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Any car tends to break down and the third generation Ford Focus is no exception. This happens for various reasons, ranging from marriage during production, ending with incorrect or untimely service. As practice shows, each model has its own typical sores, which are found in most owners. What are the weaknesses of the Ford Focus 3 can be identified? Let's try to identify the main faults. There is an opinion that modern cars are not reliable and have many standard breakdowns. However, this is not quite true. The fact is that the new machines have a rather complex design, they are equipped with low-volume engines with turbines, a lot of electronics, etc. This leads to an increase in dynamic performance and comfort level, but the risk of something breaking also increases.
The third generation Ford Focus cannot be called a very technologically advanced car, and most of the elements are quite reliable and, with proper maintenance, last quite a long time.
However, there are a number of typical breakdowns that owners of this model can meet. Separately, we note the body, which has excellent anti-corrosion treatment. Although paintwork damaged from any branches, scratches do not form rust.
Engines
The third generation Ford Focus was equipped with powertrains different power:
- petrol (1.6 and 2.0);
- diesel (1.6 and 2.0).
At the same time, 10 modifications of different forcing were available in total. Problems with motors on the Focus are quite difficult to meet, and power units are distinguished by their reliability and unpretentiousness. This also applies to the third generation, which serve their owners for many years. As a rule, if any problems arise, then the reason for this may lie in improper maintenance. Of course, we are talking about motors, the resource of which has not yet been released.
Among the features can be called a rather high noise level, especially in the engine warm-up mode. For example, models with 1.6 engines quite often have the following problem: when starting cold engine may make a knock. After reaching operating temperature, this noise disappears. The noise comes from the injectors. A similar problem is observed in modifications with a two-liter engine. However, here the reason lies in the features of the operation of the high-pressure fuel pump.
Ford Focus 3, produced from 2011 to 2012, had problems with unstable engine operation. Quite often, the owners observed that the power unit was troiting and traction was deteriorating. This malfunction occurred due to the ECU in which the failure occurred. All cars that were produced after 2012 did not have such a problem, since the firmware was replaced by the manufacturer. Speaking of the control unit. It is located near the front bumper, and therefore, in collisions, it is often damaged, which requires its replacement. At diesel engines there is a standard feature - sensitivity to fuel quality. If you constantly use low-quality diesel, the engine will fail prematurely.
Transmission
The manual transmission on the third Focus is almost eternal. Despite this, some car owners noted that almost immediately after the purchase, a leak was noticed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe right oil seal. With a run of 5-10 thousand km, such malfunctions are unacceptable. Less often, the same problem manifested itself in the left omentum. There was such a malfunction due to a marriage during production. In some cases, the lip of the stuffing box was affected and destroyed. And if the installation was performed poorly, then this was the cause of the leak.
On the third generation of the Focus, it was also installed robotic box PowerShift gears. The manufacturer presented it as incredibly reliable and modern, but practice has shown that because of it, the owners of Focuses had a lot of trouble. Among the main problems are:
- twitching when driving in traffic jams;
- the occurrence of a metallic rattle when changing gears;
- jerks during active acceleration.
Similar problems arose among many drivers of the third generation of the Focus. This caused the Ford's reputation as a reliable car to be slightly shaken. Note that the problem can be solved by flashing the box control unit, but this requires additional effort and money.
Steering gear
The steering rack is one of the weak points of the third Focus. The fact is that it can start knocking already with a run of 5-10 thousand km. The problem is that a backlash appears in the horizontal plane, and the replacement for new part does not guarantee that the problem will be fixed, because it may have the same drawback.
The third generation of the Focus is equipped with electric power steering. His work is also not perfect. Some car owners have encountered the problem that the steering wheel itself suddenly becomes too heavy, and on dashboard an error message appears. You can solve the problem simply - you need to turn off the ignition and wait a few minutes. After that, it turns on the ignition and the electric amplifier should work correctly. If the problem persists, then you need to think about replacing the steering rack. The fact is that the cause of the breakdown lies in the electric motor that comes with the rail.
