Haynes is here to help you save money at every stage of the car ownership experience. Using our extensive database, we can tell you what problems the Ford Focus Mk3 you’re thinking about buying might have, and we can show you how to diagnose and solve them.
If you already own a Focus Mk3 from 2011-2018, Haynes can help you with the service, maintenance and repair of it using a Haynes Manual or Autofix before you incur the expense of a garage visit.
The Ford Focus Mk3 has problems that include excessive battery discharge and the engine randomly switching into limp-home mode, and this article will explain what they involve and how the DIY mechanic can repair these at home and save money.
So we’re here to offer advice, data and help as you do it yourself with Haynes.
Check out this Focus Mk3 routine maintenance guide
What common problems does the Ford Focus Mk3 have?
All versions of the Focus Mk3 have been known to suffer from loose sealing strips around the door frames, which can cause a high-pitched squeal at speed.
In addition, the coolant pump on 1.6-litre EcoBoost models has been known to leak fluid.
Petrol models have suffered from chafing to the rear fuel lines, while others have been afflicted by a failure of the keyless entry system.
However, it’s easy to solve common problems for this model year of Focus with the Haynes Focus 2011-2014 Manual or AutoFix.
Has the Focus Mk3 had any recalls?
The Focus Mk3 has been the subject of a number of recalls, some serious, some less so. Early cars were recalled because a corroded cooling fan could seize and catch fire. Then more than 15,000 examples were recalled because the cylinder head could suffer a crack. A faulty clutch pressure plate caused another recall in 2013, and the car was recalled in 2014 because overheating could cause the sump to crack.
However, it’s easy to solve common problems for the Focus Mk3 with the Haynes Focus 2011-2014 Manual or AutoFix.
Are Focus Mk3 gearbox problems a thing?
Some versions of the Focus Mk3 have suffered issues with oil leaking from the gearbox. The cause of the fault is most often an incorrectly fitted driveshaft, which then damages the relevant gearbox seal. Either driveshaft can be the cause. However, the procedure is one that a DIY mechanic will be more than capable of completing without issue.
Solve Focus Mk3 gearbox problems with the Haynes Focus Mk3 Manual or AutoFix.
Watch the driveshaft removal procedure FOR FREE here:
Is transmission malfunction a Focus problem?
Some versions of the Focus Mk3 that are fitted with the 2.0-litre Duratorq engine can suffer problems with their gearshift. The symptom of the issue is that the transmission can suddenly slip from first gear into neutral. It can also suddenly slip from second gear into neutral.
The problem is a weak synchromesh on these gears. However, removal of the transmission is a task that can be carried out by the DIY mechanic with the help of a Haynes Manual or Haynes Autofix. A repair kit (part no: 1852724) is then available to remedy the problem.
Solve Focus Mk3 transmission issues with the Haynes Focus 2011-2014 Manual or AutoFix.
Does the Focus Mk3 have coolant leak problems?
Some examples of the Focus 2011-2014 have suffered a small leak of coolant from the thermostat housing. This is an easy repair that involves draining of the cooling system, removal of the thermostat housing, and resealing the affected area before replacing the items removed. The procedure is covered by the Haynes Focus 2011-2014 Manual.
Will my Focus Mk3 have electrical problems?
There have been reports of Focus Mk3s occasionally suffering from excessive battery discharge, causing a fault code to appear. One cause is fluid from a leaky windscreen washer pump travelling down wires and into the body control module. The solution is to clean the body control module and plug, and if this fails, then to renew the windscreen washer pump.
Both of these procedures are covered by the relevant Haynes Manual.
Solve Focus Mk3 problems with the Haynes Focus 2011-2014 Manual or AutoFix.
Does the Focus Mk3 have electronic problems?
Is an engine malfunction a Focus issue? Some examples have been prone to the engine randomly entering ‘limp-home’ mode, with a Focus engine light appearing on the dashboard. The cause is most likely a faulty clutch pedal position sensor, which is contained within the hydraulic unit.
The solution is to clear all error codes from the ECU and if necessary replace the unit.
How to fix door problems on the Focus Mk3
Two of the most common problems with the Focus Mk3 are squeaky doors, otherwise known as noise from the A-pillar, and faulty rubber seals in the door frame. In this video we show you how to quickly fix these problems. We've stripped down and rebuilt the Focus Mk3 produced from 2014 to mid-2018 (64 to 18 reg) to produce our best-selling manual.
Does the Focus Mk3 have keyless-locking problems?
We have heard of the odd Focus Mk3 suffering from a failure of its keyless-entry system. The cause is water and salt ingress into the external door handle, and the solution is to remove the door handle and clean it out, and clean the keyless-entry sensor contained in the handle.
This procedure is covered in depth in the Ford Focus Mk3 Manual and Autofix.