18th Apr 2006, 21:28

Hey, I have to sort of agree with u. I have a 2002 and I had my back doors fixed its good. but the sensor went on too. and sometimes it burns out a bit and sometimes it doesn't.

Funny stuff.

8th Sep 2006, 12:35

I have had lots of problems with My 2002 Focus ZTS.

Starting with the engine light. I guess the sensor had broken (2006) and the fix was $700. Yes... my tires needed to be replaced quickly too.

The paint is starting to chip.

Now the alternator and battery required replacing as well as the Valve Cover Gasket ($1000 Sept/06). I would not recommend buying this car to anyone even though it does look good. I am scared of what is going to happen in a year!

5th Jan 2010, 07:42

The Ford Focus rear end is way too light. Thus causing the tires to wear oddly, or in other words, cross chop. The independent rear suspension doesn't help matters either.

5th Jan 2010, 16:59

I couldn't agree more. My rear tires were always wearing out much faster than the front, and would eventually become so unevenly worn the whole rear-end would wobble. I rotated the tires everytime I changed the oil, so how the rear tires wore down like that was always a mystery to me.

17th Jan 2010, 20:04

All of this about the tires, doors, gasket valve cover, etc is true. My 2002 Focus ZTS has 70,000, and I'm about to put my 4th or 5th set of tires on. I checked with Ford, and there is enough room in the wheel well to change the wheels/tires to the regular (non-performance) tires that are skinnier and taller (instead of the wide, thinner tread performance tires). I just have to save up some money to do it. I can't wait to save up enough money to buy a different vehicle.

6th Feb 2010, 18:17

I buy new tires every 6 months. Terrible vibrations. I would not recommend, and have heard from several other Ford Focus owners that they have similar problems. I would not buy it again, but am stuck with it.

25th Jul 2010, 15:37

I'm on my second Focus (a 2003 SE wagon). Drove the first, a 2000 ZX3 5spd, for 5 years. Would have kept it longer, but someone rear ended it & wrote it off. I drove with the original tires 88,000km before replacing them. The second set (Kumho Ecsta 716 hp4) nearly 50,000km before the accident and hardly worn. I am not a race car driving, but I do enjoy having a little fun. The first two Focus' I have owned had have been so good, that I may buy a third (SVT!). Sorry to hear about the bad luck you've been having.

31st Jul 2010, 06:42

WOW!!!... I have not talked to very many Focus owners, but I too replace tires on my 2003 Ford Focus ZTS ("performance tires") AT LEAST every 6 months!!!

As stated above, I do like the appearance of the car; HOWEVER, I will NEEEVER buy another Focus. The comment about the tires being chopped on the rear is correct.

I have done the routine oil changes, and have had a few repairs over the years. The car was brand new when I bought it.

Recently I have been having problems with the radiator/cooling system. I got the radiator flushed, that didn't help. My next move is to replace the thermostat before I replace the radiator.

I could have another car for the amount of money that I have spent on tires. DO NOT BUY A FOCUS!!!

12th Oct 2010, 09:16

OK, look I don't care what you say about a Focus, mine has been a little tank.

By the way, the reason you are having trouble with your cooling radiator system is because your thermostat is going bad and you probably have a leak in the thermostat housing. It's a cheap easy fix that you can do yourself. It's easy to do. If you need help, I can assist you in getting it done, don't waste the money on the mechanic.

The guy that spent $1000 dollars to have his over head gasket replaced wasted his money. Literally, that was six screws, take the old one out, put some adhesive in and put the new one in.

I will agree with you about the tires, but again, they're performance tires so they are gonna wear faster than normal ones, but they'll last better if you don't hammer gas. If you do, don't complain! LOL!