Chassis
Generally speaking, the suspension of the third Focus is thought out and reliable. MacPherson is in front, and a “multi-link” is installed in the back. The brakes are disc brakes, both front and rear. As practice shows, in Russian conditions, the suspension lives an average of 80-100 thousand km. Of course, if you drive on bad roads, then the service life of some elements may be less.
As with most Focus 3 competitors, the stabilizer struts can fail after 50,000 kilometers. Shock absorbers last a little longer. By 75 thousand km, small leaks may appear, and closer to a hundred mileage, they need to be replaced. You can ride longer, but this will affect the level of comfort. Approximately the same service life for thrust bearings. About 80 thousand km want ball bearings and silent blocks. Rear levers may require replacement every 65-70 thousand km.
It should also be noted that in the winter season the suspension may creak in the area of the stabilizer bushing. Often there are incomprehensible knocks in the front, which are eliminated by themselves when the heat sets in. Interestingly, the manufacturer's representatives do not consider this as a malfunction. They say it's technical feature models.
Summarizing
What can be the conclusion? Ford Focus third generation - still reliable car which are perfect for every day. Among its advantages, one can single out an interesting appearance, durable engines, comfortable suspension and relative cheapness.
The disadvantages include not the strongest paintwork, a problematic robot and a weak steering mechanism. Also, the interior of the third Focus cannot be called very spacious. If you take the car to good condition, then the advantages of the machine will outweigh its disadvantages. In general, the owners of Ford Focus 3 this model and leave positive feedback.
FF3, 1.6
, 125 hp., PS, station wagon, equipment - I don’t know (the car was given out at work today), on the odometer = 54 km.
I must say right away: I haven’t driven a meter on it yet. I just sat down today, looked at the interior, pressed the buttons and all that. Once, by the way, was the owner of the second dorestyle.
I confess that (to my shame) I didn’t even sit in FF3 until today - once upon a time, at a presentation in Avtopassage, I didn’t manage to test the car, and then it was already useless - I bought another car.
So, about the car:
General impression of the salon- the feeling is that everything was done under cries like: " Hurry, Hurry - We Can't Succeed"! No, I'm not saying that the quality of the materials is bad, no. It's just that for some reason there is no feeling of sophistication and refinement. In FF2, the interior, of course, was also not the top quality and style, but in it the very feeling of detail was more something deep...
Racks windshield
- either they are really so "fat", or this is a constructive miscalculation: behind them at the crossroads "KAMAZ" can hide! And the wipers turned on - mamma mia! - 10 cm on each side of the glass uncleanable zones!!! That is, more than one KAMAZ can already hide there! Where did the designers look? Or: “Come on, we don’t have time anyway!”?
Surprised doorknobs in the cabin. Front doors - why are the handles so thin on them? No they are on top speed no effect, of course. They perform their function - the door can be closed and opened, but you take hold of such a handle and the feeling of unfinished work again visits. In FF2, the handles were better! find fault? Maybe...
Rear doors: you try it yourself - sit on the sofa and grab these handles. Are they comfortable to hold on to? Why, oh why are they so thin and even incredibly stretched down?! The designer drew it like this - everyone liked it, but forgot about ergonomics?
Switch/switch of headlights/lanterns. Who came up with the idea to place it like that?! Not only low, but also with a reverse slope! No, of course I will train after a certain number of kilometers and I will be able to find him with my eyes closed even in the dark, BUT where did the ergonomics experts look ?!
In the area of mounting the interior mirror, on the windshield- a large piece of vertically attached plastic (plastic casing). Probably, under it is a rain sensor or even a light sensor (I don’t know this yet). It can already be seen that this casing is attached in such a way that its lower part moves away from the windshield more than the upper one. Fastened in a hurry? Were you afraid to miss something again? I think this plastic will rattle on the go. Let's see...
User manual. Also "amused". They did it, it seems, also in a hurry. Only one inscription coasters"above the picture eyeglass case what is it worth! We were in a hurry again...
I repeat once again that I have not yet driven a car even a meter. If FF3 goes no worse than the second focus - all of the above can be forgiven. True, numerous reviews about PSh and rake are annoying ...
Okay, I'll go - I'll write "about driving sensations".)
Good afternoon. From this article you will learn about the weaknesses of the Ford Focus 3. Traditionally for our site, the article will have a lot of photos and videos.
