Question 1

Ford Focus Bluetooth: How to Use Bluetooth in a Ford Focus?

Accepted Answer

Ford Focus Bluetooth wasn’t a reality until the new model that arrived in 2011. But at the point, it was standard on every trim level (including voice command) and was many people’s first taste of the tech. Prompting a lot of online questions along the lines of how to connect Bluetooth to Ford Focus?’ It’s actually pretty easy. That said, the best of these earlier systems used Ford’s SYNC tech which was introduced on Focuses built from August 2012 onwards. Bluetooth Ford Focus pairing starts with switching on the Bluetooth on your phone and making the device discoverable. Then press the Phone button on the car’s menu system and follow the prompt to Add A Device. You should then be able to select SYNC from your phone’s list of available devices, enter the security code displayed on the car’s screen and your Ford Focus Bluetooth pairing is done. From there, you can make and receive calls, view text messages and stream music, all via the voice command system.

Question 2

Were the automatic transmission issues of the 2017 Ford Focus rectified in the LZ and later models?

Accepted Answer

Luckily, your car is in the clear, and the LW Model Focus was the one with the hugely problematic dual-clutch transmission. In fact, these gearboxes were more or less ticking time bombs and more than half of them suffered – sometimes multiple – failures requiring replacement units. Ford was taken to task by the ACCC over its handling of the whole thing and was forced to quickly revise the Fiesta, Ecosport and Focus ranges. Which is why your car, the LZ model, has a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and a conventional automatic transmission which is not only a better thing to drive, but also vastly less likely to fail prematurely and expensively. Ford made the switch to the LZ model in 2015, largely as a response to the fearful reputation for transmission failures the LW model had gained. Our advice to anybody shopping for a Ford Focus (or Fiesta or Ecosport) is to absolutely avoid any example with the dual-clutch gearbox. Its demise will be a question of when, not if.

Question 3

Can you use 2010 Ford focus parts on a 2009 model?

Accepted Answer

As both these model-years concern the same series of Focus, there would definitely be some interchangeability. Body panels should interchange readily (provided you don't try to fit the hatchback from a five-door to the boot of a four-door) and many interior fittings would also be able to be swapped (provided the interior colour and trim materials of the two cars matched). Mechanically, however, you need to be a bit more careful. Obviously, there would be major differences between the driveline of the diesel version and the more common petrol model, but there will likely be differences to driveshafts and all sorts of components when you compare a manual Focus to an automatic one. Different trim levels can also cause interchangeability problems in terms of a base-model car not having the electrical wiring to support the convenience equipment of the upmarket version. Things like the power windows in the rear of a Focus Ghia, for instance, will cause problems in the base-model CL which relied on manual rear windows.

Question 4

Transmission failure in 2015 Ford Focus Sport

Accepted Answer

Perhaps you've been lucky and simply bought a freakish Focus without any DCT Powershift transmission problems. But when more than half the small Fords sold in Australia fitted with that transmission  experiencing either single or multiple failures, I'm afraid the odds are stacked against you in the longer term. It seems there are two types of Focus Powershift transmissions: Those that have failed, and; those that will fail at some stage. The price you paid is probably about where the market is now, but this is a car we can't recommend at any price.

Question 5

Can I put coils, spark plugs and intake from a 2006 Ford Focus model into a 2005?

Accepted Answer

Ford replaced the Mark 1 Focus with the Mark 2 in June 2005, so interchangeability would depend on the build date of the 2005 Focus you have. While the Mark 1 and Mark 2 Focus both offered a two-litre four-cylinder engine (among others) the two engines were from different engine families. The earlier car used a member of the Zetec family, while the Mark 2 Focus two litre was from the Duratec family. So, unless both Focuses are Mark 2 cars, there's very little chance of sharing things like intake manifolds, even if the spark plugs and ignition systems could be swapped between Mark 1 and Mark 2 cars.

Question 6

How do I tell if a 2005 and 2009 Ford Focus are the same generation?

Accepted Answer

It will all depend on when in 2005 the Focus in question was built. Ford changed from the Mk1 Focus (LR model) to the all-new Mk2 Focus (LS model) in April of that year, so an early-build car will not be the same as the 2009 model, although a later-2005 one might be. These two versions of the Focus were built on different wheelbases and platforms, so there may not be too much interchangeability. Certainly the bodies were quite different, so panels and interiors won't be interchangeable at all. Even the steering systems were different model-to-model. The Mk1 used conventional power-steering, while the Mk 2 switched to electro-hydraulic power-steering. The compliance plate under the bonnet will tell you all you need to know about the car's build date. Visually, the earlier car had a much more angular style at the front with almost triangular headlights, while the later car was more upright and conventional looking.

