2010 Ford Focus LV XR5 2.5 turbo

Summary:

The Focus XR5 is fun to drive when its working, however its poor reliability ruins it

Faults:

ABS brake sensor system.

Electronic ignition system.

Fuel cap inlet.

Air conditioning.

Various noises.

Clutch.

General Comments:

I bought this car because of its performance, comfort and general list of features. It has turned out to be the most unreliable car I've ever owned, and I'll soon be trading it in to cut my losses.

The tone wheel (which I believe senses the wheel speed) faulted at only 4000 ks, and this made the brakes sound like they were made of broken granite. It also limits you to 4th gear and makes the instrument panel 'forget' everything. This was fixed under warranty. The ignition system regularly dies temporarily. This means, you get in the car and start it as usual only to find it's dead. It eventually rights itself, but this is not acceptable in a modern car.

I often find the fuel inlet will not allow me to fill the tank and blows fuel back out at me - dangerous and messy.

The air conditioning is a joke. It struggles to make any noticeable cooling, even after 20 minutes on at fully cold and recirculating. In a car of this price, this is well below standard.

I frequently hear grinding noises, clunking and clicking and rattles from all corners of the vehicle. This doesn't inspire confidence.

The clutch is utterly impossible to release smoothly. I've driven plenty of manual cars, and this clutch is like a dog clutch. I regularly stall it, much to the amusement/anger of other drivers. Coupled with the ignition system's habit of dying, it's quite dangerous too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2010

30th Dec 2010, 00:12

I'm starting to wonder if there is a difference in the build quality depending on where the Focus is built. I have a 2007 LT TDCi that I've had since new and has 51,000 km. It was built in South Africa. The XR5 is built in Germany.

I've had no clutch, ABS, ignition or air con problems (touch wood). The air con isn't as blastingly cold as say a Falcon, but is OK with the Brisbane heat.

The two major things that have gone bad was the CD player at 2500km and the centre driveline bearing at 35000km. But I did have major issues with rattles and clicks from around 5000km, but by around 15000km, they had mostly gone on their own.

It does however clunk from the front end if braking with the clutch depressed at low speeds, which it has done since new.

I was thinking about upgrading to an XR5, but now I don't want to risk it. Going to keep my TDCi I think.

In reply to 30th Dec 2010, 00:12

6th Sep 2011, 02:53

I have the XR5 Focus, and have had none of the problems listed. The clutch and gearbox is sensational, the brakes just don't give up, I'm yet to get any rattles, and just absolutely love the thing. I just can't say enough about it.

Don't let one review spoil things for you.. Do your homework if you want to know what the really big problems are with cars. Find their forum sites and look on them.

In reply to 30th Dec 2010, 00:12

4th Aug 2012, 00:02

I bought an LS XR5 Turbo second hand to see if I liked it... Loved it so much so that last year I traded it in on a brand new 2010 LV XR5 Turbo. I absolutely love my car, and would recommend one to anyone. My old one had done 67,000 klms with no dramas... my new one has done 21,000klms so far, with no problems whatsoever.

2003 Ford Focus Zetec 2.0

Summary:

Light-years ahead of most other small cars from its era..

Faults:

Engine mount failed at 55,000k's. Took the car to Ford with a massive grinding noise and they couldn't locate the issue. I found out it was the front engine mount by researching online. Not good dealer service.

General Comments:

Overall the car is built very well. It is strong and solid, although a tad heavy for its size.

The brakes are great, but do fade a bit under heavy braking, and the ABS is quick to cut in (some might say that's a good thing though).

The Zetec upgraded suspension is fantastic. No other way to put it. You can out handle most cars in this, and it doesn't suffer from the usual 'dogging' out that most front wheel drive cars do hard into a corner.

The Zetec engine is fairly powerful. I've driven newer basic model Focus' at work, and the difference between the 2nd gen 1.8 and the 1st gen 2.0 Zetec engines are HUGE.

The interior is nice, however there are some dumb choices of plastics used here and there, prone to getting scratched easily. The steering wheel is typical Ford in my opinion. They don't make the surfaces to last long.

I wish mine was manual :(

Overall, great car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd June, 2010