Faults:

Many recalls, all dealt with by the dealership.

I had to replace the front brake pads and rotors at 46000 km's. I found it very strange to have to replace the rotors each time the pads have to be replaced. I was in fact told this by a Ford mechanic. I was also told by one of the mechanics at the Ford dealership, that during all of his 25 years of service, he had never seen a car so "cheaply" put together. He stated that the brake problem stemmed from using sub-standard materials in their construction.

The radio face-plate keeps popping out just enough to disconnect the radio. I have to continually push it back in. I was told by the dealership that they would not fix it because it was not fixable???

I am losing confidence with the dealership I frequent and have decided to try another one.

General Comments:

The Ford Focus handles very well in the twisty bits, but lacks power.

A tachometer should be standard equipment on all manual transmissions, not as an option.

Why would you ever need a tachometer with an automatic transmission?

Trunk is big, but access is limited.

Faults:

The power door locks broke the first month I bought the car. Then they broke again after having them repaired. Only this time, my front passenger side door wouldn't open. It stayed locked and wouldn't unlock to open by pulling on the handle. So I got that fixed. But now my back driver's side power window will not go down. At least it isn't all of the windows or my doors again. I'm just waiting though...

I had to replace the fuel pump at approx. 50,000 miles. That could have been my own fault though. I think it might of had to do with the fact that I didn't replace my fuel filter when the manual said to. I'm not sure on that though.

My extended warranty covered all of the above problems though. So it wasn't too big of a hassle.

General Comments:

I absolutely love my car!!!

It handles SO well!

It is fast!

Great gas mileage!

I've taken it on several road trips and it is very comfortable to drive in.

Stereo speakers produce great sound.

Attractive interior.

My black cloth interior hides spills.

Back seats are more roomy than my mom's contour.

HUGE trunk!

It is a great car that was inexpensive to buy and own. Just follow your manual and you will avoid complications! And maybe consider going with manual doors locks and windows.

Faults:

I have had very good luck with my Focus. I have owned my car now for 3 years and I have had no problem with my car. It has yet to be in the garage except for the re-calls.

General Comments:

I love the car. It is very roomy, I have been on many trips in this car, and it has plenty of room for the driver and the passenger, and all your cargo. The factory radio is awsome, better then an after market. The car is a little slow--it will go, but on after the pedal is on the floor. It also eats gas. The tank is only about 10 gallon, so your filling it up quite often.

Faults:

I had to have the car serviced for various recalls. However, the most annoying thing that happened (which eventually resulted in me trading the vehicle in) was that the car left me stranded at various locations due to a locked ignition cylinder. The dealer had told me the parts had been replaced (at no cost to me) but later found that they were only re-greasing the tumblers inside the cylinder switch. When I found this out, I traded the vehicle away two weeks later.

General defects: Weather trimming, especially around headlights were nearly non existent after several months of my owning the vehicle. The car had multiple blown fuses, so keep some spares.

General Comments:

The one thing that I really loved about the car was that the handling was exceptional. The car really hugged the turns at speeds in excess of 80mph.

The sound system is better than most, although I did replace the cassette/radio deck with a Kenwood CD/MP3 player the second day I had the car.