Thai built Focus quality issues.

scorpio39 · 25-01-2014, 10:22 AM

Been reading about the quality issues and only a 3 year warranty with the Thai built Focus.
I was wondering whether the components used are sourced from local manufactures or are imported from China ?
If it's China, it may explain the quality issues and the 3 year warranty !!

yuruga · 26-01-2014, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio39

Been reading about the quality issues and only a 3 year warranty with the Thai built Focus.
I was wondering whether the components used are sourced from local manufactures or are imported from China ?
If it's China, it may explain the quality issues and the 3 year warranty !!

Hi

What Quality issues are there?

I have one of the First lot of LW2 Thai Focus's Sport with 45K now on the clock.

It is manual - has gone from service to service (all 3 15K ones) no issues. - It does have slight rattles from vents when the are set to the extreme. Hasn't even used its first brake pads yet and I should get to at least 65K on the OEM tyres. For a car nearly 1.5 years old is in far better shape than my FG Falcon was at the same period.
Air Con works on Very hot days we had here in VIC. All electrics work as expected. Approx 6.9 l/100 (Petrol) and 700Ks from a tank (fill it when DTE almost 10km to go)

So the only quality thing I assume you would be referring to maybe is the Auto. I have a dinosaur way thinking

Autos of any sort should never be fitted to any small non exotic 4 - hence my manual.

As a buyer of cars every 3 or so years, I would based on this car, buy another Ford. (Based on my previous FG - probably not)

scorpio39 · 30-01-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuruga

Hi

What Quality issues are there?

I have one of the First lot of LW2 Thai Focus's Sport with 45K now on the clock.

It is manual - has gone from service to service (all 3 15K ones) no issues. - It does have slight rattles from vents when the are set to the extreme. Hasn't even used its first brake pads yet and I should get to at least 65K on the OEM tyres. For a car nearly 1.5 years old is in far better shape than my FG Falcon was at the same period.
Air Con works on Very hot days we had here in VIC. All electrics work as expected. Approx 6.9 l/100 (Petrol) and 700Ks from a tank (fill it when DTE almost 10km to go)

So the only quality thing I assume you would be referring to maybe is the Auto. I have a dinosaur way thinking

Autos of any sort should never be fitted to any small non exotic 4 - hence my manual.

As a buyer of cars every 3 or so years, I would based on this car, buy another Ford. (Based on my previous FG - probably not)

Quality issues are documented at "Focus Product Review".
Glad to learn you guys are happy so far.
If you change your car every 3 years, that's ok.
But when the warranty runs out ?
I expect a modern day car to be reliable for more than 3 years
Last year I drove a Focus hire car in the UK.
It was the 3 cylinder 900cc eco boost, manual and was impressed.
On it's return I asked the Hire company did they experience any problems.
They replied there were a few, but did not comment further.

barra240t · 30-01-2014, 01:32 PM

I have a Sport and its built quality is better than my previous VW. Thai spec build is very good.

Quote:

If you change your car every 3 years, that's ok.
But when the warranty runs out ?

But when the warranty runs out? You mean like when warranty runs out for Holden, Toyota, VW, Honda, Nissan, Mazda..
If it is a problem there is always extended warranty through Ford

Quote:

Last year I drove a Focus hire car in the UK.
It was the 3 cylinder 900cc eco boost, manual and was impressed.
On it's return I asked the Hire company did they experience any problems.
They replied there were a few, but did not comment further

We don't have this engine so it wouldn't be similar to what Australia has to offer

scorpio39 · 30-01-2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barra240t

I have a Sport and its built quality is better than my previous VW. Thai spec build is very good.

But when the warranty runs out? You mean like when warranty runs out for Holden, Toyota, VW, Honda, Nissan, Mazda..
If it is a problem there is always extended warranty through Ford

We don't have this engine so it wouldn't be similar to what Australia has to offer

Below from Product review and 45% of the reviewers gave them the thumbs down.
With reviews like them, I would expect them to be made in China. Have you ignored their reviews ?

