I own a 2004 plate ST170 that I've had since 2006, I like the car, but it seems to have given me more grief than any other vehicle I've owned, which includes other Focus'.
The first problem I had with it was the rattling noise that the exhaust manifold was making, it got really bad. I took it to Ford and they said it would need replacing, however they also had to replace two exhaust sensors, which made it quite costly. Apparently this is a fairly common issue with the car though.
Next problem was the instrument cluster failing. Had that replaced, but for some reason, the fuel light and gauge didn't work properly on the new one, which ended up with me running out of fuel one day. So that again had to be replaced, but at least Ford fitted the bill this time. What is an issue with the replacement is that Ford can't update the mileage on the read out, the car has done roughly 40,000 miles, but the dash says its done about 5,000! I don't even know how that's going to work when I come to sell it, but I do have a full yearly Ford Dealership service history.
Then the gear cable came off when changing gears, that happened twice, once while on the M1, which wasn't much fun. Ford replaced the cable after the second time, it's not been a problem since.
Last year I had a tyre blow out on the M25. Had it replaced and was told that it was because the paint on the alloys is starting to corrode, which is letting air out slowly. I'd need to take them to a refurbisher, otherwise I could still have the risk that it might happen again.
The biggest problem I have at the moment though is the battery draining. I used to use my car everyday for work, but since I moved into London, I only really use it maybe once a week if that. What I find is that many times, I come back to the car and the battery is totally flat. I would imagine that this isn't really a new problem, it's just that because I used to use the car so much, it was never really apparent.
The first time it happened, the AA recommended I get a new battery, so I got a higher powered one from Halfords. When it happened again, Ford looked at it and said the Halfords battery was no good and was the cause, so they put in a new Ford battery. I still have the same problem and this is now the third one. I have an Alpine head unit in the car, so wondered whether that was causing any issue, so I removed that at Christmas, there is now no stereo and still its the same.
What also is odd is that sometimes I'll find the battery is dead, so I connect it to a battery charger and after like three minutes, the light comes on to say it's fully charged.
I really don't understand what's going on with it.
I think there must be a start motor or alternator issue, as like I said this is the third battery now. Ford have been a bit useless at diagnosing any problem before, so I want to take it in, but I'd rather not get another bill and not have it resolved.
Has anyone else had similar problems?
Especially in regards to the battery?
The first problem I had with it was the rattling noise that the exhaust manifold was making, it got really bad. I took it to Ford and they said it would need replacing, however they also had to replace two exhaust sensors, which made it quite costly. Apparently this is a fairly common issue with the car though.
Next problem was the instrument cluster failing. Had that replaced, but for some reason, the fuel light and gauge didn't work properly on the new one, which ended up with me running out of fuel one day. So that again had to be replaced, but at least Ford fitted the bill this time. What is an issue with the replacement is that Ford can't update the mileage on the read out, the car has done roughly 40,000 miles, but the dash says its done about 5,000! I don't even know how that's going to work when I come to sell it, but I do have a full yearly Ford Dealership service history.
Then the gear cable came off when changing gears, that happened twice, once while on the M1, which wasn't much fun. Ford replaced the cable after the second time, it's not been a problem since.
Last year I had a tyre blow out on the M25. Had it replaced and was told that it was because the paint on the alloys is starting to corrode, which is letting air out slowly. I'd need to take them to a refurbisher, otherwise I could still have the risk that it might happen again.
The biggest problem I have at the moment though is the battery draining. I used to use my car everyday for work, but since I moved into London, I only really use it maybe once a week if that. What I find is that many times, I come back to the car and the battery is totally flat. I would imagine that this isn't really a new problem, it's just that because I used to use the car so much, it was never really apparent.
The first time it happened, the AA recommended I get a new battery, so I got a higher powered one from Halfords. When it happened again, Ford looked at it and said the Halfords battery was no good and was the cause, so they put in a new Ford battery. I still have the same problem and this is now the third one. I have an Alpine head unit in the car, so wondered whether that was causing any issue, so I removed that at Christmas, there is now no stereo and still its the same.
What also is odd is that sometimes I'll find the battery is dead, so I connect it to a battery charger and after like three minutes, the light comes on to say it's fully charged.
I really don't understand what's going on with it.
I think there must be a start motor or alternator issue, as like I said this is the third battery now. Ford have been a bit useless at diagnosing any problem before, so I want to take it in, but I'd rather not get another bill and not have it resolved.
Has anyone else had similar problems?
Especially in regards to the battery?
