Buy another Focus Mk4?

 

I've had mine 3 years and given a choice, i would not look to buy another MK4.

Various little issues that accumulate to me not falling for the car.

Rattles, electrical gremlins, systems randomly flashing errors that vanish with an ignition cycle.

Don't think I need to answer!  

But I do think it's a more general '2020s car' problem than Ford specifically.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Don't think I need to answer!  

But I do think it's a more general '2020s car' problem than Ford specifically.

I think this is a very valid point. Loads of horror stories across most car related forums, regardless of make or model.

18 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Don't think I need to answer!  

But I do think it's a more general '2020s car' problem than Ford specifically.

^^^

This definitely across the board as "modern" vehicles are going.

It's definitely not just "Ford" owners who are having the same issues as everyone else since the late 2018 onwards.

Touch wood so far compared to a lot of other folk/ makes and models, I think we've got of lightly but saying that if it wasn't for the members of this Forum then it would be a different story altogether.

I have to say I love my Mk4.  Since July 2020 I've done a comparatively lowly 23,000 miles and enjoyed every mile. One minor glitch in that a deactivation solenoid had to be replaced but (touch wood) that's it.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Mk4 so long as I don't have to have a Hybrid of any description ... pure petrol.

37 minutes ago, Linds said:

I have to say I love my Mk4.  Since July 2020 I've done a comparatively lowly 23,000 miles and enjoyed every mile. One minor glitch in that a deactivation solenoid had to be replaced but (touch wood) that's it.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Mk4 so long as I don't have to have a Hybrid of any description ... pure petrol.

I would have to agree, based on my own personal experience this is a great car for my needs.  Have to say that reading about some of the "issues" highlighted by those on here and elsewhere I am nervous that it could start misbehaving at any time without warning, but that would likely be true of any modern car and even my old Mk 2 did that a few times!  I often wonder if modern manufacturing techniques without too many electronic gizmos could ever deliver a reliable car that will survive 20 years on only routine maintenance - obviously not in the interests of car manufacturers whose business plans involve selling new cars.

I'd buy another.

Haven't found the MK4 any different in terms of issues than any previous Ford I've had.

No, I got rid of mine due to the price rises, went from £2500 negative in December 2020 to £3500 positive in Aug 2021.

Too many annoying issues so I wouldn't buy another.

Bonnet not opening

Primary seals coming off doors

Window bounce back

noisy pulleys

Software glitches

Creaky clutch pedal

Creaky door casings

Will never buy another Ford actually.

Using the wife's MK3.5 currently but will buy a replacement car later in the year

I probably won’t buy another Mk4 because I’m hoping it will last me another 5 years or so when I will probably stop towing a caravan and won’t need/want/be able to run a diesel.  I don't want to change it because it does everything I want really well.  I find it comfortable and quiet, a pleasure to drive and great towing.  Obviously people’s views are coloured by their own personal experiences when it comes to reliability.  Which? seem to like the car but mark it down for reliability issues and some on here clearly have had those.

My only two hassles (so far) have been a grommet missing in a door pillar when new causing interior lighting problems and a lack of information from Ford when trying to upgrade Sync3 and they clearly had issues they wouldn’t admit with their software.  No rattles (so far) and no wind noise problem (so far).  Always disable auto start/stop so not bothered about that.

That said, a hefty stone cracked my windscreen a few weeks ago and I’ll see whether the replacement causes problems.  AutoWindscreens are doing that under insurance.  A month wait for an appointment due to needing a place with ADAS calibration.  Glad it’s still driveable.

This is my second Ford.  The other was my first ever car – an old jellymould Ford Pop, back in the mists of time.  Chalk and cheese.

My answer is no. My Mk4 (also known as SA series here in Oz) has some minor quirks I can live with but I might look at a Ford Escape in a few years' time.

35 minutes ago, Tolly said:

I probably won’t buy another Mk4 because I’m hoping it will last me another 5 years or so when I will probably stop towing a caravan and won’t need/want/be able to run a diesel.  I don't want to change it because it does everything I want really well.  I find it comfortable and quiet, a pleasure to drive and great towing.  Obviously people’s views are coloured by their own personal experiences when it comes to reliability.  Which? seem to like the car but mark it down for reliability issues and some on here clearly have had those.

My only two hassles (so far) have been a grommet missing in a door pillar when new causing interior lighting problems and a lack of information from Ford when trying to upgrade Sync3 and they clearly had issues they wouldn’t admit with their software.  No rattles (so far) and no wind noise problem (so far).  Always disable auto start/stop so not bothered about that.

