Door latch failure (recall)
usually 0–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Door won't latch or opens while driving
Fix: Check recall; replace latch
€0–250
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Ford Focus III
2011–2018 · Ford Focus 3
6
engines covered
21
known faults
529,435
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
16
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Ford Focus III was built from 2011 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 6 engines and 21 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5): it usually appears at 60,000–180,000 km and costs €3,000–6,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (16.4 %), tyres and wheels (8.5 %), suspension (7.7 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, steering, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 Duratec / Ti-VCT (Ford Sigma) | Petrol | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-20 / 5W-30 · Ford WSS-M2C913-C / 948-B · ~3.8–4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 EcoBoost / 1.0 Ti-VCT (Fox) | Petrol | Wet belt · 150,000 km | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · ~4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) | Petrol | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · ~4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · every 15,000 km |
| 2.3 EcoBoost (Focus ST Mk4, Focus RS Mk3) | Petrol | Chain | — |
| 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
SYNC infotainment faults
usually 0–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Freezes, Bluetooth drops
Fix: Software update
€0–150
Faults by engine
1.25 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 Duratec / Ti-VCT (Ford Sigma)
Ti-VCT cam phasers / oil control valve
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: HWDA, HXDA, HXDB, PNDA, PNDB, IQDB
Signs: Rattle on start, rough idle, VCT codes (1.6 Ti-VCT)
Fix: Replace phasers / solenoid; correct oil
€300–800
Ignition coil pack
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace coil
€80–200
Thermostat housing leak (plastic)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace housing
€100–250
Valve clearance (shims)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Ticking; check more often on LPG
Fix: Adjust clearances
€150–400
1.0 EcoBoost / 1.0 Ti-VCT (Fox)
Coolant hose / overheating (2012–2015)
usually 0–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Coolant loss, temperature warning
Fix: Check recall; replace hose
€100–400
Wet timing belt inspection
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Belt in oil degrades
Fix: Inspect; replace per schedule
€700–1,300
1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl)
Overheating / coolant loss (1.6 recall, 2010–2015)
usually 0–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2010–2015 only
Signs: Coolant level drops, overheating — cracked head / fire risk
Fix: Check recall; monitor coolant level
€0–3,000
Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5)
usually 60,000–180,000 km · High risk
engine codes: M8DA, M8DB, M9DA, UNCJ, M8MA, M9MA
Signs: Misfire on start, white smoke, coolant loss
Fix: Engine block replacement
€3,000–6,000
Carbon build-up (direct injection)
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Valve cleaning
€300–600
1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+)
Oil pump drive belt (runs in oil)
usually 200,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: No warning before it fails — oil pressure can drop
Fix: Replace the oil pump belt at Ford's scheduled interval
€300–700
2.3 EcoBoost (Focus ST Mk4, Focus RS Mk3)
Head gasket failure / coolant loss (Focus RS 2016–2018)
usually 40,000–150,000 km · High risk
model years 2016–2018 only
Signs: Coolant level drops, white smoke, misfire on cold start
Fix: Replace the head gasket with the updated part, or the engine
€2,000–6,000
1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)
Injector copper seal leak → carbon build-up
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, diesel / soot smell, carbon around injectors
Fix: Replace seals early; remove carbon
€200–900
DPF additive (Eolys) / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 'Additive level low' / DPF warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean or replace DPF
€150–1,200
EGR valve / cooler
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, power loss
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–600
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
PowerShift DPS6 (dry clutch)
PowerShift clutch judder / shudder
usually 40,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Shudder pulling away, hesitation, grinding
Fix: Clutch pack and seals; software; TCM
€800–2,000
PowerShift TCM failure
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Drops into neutral while driving, no gear
Fix: Replace TCM
€500–1,200
PowerShift MPS6 (wet, Getrag)
MPS6 fluid & clutch wear
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough shifts when the fluid is old
Fix: Fluid change every 60,000 km
€200–1,500
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.25 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 Duratec / Ti-VCT (Ford Sigma) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 150,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 529,435 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.5 % | 2.9 % | 4.6 % | 6.2 % | 7.6 % | 9.4 % |
| Suspension | 1.2 % | 3.3 % | 7.7 % | 11.2 % | 13.2 % | 14.9 % |
| Steering | 0.2 % | 0.4 % | 0.7 % | 1.2 % | 1.6 % | 2.5 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.6 % | 6.0 % | 8.5 % | 10.3 % | 11.4 % | 12.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.0 % | 8.8 % | 16.4 % | 22.8 % | 26.8 % | 28.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 0.6 % | 1.8 % | 3.4 % | 5.2 % | 6.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.9 % | 1.6 % | 3.7 % | 4.8 % | 4.9 % | 5.3 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 9,625 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (16). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Electronics / software 25C77 Focus Telematics Control Unit Software Update13/02/2026 · R/2026/059
- Visibility CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update08/09/2025 · R/2025/359
- Steering X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update19/12/2024 · R/2025/094
- Gearbox Possible transmission stud damage to wiring loom following repair05/03/2021 · R/2021/020
- Engine / loss of power Engine wiring loom may touch a stud on the transmission housing16/04/2020 · R/2019/454
- Suspension / axles Bolts fixing front suspension to vehicle may not be tightened to correct torque06/03/2019 · R/2019/085
- Fire risk Vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture22/02/2019 · R/2018/351
- Doors / locks / lids Potential for the rear doors to open when the rear windows are lowered12/02/2019 · R/2019/045
The other recalls (8) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026