Hi guys , just a quick word on my experience buying my wife's 2013 focus 2 Ltr 5 speed manual
1. What waste of money
2. What a disappoint especially when trying to get things fixed on warranty.
3. I Learnt how to tell when ford service people are misleading - its whenever thier lips are moving!
4. I'm a qualified mechanic,the rubbish they try to tell me is amazing,this car has issues that was not on the demo car EG- hesitation on acceleration, noisy wiper operation, transmission noise at 110 Kph and lots more. The car comes out of the workshop with a report saying all is fixed however all is still the same, so much for warranty I've been a ford man all my life however it's time to look elsewhere. I could fix things myself but I know ford have software issues that are unfixable at the moment and I don't have access to those ford only programs
5. WELL DONE FORD ! Keep up the good work.

scorpio39 · 30-01-2014, 06:55 PM

I rest my case !!!

WILDB · 28-01-2014, 08:14 AM

All of the Thai built LWs I've seen have been as good as the German made vehicles.

barra240t · 31-01-2014, 01:14 PM

I don't use product review? Why would I?

I don't understand your point to this thread? Are you saying you are having issues with your car?

scorpio39 · 31-01-2014, 02:57 PM

[QUOTE=barra240t;5008583]I don't use product review?

Why would I? , Why don't you ?? You need to !!!!

It prevents me purchasing a lemon !!!!
I read several newspapers in case I miss something !!!!..
I like to be fully informed !!!!

I'm in the market for a new car but the reviews on Product Review have put me off !!!!
As it should for many others !!!

I am still interested if Ford are using Chinese parts.
IMO, the Thai's are where the Korean's were 20 years ago !!!!
The only way to go is up !!!!!

jpblue1000 · 31-01-2014, 04:46 PM

[QUOTE=scorpio39;5008644]

Quote:

Originally Posted by barra240t

I don't use product review?

Why would I? , Why don't you ?? You need to !!!!

It prevents me purchasing a lemon !!!!
I read several newspapers in case I miss something !!!!..
I like to be fully informed !!!!

I'm in the market for a new car but the reviews on Product Review have put me off !!!!
As it should for many others !!!

I am still interested if Ford are using Chinese parts.
IMO, the Thai's are where the Korean's were 20 years ago !!!!
The only way to go is up !!!!!

The This are building a ford europe designed and engineered vehicle. the Koreans were building korean designed and engineered cars 20 years ago.
chalk and cheese.

Be careful about reviews. reading the one you quote doesnt really tell me anything is wrong other than expectation. He bought a cheap car (yes they are cheap) and complains about quality. he did not mention breakdowns or failures just noises. Could be him driving at 100Kms an hour in second no wonder it makes anoise or a gutter has been hit causing wheelbearing damage, I could go in with conjecture much like the reviewer. reviews with facts are worth taking note of!

JP

barra240t · 31-01-2014, 03:30 PM

That's quite the use of exclamation marks.

Tell me what is on top of your list at the moment to buy..

Do you know what other vehicles are made in Thailand?

scorpio39 · 31-01-2014, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barra240t

That's quite the use of exclamation marks.

Tell me what is on top of your list at the moment to buy..

Do you know what other vehicles are made in Thailand?

On my list to buy are the i30 and the corolla.
IMO the car to buy would be the Golf, but IMO too pricey.
The Focus hire car I drove in the UK, was great.
The best looking and nice interior.
But with the quality issues I discounted it.

marg99 · 31-01-2014, 09:06 PM

They make Hondas in Thialand cannot be worse than the south african built Focus but they also make C class Mercedes in South Africa so it is not merely a question of where it is made.

Fishman · 31-01-2014, 10:02 PM

Scorpio, it almost feels like you're trolling for an argument. Having said that I agree with jpblue. If a review isn't backed up with a fact, you need to take it with a grain of salt.

In your example, he really only had two issues, value for money, which is subjective anyway, and he had issues with a service dept. They mention noises, but is anything broken? Compared to my Mondeo, I can hear the gearbox, but it's hardly intrusive.

As for components being made in China, I have no idea.

scorpio39 · 01-02-2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishman

Scorpio, it almost feels like you're trolling for an argument. Having said that I agree with jpblue. If a review isn't backed up with a fact, you need to take it with a grain of salt.

In your example, he really only had two issues, value for money, which is subjective anyway, and he had issues with a service dept. They mention noises, but is anything broken? Compared to my Mondeo, I can hear the gearbox, but it's hardly intrusive.

As for components being made in China, I have no idea.

So experiencing problems in a new 2013 vehicle, which the service department can't remedy is NOT a problem !!!!
The writer also is a mechanic !!!
Not a big deal, eh ??
Some people are easily pleased !!!

