Common Faults With Ford Focus & Fiesta ST
When buying any used car, it’s important to check for common faults to understand what kind of maintenance the car may need in the future.
With the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta ST’s both being performance models, they likely will have been driven vigorously, and enthusiastically by some owners, so it’s important to check the one you’re interested in buying hasn’t got any of these common faults before you commit to buying.
Remember,though, all cars experience their faults and problems, and this is especially true with old cars as they age; it's unavoidable. That being said, Ford has been a dependable car manufacturer for many years, with a superb reputation for producing high-quality vehicles that are meticulously manufactured.
Ford Fiesta ST common faults
Cracked Cylinder Head
Some 1.6L Ford Fiesta ST models built before 2014 have had to be recalled due to cracked cylinder heads caused by the engine overheating. This could, in some cases, then lead to the engine bay catching fire.
How to fix:
You’ll need to take the car to a Ford dealership to have it inspected, where they’ll check the condition of the engine and cooling system. They’ll potentially install a cooling level sensor as well as some extra visual and audio warning software to alert the driver if the engine temperature becomes too high. Ford has stated previously they will cover 100% of this repair cost, including giving refunds to drivers who have previously had to pay.
Alternatively, you can use a website such as Who Can Fix My Car to locate specialist Ford repair garages near you.
Shaking/Shuddering/Grinding Noises
Sometimes shuddering and shaking can occur when accelerating, and this is usually due to the driveshaft or worn spark plugs that need replacing. It may also be due to a power steering issue.
How to fix:
Try to find a Ford ST specialist, such as the Pentagon Group in Merseyside, or take your car to a Ford dealership so their professionals can diagnose the issue quickly. Spark plugs are reasonably cheap to replace, starting at around £40, while a replacement driveshaft can cost anywhere between £200-£500 if you go to an authorised dealer.
Transmission
Some Fiesta ST experience premature wear of the transmission and noise, due to poorly machined parts inside.
How to fix:
Any defect like this should be covered under manufacturer’s warranty or comprehensive warranty. However, if you don’t have a warranty, the cost to replace a faulty transmission could be up to £500.
Ford Focus ST common faults
Power Steering
2008 models of the Ford Focus ST have been known to experience power steering issues. This is because the power steering hoses that were fitted when the car was built, weren’t up to specified standards, and as a result they degraded over time and caused the power steering to fail completely.
How to fix:
You’ll need to have your power steering hoses checked and replaced, which can cost between £150 and £500.
Faulty Touchscreen
Older models of the Ford Focus ST with the MyFord touch screen are more prone to experiencing this issue, in which the touchscreen is just entirely unresponsive or turns black.
How to fix:
This fault becomes worse when the car is cold, so give your car time to warm up when you start it and see if this fixes the issue. If not, you can either visit a Ford dealer who will update the system for you, or contact Ford who will send over a USB stick with the updated software on for you to install.
Slipping Clutch
If you’re finding the transitions when changing gears aren’t smooth or you’re slipping between gears when you engage the clutch, these could be symptoms of a slipping clutch. Ford had multiple complaints from consumers who had the powershift gearbox from 2015 installed in their Ford Focus ST’s. Because of this, Ford did end up installing a 6 speed system as a replacement.
How to fix:
Unfortunately, if your Ford Focus has a slipping clutch, the only way to fix the problem is to have a full clutch replacement. These can be extremely costly, at an average of £500-£620.
Buy your Ford ST with MCS Performance
View our selection of Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta ST vehicles available in Essex today. You can reserve any model online, schedule a test drive, request a finance estimate, and even look into our part-exchange options. If you have any inquiries about a certain Ford Focus ST model we have in stock, be sure to get in touch with us right away.