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Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125hp Trend Edition common faults.

2014–2018, saloon, petrol, 125 HP.

The fault list covers: M1DA, M1DC, M1DD engine, 6F15, 6F35, DPS6, MPS6I transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

10 fault write-ups. All are important. 11 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

10 important faults

critical6

1.0 EcoBoost: coolant disappears internally and the cylinder head can crack

critical

On this engine the coolant disappears internally, with no external trace. It starts in two places: the material of the plastic degas hose running to the expansion tank ages and cracks, or the connection of the coolant hose to the cylinder head lets through. In a more severe case the degas chamber of the cylinder head itself cracks or warps, and then the coolant seeps into the combustion chamber or into the oil. Because no puddle forms, the level drops quietly and the engine overheats: the temperature gauge starts to climb mainly after a longer motorway stretch. The further signs are white steam from the exhaust, a sweetish smell, and misfiring that gets worse when warm. Ford issued a service bulletin for this (19-2346) and an extended warranty for certain model years as well. The coolant hose and the degas tank are available in a revised design, and engines built around 2016 and later already have the better material connection and tank. If the fault is found early and the head has not warped, the repair is replacing the hose and the tank, between 50 and 300 euro. If it is found late, the head gasket or the whole cylinder head follows, and that is 2,500 to 5,500 euro. The leak is reported above 80,000 km and the cracking of the head above 100,000 km.

above 80,000 km50–5,500 EUR

What to check

  • Look at the level in the expansion tank and ask how much has to be topped up
  • Look for a puddle or a streak under the engine: if the level drops with no trace, the leak is internal
  • Unscrew the oil filler cap and look for mayonnaise-like residue, which is coolant in the oil
2 more steps in the write-up

1.0 EcoBoost: the oil pump drive belt fails

critical

The oil pump is driven by a toothed belt running in oil, not by a chain. The belt and its tensioner age, and according to the authority they can fail. Oil pressure is then lost.

Show the rest

NHTSA issued a campaign for this in December 2023 (23V905000), covering the 2016–2018 Focus and the 2018–2022 EcoSport. The authority states that the loss of pressure leads to an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, which is a crash risk.

The belt runs in oil, under the cover, so you cannot see it from outside. Rubber debris from a disintegrating belt ends up in the sump, and that debris can also block the oil pick-up strainer.

What to check

  • Ask for the invoice for the timing and oil pump belt change: you need a date and a mileage, not just "replaced"
  • Look at the oil on the dipstick: small rubber particles from a disintegrating belt float in it
  • On a cold start watch how long the oil pressure light takes to go out: a slow one is a signal
2 more steps in the write-up

2.0 GDI: the canister purge valve stalls the engine

critical

The canister purge valve (CPV) can malfunction. According to the authority this creates excessive vacuum in the fuel vapour management system, the engine stalls while driving without warning, and it cannot be restarted. The authority describes this as a crash risk.

Show the rest

Ford recalled it twice: in October 2018 (18V735000), then in June 2026 for the cars repaired incorrectly (26V369000). The second campaign states that the valve causes the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

What to check

  • Ask whether the engine has ever stalled while driving, even once
  • With the engine idling, listen for the purge valve clicking irregularly
  • Check for a fuel smell around the filler cap, or a deformed tank
2 more steps in the write-up

6-speed automatic: detaching shifter cable bushing, rollaway

critical

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission ages over time and can detach. The transmission may not engage the selected gear, and the car can move in an unexpected direction. It can also happen that the driver puts the lever in Park and can remove the key while the transmission is not in Park: there is no warning message and no chime. If they get out like that without applying the parking brake, the car rolls away.

Show the rest

Ford issued four campaigns between 2018 and 2022, covering an ever wider range: the 2022 one (22V413000) already includes the 2013–2019 Escape and the 2013–2016 Fusion. The factory repair also adds a protective cap over the bushing.

What to check

  • With the car stationary and the parking brake on, run through all the gear positions: each must engage precisely, with no free play in the lever
  • Put it in Park and try to remove the key: if the transmission is not in Park, the key must not come out
  • On a slight slope, in Park and without the parking brake, check that the car holds. Do this carefully, not standing outside it
2 more steps in the write-up

6-speed manual: the clutch fractures

critical

The clutch can fracture, the break damages the transmission case, and gearbox oil can leak from it. The car may become immobile, and the leaking oil can ignite on the hot engine or exhaust.

Show the rest

Ford issued three campaigns. The first went out in March 2018 (18V169000) for the 1.6 EcoBoost with the 6-speed manual, the second in November 2018 (18V845000) for the 1.0 EcoBoost cars, and the third in June 2026 (26V376000) because part of the earlier repairs had been done incorrectly. A car that has had the repair is not necessarily in order.

In the European range the 1.0 EcoBoost with the 6-speed manual is the most common Focus.

What to check

  • Pull away from a standstill several times: the clutch must not shudder, slip or kick
  • Pull away on a hill using the clutch: slipping shows up here first
  • Look under the car around the transmission housing: fresh or dried oil traces can mean a break
2 more steps in the write-up

Door latch: the latching component breaks and the door can open while driving

critical

A component inside the door latch breaks, so the latch no longer holds properly: the door is hard to close, or it only catches on the first detent. The driver and the passenger may believe the door is properly shut when it is not, and it can open while driving.

