Faults:

The brakes have squealed since I got the car.

The trunk wouldn't shut and then I took it in to be "fixed" it wouldn't open.

The keys were stuck in the ignition.

The rear seat belts wouldn't work.

The tires cup horribly, even with proper rotation.

After every oil change the car starts to chug and stall when I slow down or stop, but Ford says there is nothing wrong.

General Comments:

This car is very cute, but the WORST vehicle I have ever owned. It has been in the shop 37 times. For problems ranging from seat belts to tires falling off. I wouldn't recommend this car to Bin Laden.

Faults:

A real faint, however noticeable knocking noise. When I had it looked at at my dealership, I was instructed it was a 'Characteristic of the Vehicle'. I noticed the suspicious sound the day I purchased it, it only makes the noise when running, while parked on an incline. No 'ill effects' ever surfaced from it though.

The stock drum brakes started squealing after 62000 miles, had fixed for about $300.

General Comments:

Nothing but luck with my focus. I purchased it used for $6900 (!!!) and worked a few of the kinks out of it and it's run nearly perfect since.

I love my focus, if at all possible I want to put 300,000 miles on it and never let it go!

A word of caution to those who are wanting to purchase a focus, there are a lot of common problems that surface with this car. If you can change your own oil/filters and understand the importance of maintaining your car you can easily get 180,000 miles on your car with minimum investment.

As with all cars, the Focus does need maintained, with its tiny engine and high torque rating it is imperative that you maintain the car and fix tiny problems immediately. This is not a Honda, or a Toyota, you can't simply ignore a failing transmission because you are short on cash. In short, pay a little when its needed and save yourself the maladies so many on this website have experienced.

Faults:

Trunk pops open when driving down the road.

Trunk light on dashboard comes on when the automatic door locks lock/unlock.

Trunk light comes on when the automatic door locks lock/unlock.

Back door hinges made horrible noise when opening/shutting door. Ford fixed this.

Middle back seatbelt has been replaced 3 times. It is in today for a 4th time. Seatbelt jams and cannot be used.

Hard plastic casing that driver's shoulder seatbelt comes out of will not stay in place - pops out and will not pop back in. Ford fixed this.

Airbag light on dashboard came on while driving. Ford fixed this - said it was a bad module.

Key-less remote quit working.

Front brake pads and rotors needed replacing after only 15,000 miles.

Adjustment lever that reclines front seat broke.

The air conditioner comes on when I put my defroster on - is this supposed to do this?

General Comments:

If I could go back 3 years and do it all over again, I would have never of bought this car. I love it as far as the interior, and it being a station wagon. But there are too many problems!