Ford Focus DYB
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
349 PS
2.3L EcoBoost RS Benzin
350 hp, AWD, Drift Mode — but the Head Gasket...
Legendary!349 PS
2.3L EcoBoost RS Benzin
11 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Ford Focus DYB is available with 10 engine variants — from 86 to 349 hp. 7 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Ford 1.5L TDCi (Diesel, 95–120 PS) comes with 3 different engines: TZJA (2012–2018, Stay Away!) und TZJA (2014–2018, Stay Away!) und TZJA (2014–2018, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L TDCi!
The Ford 1.6L TDCi (Diesel, 90–116 PS) comes with 3 different engines: T1DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!) und T1DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!) und T1DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L TDCi!
The Ford 2.0L TDCi (Diesel, 136–163 PS) comes with 3 different engines: TYDA (2011–2014, Be Careful) und TYDA (2011–2014, Be Careful) und TYDA (2014–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L TDCi!
The Ford Focus ST TDCi (Diesel, 185 PS) has the TYDA (2.0L TDCi) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Ford 1.0L EcoBoost (Benziner, 101–125 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M2DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!) und M2DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L EcoBoost!
The Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (Benziner, 150–182 PS) comes with 2 different engines: JQDA (2011–2014, Stay Away!) und JQDA (2011–2014, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L EcoBoost!
The Ford 1.6L Ti-VCT (Benziner, 86–125 PS) comes with 3 different engines: PNDA (2011–2014, Be Careful) und PNDA (2011–2014, Be Careful) und PNDA (2011–2014, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L Ti-VCT!
The Ford 2.0L Ti-VCT (Benziner, 160–170 PS) comes with 2 different engines: R9DA (2011–2018, Stay Away!) und R9DA (2011–2014, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L Ti-VCT!
The Ford Focus RS (Benziner, 349 PS) has the YVDA (2.3L EcoBoost RS) — rated: "Stay Away!", 11 known weaknesses.
The Ford Focus ST (Benziner, 250 PS) has the R9DC (2.0L EcoBoost ST) — rated: "Be Careful", 8 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| PowerShift DCT dual-clutch gearbox problems The 6-speed PowerShift gearbox (DPS6) is widely considered one of the biggest weaknesses in Ford's history. Shuddering when pulling away, clutch slip, and gearbox oil leaks are typical. Repair costs up to 6,000 €. Symptoms: Shuddering when pulling away, especially from rest; shift shocks on the 1st-to-2nd gear change; burning clutch smell; sporadic power loss. from 60,000 km | High | |
| Powershift dual clutch: oil loss and clutch slip The 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch gearbox (6DCT450) loses oil at the input shaft and exhibits clutch slip. Without regular oil changes every 60,000 km, costly damage is likely. Symptoms: Juddering when pulling away and shifting, delayed gear changes, oil drips under the vehicle. from 80,000 km | High | |
| PTU transfer case overheats — AWD cut-off (RS) The PTU of the GKN all-wheel drive system has no active cooling. Above 150°C the system switches to FWD. TSB 5461 for oil leaks 2016–2017. An aftermarket cooling kit is strongly recommended for track use. Symptoms: AWD warning light, sudden loss of rear grip on the track, vehicle behaves like FWD | High | |
| RDU damage from missed oil change (RS) The GKN torque-vectoring rear differential (RDU) of the Focus RS Mk3 requires fresh specialist oil every 48,000 km. Neglecting this causes the clutch plate packs to overheat and the gears to wear prematurely. Symptoms: Howling or whistling from the rear axle, vibrations in corners, AWD warning light, rear axle defaults to FWD mode. from 60,000 km | High | |
| Getrag gearbox — 2nd/3rd gear synchromesh worn The Getrag six-speed shows synchromesh wear in 2nd and 3rd gear at higher mileages. A gearbox oil change with specialist fluid can delay early failure. Repair 1,500–3,000 EUR. Symptoms: Crunching when engaging 2nd or 3rd gear, especially with a cold gearbox, gear will not slot in cleanly from 100,000 km | High | |
| Clutch worn through launch control and drift mode (RS) Launch control and drift mode put enormous strain on the clutch. Replacement including labour over 1,000 EUR. Clutch test: 5th gear, 50 km/h, full throttle — if revs rise without vehicle accelerating, the clutch is worn. Symptoms: Clutch slip in high gear at full throttle, burning smell, long pedal travel or changed bite point from 60,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Hyundai i30 PD
Kompaktklasse (2016–2026)
Hyundai Ioniq AE
Kompaktklasse (2016–2022)
Toyota Prius XW50
Kompaktklasse (2016–2023)
Audi RS3 8V
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Fiat Tipo 356
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Hyundai Elantra AD
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 101 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford Focus DYB (2011–2018) — 88 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. 9 problem engines: F9DA (1.8L TDCi), G8DA (1.6L TDCi), HHDA (1.6L TDCi), M2DA (1.0L EcoBoost), JQDA (1.6L EcoBoost), R9DA (2.0L Ti-VCT), YVDA (2.3L EcoBoost RS), T1DA (1.6L TDCi), TZJA (1.5L TDCi). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Suspension, Electronics, Body.
