Faults:

Tires consistently wear out and need replacing. I have had to replace two since I have owned the car, due to the car's excessive shaking at highway speeds, but I suspect they were the original tires anyway. Car rides fine now.

The windshield had a stone chip and had to be replaced.

The stereo very curiously turns on and off at its own will.

There was a clunking from inside the dash that has since mysteriously vanished.

There is some rust starting under the hood, invisible from the exterior of the car.

Brakes squeak, although they are in fine condition, and I was told this was typical.

No major or expensive mechanical problems.

I am disappointed with value depreciation, though.

General Comments:

My Focus has been a pleasant car. It has had some minor wear-related issues, but overall it's a decent car. It's a Ford after all..

I don't understand some of the reviews claiming the Focus to be a lemon. It has been very reliable. It is comfortable, economical, and fun to drive. Like most cars, though, it needs to be maintained.

Faults:

Firestone Fire Hawk tires had to be replaced at 44,000 kilometres because they were not suitable for Canadian winters and very noisy.

Rear brakes noisy at 43,000 kilometres, replaced under warranty.

Steering rack and pinion assembly had to be replaced at 50,000 kilometres because of noise and fluid leaks, $900.00.

Ignition key jammed at 67,000 kilometres, leaving us stranded, car had to be towed and lock cylinder had to drilled out and replaced, $430.00.

Front rotors had to be replace at 62,000 kilometres.

Interior trim parts fall off.

Paint is flaking off.

Alloy wheels are rusting and discolored.

General Comments:

I would never buy another Ford or any other car from our local Ford dealer.

I would recommend finding an independent mechanic to service the car and staying away from the Ford dealer.

My 1987 Cavalier was more reliable when I traded it in for this Focus in 2002.

Handles well, nice leather interior, but reliability and rapid depreciation are a problem.

This is the most unreliable and disappointing car I have ever owned, and I can hardly wait to replace it.

Faults:

I only have four negative things with my 2000 Focus SE wagon.

1. AC is a gas and power hog for the 2.0 Zetec, but living in Texas AC is a must.

2. The transmission does have a tendency to slip at low speed when changing when over drive is on. I found that if I turn off the over drive I do not have this problem, which works well for me since 90% of my driving is in town at 35-40 mph. In addition this gives the transmission more torque, therefore better acceleration.

3. There is a rattle in the rear of the car which I have determined to be the upper control arm bushing, which means that you have to replace the entire control arm (dealer item only). I already replaced the rear shocks, I was able to locate on the Internet.. That brings me to item 4.

4. Lack of parts availability other than from the dealer.

General Comments:

My brother bought this car new for his wife and children. He sold it to me this year with 75,000 miles on it. He did have about 12 recalls done, but the brakes lasted to 69,000 miles at which time the rotors were replaced also.

I really enjoy the room in side and the fact that you sit higher up, my last car was a 1990 Toyota Corolla and was low to the ground, which is not good at when it rains a lot and floods.

I had to buy special racks in addition to the factory rack for me to be able to take my canoe on camping trips.

Even though the AC causes more gas consumption, it gets really cold!

Kudos to the rest of you, as for being treated poorly by the Ford dealer or service department, It appears they just want to sell the cars and not repair them. They refused to acknowledge the rattle, brushed it off by saying they could not find it!