yeah when I changed the battery, my plan is to hold on with the car, that why I bought FoMoCo battery
I just test the market, posted at Mudah, then on same day got serious buyer paying cash,, with good price,, then why not,

Its a good car, never doubt on that, fun to drive, still got wow turn head factor, imagine what common car got this year at 2023, we already using it since 2010 like auto park, auto breaking,,

just the occurrence of same defect make me turn away

Forgot one more thing that I changed during warranty,, sun roof rubber seal lining

Yes, it's a good car, fun to drive and packed with goodies as you have mentioned above. In other words, value for money, ONLY when it does not show any problems. I can still accept small parts which require replacement if they aren't too costly, or even the clutch pack although the last improved version didn't show any issues already for the past 4 to 5 years. However, to me the deal breaker which I recently discovered now is surely the steering rack. It's not only expensive to replace when new (even half-cut requires up to RM3k which is not exactly cheap) but the danger that comes with it. If the steering rack fails and the driver is unable to control the steering wheel when the car is still in motion on the road, this is serious safety issue that may cause an accident. For this sole reason, I have lost interest in keeping this car as a "long-term companion". The car has to serve the owner and not the other way round. Currently it's the other way round for me as I'm serving the car. I still have not replaced the O2 sensor yet, scheduled replacement is end of the month. There are far too many surprises or time-bomb waiting to happen since I've now experienced it already. If it happens once in every 4 to 5 years, I can still accept it. But it's just less than a year and a major part breaks down again which is just unlucky for me.

Doesn't seem like the thread is very active, but been looking into the Ford Focus Mk3.5 to replace my 2011 VW Golf 1.4 TSI (Mk6) due to exorbitant repair costings. My last repair was 9.1k.

May I know if there are owners here and how they feel about their current 2014~2016 Ford Focus Ecoboost 1.5 or Ford Fiesta 1.0s?

This post has been edited by Yuki Ijuin: Jul 11 2023, 10:54 AM

At one point of time I was interested in the Ford Focus Mk3.5 Ecoboost too and checked with the experienced Ford specialist boss Selvendran of Bengkel Excellent Auto and Azhar, another boss of Ford workshop at Ampang. Both told me the Ecoboost turbo engine has a fault where due to the design it will overheat. However, this problem was said to have been fixed with improved engine block. Not sure about the details though. Another issue is with the steering rack which should be the same between the mk3 and mk3.5. Cost of replacement at service centre is reported to be around RM13k while outside workshop ranges from RM7.5k to 9.8k. I believe these are the major components of the mk3.5 which cost a bomb, the engine and steering rack. Other electronics will add up to it.

I've spent close to RM10k too just within this year for my mk3.

I would like to retract my remark made above earlier this year in April 2023 For steering rack failures, I now do not recommend getting half-cut and strongly advise to get a BRAND NEW steering rack not only for reliability and longevity considerations but also peace of mind. The half-cut steering rack not only does not last long (1st one less than 1 year, now on 2nd one) but has some minor friction noise when the steering wheel is turned left and right. If one still has the intention of keeping the car for several more years, then it's only appropriate to spend the money a change to a brand new steering rack. Otherwise, change to a halfcut and sell the car off within 1 year or less.

Is our mk3 FoFo 2014 year use timing chain or timing belt. Do I need to change it ? I’m already at 203600 mileage.
Thanks

Ford Focus MK3 uses timing chain and usually will last the entire lifecycle of the car unless due to unforseen circumstances. Major service schedule would have it has one of the "to check" item, most likely 80,000 km or the 100,000 km.

Thank you bro

Looks like, after 204000+ km, my TCM got a problem again. The gear shifts very abruptly and 'S' mode can't engage.
all this while no problem or shuddering but this morning noticed the gear is like skipping 2nd gear and straight goes to 3rd when moving from still. And while driving there are quite some judders when slowing down but otherwise constant speed still appears smooth.

Anyone had this problem? BTW the engine light is on now.

I presume this is the 2nd time you are experiencing a TCM failure? Just contact PJ service centre or Bengkel Excellent Auto to check and fix it. I'm not sure if you need to leave your car there for several days for the TCM replacement.

I have forgotten about my first TCM replacement whether I left my car there for several days at PJ service centre to replace. I think I did. Not safe to drive the car already if it's a TCM fault whereby there gears shift abruptly at low speed.

This is exactly the symptoms I see in my car. In fact, this is the 3rd time TCM problem. Hopefully, it's just the TCM and not the clutch.
BTW anyone know what's the symptom if the clutch is faulty/worn out in our FoFo?

Wow, 3rd time? Touch wood my car won't experience the TCM problem too soon. The symptoms of the TCM failure for me were not solely in abrupt gear shifting but loss of power in low speed acceleration ie. the car won't be able to accelerate at speeds of 60 km/h and above even though you step on the accelerator. I"m not sure of other more serious issues associated with the TCM failure, or whether it's still safe to drive the car with the symptoms. You may still drive the car slowly but best is to get it to the workshop to have it fixed ASAP rather than continue to drive the car.

Clutch worn out is no problem as it's only jerking or shuddering during low speed acceleration. The vehicle will still have the power to accelerate to higher speeds. Since the engine light on your vehicle is lit, this is suggesting more serious problem apart from TCM. Better to have it checked. The lit engine light may be due to other issues. In my case, it was the faulty O2 sensor that caused the engine light to be lit.

By the way, I reread your post. How do you know it's TCM failure? Reading the symptoms of your car, it can be an O2 sensor failure also. Just bring your vehicle to the workshop to have it checked and fixed since the engine light is already lit. Failure of O2 sensor caused the engine light on my vehicle to be lit, but there is very minor effect to the performance of the car. There were no abrupt gear changes and my car still had the power to accelerate with the faulty O2 sensor. I guess the symptoms vary with vehicles.

