2012 Mk3 Focus heater matrix failure

[Ulgham]

Our 2012 Focus Titanium X (45k miles) dumped the heater matrix contents into the driver footwell, fortunately it happened seconds after my wife got out after a long journey!

Rare failure I'm told, has anyone else had the same problem on a Mk3 Focus? We have owned the car from new and know there has been no accident damage to cause the failure.

Relatively low cost part but over 1.5 days labour to replace due to the poor access (it took longer, but the dealer wrote the extra time off), never mind the danger to the driver of very hot liquid with anti freeze in it potentially scalding their legs and ankles!!! Not great days before Christmas...

[iantt]

Not unknown , I've seen and done a few. Can be done in a day.

[Flyingkiwi]

Have had coolant loss over the past weeks in my 2012 1.6 Focus. Spent over £60.00 in replacement coolant to keep me mobile so far.

Fault has been traced to a leak in the heater matrix with leak pooling in a gully under drivers seat, and leaking out through drain holes. My regular garage have recommended this repair be completed by a Ford Garage as outside their expertise. At least they are honest. According to my Local garage the Ford garage I am going to have two other Focuses in with the same fault, so obviously a common problem

Matrix costs £157.00 and Ford will need the car over a couple of days to confirm that this is indeed the problem and then make necessary repairs. Looking at over £300.00 but needs to be done. :-(

 

[iantt]

£300? have you been quoted that cost? seems rather low.

[vindi93]

I too now have this issue I have a 2012 focus 1.6 ecoboost maybe they had a batch of bad matrix units. Lucky I took out autogard insurance so I won't have to pay as the matrix is covered. But it's still annoying I noticed by the fact the pedals were feeling slippy like when you get diesel on your feet. I managed to use a wet vacuum to suck as much as I could out. It's in the garage on the 18th

[Barry naylor]

Just been told the same with my 2013 focus zetec s estate, couldn't see any coolant but loosing daily and was having to top up, now instead of a 1300 bill they have altered the bottom of matrix where pipes are then all will be pressure tested 260 bucks so bit of relief at least it should be fixed. 

[Mercedes]

same happened to me the changed the thermosat housing august last year £257 but yesterdaymy drivers side soaking found the pipes and was at bottom of pipe into matrix awaiting cost now 🤔 

[Mercedes]

same happened to me the changed the thermosat housing august last year £257 but yesterdaymy drivers side soaking found the pipes and was at bottom of pipe into matrix awaiting cost now 🤔 

[Guest ALM]

Same thing just happened to my 2012 ford focus. Called a ford specialist garage who said "don't tell me, it's a 2012 ford focus?" Guess this is a common but expensive fault. Am pretty mad with Ford right now, they must know about this and do nothing .

[unofix]

4 hours ago, ALM said:

Am pretty mad with Ford right now, they must know about this and do nothing

How many other products do you know that come with a 10 year warranty ? 🤔

The car is a 2012 model, it's reasonable to expect somethings to fail and of course some parts will be more common to failure than others.

[0N5L4U9HT]

On 10/20/2022 at 11:15 AM, unofix said:

How many other products do you know that come with a 10 year warranty ? 🤔

The car is a 2012 model, it's reasonable to expect somethings to fail and of course some parts will be more common to failure than others.

My 2012 Focus Zetech S Ecoboost 1.6 has the same issue, topping up twice a day now with tap water! If you get the high temperature alarm and can use warm water it's better as not to crack the head gasket but I've had to use cold and fortunately no harm was done. My mate is fixing it, £261 for a Ford heater matrix and a days labour. Apparently the manufacturer modified the connection as they are aware of the problem so instead of it going matrix, pipe, join, two pipes and bulkhead... It's now matrix, join, two pipes and bulkhead but this obviously hasn't solve the situation!

[wayne m]

I have a 2011 1600 focus had exactly the  same problem in 2019 went to ford and it cost over 900 quid at davidsons Ford in Morpeth.  its a common fault it should have been a recall.  they were not having any of it at the time, I would love to get my money back

[Acid House 1988]

My 2014 1.0L Ecoboost is now having the same problem, losing coolant steadily since around October, although nothing in the driver footwell but leaking "externally" underneath the car directly below the heater matrix position.

Now booked in for heater matrix replacement including "O" rings etc, looking at around 2 days work and an £800 bill providing they don't find anything else. This will be a complete "dash out" job, might try and get a few pics to illustrate on the forum.