2019 1.5 Ecoboost Ford Focus… Should I stay away or is it all overhyped?

Advice Needed
1

Hey everyone,

I’m in the market for a car and have been leaning towards the 1.5L Ecoboost Ford Focus ST-Line. Budget is around £13k, and I’ve seen 2019 models with 30-40k miles that seem like a good deal.

That said, I keep coming across mixed opinions online. Some say these engines are great, while others claim they’re plagued with issues like coolant leaks that require engine replacements. I originally looked at the 1.0L but switched to the 1.5L because of concerns about the wet belt and wanting a bit more power.

This is the first “nicer” car I’m considering, so I really want to avoid any major headaches. My current car is an older diesel Golf with DPF issues, so I’m ready for something more reliable. Any advice or experiences with this car would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!

2

From what I’ve read, the 1.5L is a solid engine. Most of the bad reputation comes from the 1.0L.

3

Pierce said:
From what I’ve read, the 1.5L is a solid engine. Most of the bad reputation comes from the 1.0L.

Thanks! I’ve read similar things, but there’s also stuff online about the 1.5L having coolant leaks that require a new engine. It’s tough to know what’s accurate.

4

@Linden
A lot of those issues seem to come from the US models. The European versions are made in Valencia and have a slightly different design. They seem to be more reliable. Maybe try joining a UK owners’ forum for more info.

5

@Pierce
That’s a good point. Most of the videos I’ve seen were American. I’ll definitely look into UK-specific forums. Thanks for the tip!

6

I had a nightmare with my 1.0L Ecoboost. Engine failure at 50k miles, and Ford wouldn’t cover it. Ended up costing me thousands to fix.

7

Rory said:
I had a nightmare with my 1.0L Ecoboost. Engine failure at 50k miles, and Ford wouldn’t cover it. Ended up costing me thousands to fix.

That sounds awful. Do you still have it?

I’ve heard the 1.5L is better, especially on 69 plates and newer. But yeah, the conflicting information online is making this a tough decision.

8

There’s a reason people call them Ecoboom. Even if one version is better, why take the risk? For that price, you could get a reliable Toyota or Honda.

9

Zephyr said:
There’s a reason people call them Ecoboom. Even if one version is better, why take the risk? For that price, you could get a reliable Toyota or Honda.

Isn’t it just the 1.0L that’s called Ecoboom? I’m not really into Toyotas, but what Hondas would you recommend?

10

Does the 1.5L have an oil pump belt submerged in oil? I saw a video where a belt like that was disintegrating in a chain-driven Ecoboost.

11

Mika said:
Does the 1.5L have an oil pump belt submerged in oil? I saw a video where a belt like that was disintegrating in a chain-driven Ecoboost.

That issue is with the 1.0L engine. The 1.5L I’m looking at doesn’t have that problem.

12

If the 1.5L doesn’t have the wet belt issue, I’d say go for it. Most complaints about Ecoboosts seem to be tied to that.

13

No 2019 Ford Focus has a wet belt anymore. Even the 1.0L switched to a chain-driven system, although the oil pump belt is still in oil.

I had a 182ps 1.5L Focus, and it was a fun car to drive. One thing to keep in mind is that these cars can run down the battery due to their efficiency systems, so it’s worth getting a battery charger to keep it topped up.