I published only one of many complaints on Product Review.
Have you read them all ? It appears not !!!
To be fair 55% of the reviewers thought the car was good or reasonable.
Those percentages and complaints did not convince me to lay out my "
hard earned" on one.

LeadFoot81 · 01-02-2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio39

So experiencing problems in a new 2013 vehicle, which the service department can't remedy is NOT a problem !!!!
The writer also is a mechanic !!!
Not a big deal, eh ??
Some people are easily pleased !!!

I published only one of many complaints on Product Review.
Have you read them all ? It appears not !!!
To be fair 55% of the reviewers thought the car was good or reasonable.
Those percentages and complaints did not convince me to lay out my "
hard earned" on one.

In my experience, the problem is very few people jump online to outright praise the stuff they buy. For example there's a very long thread in the Focus section 're: transmission issues, but no equivalent 'how awesome is the new Focus' thread with nearly as much involvement from people. I know one could argue this means there are very few people that are happy with their cars, but I think it's human nature to complain, but not praise, loudly.

The build quality on my wife's Thai Focus is on par with my German Fiesta (at least to the naked eye) She had an issue with the transmission which was repaired quickly. The rest of the car has been great.

aaaaplay · 07-12-2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

In my experience, the problem is very few people jump online to outright praise the stuff they buy. For example there's a very long thread in the Focus section 're: transmission issues, but no equivalent 'how awesome is the new Focus' thread with nearly as much involvement from people. I know one could argue this means there are very few people that are happy with their cars, but I think it's human nature to complain, but not praise, loudly.

The build quality on my wife's Thai Focus is on par with my German Fiesta (at least to the naked eye) She had an issue with the transmission which was repaired quickly. The rest of the car has been great.

I love our Focus and it is overall a great car, but if you had those shudders and every second gear fail you may over look the good things and focus on whats stranding you.

As far as quality is concerned I have noticed a few differences. I drive a 2012 German built Focus and having sat in the Thai Focus there were a few things I immediately noticed.
On the Thai model the leather on the steering wheel feels cheap, it wasn't the greatest on the German model but it is defiantly noticeable especially the stitching. As a Saab owner I know what quality leather feels like neither impress.
One upside to the thai model was the addition of a leather wrapped handbrake unlike the plastic one on the German Sport model.
I also don't have praises for the new matt silver trim. It looks nice but as far a feel, its cheap. I don't think it will wear well over time. But in saying that my drivers door trim has lost paint possibly due to the previous owners bracelet.
But I must say I like the gloss finish better.
Another thing I've also noticed is that 2014 models only have three rear park sensors instead of four?

Focusfan · 07-12-2014, 08:13 PM

I Agree matt silver looks cheap compared to chrome finish BUT there were a number of reviews a bout 2001 era where they complained about sun
reflecting off chrome edges etc and suggested Ford change this. They did so and now people complain about matt silver. Hmmm.
Seems a case of if they don't they are bad and if they do they are bad. Cant make everybody happy as there is always someone that
wants things done differently. Funny thing that the BF XR6 has a lot of matt silver and they are praised by the majority of owners.
Then you get people who love silver paint. Could go on all day but
point is we are all different and just as well. Booring world if we were all the same.

EcoStang · 16-11-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio39

So experiencing problems in a new 2013 vehicle, which the service department can't remedy is NOT a problem !!!!
The writer also is a mechanic !!!
Not a big deal, eh ??
Some people are easily pleased !!!

I published only one of many complaints on Product Review.
Have you read them all ? It appears not !!!
To be fair 55% of the reviewers thought the car was good or reasonable.
Those percentages and complaints did not convince me to lay out my "
hard earned" on one.

Scorpio,
sorry mate but your a wombat !
you compared the corolla and the i30 with the Focus....?
Well the Corolla is a good car tried and tested yes, abit or a dinosaur for my liking but all good.
But please do not compare the i30 with the Focus. Firstly you are comparing a mass cheep sales success with the only claim to fame is being cheap.
My ex eployer bought one and i drove this thing everyday. The amount of times it went back to the shop for warranty is crazy.In 12 monthe i travelled 35000 km and can tel, you its a dog of a car, but for the price and inclusions people buy them. The ex boss will never buy another one. Concidering the down time i had off the road

