2013 Ford Focus SE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Horrible decision

Faults:

The engine lacks power; will often attempt to stall out and runs very rough.

The transmission shifts very poorly, and sometimes will bang and jerk or not go into the proper gear.

Wheel bearings and strut mounts had to be replaced at 50000.

Door panel had to be replaced at 21000.

Rust is starting to develop under the the driver's door.

The infotainment system is oftentimes infuriating, especially the voice command portion.

General Comments:

The car is good on gas and it looks decent.

I regret the decision I made to purchase this car daily. I do not feel safe driving it, and it's embarrassing to have to explain to passengers that the shaking from a new car is deemed normal, as is the jerking from the transmission in the city.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th July, 2014

8th Jul 2014, 16:32

Please read your annual Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue, every year. It will give you the good and bad cars out there. In it you would see that Ford has had some issues with the newer Ford Focus hatchback and coupe, the Ford Focus ST, and also had issues with the Ford Focus sedans... especially the last two years. And their new car prediction of the Focus is not good... but they do recommend the earlier Ford Focus sedans... years 05/06, 08/09 and 10/11. So there are a lot of great used Ford Focuses out there.

Too many people are buying cars based on past experiences with the make and model. Those days are gone; you have to research, research, and research some more before you spend your hard earned money on any vehicle out there.

2013 Ford Focus Titanium 2.0L Ti-VCT from North America

Summary:

Excellent car for the price

Faults:

MyFord Touch froze once

Someone hit me at 2500 miles; that was about $1,900 to fix.

General Comments:

This is my second Focus, my first being a 2003 Focus SE Comfort sedan. All in all, going from a mk1 Focus to the latest generation, I'm not disappointed. Ford has really come a long way from the inexpensive compact that was the Focus to what we have today.

I particularly enjoy the heated leather seats and steering wheel, as well as the backup camera. I also enjoy the premium audio system by Sony that Ford has packed on board as part of the Titanium trim level.

The car gets very good MPG and has plenty of space for what I need. It seems Ford has found every need someone would typically have in a car and they nailed it. Very pleased.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2014

2013 Ford Focus ST 2.0 turbo petrol from North America

Summary:

Fabulous machine, marred only by an inept infotainment system

Faults:

Unfortunately, this car is cursed with the worst infotainment system possible. It's been an endless nightmare, still unresolved.

First trick was to complain about being unable to access the backup camera. What backup camera? The car never had one.

Second trick was to switch to A/V mode if you restarted the car without completely powering it down. What A/V mode? Why A/V?

Third trick was for the computer to fail completely, and as a consequence, drain the battery flat. They were unable to root cause that - just gave me the weasel words that it's a complex system. That inspires confidence.

Also the boost gauge failed. Apparently from a bum chip. That they could figure out and fix.

General Comments:

Fabulous engine and chassis. More power than an idiot like me should have under the loud pedal. The torque steer is entertaining, although some may consider it excessive.

Comfortable seats, albeit a tad difficult to crawl out of after a bout of hard driving - worse if it's in a tight parking spot.

The lowered suspension and aggressive nose make for a scary but attractive machine. Works best in black - dunno why Ford is so fond of the yellow version; it's a naff colour.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th January, 2014