Ford Focus Mk3 (2011-2018): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2011–2014
Median price: €4,400
Listings: 1,726
Running cost per month: €418–€543
Power: 95–250 PS (70–184 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

Avoid petrol cars with the dry PowerShift. Then check the EcoBoost cooling recall, power steering, suspension and timing belt history.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.0 EcoBoost, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€442	€4,500	320	Petrol	M1DF	Manual (6)	2012–2014
1.6 TDCi, 115 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€419	€3,650	306	Diesel	T1DB	Manual (6)	2011–2014
1.0 EcoBoost, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€426	€4,500	242	Petrol	M2DC, SFDB	Manual (5)	2012–2014
1.6 Flexifuel, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€464	€4,299	201	Bioethanol (E85) / Petrol	JQDB, YUDA	Manual (6)	2011–2014
1.6 Ti-VCT, 125 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€454	€4,000	139	Petrol	PNDE	Manual (5)	2011–2012
ST, 250 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€543	€9,950	68	Petrol (98)	R9DC	Manual (6)	2012–2014
1.6 TDCi, 95 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€418	€3,600	67	Diesel	T3DB	Manual (6)	2011–2014
1.6 Ti-VCT, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€446	€4,000	64	Petrol	IQDC	Manual (5)	2011–2012
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research	€453	€5,500	62	Diesel	UFDB	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2011–2014

At a glance

Most common: the dry PowerShift automatic on petrol cars shudders and wears its clutch, EcoBoost engines have cooling faults, and power steering can fail.
Reliability: 2/5, because the dry PowerShift and EcoBoost cooling faults are costly.
DIY: 2/5, because clutch, cooling and steering repairs need a garage. Lights, door seals and basic checks are simple.
Prefer: a 1.6 EcoBoost with proof that the coolant-sensor recall work was done. Avoid: a petrol car with the dry PowerShift that shudders when it pulls away.

Engines and gearboxes

1.0 EcoBoost petrol (125 PS): see the 1.0 EcoBoost guide.
1.5 EcoBoost petrol: hairline cracks in the cylinder block can cause total engine failure.
1.6 EcoBoost petrol: poor cooling can overheat the engine, and the cylinder head can crack.
1.6 Ti-VCT petrol (naturally aspirated): cam adjusters (phasers, which vary valve timing) fail.
Dry PowerShift (DPS6, also called 6DCT250): six-speed automatic with a dry clutch. Petrol cars only.
Wet PowerShift (6DCT450): the gearbox in the 2.0 TDCi diesel. It is a different gearbox from the dry one.
1.5 and 1.6 TDCi diesel: diesel particulate filter (DPF, which traps soot) problems.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Dry PowerShift clutch shudder	Petrol cars with the dry PowerShift	Not stated	No confirmed price
Electric power steering faults	Cars with electric power steering	About 100,000 km and up	No confirmed price
Wet PowerShift clutch basket	2.0 TDCi with the wet PowerShift	Not stated	No confirmed price
EcoBoost cooling, head and block cracks	1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost petrol	Not stated	No confirmed price
Clutch on EcoBoost manuals	Manual EcoBoost petrol cars	Not stated	500 to 1,350 EUR, Germany, year not stated
Diesel particulate filter	1.5 and 1.6 TDCi diesel	Not stated	No confirmed price
Suspension springs, dampers and mounts	All	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.6 Ti-VCT cam adjuster and phaser problems	1.6 Ti-VCT petrol	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Drive the car from rest and in traffic. Shudder or jerky shifts point to the dry PowerShift clutch.
Look for a power steering warning, and check the steering on full lock.
On a 2.0 TDCi, ask about shifting faults and clutch work. Plastic spacers in the clutch basket can break.
Check the coolant level and ask about overheating. Ask for proof that the coolant-sensor recall work was done.
On a 1.0 EcoBoost, the timing belt runs in oil. Ask for the change record and the oil used.
On a manual, test the clutch uphill and under hard acceleration. Ask whether the clutch pressure plate recall work was done.
Ask about diesel particulate filter work, and check for filter or engine warning lights.
Check the springs, shock absorbers, axle mounts, lights and exhaust. German inspections flag springs, dampers and lights, and exhausts rust with age.
Check the starter, alternator, battery and coolant or heater hoses. German sources list these as common breakdown causes.
Check the door seals. They can come loose.

