Thai built Focus quality issues.

[Focusfan]

scorpio39, I have a Focus sport, purchased in December and find there is
a gear box noise. Cant hear it with window down or radio on so is not loud
by any measure. I will be mentioning it at the free 3,000k check over so
if it develops and becomes a problem it will be on record and get fixed.
Secondly I got 3 year Ford warranty and 3 year extended Denmac
warranty, same as Ford factory warranty so am I worried about problems
after 3 years. NNOOOO Not at all. As for build quality before I decided on
buying the Focus I read massive amounts of forums and reviews from
around the world including Australia. As I worked until recently for
Nissan, Hyundai, Suzuki dealer I passed on these for a few reasons.
Nissan part supply has become pathetic. Cars are good but don't get
into an accident or have a major break down needing parts for over
seas. You will have car off road for a while. Hyundai have a few problems
engine and transmission wise. Their warranty cover is excellent. Suzuki
generally are a good product but replacement parts are expensive.
Very expensive compared to other manufacturers. Focus is only one
to have gone extra in cabin protection with extra high strong framework.
Trim and panel paint etc finish is very high quality compared to some
of the other makes on the market, read other forums. Lastly every
make sold in Australia use parts made in China. Every make.
Even genuine Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi, Audi, no exception. Except
maybe Farrari, maybe.

[EcoStang]

Originally Posted by scorpio39

So experiencing problems in a new 2013 vehicle, which the service department can't remedy is NOT a problem !!!!
The writer also is a mechanic !!!
Not a big deal, eh ??
Some people are easily pleased !!!

I published only one of many complaints on Product Review.
Have you read them all ? It appears not !!!
To be fair 55% of the reviewers thought the car was good or reasonable.
Those percentages and complaints did not convince me to lay out my "
hard earned" on one.

Scorpio,
sorry mate but your a wombat !
you compared the corolla and the i30 with the Focus....?
Well the Corolla is a good car tried and tested yes, abit or a dinosaur for my liking but all good.
But please do not compare the i30 with the Focus. Firstly you are comparing a mass cheep sales success with the only claim to fame is being cheap.
My ex eployer bought one and i drove this thing everyday. The amount of times it went back to the shop for warranty is crazy.In 12 monthe i travelled 35000 km and can tel, you its a dog of a car, but for the price and inclusions people buy them. The ex boss will never buy another one. Concidering the down time i had off the road

[Focusfan]

Be calm EcoStang. I sold my Focus as it turned out to be a bit small for my family needs. Got a BF 08 XR6. Drives fantastic but fuel consumption
around suburbia is horrendous. Strange a 4lt EF/EL , admit not exactly same motor, used 3 lt/100k less around town.
I am trying to be light footed but makes little difference.
Highway cycle is good, no complaint there. Noisy bearing somewhere that is hard to pin point, maybe front wheel or centre bearing.
That said I have never owned a car in my 40 years of driving that was 100% perfect or reliable. Worst was an early Holden Monaro.
Should have kept for value but got fed up with break downs.
Had a valiant, Morris, 3 holdens, 5 Fords, a Datsun 200b.
200B was way most reliable with Fords second for least problems.
Current new cars no matter what make will have some warranty issues. Some more than others so argument is pretty much a dud to me.

[marg99]

The fuel use is cause they extracted more KW out of the motor. Very common for the Idler pulley (which keeps the fan belt tight ) to have noisy bearings

[Focusfan]

Originally Posted by marg99

The fuel use is cause they extracted more KW out of the motor. Very common for the Idler pulley (which keeps the fan belt tight ) to have noisy bearings

Noise not from engine bay. Is almost like road tyre noise but sometimes gives the whir/whir/whir like a bearing and is easier to
hear on good smooth surface. Thinking wheel bearing but will have to see if it gets worse. As to fuel think I could do with a few less KW to
keep some extra in the bank. After owning EF and EL 4.0 think the EL had slightly more go than the EF but not huge difference to BF.
6 Speed auto gives it more but think if it was chipped to use slightly less fuel would not make a big difference to power.
Now there is a point, has anyone chipped a BF ECU to use a little less fuel and has it made any noticeable difference in economy and power.?

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by marg99

The fuel use is cause they extracted more KW out of the motor.

Got nothing to do with it, because all the extra power is made higher up the rev range.
The extra 200kg+ the FGs carry around over the E-series is the major reason.

[Focusfan]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Got nothing to do with it, because all the extra power is made higher up the rev range.
The extra 200kg+ the FGs carry around over the E-series is the major reason.

Cool info. I thought the BF would be lighter as the panels seem very thin and flexible compared to e series.
Must be more weight in frame and mechanicals I would think.
Maybe if I loose some weight it may help.....

[aaaaplay]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

In my experience, the problem is very few people jump online to outright praise the stuff they buy. For example there's a very long thread in the Focus section 're: transmission issues, but no equivalent 'how awesome is the new Focus' thread with nearly as much involvement from people. I know one could argue this means there are very few people that are happy with their cars, but I think it's human nature to complain, but not praise, loudly.

The build quality on my wife's Thai Focus is on par with my German Fiesta (at least to the naked eye) She had an issue with the transmission which was repaired quickly. The rest of the car has been great.

I love our Focus and it is overall a great car, but if you had those shudders and every second gear fail you may over look the good things and focus on whats stranding you.

As far as quality is concerned I have noticed a few differences. I drive a 2012 German built Focus and having sat in the Thai Focus there were a few things I immediately noticed.
On the Thai model the leather on the steering wheel feels cheap, it wasn't the greatest on the German model but it is defiantly noticeable especially the stitching. As a Saab owner I know what quality leather feels like neither impress.
One upside to the thai model was the addition of a leather wrapped handbrake unlike the plastic one on the German Sport model.
I also don't have praises for the new matt silver trim. It looks nice but as far a feel, its cheap. I don't think it will wear well over time. But in saying that my drivers door trim has lost paint possibly due to the previous owners bracelet.
But I must say I like the gloss finish better.
Another thing I've also noticed is that 2014 models only have three rear park sensors instead of four?

[Focusfan]

I Agree matt silver looks cheap compared to chrome finish BUT there were a number of reviews a bout 2001 era where they complained about sun
reflecting off chrome edges etc and suggested Ford change this. They did so and now people complain about matt silver. Hmmm.
Seems a case of if they don't they are bad and if they do they are bad. Cant make everybody happy as there is always someone that
wants things done differently. Funny thing that the BF XR6 has a lot of matt silver and they are praised by the majority of owners.
Then you get people who love silver paint. Could go on all day but
point is we are all different and just as well. Booring world if we were all the same.

[scorpio39]

Re, Ford Focus quality issues.
Read the latest thread in the "Bar".
I rest my case !!!!

I finally purchased a Mazda 3 !!!

[marg99]

well at least the chassis is the same as the focus.

[DRU842]

Had my 2013 build Focus S PowerShift for just under 12 months with 17,000km on the clock. I purchased the car for work, as an interim vehicle, until the Mustang arrives - banking the Car Allowance I like to say.
No warranty issues and the car constantly surprises me with its solid performance & economy. I've had the 'noises' from the gearbox and it can be jerky in stop start traffic and it has improved over time. I understand that these are characteristics of the technology; which I believe is cutting edge for passenger vehicles.
I have no hesitation recommending the Focus to anyone looking for a vehicle engineered for enjoyment, reliability, economy and not just commuter from A to B.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by marg99

well at least the chassis is the same as the focus.

I believe the latest Mazda 3 and Mazda 2 share nothing with the Focus/Fiesta.

They're an all Mazda effort.