Ford

Focus LW / LZ inspection checklist

2011-2018 · 19 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highTakata airbag recall

Look for: LW/LZ Focus models are caught in the Takata airbag recall; degraded inflators can rupture and fire metal fragments, a potentially fatal defect.

If you find it: Check the VIN against the Ford/ACCC recall list and ensure the airbag rectification has been completed before purchase.

Any · Free (recall)

highPowerShift dual-clutch (LW autos) - check before buying

Look for: The defining issue of the LW generation: the DPS6 dry dual-clutch auto shudders, jerks and repeatedly fails. The ACCC took Ford Australia to court and a $10m penalty was imposed over complaint handling.

If you find it: Avoid LW PowerShift cars; choose a manual LW or the LZ with its conventional torque-converter auto. Demand repair/update history if considering one.

Often under 100k km · ~$2000-5000+

mediumElectrical / infotainment and door-latch gremlins

Look for: Reports of SYNC/MyFord Touch infotainment glitches, parking-sensor faults, and door latches/locks that stick or fail (a separate door-latch recall affected some cars).

If you find it: Confirm any door-latch recall is closed; update infotainment software; replace faulty latches/sensors.

Any · ~$150-800

mediumCoolant system leaks (thermostat housing / hoses)

Look for: Across the petrol range the plastic thermostat housing, water-pump seal and coolant hoses weep with age, risking overheating.

If you find it: Replace failed housing/seal and perished hoses; pressure-test and refresh coolant.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-800

3 of 6 engines

highPowerShift dual-clutch shudder and failure (auto cars)

Look for: Autos use the Ford DPS6 dry dual-clutch 'PowerShift'. It judders on take-off, hesitates, jerks and the clutch packs and transmission control module fail repeatedly - the subject of an ACCC case and a $10m penalty against Ford Australia.

If you find it: Avoid PowerShift cars entirely; buy the 5-speed manual. If owning one, demand a full service-history of clutch/TCM/seal updates and budget for recurring repairs.

Often under 100k km · ~$2000-5000+ (clutch/TCM); avoid affected cars

LZ 1.5 EcoBoost petrol

highCoolant intrusion / head gasket (EcoBoost design)

Look for: The 1.5 EcoBoost has a documented weakness where coolant can migrate into a cylinder via the block/head interface, causing coolant loss, overheating, white smoke and potential head-gasket/engine failure.

If you find it: Watch coolant level and for sweet exhaust smell; pressure-test and have any loss diagnosed early; head-gasket or short-block repair if confirmed.

Can be any km · ~$2500-6000

mediumExcessive oil consumption

Look for: Some 1.5 EcoBoost engines use noticeable oil between services, sometimes needing top-ups every few months.

If you find it: Monitor oil between services; investigate rings/PCV/turbo seals if consumption is heavy.

From 60k+ km · Top-ups; $2000+ if internal

mediumWet timing belt-in-oil degradation

Look for: The belt runs in oil; missed oil changes or wrong-spec oil accelerate belt breakdown, and debris can block the oil pickup.

If you find it: Use correct-spec oil and strict service intervals; replace the wet belt on schedule.

Per schedule · ~$1000-1800

LZ ST 2.0 EcoBoost petrol

highHead gasket / coolant into cylinder

Look for: The 2.0 EcoBoost shares the family weakness for head-gasket failure and coolant entering a cylinder under high boost, leading to overheating, misfires and white smoke.

If you find it: Monitor coolant; diagnose any loss promptly; avoid cars with aggressive tunes; head-gasket repair if confirmed.

Any (worse if tuned/tracked) · ~$2500-7000

mediumExhaust manifold cracking

Look for: The stainless turbo-integrated exhaust manifold is prone to cracking, causing ticking, boost leaks and fault codes.

If you find it: Replace manifold (uprated units available); inspect for cracks pre-purchase.

From 80k+ km · ~$600-1500

mediumTurbo control valve / boost solenoid faults

Look for: The turbo control/bypass valve and boost solenoids can fail, causing power loss and a check-engine light.

If you find it: Diagnose and replace the failed valve/solenoid; verify boost control.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-1200

LZ RS 2.3 EcoBoost AWD petrol

highHead gasket failure / coolant in cylinder (RS defect)

Look for: Early 2.3 EcoBoost RS engines suffered a head-gasket defect allowing coolant to enter the cylinders (white smoke, coolant loss, misfires); Ford issued a redesigned head gasket. Many engines were replaced or repaired under warranty.

If you find it: Confirm the updated gasket/repair has been done; monitor coolant; diagnose any loss immediately.

Can be any km · ~$3000-8000

mediumClutch and AWD driveline wear (hard use)

Look for: Launch-control, drift use and tuning chew clutches and stress the twin-clutch rear drive unit and couplings.

If you find it: Inspect clutch and rear drive unit; check fluid and history; avoid heavily abused cars.

From 60k+ km · ~$2000-5000

mediumModified / over-boosted examples

Look for: A large share of RS cars were tuned beyond standard, raising the risk of head-gasket and driveline damage.

If you find it: Prefer stock, documented cars; have a marque specialist inspect for tunes and prior overheating.

Any · Varies

2 of 6 engines

mediumTiming belt replacement

Look for: The 1.6 Ti-VCT is belt-driven; a neglected belt risks valve damage.

If you find it: Replace belt, tensioner and water pump at the specified interval; confirm history.

Per schedule (~125k-150k km / 10 yr) · ~$600-1200

LW 2.0 GDI Duratec petrol

mediumIntake-valve carbon build-up (GDI)

Look for: Direct injection means no fuel washes the intake valves, so carbon accumulates and causes rough running, misfires and lost power.

If you find it: Walnut-blast intake valves; quality oil and occasional spirited highway runs help.

From 100k+ km · ~$400-900

mediumThermostat housing / water pump coolant leak

Look for: The plastic thermostat housing under the intake and the water-pump seal are common leak points; can trip P0128 (low coolant temp) or cause loss.

If you find it: Replace thermostat housing and water-pump seal; refresh coolant.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-800

LW 2.0 TDCi Duratorq diesel

mediumDPF clogging on short trips

Look for: City-only, short-trip cars never get hot enough to complete a DPF regen, so the filter clogs, oil dilutes with fuel and the engine can go into limp mode.

If you find it: Run regular highway cycles to regen; forced regen or DPF clean/replacement if blocked; check oil level for fuel dilution.

Any (urban use) · ~$500-2500

mediumInjector / fuel return leaks and turbo wear

Look for: Common-rail injectors and injector return lines can leak or fail, and the variable-vane turbo can wear, causing rough running, smoke and lost power.

If you find it: Diesel-specialist injector test/replacement, return-line repair; clean or replace turbo as needed.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-4000

2 minor things (low severity)

lowRear suspension and front tyre/brake wear

Look for: Control-arm bushes, links and the front brakes/tyres wear with km; performance variants wear fronts faster.

If you find it: Standard suspension refresh; quality pads and an alignment; rotate tyres.

From 80k+ km · ~$300-900

lowCoolant loss / thermostat housing leaks

Look for: Plastic thermostat housing, water-pump o-ring and coolant hoses can weep with age.

If you find it: Replace thermostat housing/o-ring and any perished hoses; pressure-test the system.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-600

From FlamingCars' Ford Focus guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.