Show the rest

Ford issued five campaigns between 2015 and 2023, and two of them, 20V331000 and 23V775000, recalled cars where the earlier repair had not been carried out properly. The 2020 campaign names six models: the 2011-2014 Fiesta, the 2012-2015 Focus, the 2013-2015 C-Max, the 2014-2016 Transit Connect, the 2015 Mustang and the 2013-2014 Fusion. The factory repair fits a revised door latch.

What to check

  • Close all four doors with normal force: none should need slamming, and none should bounce back
  • Push each door half shut: it must hold on the first detent, with no play
  • Open and close each one from the outside and the inside, including the child locks at the rear
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

1.0 EcoBoost: the wet timing belt breaks down early

expensive

The timing belt runs in oil, under its cover, and cannot be seen from outside. Contaminants building up in the oil attack the belt material, so it breaks down early if oil changes are skipped or the oil level drops below the minimum on the dipstick. Fragments of the disintegrating belt end up in the sump and can block the oil pickup, after which the engine is left without oil pressure.

Show the rest

The early signs are a rattle on cold start, slowly rising oil consumption and the oil pressure warning light. The factory replacement interval is ten years or 150,000 miles, but Haynes recommends replacing it at least two years and 50,000 miles earlier. A professional belt change costs more than GBP 2,000, and that is less work than cleaning out the sump, the oil pickup and the lubrication system after the belt has already broken up.

In engines built after December 2019 Ford switched to a timing chain. The water pump is driven by the same belt, so a failure of the water pump bearing can take the belt with it. This is an interference engine, so when the belt snaps the valves and the pistons meet.

What to check

  • Start it from cold and listen to the first seconds: a rattle is a sign the belt is breaking down
  • Check the level and condition of the oil on the dipstick: a level below minimum speeds up the breakdown
  • Ask for the service book and the oil change invoices: here the skipped change is the cause
2 more steps in the write-up

6F15 automatic: delayed first gear, oil that dirties quickly

expensive

On early units first gear engages late. In most cases a software update solved it, but some also needed a new valve body.

Show the rest

The oil in this gearbox dirties quickly, which makes shifting jerky, so an oil change every 30,000 kilometres is recommended. The differential is a weak point too: it tolerates prolonged wheelspin badly.

What to check

  • Pull away from a standstill several times: first gear must not engage late
  • Rolling slowly, shift up and down: the change must not jerk
  • Ask for the oil change invoices: here it is recommended every 30,000 kilometres
2 more steps in the write-up

MPS6i PowerShift: stripped spline connection, limp mode

expensive

The weak point is the spline connection of the even-gear hub: repeated abrupt starts can strip the splines, and the gearbox goes into limp mode, holding only one or two gears.

Show the rest

The remaining faults come from clutch wear and contamination of the mechatronic unit, and clutch wear is accelerated by oil seeping past the seal. The dual-mass flywheel has a short life, sometimes under 150,000 km.

What to check

  • Run through all the gears while rolling: none should be skipped, and it must not drop into limp mode
  • Pull away briskly too: the clutch must not slip and the shift must not hesitate
  • With the engine idling in neutral, listen: a worn dual-mass flywheel rattles
2 more steps in the write-up

PowerShift (DPS6): shuddering, slipping dry dual clutch

expensive

Ford fitted its smaller models with a dry clutch dual-clutch gearbox (DPS6, factory designation Getrag 6DCT250). A dry clutch was designed for manual gearboxes: it sheds heat less well and tolerates slipping worse than an oil-bathed one.

Show the rest

The symptom shows up when pulling away and at low speed: bucking, kicking, harsh engagement, delayed acceleration. Ford named two causes: the throwout bearing, and leaking input shaft and rear main seals that put oil on the clutch, which then slips even when it should be fully engaged.

On top of that there are transmission control module (TCM) faults: faulty connector pins, failing shifter motors, and a badly connected main ground wire. Ford released seal and clutch kit fixes.

The gearbox led to class actions and fraud investigations in the United States, Australia and Canada. A US settlement was tentatively approved in April 2017.

What to check

  • Pull away slowly from a standstill several times: there must be no bucking, kicking or shudder
  • In slow, walking-pace traffic watch the shifts: harsh engagement and disengagement point at the clutch
  • Watch for delayed acceleration when you press the throttle: one sign of a slipping clutch
3 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125hp Trend Edition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall11 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 9 June 2026

26V369000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER9 June 2026 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

26V012000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATEREQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER15 January 2026 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

23V905000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMPENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP22 December 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

19V515000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE5 July 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.

Risk: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

18V845000POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONPOWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION28 November 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

18V735000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE22 October 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

Risk: The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

18V169000POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONPOWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION12 March 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

17V528000SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERSEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER28 August 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles. The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear second left side rear seat back as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C13.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

17V052000STRUCTURE:BODYSTRUCTURE:BODY24 January 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

Risk: Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

16V698000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCKLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK28 September 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Risk: With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

14V514000STEERINGSTEERING22 August 2014 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

Risk: The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S18.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

3 engines · 4 transmissions

M1DA · 1.0 FLH

92 kW (125 HP) · petrol

6F15 · 6-speed automatic

automatic · 6 speed

Torque limit200 Nm
MakerFord

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each. More than one transmission is possible. The gear count does not tell them apart. The code is on the side of the transmission.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Trend Edition
Body
saloon
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
995 cc
Power
92 kW (125 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2014–2018

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All Mk3.5 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms