Ford Focus DEH
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
280 PS
2.3L EcoBoost ST Benzin
Focus ST Mk4 — Sharper Than a Golf GTI on a B-Road
Fun to Drive!90–116 PS
1.6L TDCi Diesel
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Ford Focus DEH is available with 7 engine variants — from 86 to 280 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Ford 1.5L EcoBlue (Diesel, 95–120 PS) comes with 2 different engines: ZTDB (2018–2024, Be Careful) und ZTDB (2022–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L EcoBlue!
The Ford 2.0L EcoBlue (Diesel, 150–151 PS) has the TXDA (2.0L EcoBlue) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Ford Focus ST (Diesel, 185–190 PS) has the TXDA (2.0L EcoBlue) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Ford 1.0L EcoBoost (Benziner, 86–125 PS) comes with 3 different engines: B7DA (2018–2019, Be Careful) und B7DA (2018–2021, Be Careful) und B7DA (2018–2021, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L EcoBoost!
The Ford 1.5L EcoBoost (Benziner, 124–182 PS) comes with 4 different engines: M9DA (2018–2024, Stay Away!) und M9DA (2018–2024, Stay Away!) und M9DA (2018–2024, Stay Away!) und YZDA (2018–2024, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L EcoBoost!
The Ford Focus ST (Benziner, 280 PS) has the Y5DC (2.3L EcoBoost ST) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.
The Ford 1.0L EcoBoost mHEV (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 125–155 PS) comes with 2 different engines: XZGA (2020–2024, Be Careful) und XZGA (2020–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L EcoBoost mHEV!
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics issues — SYNC 3 and driver assistance systems Early 2018–2019 model years had significant electrical issues: failed parking sensors, a faulty SYNC 3 system, defective stop-start and Auto Hold functions. Software updates resolve many problems. Symptoms: Parking sensors not responding, SYNC screen freezes or will not boot, driver assistance systems switch off incorrectly. | Low | |
| SYNC 3 infotainment crashes and freezes The SYNC 3 system freezes regularly on early DEH models (2018–2020), stops responding to touch input or shows a black screen. Software updates improve the issue. Symptoms: Screen goes black or stops responding to input. System restarts itself or stays frozen. from 30,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 71 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford Focus DEH (2018–2024) — 64 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 6 problem engines: T1DA (1.6L TDCi), TZJA (1.5L TDCi), M9DA (1.5L EcoBoost), YZDA (1.5L EcoBoost), TXDA (2.0L EcoBlue), EcoBlue-2.0-Focus-STH (2.0L EcoBlue). Typical issues affect Electronics, Other, Steering, Rust.
Focus (T1DA, 2011–2019) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 101–109 PS.
Focus (TZJA, 2012–2019) — Stay Away!: DPF Internal Cracking, Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion. Power: 105 PS.
Focus (ZTDB, 2018–2024) — Be Careful: Injector Problems: Juddering and Knocking, Timing Chain Premature Wear, Recall: Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42). Power: 95 PS.
Focus (TXDA, 2018–2024) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 150–151 PS.
Focus (EcoBlue-2.0-Focus-STH, 2018–2026) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Wet timing belt blocks oil pump strainer. Power: 150–151 PS.
Focus (TXDA, 2019–2024) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 185–190 PS.
Focus (ZTDB, 2022–2024) — Be Careful: Injector Problems: Juddering and Knocking, Timing Chain Premature Wear, Recall: Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42). Power: 116–120 PS.
Focus (B7DA, 2018–2019) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Timing Belt Disintegrating, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070), Coolant Loss at Hose Connections. Power: 86 PS.
Focus (B7DA, 2018–2021) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Timing Belt Disintegrating, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070), Coolant Loss at Hose Connections. Power: 101 PS.
Focus (B7DA, 2018–2021) — Be Careful: Oil Pump Timing Belt Disintegrating, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070), Coolant Loss at Hose Connections. Power: 125 PS.
Focus (M9DA, 2018–2024) — Stay Away!: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress into Cylinders, Coolant Loss from Hose Defects, Hairline Crack in Cylinder Block — Coolant Ingestion (up to 2019). Power: 124 PS.
Focus (M9DA, 2018–2024) — Stay Away!: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress into Cylinders, Coolant Loss from Hose Defects, Hairline Crack in Cylinder Block — Coolant Ingestion (up to 2019). Power: 150–151 PS.
Focus (M9DA, 2018–2024) — Stay Away!: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress into Cylinders, Coolant Loss from Hose Defects, Hairline Crack in Cylinder Block — Coolant Ingestion (up to 2019). Power: 182 PS.
Focus (YZDA, 2018–2024) — Stay Away!: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress into Cylinder, Head Gasket Failure, Cylinder Block Hairline Crack — Coolant Ingress (up to MY 2019). Power: 150–151 PS.
Focus (Y5DC, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Head Gasket Failure — Coolant Loss, Cooling System Stress Under High Load, Low-Pressure Fuel Pump (LPFP) Failure. Power: 280 PS.
Focus (XZGA, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070), 48V Belt Starter-Generator (BSG) Faults, Coolant Loss at Hose Connections. Power: 125 PS.
Focus (XZGA, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070), 48V Belt Starter-Generator (BSG) Faults, Coolant Loss at Hose Connections. Power: 155 PS.
What to watch out for with the Ford Focus? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee