More of the Same

[RedoFromStart]

I really thought (maybe just hoped) Ford was better than this. After just over 7 months of ownership of this car, I've come to the conclusion that it's quite apparent that Americans can't build quality automobiles that last. I've already had to take this Focus in 6 times for 4 different problems and one of them is not solved still. Every time I take it in, they ask me how I like it. I don't anymore.

I do a lot of highway and light city driving. The front end suspension quickly developed a rattle, which was fixed, but there is also a loud squeaking/quacking/rubbing noise that is audible over the stereo but conveniently never present when the technician is driving it. If I wanted to be without my car while it sits at a dealership service department parking lot not being worked on every other week, I'd have kept my old car that I traded in for this thing. It had the exact same problems from the get go when it was brand new, too. It appears that it's just more of the same...I bought another 6 years to a decade of constant extremely inconvenient and unproductive service department visits. YAY!

The 2012 Ford Focus is just another of many very nice looking but poorly-built American automobiles. I regret buying it, and this is what I tell people who are interested in buying one when they ask me about it.

[gkirk]

Originally Posted by RedoFromStart

I really thought (maybe just hoped) Ford was better than this. After just over 7 months of ownership of this car, I've come to the conclusion that it's quite apparent that Americans can't build quality automobiles that last. I've already had to take this Focus in 6 times for 4 different problems and one of them is not solved still. Every time I take it in, they ask me how I like it. I don't anymore.

The 2012 Ford Focus is just another of many very nice looking but poorly-built American automobiles. I regret buying it.

It's funny, I came to the conclusion the other day that if american car companies can make more cars like the focus, they'll be ok. This is the first american car that reaches the level of the german or japanese cars that I've owned.

Still though, sorry about the issues. There are lots of well documented cases on this site of these cars being bad. My DCT has the normal noises, rattles, etc, but when it works its insanely smooth and fun to drive.

[Rememo]

I bought the Focus because my Ranger was so damn good.

I'm guessing management wanted the Focus rushed to market, and the bean counters pushed hard to keep costs down and profits up. The engineers were probably going nuts.

My favorite example of cost cutting was the hot melt glue they used on part of the headliner. They used it to adhere fabric to glossy, hard, black plastic. The best hot glues I could find have a service temperature of +20 to +150 degrees Fahrenheit. Those temperatures are easily exceeded in either direction in that application. At the very least, the black plastic should have been scuffed to promote better adherence. Using a polyurethane glue would have cost more, but it would have held up better.

In my Focus the glue failed, causing numerous rattles directly above the driver and passenger.

I still believe the Focus will be a great car someday... It just has a lot of issues that must now be addressed.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by Rememo

I'm guessing management wanted the Focus rushed to market, and the bean counters pushed hard to keep costs down and profits up. The engineers were probably going nuts.

My favorite example of cost cutting was the hot melt glue they used on part of the headliner. They used it to adhere fabric to glossy, hard, black plastic. The best hot glues I could find have a service temperature of +20 to +150 degrees Fahrenheit. Those temperatures are easily exceeded in either direction in that application. At the very least, the black plastic should have been scuffed to promote better adherence. Using a polyurethane glue would have cost more, but it would have held up better.

+2139014!!!! Mine was fixed and then started rattling again. I just shoved some felt in it this time. Problem solved.

[hooligander]

I have this same rattling as the above, where did you stick the felt?



I havent taken it in yet once

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by hooligander

I have this same rattling as the above, where did you stick the felt?

Pretty much in between the metal and the dried up glue where it stopped holding. The rest of the glue and the 3M dual-lock strips keep the headliner up, so I used some felt and a pick to kind of shove it where it was rattling.

For me it was just above the passenger headrest at the back of the moonroof opening. Gotta make sure it doesn't get in the way of the moonroof itself, though. And that you don't get it greasy and then drag that all along the moonroof cover. That'd suck.

[hooligander]

Do you think I would be best bringing this in for warranty work instead of trying to fix it myself?

I think mine is coming from relativley the same area.

Regards,

Julian

Originally Posted by PratoN

Pretty much in between the metal and the dried up glue where it stopped holding. The rest of the glue and the 3M dual-lock strips keep the headliner up, so I used some felt and a pick to kind of shove it where it was rattling.

