I’m considering buying a used 2013 Ford Focus SE automatic with 122k miles. I’ve done some research and found some info about its issues, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. The car seems like a good deal for me—small, good MPG, decent tech, and at a cheap price ($5500 with a 3-month powertrain warranty). However, I’m unsure if I should take the risk because of the reported problems. The Carfax shows a clutch replacement thousands of miles ago and that Ford extended warranties for the trans and clutch on all 2013 Focuses.
What I’m wondering is: with 122k miles, should I expect issues to have already popped up if it’s one of the ‘bad’ ones? A lot of the major issues I read about seemed to happen within the first few thousand miles. I’ve test-driven the car, and the transmission felt smooth with no issues like shuddering or rattling, which some people report.
So, my main question is: Do all Focuses have reliability issues, or if this one made it to 122k miles without major repairs (no trans or engine work, just regular checkups), is it probably okay? Also, is there anything else I should ask the dealer about? I’ve been stressing about this for days and could use your advice. Thanks for reading.
If you really want a Focus, check out the 2004-2011 models. They’re much more reliable. In 2012, they switched to the Powershift transmission, and they couldn’t get it right even after several updates. I’m pretty sure this transmission mess was a big reason why Ford gave up on small cars in the US.
@Renny
I’ve got a 2008 with 122k miles and it’s been perfect. No oil leaks or burns, and I’m taking it on a 2500-mile road trip in June with no worries.
Definitely go with 2004-2011. They’re just good, reliable cars with little to go wrong.
If reliability isn’t a concern, then go ahead and buy a $5,500 Jaguar. What’s the point of saving on gas if the car is always in the shop? You’ll end up spending more on repairs than you save. If you want great MPG, reliability matters too. For $5,500, you can get a Mazda, Kia, or Hyundai that’s reliable and efficient. Do your research and you’ll find some great deals. Just stay away from early 2000s Accords and mid-2000s Civics—they’re some of the least reliable cars around.
My buddy has a 2014 Titanium auto, and they fixed the transmission in a recall. He says it drives much better now and hasn’t had issues for 20k miles. If you can get a good deal on one, I’d say go for it. It’s probably already had the recall fix.