I’m really interested in getting a 2017 Ford Focus ST I found recently. I love the look and everything about it, but then I started reading about some potential problems with this year and now I’m second-guessing myself. Should I just skip it, or am I overthinking?
The stuff that’s worrying me:
Transmission issues (I keep seeing mentions of shuddering, resistance when shifting, grinding, and synchro problems)
Clutch failures
Stalling issues (I think there was a recall for this one?)
I really want to go for it, but I just want to make sure I’m not walking into a nightmare. Any advice or personal experiences would be awesome!
Wow, thanks for all the responses, everyone! You’ve helped me feel better about these issues not being as bad as I thought. I’m leaning towards going for it and will definitely share a post if I end up getting it. Appreciate the input!
I think the shuddering issue is with the automatic transmission, but all STs are manuals. For manuals, the main issue I’ve seen is second gear being hard to get into sometimes. The stalling issue you mentioned is related to the purge valve—Ford had a fix for it, but it’s just replacing the part with the same one, so it can go bad again. It’s a pretty easy DIY fix, though.
I’ve got a 2013 ST, and it’s been solid. I’ve only done regular maintenance like oil changes, brakes, tires, and spark plugs. Never had anything fail, and it still runs great.
Same here—my 2013 has been great. Just avoid giving it too much gas at low RPMs in high gears, and you’ll avoid LSPI issues. Downshift if you need to accelerate.
Thanks! I really love this car and want to make sure I know what I’m getting into. Aside from good oils and plugs, do you do anything else to prevent LSPI?
I bought a 2017 ST brand new and now have 107k miles on it. The only issues I’ve had are a seized e-brake cable, some rust, and a failing purge valve. If you’re in an area with snow, definitely check for rust in places like the door seams and under the headlights. Otherwise, it’s been a solid car.
Thanks for the heads-up! I’m in Ontario, so rust is definitely a concern. This particular car looks really clean and hasn’t seen snow, so fingers crossed.
The ST is one of the more reliable hot hatches out there. The shuddering issues you’re worried about are from the automatic transmission, but all STs are manuals, so you’re good. The purge valve can be an issue, but it’s cheap and easy to replace yourself.
I’ve got a 2016 with full bolt-ons and a tune. I drive it pretty hard, and it’s been flawless for the 40k miles I’ve owned it. If you’re new to modding, I’d recommend finding one that’s stock or close to it. Avoid anything with a big turbo or certain aggressive tunes.
I picked up a 2016 a month ago. The only issue so far was a failed O-ring on the heater core hose, which caused a coolant leak. Replaced it, and now it’s fine. Seems to be a common problem, though.
Love my 2017 ST. Super reliable, and I’m still on the original battery at 72k miles. The only thing I’ve had to fix was the purge valve, and that was an easy DIY job.
I’ve got a 2017 Focus ST with 105k miles, and it’s been great. Just a heads-up: if you get one, make sure to change the gear oil, but only use Ford’s dual-clutch automatic transmission fluid—it’s what they recommend for the manual, and nothing else works as well. It’s pricey but worth it. Also, avoid resting your hand on the shifter; it can cause wear over time.
My 2017 was rock solid. I ran a COBB tune on it for 5 years, only changed plugs when it started misfiring, and didn’t bother with perfect spark plug gaps. It still ran like a champ until I totaled it in a crash. These cars can take a lot and still keep going.
Yeah, some people are against them, but I had no issues with mine. Just make sure to replace the stock lug nuts—they’re garbage. I switched to McGard ones, but Gorilla nuts are good too.