Ford Focus II (2004-2011): known problems and buying guide

A sound used buy if the diesel turbo, the timing belt and the gearbox check out. Look for rust at the sills and arches.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.6, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€464	€2,490	344	Petrol	SHDC	Manual (5)	2008–2011
1.6 TDCi, 109 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€418	€2,399	190	Diesel	G8DD, G8DF	Manual (5)	2008–2011
1.6 Ti-VCT, 115 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€462	€2,790	110	Petrol	SIDA	Manual (5)	2008–2010
1.8 FFV, 125 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€428	€2,450	97	Bioethanol (E85) / Petrol	Q7DA, QQDB	Manual (5)	2008–2010
1.6 TDCi, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€426	€2,550	57	Diesel	HHDA	Manual (5)	2008–2011
2.0 CNG, 126 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€386	€2,500	56	Natural gas	SYDA	Manual (5)	2008–2010

Years: built 2004 to 2011. The facelift came in 2008.
Reliability: 3/5. The petrols are simple, but the 1.6 diesel turbo, the gearboxes and rust need checks.
DIY: 2/5. Timing belt, gearbox and steering work needs a workshop.
Biggest risk: turbo failure on the 1.6 TDCi diesel, and a timing belt changed too late on the 1.4 and 1.6 petrols.
Prefer: a car with proof of the last timing belt change and dry, solid sills. Avoid: a 1.6 TDCi that smokes, whines or has no turbo history.

Rust, suspension wear and the drive shafts apply to every car (see Known issues).

Petrol 1.4, 59 kW 2004-2010. Timing belt. See ignition coils.
Petrol 1.6, 74 kW 2004-2011. Timing belt. See ignition coils.
Petrol 1.6 Ti-VCT, 85 kW 2004-2010. Variable valve timing: the cam adjusters can stick.
Petrol 1.8, 92 kW 2006-2010. Timing chain.
Petrol 2.0, 107 kW 2004-2011. Timing chain.
Petrol 2.5 turbo, ST 166 kW 2005-2010, RS 224 kW 2009-2010 and 257 kW 2010. No common fault confirmed.
Flexifuel 1.8, 92 kW 2005-2010; natural gas 2.0, 93 kW 2007-2010; LPG 2.0, 104 kW 2008-2010. No common fault confirmed.
Diesel 1.6 TDCi, 80 kW 2004-2011 and 66 kW 2005-2011. Turbo failure and a sticking EGR valve.
Diesel 1.8 TDCi, 85 kW 2005-2006. No common fault confirmed.
Diesel 2.0 TDCi, 100 kW 2004-2010 and 81 kW 2008-2010. The EGR valve can clog.

Gearboxes:

5-speed manual IB5, fitted to the 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8. Second gear can jump out.
5-speed manual MTX75, fitted to the 2.0. No common fault confirmed.
4-speed automatic 4F27E, fitted to the 1.6 (74 kW) and 2.0 petrols. Valve body and solenoids wear.
Dual-clutch automatic (Powershift), fitted to the 2.0 TDCi from 2008. No common fault confirmed for the Focus II.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Diesel turbo and EGR valve	1.6 TDCi (turbo and EGR), 2.0 TDCi (EGR)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Timing belt and chain	Belt on the 1.4 and 1.6, chain on the 1.8 and 2.0	Belt: change at 100,000-150,000 km. Chain: stretch from about 150,000 km	No confirmed price
Ignition coils and Ti-VCT cam adjusters	Petrol engines; cam adjusters on the 1.6 Ti-VCT	Not stated	No confirmed price
IB5 manual gearbox	Manual 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8	From under 100,000 km to about 200,000 km	No confirmed price
4F27E automatic gearbox	Automatic 1.6 and 2.0 petrols	From about 150,000 km	No confirmed price
Electro-hydraulic power steering	All engines except the 1.4 and 1.6	Not stated	No confirmed price
Suspension and drive shafts	All	Rear bushes and links: 60,000-100,000 km	No confirmed price
Rust and exhaust	All	Exhaust: after about four to five years	No confirmed price

On a 1.6 TDCi, ask for the turbo history. On the test drive, listen for a loud whine and watch for blue or grey smoke and a loss of power. Any of these means the turbo may need replacing.
On a 1.4 or 1.6 petrol, check the service book for the last timing belt change. With no record, have the belt changed straight away: a broken belt can wreck the engine.
On a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol, listen for a chain rattle when you lift off the throttle. A rattle points to a stretched chain.
On a manual 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8, drive in second gear under load. It must not jump out.
On an automatic, watch for harsh, late or slipping shifts.
On a petrol, check that the engine runs smoothly and does not misfire under load.
Turn the steering from lock to lock. Listen for noise and look for fluid leaks at the steering rack.
Listen for knocks over bumps, and for a rumble from the drive shafts in turns.
Check the sills, the wheel arches, the joints between the wings and the bumpers, and the windscreen frame for rust. Look at the exhaust.
On a Turnier 1.6 diesel built from July 2004 to December 2006, ask a Ford dealer to check the cooling fan recall by VIN.

Operational	€206
Workshop	€148
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€117
Total per month	€471
New-car depreciation (not included)	€49

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

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