Ford Focus first two generations has become a real bestseller in our market. The third-generation car, the world premiere of which took place in 2010, was taken by our motorists more calmly, but it also overtook a lot in terms of sales. strong competitors. Now, apart from new Ford Focus motorists can also look at used options. But how many unpleasant tricks during operation will be thrown by the “third” Focus with mileage? This is what we will find out now.
Body.
Because Ford Focus third generations are not produced for too long, then it will not work to find rust spots on its body. The centers of corrosion can be seen only on those specimens that managed to be in serious accidents and were not restored in the best way after them. But ill-fitting doors and misted headlights on the third-generation Focus are far from uncommon. Fortunately, fogging is easy to cure by replacing conventional headlight plugs with the same ones, but with air vents. The owners also complain that the windshield is covered with small scratches too quickly.
Salon.
Salon Ford Focus 3 in terms of quality of finishing materials is comparable to those of most classmates. However, assembly flaws and uneven gaps in most cars can be detected without difficulty. Naturally, the third-generation Focus is not spared from the “crickets”, which most often settle in the area of \u200b\u200bthe radio and air ducts on the front panel.
Line of engines.
The vast majority of the “third” Ford Focus, which were officially sold on our market, will have a 1.6-liter gasoline engine under the hood, which, depending on the degree of forcing, can develop 85, 105 and 125 Horse power. About the two weakest versions, even if they please with a fairly low fuel consumption, it is better to refuse immediately.
For a fairly heavy car, 105 horsepower, and even more so 85 “horses”, is frankly not enough. If we talk about the problems that can deliver gasoline engines Ford Focus, then we will have to state with pleasure that so far there are practically none. many Focus owners alarming chirping in the upper part of the engine, which tends to intensify with warming up, but you should not be afraid of this. It's just a feature of the injectors. Unusual sounds, by the way, are also emitted by a two-liter gasoline GDI, which is quite common on those Ford Focus that were sold in Western Europe. Europeans also fell in love with diesel Focus, which can withstand a run of 200 thousand kilometers without problems, but in our country such versions of the car are extremely rare for sale.
On Focus from the first batches, 1.6-liter engines were distinguished by unstable operation, tripling and loss of traction after a cold start. Ford first tried to explain this behavior of power units by premature deposits of carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, after which they released a new firmware for the power unit control module. The problem is gone.
transmission problems.
But with gearboxes ford focus 3 generations there are more problems. Even the "mechanics" after 5-10 thousand kilometers can upset the leakage of the axle shaft seals. For the rest, however, mechanical box gear shifting no complaints. powershift there is. Not only does it start shifting gears with noticeable twitches in sluggish traffic jams, but also during acceleration it can scare you with a metallic gnash when shifting gears. When the number of claims against PowerShift exceeded the allowable level, Ford company was forced to issue a special technical bulletin that prescribed the reprogramming of the transmission control module. This partially solved the problem - the vibration of the box decreased, and the gear shifts became smoother.
Suspension.
The suspension of the third generation Ford Focus is quite strong and cannot be called a weak point. Up to 100 thousand kilometers, and most of the cars sold are just approaching this mark, it does not require attention to itself! So at the moment, the only serious complaint about the Focus suspension is the appearance of extraneous sounds when driving over bumps, which tend to increase with the onset of cold weather.
Steering is the weak point of the Ford Focus 3.
On the background of the suspension steering"Third" Focus seems frankly unfinished. Already after 5-7 thousand kilometers steering rack may start knocking. And all because of the play of the left tie rod. And worst of all, replacing the rail does not fundamentally solve the problem. After the same 10 thousand kilometers, knocks appear again. Not everything is fine with the electric power steering. Sometimes he can refuse at the most inopportune moment. This is due to the power steering motor. Although you should not rush to change it immediately. Sometimes the performance of the electric amplifier can be restored by simply turning off and on the ignition.
Conclusion.
To call the third generation Ford Focus an absolutely problem-free car will not work. If its engines and suspension generally do not cause problems, then unpleasant surprises should be expected from the steering and gearboxes after a run of 10 thousand kilometers. Perhaps this is what influenced the fact that the “third” Focus did not become as popular as its predecessors. On the other hand, in terms of reliability, most Ford Focus competitors, if better, then only a little. So you should not refuse to buy a used third-generation Focus. With timely maintenance, the car will serve faithfully for many years.