Running costs

Operational	€161
Workshop	€143
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€126
Total per month	€430
New-car depreciation (not included)	€61

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

Market

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

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 1,726
25th percentile: €3,250
Median price: €4,400
75th percentile: €5,900
Median mileage: 169,000 km
Median first registration: 2013
Dealer share: 46.5%
Price at 100,000 km: €6,112

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Dry PowerShift clutch shudder (petrol)

The dry PowerShift (DPS6, also called 6DCT250) fits petrol cars. The clutch can shudder, jerk and wear. A 2013 Ford technical service bulletin describes the same fault. Repair costs and mileage are not confirmed.

Sources: Ford technical service bulletin 13-4-5 (2013), zr.ru: Ford Focus 3, faults and repair

Electric power steering faults

Electric power steering has its motor and control module built into the steering. A warning such as "Power Steering Assist Fault" means a fault. US owner reports for the 2012 Focus describe this warning. Faults are reported from about 100,000 km and up. Repair prices vary widely, and no price is confirmed here.

Sources: Bumper: 2012 Focus steering assist fault, CarComplaints: 2012 Focus power steering reports, CarComplaints: 2012 Focus power steering reports, second page, zr.ru: Ford Fokus third generation

Wet PowerShift clutch basket (diesel)

The 2.0 TDCi diesel has the wet-clutch PowerShift (6DCT450). Plastic spacers in the clutch basket can break. The clutch job is expensive, and no price is confirmed here.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, Motor-Talk: 2.0 TDCi PowerShift thread

EcoBoost cooling, head and block cracks

Poor cooling can overheat the 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost engines. On the 1.6, the cylinder head can crack, and an oil leak from the engine is a fire risk. On the 1.5, hairline cracks in the block can cause total engine failure. Ford's coolant-level sensor recall covers 1.6 EcoBoost cars built 2011 to 2014.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, Motor-Talk: 17S09 recall thread, Motor-Talk: 1.6 EcoBoost coolant loss thread

Clutch on EcoBoost manuals

On manual EcoBoost petrol cars the clutch pressure plate can break. Ford's recall covers it, and a software update often helped. German estimates for a clutch job range from 500 to 1,350 EUR. The year is not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, repareo: clutch replacement, Ford Focus Mk3, carwiki: clutch wear and replacement

Diesel particulate filter (TDCi)

Both the 1.5 and the 1.6 TDCi have had diesel particulate filter (DPF) problems in German press reports. Check the service history for filter work. No cost is confirmed here.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, auto motor und sport: Focus diesel filter recall

Suspension springs, dampers and mounts

German TÜV inspections flag springs and shock absorbers in later inspections. Axle mounts wear at about the same time. Ask the seller for the last TÜV report.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, carwiki: Ford Focus III overview, AUTO BILD: Focus TÜV check 2026

1.6 Ti-VCT cam adjuster and phaser problems

The 1.6 Ti-VCT is a naturally aspirated petrol engine. German press reports cam adjuster problems, which were fixed. A Russian review reports that the phaser valve leaks oil. Check for oil leaks around the engine.

Sources: carwiki: Ford Focus III overview, zr.ru: Ford Focus 3, faults and repair

Recalls

Campaign	Cars	Built	Work and cost	Country	Code
Clutch pressure plate, manual EcoBoost petrol	1.0, 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost manual cars	Not stated	Software update, often effective. Cost not stated	Germany	not given
Coolant-level sensor, 1.6 EcoBoost	1.6 EcoBoost petrol	2011 to 2014	Coolant-level sensor fitted. Cost not stated	Germany	not given

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Focus Mk3 problems, Motor-Talk: 17S09 recall thread

Maintenance

Timing belt: the 1.0 EcoBoost belt runs in oil. Sources give an interval of up to about 240,000 km. See the 1.0 EcoBoost guide.
Oil: wrong or old oil damages the 1.0 EcoBoost belt. Use the oil the service book names.