Hello - I'm looking at buying a used Focus - it's '23, 1.0 petrol hybrid ecoboost (the 123 bhp one). It has low milege and full service history. But I read some worrying things about these cars and engines, and just wanted to check with the experts in here :)

(1) coolant / heating / head gasket issues - reading these are far less common now, with engine changes done on more recent versions -> this right or they still known for this?

(2) wet belt - reading these can be expensive to replace, and an issue if not maintained right -> if buy one with low milege and full main dealer service history and look after it in future are we OK?

Also (3) I have the option to buy the straight 1.0L petrol version (instead of the hybrid) -> does that change anything, or is it much of a muchness from a reliability perspective?

Thanks!

Hi,

1) The previously common cooling issues do seem to have been sorted on the chain engine.  We rarely see any with these.

2) As this is the chain engine, it only uses one small wetbelt for the oil pump.  That will still need replacing before 10 years old, at a cost of around £2000.  The correct oil must always be used, no engine flush.  Low mileage is actually worse for a wetbelt, they don't like short journeys or being left unused.

3) The engine is the same on the MHEV.  It's too soon to say whether there will be any common issues with the hybrid battery or the generator as they age.

That sounds positive - thanks. Fords from 2023 have 5 year / 100k warranty in Ireland too so we have that bit of comfort for the first few years. 

The wetbelt for oil pump is pricey alright. Is it just straight 10 years nothing to do with mileage?

Also - anything else to be eyes open with on these cars? 

Finally - thinking of the hybrid vs the pure petrol. From day to day or driving perspective anyone any input of the differences here?

15 minutes ago, Greg Cole said:

That sounds positive - thanks. Fords from 2023 have 5 year / 100k warranty in Ireland too so we have that bit of comfort for the first few years. 

The wetbelt for oil pump is pricey alright. Is it just straight 10 years nothing to do with mileage?

Also - anything else to be eyes open with on these cars? 

Finally - thinking of the hybrid vs the pure petrol. From day to day or driving perspective anyone any input of the differences here?

Mileage for the oil pump belt is 144,000 miles if you're likely to reach that before the 10 year mark.

A lot of spec had been removed by 2023, (covid, Ukraine, Brexit etc), so make sure the car you're looking at has all the spec you want.  Don't just assume it will because it's fairly new.

The main difference with the MHEV is the regenerative braking, which applies extra brake force than in a standard car, some people like it, some don't, most seem to get used to quickly.  Assuming both are 125bhp then the MHEV should be more torquey up hills etc, due to the electrical assistance.  The MHEV also uses the generator to restart the engine during stop/start.  So that should take some strain off of the normal car battery.  The biggest problem we see with Mk4s on here is the normal 12v battery charge dropping and causing all sorts of electrical issues.

Brilliant thanks. Feeling less concerned now about it. Seems like lot of what I read was on the earlier models and can be handled with right maintenance and care

1 hour ago, Greg Cole said:

Fords from 2023 have 5 year / 100k warranty in Ireland too so we have that bit of comfort for the first few years. 

Your location says London?

If you are in Ireland, just a cautionary note that we have come across some specs on ROI cars that we don't get in UK. A Puma diesel was one example that caused much confusion lately!

14 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Your location says London ...

.... Derry ? 🤣

No in Ireland. Weird didn't spot that but updated now. Think this is standard car similar to UK spec 1.0 petrol 123bhp hybrid. 

Just seen a video today on YouTube about the chain engine and it still looks like the problem isn’t totally fixed. This time, it’s the oil pump belt.

 

6 minutes ago, Slate said:

Just seen a video today on YouTube about the chain engine and it still looks like the problem isn’t totally fixed.

Sorry to inform you that's old news now. It's been well known about on this forum for a few years.

Pat's only been on here for 9 years - must have missed it!😀

Looking at the clip Pat posted, though, you wonder how that belt got so bad in just 4 years - then you see the inside of the sump and ask yourself how often the oil was changed.

That has the automatic transmission. The belt tensioner is visible in the video. Therefore it is a known issue and there is a recall for it in the US but nothing in Europe as far as I know.

On 3/25/2025 at 12:26 PM, Greg Comeragh said:

Hello - I'm looking at buying a used Focus - it's '23, 1.0 petrol hybrid ecoboost (the 123 bhp one). It has low milege and full service history. But I read some worrying things about these cars and engines, and just wanted to check with the experts in here 🙂

(1) coolant / heating / head gasket issues - reading these are far less common now, with engine changes done on more recent versions -> this right or they still known for this?

(2) wet belt - reading these can be expensive to replace, and an issue if not maintained right -> if buy one with low milege and full main dealer service history and look after it in future are we OK?

Also (3) I have the option to buy the straight 1.0L petrol version (instead of the hybrid) -> does that change anything, or is it much of a muchness from a reliability perspective?

Thanks!

good luck Greg ,my 2017 Eco boost  fiesta 25000 on clock 2017, belts and water pump cost me around £1000, average,but after all scare mongering not got same look,change oil twice year and filters, sadly lots of cars got wet belts my advice look well in to it, my mate good engineer said don't bother, up 2u m8

Guys, so what is the general consensus on the oil pump wetbelt? Also, do you think that even with a timing chain, the manufacturers recommended service interval is still reasonable at 18000/2years?

