Reliability

[Philcsag1]

Reliability

I am considering purchasing a new 2003 SVT Focus as a daily driver (this will be my sons sole transportation for work and school), my # 1 and most important concern is RELIABILITY. I do not want to buy a vehicle that will be in the service department, I need this a a commuter car.
Two years ago when considering a Focus for my daughter, it appeared to be the recall king, and I broke with a 30 year tradition of solely purchasing Fords and she ended up with a Honda Civic which has had ZERO problems, it has never been back to the dealer once for any repairs.
With 3 SVT Cobras in my garage, I am inclined to try the SVT FOCUS, but I want RELIABILITY, something every new Ford I have purchased since 1971 has not displayed in the first six months to a year of owner ship.

Has Fords Record Improved?

What is the standard warranty on the SVT Focus?

Would really appreciate a Ford Executive to answer this one?

Phil Saglimbene
93 SVT Cobra
94 SVT Cobra Pace Car
95 SVT Cobra R
2000 F 250 CC 4x4 PSD

[imajsdaddy]

5 year 100,000 mile basic warrenty... However with the SVT focus, if there is a problem, you get a rental while in the shop everytime! So ther should be no transportation problem.

Mine is on the far end of "days in the shop" I have 27 days of shop time in 8 months... Now a good 10 - 12 days are picky stuff and the rest was major things, meaning valve cover leaking, coolant leak, 4500 RPM's on cold start up, etc.

Though my car has been in the shop so much I'd do it all over again and buy another SVTF. Love the car, hope you before part of the SVTF family as well as the SVT Cobra Crowd!

[dalola]

The reliability of these cars is pretty spotty. Some have endless problems, and some,such as myself, have had none. I actually own 3 Foci; SVT, SE, and ZX3, and all three have been flawless. The good news is, the new TSB for the ECU reflash shows early signs of fixing a lot of the annoyances some are having.

Problems or not, I still think this is the best car in it's class.

PS: Good luck getting an exec's attention....:rolleyes:

[Gwizzy]

I bought mine in Mid-August... No major problems yet! 5year 100,000 mile power train is included. W/ the option for the the Ford ESP if you want the piece of mind. PLUS!! the then 03' $2500.00 cash rebate is now up to $3500.00!! throw in A-plan and any dealer insentives..and that is one bargain value!

An A+ so far in the performance cat for me as well. currently at 2500miles.

[DaveSVT03]

No problems, but I've only had the car for about a month.

I think the rebate for the SVT is only $2,000, but I could be wrong.

[jollyjohnj]

Got mine with a $4200 rebate, which was a combination of working for SnapOn (read my profile before you ask me for a deal on tools), and they gave me a military discount b/c I'm in the AF Reserves that they shouldn't have given me unless I am activated, but I went along with it, no complaints.

I've had the car 5 weeks. I did get a leak in the evap canister after about 2 weeks, fixed no problem since. Be sure that an SVT authorized dealer is local to you b/c I did have some run-around with the customer service that the service deptartment gave me when I had this fixed as far as getting a rental, and them cleaning the car.

[03BlueFocus]

I have had my 03 SVTF since March. No major problems, only 4 days in the shop to have an idle air control valve replaced.

[PAN360]

I've had mine since June without any problems. Since I bought it used(I prefer to think of it as "broken in")I checked the service record with the previous owner only to find the car did spend a lot of time in the shop for minor issues: throttle body, computer reflash and various other attempts at diagnosing issues that are apparently finally resolved(see YRFO reflash, I think).

Sure it would've been nice to have her from new but the way I look at it: I had somebody else do all the grunt work. Lucky for me, He or She gave up and put the car back on the market.:tmb:

Not too sure where I'm goin' with this. I must've lost focus. No, wait, that was my car's previous owner. Sucker!