That's all I have today. If you want to supplement the article about the weaknesses of the Ford Focus 3 - please write comments.
It's no secret that any car can break down. There are many reasons for this - factory defects, careless handling of the owner, poor quality service, etc. However, statistics show that recently the number of malfunctions on cars has been growing. One of the main reasons is the increasing complexity of the design (turbocharged power units, preselective transmissions, mass electronic systems and components, etc.), which is done to please customers who want to get the most comfortable, dynamic and equipped instance.
The extremely popular Ford Focus 3 (,) also did not escape this fate. That is why it is required to identify at least the main problems that may arise during its operation.
Engines
Serious problems are typical only for a 1.6-liter unit, which often starts to triple after a cold start. This situation is aggravated by unstable idling, as well as noticeable dips in traction. It even comes to the point that the engine simply stalls.
According to the official response from Ford Corporation, the reason lies in the deposition of soot inside the combustion chamber. In order to solve the problem, the Americans released a new firmware for the motor control module called PCM. Owners of defective cars claim that such manipulations with electronics really solve the problem with starting and revs.
Transmission
automatic transmission
The pride of the "Fordists" - the PowerShift preselective transmission - has become a source of serious problems. The fact is that in traffic jams, she begins to frankly shut up and twitch. Such symptoms are complemented by a metallic rattle that occurs during gear changes, as well as jerks and jolts in the process of picking up speed. All this led to the fact that the traditionally high reliability rating of such Ford models as the Fiesta and Focus was lowered in the Old World.
So far, the American corporation is trying to solve the problem. For example, European dealers received a bulletin from the company's management, which obliges them to flash the transmission control module. According to European owners, after that the vibrations have noticeably decreased, and acceleration has become much smoother, and the gearbox “clicks” better. The only pity is that the updated software has not yet reached Russia.
manual transmission
The problem with this gearbox is that on new cars the axle shaft seal (right) began to leak, and this happens already with a run of 4,000 - 10,000 km. Not so often, but similar malfunctions also occur in the left oil seal.
The reason lies in the factory defect - its edge is often damaged even when installed on the conveyor, and an incomplete fit aggravates the situation and leads to a leak.
Problems outside - from dirty roads
Troubles from slush begin almost immediately, due to the lack of a special seal on the hood. So that engine compartment have to be washed periodically. In addition, scratches quickly appear on the windshield, and also, on frosty nights (when the car spends the night on the street), cracks can appear from the front pillars along the glass, as a result of which the glass will have to be changed.
Steering
Electric booster EPS
This mechanism is also not without drawbacks. The steering wheel sometimes suddenly and sharply becomes heavier (on the dashboard this is displayed in the lit indicator), which at high speed (and even in a turn) can lead to tragedy. Often, the state of the electric amplifier can be restored by turning off the ignition for a while, with its subsequent start.
The reason for such malfunctions is the amplifier motor itself, the latter being interlocked with the steering rack. Therefore, when a defect is found dealership changes the entire rail assembly.
In addition, sometimes the car seems to “take away” to the side, but this is solved by resetting the memory of the electric amplifier, or by flashing it.
steering rack
Steering rack - sometimes on new copies, the rake begins to knock mercilessly. Such knocks occur already at 3,000 - 7,000 km. It's all about the backlash of the steering rod, which is formed in the horizontal plane. It is noteworthy that the company does nothing to resolve the issue - dealers simply change the rail under warranty, but this does not solve the problem, since the new components are “endowed” with the same defect.
Body
There are no complaints about corrosion, which, in fact, is not surprising, given the technology of anti-corrosion treatment. The main complaints are about the doors, which are often not fitted in the best way - the gaps are uneven, the corners stick out, etc.
The big problem is head optics. The fact is that the headlights often fog up, and this is especially unpleasant and dangerous in cases where the car is equipped with xenon. After all, the fogged surface is in the path of the light beam, which is categorically unacceptable by the concepts of safety. Usually the issue is resolved by replacing the headlight plugs with similar ones, but equipped with holes (ventilation).
