Ford Focus reliability - better info

[mkaresh]

Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

So far, 244 Focus owners have signed up to participate. A good start, but more are needed.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

[mkaresh]

Thanks to the help of this forum's members, the latest results include many model years of the Ford Focus. Sample sizes are small in all cases, though, so these results provide only a rough indicator of repair rates.

In terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2000: 120, about average

2001: 110, about average

2002: 183, worse than average, probably inaccurate given results for other years

2003: 62, better than average

2005: 39, better than average, seems a bit too good to be accurate, given results for other model years; but larger sample size than other years, so maybe not

2006: 100, worse than average, seems inaccurate given results for 2005 and 2007

2007: 47, average

2008: 48, average

With additional participants, we could provide precise results for all model years.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

This month's survey is the last before the February results. Sample sizes have been marginal for the Focus, so additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results were posted this week. We have a full result for the 2005 Focus, and partial results for seven other model years.

In general, the repair rate is average for these cars. One model year is worse than average, and two are better than average, but in all three cases small sample sizes could be responsible for the variation.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November, so additional participants would certainly be helpful. We'd like to provide full results for more model years.

We now have a separate results page for each model. The one of the Ford Focus:

Ford Focus reliability comparisons

[mkaresh]

In a little over a month we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More always helpful.

Car reliability research

[jessiecreasy]

give more details please?
Thanks for the nice collection of this posts.!!!
This is really good information....
Good luck!

[younona]

I like this new car from Ford - 2009 Ford Focus Coupe but I am undecided, I think a competition of this ca is Nissan Sentra. I read many reviews about these cars and I can't decide for one of them. Now I am for Ford Focus ...but. I was impressed by the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe due to a review from the topspeed.com

[572 Hemi]

Buy the Focus it's a Ford. It's American made you're keeping American money in the USA, and the Focus is a very well built car and very reliable. I own a 2006 ZX3 Focus my wife drives this car and she loves it, can't keep her out of it.

[mkaresh]

405 Focus owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

For the details, and to help get your year included in the results:

Car reliability research