Focusfan · 16-11-2014, 02:00 PM

Be calm EcoStang. I sold my Focus as it turned out to be a bit small for my family needs. Got a BF 08 XR6. Drives fantastic but fuel consumption
around suburbia is horrendous. Strange a 4lt EF/EL , admit not exactly same motor, used 3 lt/100k less around town.
I am trying to be light footed but makes little difference.
Highway cycle is good, no complaint there. Noisy bearing somewhere that is hard to pin point, maybe front wheel or centre bearing.
That said I have never owned a car in my 40 years of driving that was 100% perfect or reliable. Worst was an early Holden Monaro.
Should have kept for value but got fed up with break downs.
Had a valiant, Morris, 3 holdens, 5 Fords, a Datsun 200b.
200B was way most reliable with Fords second for least problems.
Current new cars no matter what make will have some warranty issues. Some more than others so argument is pretty much a dud to me.

barra240t · 31-01-2014, 10:32 PM

Let Scorpio speak as I find this quite fun

FERG_51 · 01-02-2014, 10:02 AM

Iv'e always been a Falcon owner and still am, but we bought a new manual petrol LW last year and it has surprised me how well it does every thing, the only thing it lacks is the torque of the Falcon. I'm sure the diesel would have would of given me the torque that I'm used to. Very happy with build quality for a cheap car. Not that it matters I'm a mechanic.

fiestaz · 01-02-2014, 01:08 PM

This thread sounds awfully like your not willing to listen to people praising the Focus from their own experiences. If you are that turned off by the car dont buy it. Simple.
But note that nearly every single new car will have issues. No matter what brand. A friend of mine bought a brand new top of the line Hyundai I30. Within 2000 kms it had gone to limp mode twice with water getting into the crank angle sensor, and then they found a major oil leak in the engine. The engine was replaced.

Your best bet is to read and work out the common faults, and weigh that against peoples personal good experiences with the focus rather than smash this forum with arguments that the car is rubbish.

Fishman · 01-02-2014, 01:36 PM

Scorpio I don't know where you get your numbers from, 73 of 102 rated it good or excellent..

Reading some of the reviews however there are more negative than positive ones. I suspect that's down to the fact that people use the internet to whinge about things more often than to sing the praises.

Whether you use product review or not in your car buying purchase is your prerogative, but let me give you my thoughts on my Focus.

I have a 2012 Sport diesel with the powershift box. I use it for a hwy run to and from work 5 days a week. That works out to be a bees willy short of 500klm per week plus some small run around stuff on the weekend. The powershift is a massive improvement from the Mondeo we have. It's quick, comfortable and economical. I have had no real issues with the electronics in the car. Radio reception is fine (prob better than my old BF).

I read the forums before I bought and noted that the powershift on the petrol models could be a hit and miss affair. I could discount this as I was in the market for a diesel. IMO a forums give a better representation of issues and potential solutions or causes.

Fishman · 01-02-2014, 01:39 PM

Forgot to also say, would I recommend one? YES. I would also give one caveat. Be careful of the petrol powershift.

scorpio39 · 01-02-2014, 02:33 PM

I admit many Focus owners have not experienced problems ,so far and are happy with their purchase !!!
But what of all those that have experienced issues in the 1st year ??. And there is a large percentage.
What can they expect when the warranty runs out ?

May I use an analogy ?
Most Pit bull owners love their dogs and won't have a bad word said against them.
But many would disagree !!!

My wish is for the prospective purchasers to benefit from all the views and discussions , thus enabling them to make an informed decision.

So far my major disappointment has been the question if Ford are using Chinese components !!!

barra240t · 01-02-2014, 03:22 PM

Ah yes, the old Chinese component debate, always a hot topic when buying a vehicle. Maybe just stick to public transport for now until you figure out what to do?!!!

fiestaz · 01-02-2014, 03:33 PM

I guarantee that all cars have some sort of chinese component in them. Everything you own has probably has chinese components in them.

scorpio39 · 02-02-2014, 06:57 PM

I guarantee that all cars have some sort of chinese component in them.

Would you purchase a Chinese car ?
My information is they are not a prime example of precision Chinese engineering.
" It is difficult to make strawberry jam out of pig s***"!!
and " and the placing a cherry on top of a t**d ", it's still a t**d !!!

barra240t · 02-02-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio39

I guarantee that all cars have some sort of chinese component in them.

Would you purchase a Chinese car ?
My information is they are not a prime example of precision Chinese engineering.
" It is difficult to make strawberry jam out of pig s***"!!
and " and the placing a cherry on top of a t**d ", it's still a t**d !!!

What do you drive currently?