Daily running lights also excelled. The bottom line is their unstable light - flickering. As a rule, this manifests itself in winter, while the DRLs are cold, but with warming up, the situation normalizes. So far, Ford specialists have not been able to solve this aspect, although work in this direction is underway.
Another nuisance, which, however, is typical for almost all models, is a weak paintwork. Scratches and chips remain from the smallest pebbles and twigs. In addition, often the paint is knocked out either to the ground or to the metal.
The hodovka itself is quite perfect and reliable, but there are some unpleasant moments. They appear in winter. As it turned out, the chassis does not tolerate frosts in the best way - the stabilizer bushings begin to creak clearly. In addition, while driving on rough roads, knocks begin in the front of the chassis, but the source has not yet been found.
Assembly
Flaws in the interior are manifested in uneven gaps between plastic components. Often there is such a sloppy installation of panels that it is noticeable almost immediately.
The squeaks are annoying. Most often they come from the place where the front seat belts are fixed, from the areas of the radio, air vents, and also the cabin mirror, or rather its plastic frame.
Outcome
As you can see, the Ford Focus has a number of weaknesses, although the list of them is not excessive. In our opinion, most of these problems, fortunately, they are by no means found on every car, are compensated by the price. But, in any case, you need to be ready for them.
Maybe you know about other "diseases" of the Focus? Tell!
The fact that Ford does not stand aside from technological progress, moreover, is actively introducing its inventions into production cars, cannot but rejoice. The most striking confirmation of this is the 3rd generation Ford Focus, which in 2011 outperformed its main platform competitor, the Mazda3.
At that time, the Japanese only set about developing the SkyActive chassis and engine line for future generations, and the designers of the American brand were already “fighting” on all fronts, introducing new engines, transmissions and a number of options into their brainchild, which the “matryoshka” dreams of to this day. .
So has the legendary Ford really won the undeniable leadership in the segment? Yes, at first it may seem that way, but why don't the owners of the 3rd Focus shout about the obvious advantage of the model? Could it be a weak spot?
Duratec here, Duratec there
To the dismay of all Focus fans, the 3rd generation "civilian" cars did not receive turbocharged Ecoboost engines. Under the hood, the models were placed mainly “atmospheric” Duratec with a volume of 1.6 liters (with a capacity of 125 and 105 hp), in terms of characteristics and design, more reminiscent of a relic of the last century than a look into the future. Motorists were even more surprised by the 85-horsepower engine, released after a certain time period after the start of sales of the 3rd Generation Focus. At the same time, the phase change system has not disappeared from the gas distribution. 
All variations of the 1.6-liter engine have a software “suffocation”, but the happy owners of the 125 hp versions. after a run of 120-130 thousand, they are sad about the need to remove the "offal" from 2 catalysts. It is for this reason that the owners of such a car need to take fuel quality extremely seriously (also exhaust system equipped with 4 oxygen sensors, which means that they have 2 times more chances of breakdown than weaker engines).
In addition, the entire line of power units is subject to one “disease” - deposits in the combustion chambers, which invariably leads to uneven operation and difficult engine starting. It is worth noting that this problem in all its glory manifested itself even during the warranty period of operation, after which a new control software was installed on the car, and the “ailment” passed.
Another problem of the 3rd generation is considered to be oil leakage through the solenoid valves of the phase change system, but replacing these elements can solve it.
Phase change valve leakage is a big place for many models
The 2-liter GDI chain installation, developed on the basis of Duratec 1.8, is also worthy of detailed consideration, however, the Japanese from Mazda made the direct intake and phase change system for it. But most importantly, it was the 2-liter engine that turned out to be the most reliable, with the least number of weak points. There is, of course, a small percentage of faults fuel injectors and high-pressure fuel pump, but such problems arise in most cases due to untimely or poor-quality maintenance. Particularly sensitive this engine to an oil change, which is optimally carried out every 9-10 thousand km.
But the whole line gasoline units has a common weak point in the form of the right support of the internal combustion engine, in rare cases, walking more than 50 thousand km (and the original part costs about 11 thousand rubles). Such a draconian price policy Ford leads to the search for analogues, and the best option in this situation, it will be the purchase of the original from Volvo, with a more tempting price tag.
