put in this thing...

Well the Focus is the best selling car in the world. If you take problems per vehicle sold into account they are pretty damn reliable. Then you consider the way a search engine works in that the most frequent words are the top results generally ... sure the Focus will come up a lot. Doesn't mean that it's a bad car though, just lots of them out there.


As per your last post here, check out the zetec stickied threads --> http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174742

For spark plugs, check out my post --> http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184425

Agreed^^.. The one problem with the web is that there are ALOT of whiners.

My Focus in 130k has needed a water pump, and an alternator, as well as a few other bits. I consider this totally normal and have no real complaints...As stated above, some of the early cars were problematical in a few areas, but that has all been worked out and fixxed I know I am happy with mine.

My '03 has had less problems than my '07 to be honest with you. The '03 is a very well built Focus IMO.

I have an 01 ZX3, with 160,000 miles and still goin. The only problems i've had are: Anti-freeze leakage, (replacing water pump multiple times). And my shift knob jamming (auto).


I replied too soon, just today my serpentine belt melted and came off, had to get it towed to a mechanic (luckily ma had AAA and the mechanic was 1.3 miles away) now im just waiting on a phone call from them to get it done. I did some research and it should only cost about a hundred bucks, hopefully that's all it is. :(

Well im glad you all have had god luck, and so far i am to (knock on wood), and i love mine! cept for the dam tires haha...

Ok, so for the THIRD time i'm now replacing my water pump, damn I spoke too soon. It's gonna cost me over $500. Hopefully my water pump gasket isn't cracked, then that'd be another $350. Though I can't complain tooooo much, I am over 160,000 miles. So it's like $500 every 6 months instead of every month for a new car payment (its been paid off for a few years now).

500 plus for pump? and then 350 for a gasket? that is a little crazy - can you do any of this yourself? I mean, a $350.00 gasket job? it must be made out of gold...

I replaced my themo housing and all seals and new thermo for less than 100 bucks. I think my cousin's entire gasket kit for his whole 2.3L Quad4 engine was slightly over $200.00

Just trying to look out for you. That seems too much.

O.o x2 Zetec Wagons and don;t really have many problems with Wagon 1.. wagon 2 on the other hand was specifically purchased to tear down to its shell and do a total rebuild LOL

my 03 has 132k and the only problems ive had are the ignition and thermostat housing.

My bad not the gasket, I meant the water pumps housing might be cracked.

My bad not the gasket, I meant the water pumps housing might be cracked.

Well the Focus is the best selling car in the world.

it was for a period of time about five years ago. not anymore.

My 03 SVT Was a Lemon, But since i have had in nothing has went wrong at all. thats 25k Miles later

I have an early 00 ZX3, and it has 93k.
I had to replace a passenger side wheel bearing and a driver side cv joint. I think I melted the boot with engine brite (bad stuff, just use elbow grease)

I had a problem with the tab on the ignition/clutch lock-out, which I jury rigged with a tack-dot. No problems since.

The ignition cylinder problem was absolutely maddening. That problem alone is worth a thousand (IMHO absolutely well deserved) rants, and every bit of bad press you could throw at it. It broke on me twice within the first two months of owning the car (I'm pretty sure that's why I got such a good deal) but luckily they replaced it with a new design, I've had no problems since and it's been 4 years.

I just had to replace the battery, it's time for its 90k services.

Other than that, I really love my car. it's been great. Starts all the time, decent mileage when I keep my foot out of it, handles great. It's been a joy to own. I think you'll be happy with it.

alot of those carcomplaint blogs and what not i have found are things that could easily be dealt with if those people had a little knowledge with cars. we are all here for a reason: our fanaticism about foci, correct? nearly every problem i have read about on those complaints has been addressed here with abundant support and clarification.

^^^ Agreed.