It can't be O2 sensor as I've installed the bypass in BEA in USJ. The car gear shift abruptly when moving from still but after going above 60km or so it's like normal. no issues in highway speed until I slow down back to 3/2/1 gears..
Last time I had the same symptoms when TCM broke.

Also if clutch worn out, will the engine light lit?

Your symptom lean towards Shift Fork issue which I recently encountered. Best drive to workshop for a diagnostic. Skipping gear may be due to one of the Shift Fork is stuck hence you loose one side of the gear (i.e., Odd or Even).

Just to share my test drive experience of the Toyota Corolla GR Sport just recently. It's not supposed to replace my current Ford Focus mk3 but is currently the top choice as a family car for my dad.

I would have to say, after test driving the Corolla GR Sport I now appreciate the Focus mk3 even more. The Corolla GR Sport performs more like a family car although it's marketed as having improved sporty GR handling. I was hoping it could somehow match the Focus mk3 in areas of handling and performance, but I was wrong. The Corolla GR Sport not only feels less powerful but the steering feel is a huge difference from the accurate and perfectly weighted steering of the Focus. This is the area where I think separates the difference in ride and handling between the Focus and Corolla GR Sport.

Despite the reduced performance, handling and driving dynamics, I'll likely go with this Toyota Corolla GRS as it ticks most of the boxes as a family car when compared to other alternatives. The areas where the Corolla GR Sport showed improvement over the Ford Focus are a roomier cabin for rear passengers, better rear legroom and softer leather seats which translate to slightly better comfort.

As for the Ford Focus mk3, i now appreciate it even more although there were some bad hiccups with the vehicle earlier and some poor decisions on going with a 2nd hand steering rack, not once but twice. I'll likely replace the steering rack to a new one during the next service to keep the vehicle in tip top condition. All other parts such as engine mountings and worn parts have been replaced 2 months ago during the scheduled service.

The pictures below show the Corolla GR Sport which I test drove just recently. The white coloured one looks the best to me. Even with 18" black sports rim, sports tuned suspension, springs and absorbers, the handling of the vehicle still can't match the trusty old Focus mk3 sedan with 16" wheels. Having spoiled by the 2.0 litre engine and DCT, the Corolla'S 1.8-litre engine and Super CVT feels noticeably less powerful and more sluggish. Looking past the performance in handling and acceleration power, as a whole it's actually not that bad as the overall package is quite good when compared to the competition out there. I find the Corolla GR Sport to be quite elegant looking especially with the revised front bumper.

I thought you decided getting Corolla Cross...
Yes I agree that 1.8 NA is sluggish, the key deciding factor for me to went with used gen 11.5 2.0v after test drove both, very draggy uninspiring when want sudden power...

This post has been edited by voscar: Dec 25 2023, 04:57 PM

Yes, initially I decided to go with the Corolla Cross GR Sport but after watching this video on the superior double wishbone rear suspension setup of the Corolla when going over bumps, and comparing both Corolla Cross GRS and Corolla GRS, I decided that the latter now appeal more than the Cross despite the additional RM10k premium.



Perhaps I'm spoiled by the power of the Ford Focus. After driving it for 10 years, switching to the Corolla GRS it feels like an instant downgrade not only in terms of acceleration power but handling and driving dynamics. I risk repeating myself but this GR Sport version of the Corolla surely doesn't have much sporty handling in it. Despite the GR Sports badge, to me the car is tuned more to comfort as it soaks up all the bumps and irregularities on imperfect roads. Although it has 18" wheels with allegedly sports tuned suspension, to me it feels like a comfort tuned suspension with 16" wheels. The suspension is a comfortable set up although it's marketed to have GRS dna.

From the spec sheet I suspect your 2.0 litre Altis would be more powerful than this 1.8 litre Corolla. This comfortable and slow accelerating Corolla GR Sport would fit my dad as he doesn't care about power at all as he'll be mainly using the vehicle to go to supermarket to buy groceries and appointments at the hospital. 😂

An update, probably my last post on this thread and I'll make it short. Despite my earlier plan to keep the Ford Focus for few more years, I finally decided to let it go after much consideration There are just too many surprises and I don't really wish to go through the ordeal again.

My only mistake that I regret doing is replacing the steering rack with a second hand unit, not once but twice. If I could turn back time I will replace it with a new one. If any Focus owners have a faulty or malfunction steering rack, I would strongly urge you to replace it with a new one. Only replace to a second hand one if you don't plan to keep it for long with the intention to sell it away.

I will miss the handling and performance of the car, and the powered seats for both driver and passenger, that's for sure. I don't think there is any vehicle that offers the value of the Focus at its price point of RM105k to 115k. The powered seats for both front and passenger are only offered in few D-segment vehicles such as Toyota Camry. Most if lot all C-segment cars only come with driver's powered seat while the passenger seat is on manual adjustment.

One thing I won't miss about the Ford Focus is on unplanned failure of parts or electronics especially one that requires the vehicle to be towed to the workshop. If there is any vehicle that drives like the Ford Focus at below RM150k, I would appreciate any information.

It is indeed a feature jammed packed car for its age. No other C-segment car at this price point from 12 years ago had self parking, self opening/closing flaps, AEB, Hill assist, sunroof, 160hp, and the list goes on. But with all this comes the endless list of problems and I have encountered them all.
Mine is a Sport+ with 200k km now and I am looking at replacing it with either a Mazda 3, used 330i, or go all the way with more budget for a used SUV like XC90 or Macan.

This post has been edited by kelvinftg: Feb 25 2024, 12:23 AM