For me it was just above the passenger headrest at the back of the moonroof opening. Gotta make sure it doesn't get in the way of the moonroof itself, though. And that you don't get it greasy and then drag that all along the moonroof cover. That'd suck.

[nseah]

I can tell you now that if you bring it in they won't do anything about it. They will say "oh well we can remove the whole headliner then reinstall it, but it won't fix the problem" and when you get your car back you'll have rattling in a new place. I've been fighting this problem for 9 months. This is of course if your dealership decides to look into it. I've been told that rattling is pretty normal, or that they can't reproduct the rattling.

The felt solution is a good one, my solution was to shim a thin cloth between the roof and the glue. If you have a moonroof, stick your hand between the liner, you'll feel the actual liner fabric, the plastic liner, then glue to the roof. Give that piece a slight tug and the glue will give, insert the thin cloth there and problem solved. Although for me it caused new rattling at the back of the car now :S (my original rattle was right above the paseenger head, next to the sunglass box).

[Blizzard35]

Originally Posted by nseah

I can tell you now that if you bring it in they won't do anything about it. They will say "oh well we can remove the whole headliner then reinstall it, but it won't fix the problem" and when you get your car back you'll have rattling in a new place. I've been fighting this problem for 9 months. This is of course if your dealership decides to look into it. I've been told that rattling is pretty normal, or that they can't reproduct the rattling.

The felt solution is a good one, my solution was to shim a thin cloth between the roof and the glue. If you have a moonroof, stick your hand between the liner, you'll feel the actual liner fabric, the plastic liner, then glue to the roof. Give that piece a slight tug and the glue will give, insert the thin cloth there and problem solved. Although for me it caused new rattling at the back of the car now :S (my original rattle was right above the paseenger head, next to the sunglass box).

The problem is, you shouldn't have to do any of this. This is in fact a new car, with a new car warranty. When I still had my 2012 Focus Titanium, I brought the car back 3-times for the headliner noise. Finally, I got fed up after it wasn't fixed....walked into the dealer principals office and tossed the keys to my car on his desk. I told him I didn't want the car back until all of the issues were fixed, including the squeaking headliner problem. Oh and I also said, I will need a loaner vehicle while you are doing the repairs/fixes. Anyway, they had the vehicle for almost 17-days. They eventually fixed the headliner, along with the long list of other problems (DCT/MFT/intelligent access etc. etc. etc.). The DCT was never fixed, MFT was a total fiasco and the intelligent access problem was hit and miss even after the TSB's were applied.
Finally, after almost 19-months of ownership, I pulled the pin, traded in my Focus and I have never looked back. If I hadn't got such a sweet deal on the new 2012 Lincoln MKZ AWD Sport, I would be driving a Toyota. But, my local Ford Dealer has been excellent and my family has dealt with them for over 40 years and they bent over backwards to "make me happy." I don't have to put up with all the Focus bullshit anymore...so guess what..."I'M VERY HAPPY!"

[Some Guy From NY]

Originally Posted by Blizzard35

The problem is, you shouldn't have to do any of this. This is in fact a new car, with a new car warranty. When I still had my 2012 Focus Titanium, I brought the car back 3-times for the headliner noise. Finally, I got fed up after it wasn't fixed....walked into the dealer principals office and tossed the keys to my car on his desk. I told him I didn't want the car back until all of the issues were fixed, including the squeaking headliner problem. Oh and I also said, I will need a loaner vehicle while you are doing the repairs/fixes. Anyway, they had the vehicle for almost 17-days. They eventually fixed the headliner, along with the long list of other problems (DCT/MFT/intelligent access etc. etc. etc.). The DCT was never fixed, MFT was a total fiasco and the intelligent access problem was hit and miss even after the TSB's were applied.
Finally, after almost 19-months of ownership, I pulled the pin, traded in my Focus and I have never looked back. If I hadn't got such a sweet deal on the new 2012 Lincoln MKZ AWD Sport, I would be driving a Toyota. But, my local Ford Dealer has been excellent and my family has dealt with them for over 40 years and they bent over backwards to "make me happy." I don't have to put up with all the Focus bullshit anymore...so guess what..."I'M VERY HAPPY!"

I envy you.