The original ICE pillow is expensive and often leaks
Diesel on the 3rd generation is extremely rare, maybe for the reason that it is much more difficult to properly maintain engines of this type than gasoline versions? But upon closer examination, it turns out that there are relatively few problems with such a unit, because such motors are equipped exclusively with PowerShift (wet clutch), by analogy with Galaxy, Kuga, Mondeo and S-Max.
And again the same problems
Ford designers decided not to equip the 3rd generation of cars with CVTs, which had not previously been officially installed on cars designed for Russian market, but the traditional "machine" Focus did not receive. Looking at the situation, one gets the impression that Ford was encouraged by the volume of sales of original parts in Volkswagen with DSG, and decided to supply us Focus equipped with “robots”.
The clutch is the weakest point of robotic transmissions. However, the main culprit is the control program, which sacrifices the resource of nodes for the sake of comfort of movement.
In fact, this step is aimed at maintaining global trends, even despite the fact that VAG engineers to this day cannot cope with the “childhood diseases” of their gearbox equipped with 2 clutches. Yes, Ford tried to deprive PowerShift of all problems, but, unfortunately, to no avail.
The beginning of the "adventures" usually lies in the periodic software updates for PS, and some are even luckier, because it becomes necessary to replace the TCM.
The TCM block also sometimes fails.
Starting "shudder", which can also occur when shifting gears, means the need to eliminate the leak of the crankshaft of the motor or the input shaft of the gearbox, followed by flushing the clutches and adaptation. If this is not done on time, then the owner will have to change the clutches, which are quite expensive.
The occurrence of a metallic rattle at the moment of switching, or the absence of several gears, indicates a wedge of the pressure fork, and this ailment can only be “treated” by replacing the part.
In the event that flashing does not solve the problems with jerks when switching PS, a mandatory replacement of the friction clutches follows, because there is no other way to get rid of this trouble.
The PowerShift box itself rarely asks for repairs.
It is very interesting that in the secondary car market there are a lot of buyers who are eager to get their hands on a 3rd Ford with a traditional automatic transmission. This, of course, plays into the hands of dishonest businessmen who pass off PowerShift as a simple “box” and are silent about problems with the reliability of the gearbox.
But if you have already become a "happy" owner of a Ford Focus III with PS - do not get discouraged, because with proper care, this transmission will behave predictably. The main thing is to follow a few basic rules of use:
- Do not accelerate too sharply;
– Use manual mode more often;
- Switch the selector to the "P" position when standing in traffic jams;
– Keep track of new software releases for PowerShift.
Fortunately, all these "diseases" are devoid of mechanical transmission, for the trouble-free operation of which you only need to monitor the oil leaks through the drive seals (mainly the right one). Although, for the sake of justice, it is worth saying that AMT is also not without this drawback.
Actuator leakage is fixed inexpensively. The main thing is not to wait until the transmission loses oil. In general, follow
Steering rack - "diseases" for the sake of progress
Innovations that have affected the global auto industry have not bypassed the Focus of the 3rd generation, and first of all this concerns the electric power steering (most likely, you can forget about traditional power steering in new models). Although, here, too, significant improvements were required, since some of the owners were faced with “auto-steering” in the wrong direction and even with a decrease in the efficiency of this mechanism. In the vast majority of cases, dealers offer to change the EUR and at the same time the steering rack, which can upset the motorist without the assistance of an amplifier.
The EUR, “sick” with auto-steering, will either have to be treated or changed. Otherwise, driving is dangerous.
In general, rack problems have been known even before, and even on other models outside the Ford brand. It consists in the rapid wear of the plastic bushing of the steering shaft, which is accompanied by knocks when turning the steering wheel. The new rail solves the problem only for a short period, but a steel sleeve turned by a skilled craftsman is considered the best way out of this situation.
The new steering rack on the Ford Focus is obscenely expensive. Fortunately, the node can be repaired relatively inexpensively and at the same time deprive it weak point forever and ever
Most trouble spot in Ford suspension Focus 3 are considered rear shock absorbers, overly sensitive to overloads and after 50 thousand run, they begin to pass liquid through the stem seals.