Focus (F9DA, 2005–2015) — Stay Away!: Injector seal: "Black Death" failure, Turbocharger failure, High-pressure pump failure. Power: 101 PS.
Focus (HHDA, 2005–2012) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 105–116 PS.
Focus (G6DA, 2005–2012) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Fuel Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Timing Belt Premature Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 133–140 PS.
Focus (G8DA, 2006–2012) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 95–105 PS.
Focus (T1DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 90–101 PS.
Focus (T1DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 101–109 PS.
Focus (T1DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Injector Seal 'Black Death' Failure, Turbocharger Failure from Oil Starvation, Leaking Injector Seals. Power: 109–116 PS.
Focus (TYDA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 136–140 PS.
Focus (TYDA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 163 PS.
Focus (TZJA, 2012–2018) — Stay Away!: DPF Internal Cracking, Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion. Power: 105 PS.
Focus (TZJA, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: DPF Internal Cracking, Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion. Power: 95 PS.
Focus (TZJA, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: DPF Internal Cracking, Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion. Power: 120 PS.
Focus (TYDA, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 150–151 PS.
Focus (TYDA, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 185 PS.
Focus (M2DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Wet Timing Belt Dissolves in Wrong or Old Oil, Degas Hose at Coolant Expansion Tank Fractures, Oil-Bath Timing Belt Disintegrates. Power: 101 PS.
Focus (M2DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Wet Timing Belt Dissolves in Wrong or Old Oil, Degas Hose at Coolant Expansion Tank Fractures, Oil-Bath Timing Belt Disintegrates. Power: 125 PS.
Focus (PNDA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: VVT Phaser Faulty — Cold Start Rattle, Ignition Coil Fault — Misfires, Cam Phaser (Ti-VCT) Faulty. Power: 86 PS.
Focus (PNDA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: VVT Phaser Faulty — Cold Start Rattle, Ignition Coil Fault — Misfires, Cam Phaser (Ti-VCT) Faulty. Power: 101–105 PS.
Focus (PNDA, 2011–2014) — Be Careful: VVT Phaser Faulty — Cold Start Rattle, Ignition Coil Fault — Misfires, Cam Phaser (Ti-VCT) Faulty. Power: 120–125 PS.
Focus (JQDA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Recall 17S09: Missing Coolant Level Sensor, Recall 18S07: Clutch Pressure Plate Can Fracture, Cylinder Head Crack from Unreported Overheating. Power: 150 PS.
Focus (JQDA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Recall 17S09: Missing Coolant Level Sensor, Recall 18S07: Clutch Pressure Plate Can Fracture, Cylinder Head Crack from Unreported Overheating. Power: 182 PS.
Focus (R9DA, 2011–2018) — Stay Away!: Dual Clutch (6DCT450) Wear, Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Entering Combustion Chamber, Fuel Pump Failure. Power: 170 PS.
Focus (R9DA, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Dual Clutch (6DCT450) Wear, Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Entering Combustion Chamber, Fuel Pump Failure. Power: 160 PS.
Focus (R9DC, 2012–2014) — Be Careful: Low-Pressure Fuel Pump (LPFP) Failure, Hairline Cracks in Engine Block (Coolant Loss), Piston Ring Damage from LSPI / Detonation. Power: 250 PS.
Focus (YVDA, 2016–2018) — Stay Away!: Recall: Wrong Mustang Head Gasket Fitted at Factory, Thermal Overload Under Track Use, Head Gasket Failure — Coolant Loss. Power: 349 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