That said, a hefty stone cracked my windscreen a few weeks ago and I’ll see whether the replacement causes problems.  AutoWindscreens are doing that under insurance.  A month wait for an appointment due to needing a place with ADAS calibration.  Glad it’s still driveable.

This is my second Ford.  The other was my first ever car – an old jellymould Ford Pop, back in the mists of time.  Chalk and cheese.

 Auto glass changed my screen with a mobile unit. The car recalibrates with a drive it doesn’t need static equipment. 

Nope - or any Ford based on my current experiences I'm afraid, too many software "aids" with glitches that make them unreliable. Maybe the other makes are all the same, but then again maybe not. Most expensive used 1-year old car I've ever bought and so far - after 4 months - the most frustrating to own compared to the Vauxhalls, Skoda's, VW and Mazda (which is full of Ford bits!) I've had in the past 40 years or so since my last Ford.

Good question, yes I think I would, but....

We've ended up with two 1.5's, a 65 plate Titanium MK3.5 on 49k miles, and a 19 plate Titanium MK4 on 13k miles.

At first I wasn't convinced that I had made the right choice in buying the MK4, but in time it has grown on me. 

So far both have been very reliable, they are very different cars to drive, the MK3.5 now feels like a tank, heavy, and small inside, especially the back.

The MK4 seems more responsive, much more fuel efficient, the odd rattle I had seems to have gone, and so far no electrical glitches.

After being a passenger in other cars, they seem no better, annoying rattles on some top brand cars which I wouldnt have expected.

TBH dont know what i would get next as I like the 1.5's, and Ford dont want to give me that option, so will have to change make anyway, not by choice. 

Only issue I have discovered is the 16" tyres on the 1.5 are very rare, due to the size and V rating there are only a few options to chose from, hopefully it will be some time before I need any.

13 hours ago, alexp999 said:

 Auto glass changed my screen with a mobile unit. The car recalibrates with a drive it doesn’t need static equipment. 

That's interesting.  As part of the replacement/recalibration procedure AutoWindscreens say they drive the car for a period of time to recalibrate.  Sounds like I could do that - smacks of a money-making scam.  When you phone the Saga Windscreen Claims line, that goes through to AutoWindscreens with the policy document saying if you don't use their Approved Repairer they only give you £100 towards the cost.  I will look into this and see if they have other approved repairers, eg Autoglass, in case something similar happens again.  There are certainly no clues about that in the insurance documents or online info.

1 hour ago, Tolly said:

That's interesting.  As part of the replacement/recalibration procedure AutoWindscreens say they drive the car for a period of time to recalibrate.  Sounds like I could do that - smacks of a money-making scam.  When you phone the Saga Windscreen Claims line, that goes through to AutoWindscreens with the policy document saying if you don't use their Approved Repairer they only give you £100 towards the cost.  I will look into this and see if they have other approved repairers, eg Autoglass, in case something similar happens again.  There are certainly no clues about that in the insurance documents or online info.

The auto glass fitter took the car for a drive to recalibrate. I just meant that it doesn’t need taking to somewhere with specialist equipment. Mine was done by a mobile unit. 

Very happy with my 2018 Mk4 Focus. Such a joy to drive 😃👍

Just a few minor issues as windows need silicone to operate as normal and left driver headlight fogging but it will clear once it comes in dry weather. Some rattles but it seems to have going away.

Will absolutely buy a another one if needed.

I would, but another 1.5 182, unless they produce a decent range electric model? 

I love my Vignale. Done about 6500 miles in just under a year. The majority of those during bi-monthly 500 mile round trips to Cornwall and back. It’s a joy on long trips. It’s smooth, comfy and has more than enough poke when needed.

Luckily I haven’t had the issues that some have. My issues are wheels peeling (Hartwell Watford inspected 7 weeks ago and have had to chase up with Ford CS!) and stop/start rarely working (even changing values in Forscan? But most likely would switch it off anyway.

Things I’m not keen on, MPG (36 average), and jerky gearbox when auto placed in reverse (bit disconcerting!) Boot could be bigger. 

Other than that, all good.

16 hours ago, jason56d said:

and stop/start rarely working (even changing values in Forscan? But most likely would switch it off anyway.

Things I’m not keen on, MPG (36 average), and jerky gearbox when auto placed in reverse (bit disconcerting!)

That's battery voltage low. Charge battery and reset transmission adaptive learning in Forscan (transmission warm) then

Handbrake off footbrake HARD on

Engage "N" hold for 6 seconds

Engage "D" hold for 6 seconds

Engage "R" hold for 6 seconds

Engage "N" hold for 6 seconds

Don't take your foot off the brake

Keep doing this about 10 times until the clunks/bumps go away then take it on a drive making sure you go into 8th gear.