The rest of the chassis parts are quite reliable and hardy, and calmly “nourish” more than 100 thousand, although the stabilizer struts, front hub bearings and front shock absorbers are “surrendered” to this milestone. But silent blocks adequately withstand more than 150 thousand km, which, together with hardy elements rear suspension(more than 200 thousand km.) is a very worthy indicator.
The rear multi-link in conditions of adequate driving will be flexible and silent for a long time
The same can be said about the picky brake system, in which such common troubles as caliper knocks and lining squeaks were not noticed. The life resource of the front pads on a car with 1.6 liter units is about 40 thousand, while the clutches on two-liter cars last about 1.5 times less.
sudden cracks
The bodywork of the 3rd Focus as a whole does not present unpleasant surprises, well, except for the heated windshield, which costs a lot of money and can scratch or crack from completely harmless influences. That is why owners of the 3rd generation often complain about suddenly arising in very coldy cracks in the windshield.
Crack in the glass - causes pain for the owners and prepares for unforeseen considerable costs
Another "surprise" will be poorly functioning locks, mainly due to skewed door hinges (sometimes uneven gaps between these body elements can be observed with the naked eye). The main culprit for this can be considered the notorious domestic assembly, which left its mark on the quality of the Focus III.
Most vulnerable spot body Focus 3 - front bumper. Few manage to keep it intact
With regards to completely harmless moments, we note the periodic fogging of the headlights of the Focus, as well as the rare change of the Ford badge located on the trunk lid (the coating peels off).
Cheap is not a sign of poor quality
Complaints about the cheapness of materials in the interior of the 3rd generation Focus are mostly groundless, because the interior of the car retains its original appearance for a long time. The only exceptions to the rule are the front seats, which need covers, as well as the gearshift lever, from which the coating quickly slides off. Cabin deflectors also require careful handling, as the brittle plastic can crack. Squeaks in the cabin, as a rule, occur in the areas of the door cards and the center console, and therefore eliminate extraneous sounds it won't be easy.
The interior of the 3rd Focus is quieter than its predecessor, and the materials are better, but squeaks still appear
A fairly common "sore" Focus III can be called damage to the circuit of the electric trunk opening mechanism and the subsequent failure of the button. True, the manufacturer was able to take into account this shortcoming and supplied dealers with improved wiring harnesses.
Trunk won't open? It's time to change the wiring harness
Fans of high-quality sound complain about the fragility of the high-frequency speakers located in the doors of the car. Determining this malfunction does not take much time, since nasty creaking sounds are heard even at minimum volume.
A trifle, but unpleasant
Another feature of the model is associated with rain sensors, because they can suddenly work on a fine day and stay idle when it rains.
Should I take a second-hand third Focus?
Yes, the list of shortcomings of the 3rd generation Focus is considerable, but at the same time, the model cannot be called an outsider of the class. Power units here they are quite reliable, the chassis is very strong, and there are not so many expensive problems with auxiliary equipment. 
The most obvious "headache" of Focus owners can be considered a robotic PowerShift and the lack of a worthy alternative to it. Perhaps, in this way, the manufacturer wanted to cash in on the sale of parts or reduce the cost of production? True, this does not make it any easier for us.
In any case, work on creation of Ford Focus III has been done truly huge, although in practice it is the implemented innovations that give the greatest number of failures. But let's not forget that progress follows trial and error, and high reliability, such as from ultra-conservative Toyota Corolla, no one expected from Focus.
Typical condition Focus with mileage 100 tkm
After the first "hundred" Focus III, as a rule, is fresh enough and ready for another of the same marathon, but this is only under normal service conditions. There are already problems with this. Many owners, having seen the prices for spare parts, inadequately save on the purchase of spare parts. Therefore, brake discs worn to death, a huge crack in the middle of the windshield, a leaky engine mount or Chinese spare parts are more likely to be the norm for it. Most sellers consider it necessary to correct the mileage, especially for cars on the "robot". Interestingly, there were few cars with the “dead” PowerShift box, I think, all due to the fact that it is almost impossible to hide the defect even from a blind buyer. 