Question 7

My 2018 Ford Focus Trend Hatch has done 62,000km and has lost compression in the fourth cylinder

Accepted Answer

Don't be so sure your car isn't covered by Ford's factory warranty. If it was delivered brand-new (as opposed to built) after May 1 of that year, it's subject to a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, so would still be covered. However, if it was delivered before that date, the warranty would have been three years or 100,000km which has now run out. Even so, given the kilometres and the service record, I think you'd be a good case to have Ford come to the party with some help on the repairs on a pro-rata basis. From what you've told me, I'm guessing you've only dealt with Ford at the dealership level. Go over their heads and talk directly with Ford HQ's customer service department. A quote for $3500 just to examine the car is, on the surface of it, absurd and should be treated with suspicion. Any competent mechanic should be able to diagnose what's going on and whether or not the engine needs to be replaced. My advice here would be to have the car inspected by your state motoring club (the RACV in Victoria) which can give a cost-effective and independent report on the car's condition (and won't cost anything like $3500). This is also excellent legal and evidential back-up if the case does progress to VCAT. On the face of it, 62,000km is not a reasonable lifespan for a fully serviced engine and the manufacturer should shoulder at least some of the cost of putting it right. Your last resort should be to contact the ACCC and talk to that body regarding your rights under Australia Consumer Law which covers goods (including cars) that are not built to a reasonable level of quality or are unfit for service. A failed engine at such mileage may well fall into that category.

Question 8

Will parts from a 2007 Ford Focus interchange with my 2003 Ford Focus SE?

Accepted Answer

You’re talking about two distinct models of the Ford Focus, so if there’s any interchangeability it won’t be much. Perhaps there would be some mechanical parts in terms of the engine, but the 2007 model was a physically larger can than the original (2003) so even things like the suspension units and brakes are unlikely to be interchangeable. As for body panels and interior fittings, I doubt there’d be any interchangeability at all. The later car had different panels and the interiors were also completely different. Changes to styling also mean that headlights, tail-lights, glass and even detail things like door handles would not be interchangeable.

Question 9

On my 2003 Ford Focus the rev counter, speedometer and temperature gauges only work on and off...

Accepted Answer

Our first suspicion would be a bad earth somewhere on the vehicle. Dashboard faults are very often the result of a poor earth contact and the symptoms you describe are spot on for that very problem. So go around the car and check all the earthing points form the battery to the body of the car. You could also be dealing with a broken solder in part of the circuit-board that controls the dashboard, too. A good auto electrician will be able to test the circuit for breaks and bad solders and repair them quite cheaply. Ultimately, though, the cost of this repair will be determined by how much of the car has to be disassembled to remove the circuit-board.

Question 10

My Ford Focus has now been back to the dealer five times to try to fix the dreaded and well-known transmission problem...

Accepted Answer

This is an issue that continues the haunt Ford even after it paid millions of dollars in fines levied by the ACCC for way it conducted itself in the face of the dual-clutch transmission fiasco. Fundamentally, about half the Fords delivered in Australia with the Powershift transmission, experienced either problems or outright transmission failures. Some of them on multiple occasions. Ford’s response of initially ignoring the problem and then blaming its customers stands as a 24-carat example of how not to do things. And the ACCC agreed, fining and condemning the company’s behaviour. Eventually, Ford was forced to offer customers a good deal on the next model Focus which featured a conventional automatic gearbox. Even then, the ACCC’s view was that Ford should have offered a full refund, not a sweetened deal to trade up to the newer model. Simply replacing the problem gearboxes wasn’t a widespread permanent fix as the replacement units would have given precisely the same problems. If you bought your car second-hand, that’s another problem because, really, the affected cars should have been scrapped, not resold to unsuspecting buyers (another beef the ACCC had with Ford at the time). I think your first port of call should be to the ACCC who will be able to give you an idea of the current situation as far as the problem goes, and what Ford is currently doing about it. Bear in mind, though, the original problem surfaced many years ago, so you’re a late member of the Powershift club.

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