I've had five wet belt Fords now. Never had a problem with the wet belts. I tend to swap cars at between 75,000 and 80,000 miles. Always serviced annually or at 12000 miles whichever comes first with exactly the oil specified by Ford (never 18,000/2 years). I would happily buy another. I worry more about the clutch/gearbox than the wet belts, although I've only ever had one gearbox failure at about 78k miles.

2 hours ago, Slate said:

Also, do you think that even with a timing chain, the manufacturers recommended service interval is still reasonable at 18000/2years?

Imo, no. Like Paul, I stuck with 12 monthly oil changes with my previous wet belt ecoboost and had no issues. Same story with several friends.

 

So. I’m new to this forum after reading about the problems. I’ve got a 2019 (2018) Ford focus 1.0 with an automatic transmission (8-speed). Dealer said the cambelt is a chain belt and the transmission is sealed so doesn’t have a transmission service. The cars just done 60000 miles and has been serviced by Ford since new. Should I be looking to get rid soon? All is still working great. Smooth gear changes. No judder. 

Edited December 31, 2025Dec 31 by Gavlaaaa

16 hours ago, Gavlaaaa said:

I’ve got a 2019 (2018) Ford focus 1.0 with an automatic transmission (8-speed). 

Hi Gavin, welcome and Happy New Year.

The official Ford recommendation is to change the oil pump drive belt at 10 years maximum. It is generally regarded as prudent to do that a couple of years earlier, so you are nearing decision time**. Its an expensive job - around £1000 at a good independent, much more at Ford main dealers.

(**You might want to amend your profile to avoid future confusion, as 2018 was a changeover year from the previous,Mk 3 to the Mk 4. I assume it's 2019 registered but is a 2018 model year onwards Mk 4.

Belt failure does seem more prevalent on the torque converter autos, such as your 8 speed, which have a,balance shaft and belt tensioner. This was the apparent cause of belt failure on the previous (Mk 3) Focus for which there was a recall in the US. No such action on the Mk 4 as yet, but it seems the problem may persist (see video earlier in this thread, also comments here):

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/165130-oil-pump-wet-belt/#comment-1140995

If you do decide to keep the car and get the belt changed shortly, advice would be to ensure the oil/filter are changed at least annually (again, see comments on that earlier in this thread).

Happy new year!  Yeah i wasn’t sure what to put for my car tbh. It’s a 68 reg. and  on the app for remote start it says 2019 Focus (2018) so bit unsure, so yeah mark 4. Also. I’m I right in thinking the 8 speed box In this is an improvement over the 6 speed ones? When fords technicians said it’s sealed and not part of the service I couldn’t believe it. so mine is a torque converter not a dual clutch?

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Gavlaaaa said:

so mine is a torque converter not a dual clutch?

 

The 7 speed DCT (dual clutch) appeared on the Focus for the late 2021 facelift (usually referred to here as Mk 4.5) when the Focus got the 1.0 MHEV set up and the petrol 1.5 was dropped. We're beginning to suspect that had something to do with the DCT not having the balance shaft/belt tensioner issue mentioned on the other thread I linked.

Sealed for life gearboxes are not uncommon these days, though in some cases a diy fluid change is possible. One of our autobox experts (which I'm not!) might comment on that aspect and the relative merits of the 6 and 8 speed boxes - I've not driven either.

For the year thing, we normally use the year of registration and include the Mark and other relevant detail in the "Ford model" field. Just saves time trying to figure out what car we're talking about!😀

Incidentally, the last "2 pedal" cars I had a test drive in were the current Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic hybrids, both of which might be worth a look if you fancy a swap.

 

I see. Great to know about the MK 4.5 mentioned by the OP. Could be a possible upgrade to mine next year sometime. As I love the car.  You get a lot for your money. Never liked the look of the Corolla or civic, but do was looking at the Kia ceed because of the long warranty. 
 

my sons 2019 fiesta went boom a few months ago. Wet Cambelt snapped. Totall engine fail. So this thread is very interesting to me regarding getting another Ford. 

20 hours ago, Gavlaaaa said:

Great to know about the MK 4.5 mentioned by the OP. Could be a possible upgrade to mine next year sometime. 

I'd recommend a good read through the various threads on the Mk 4.5. Battery issues are a particular concern.

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/148905-focus-mk-45-mhev-battery-issues/

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/144919-focus-mk4mk45-battery-issue-petition/

Focus production has now ended of course, as has the Kia Ceed also mentioned. (Superseded by the Kia 4). Incidentally, Toyota** warranty is up to 10 years if serviced within the network.

**I know you don't like the look of the Corolla. I'm not keen on the look of my Fiesta compared to the pre-facelift version, but you can't see it when you're driving!😀

Sorry to see about your sons car! Wonder if you could post a few more details - mileage, service history, etc - on an appropriate thread? We're always trying to pinpoint the reasons these premature failures occur.

A 2019 might be covered under Ford's extended goodwill scheme below:

Yeah. My Sons fiesta timing wet belt snapped on 60000. He bought from peoples 3 years ago. Full Ford service history. He’s had it serviced there every year too! Engine now needs replacing at a cost of £8500. Cars not worth it obviously. They aren’t going though with the good will scheme they said, So now the cars sitting in people’s, we told them to leave it there as We are going through the ombudsman/ small claims court now.