Focus Rust

[zetecuk]

The hatch on my 4 year old Focus is developing rust spots around the corners of the corners of the trim above the number plate - I think this is a common weakness that Ford know about.

Do you reckon I have any chance of getting it sorted under their warranty? I think they only cover perforation from the inside... which only happens to 15 year old Sierras.

For a suposedly galvanised car in an area exposed to no stone chips or bird poo its pretty shocking really.

[julianhj]

Ford's anti-perforation warranty should come in to play. Not sure how long it is now, but I'm sure it's at least 8 years.

Worth rolling up to your local dealer and sorting ASAP.

[zetecuk]

Well, suprise suprise, Ford won't touch it. "Perforation" means rusting right through from the inside according to them. Despite the fact that the paint isn't broken and the rust is bubbling up from underneath, they class it as "surface rust".

So, unless the bottom of your doors have fallen out D-Reg Sierra style, the Ford corrosion warranty is worth jack sh1t.

[julianhj]

Perhaps jumping up and down at Ford Customer Services might get a 'goodwill' repair gratis? Phone calls, letters to MD, that sort of thing. Worth a shot!

[zetecuk]

They showed me some invoices from other customers with rust on nearly new Focuses (ie just outside the 12 month surface-rust warranty) - the best they got was 50% - said I didn't stand a chance... and I don't doubt him one bit going off my previous experiences with ford's customer services...

So I'm off to dremel it and touch it up (as recommended by Ford), then get shut of it before the arches and sills go

[Munter]

ARRRRGGGGGGHHHH you mean the rust showing through where the door skin is welded onto the frame might not be covered......gerrr

(Why is it when you threaten a car with relacement, it rusts, gets 2 punctures, gets crashed into while parked, and the centers for the alloys drop out.)

[julianhj]

Munter said:

ARRRRGGGGGGHHHH you mean the rust showing through where the door skin is welded onto the frame might not be covered......gerrr (Why is it when you threaten a car with relacement, it rusts, gets 2 punctures, gets crashed into while parked, and the centers for the alloys drop out.)

That's nothing. Straight after I agreed the sale on the Griff, it threw itself into the trees in a suicide/attempted murder bid!

[Nighthawk]

I'm afraid the dealer is correct on this one.

A call to Customer assistance centre MIGHT help though.
This concern is known about. however it's not a paint issue. the rust has come because the chrome trim strip has flexed during boot opening and damaged the paint. it's a design issue more than a perforation issue.

best you can hope for is a % though if the car meets all the criteria laid down by the goodwill assistance scheme.

[DennisTheMenace]

Never seen a rusty focus boot , im hopefully getting a 115 tdci zetec estate to replace hms mondeo

[zetecuk]

Yep, it does seem to be a problem associated with the chrome strip, so go for a car with a plastic one.

Funny, my Focus has started dropping to bits and gathering dings, scrapes, and faults since I told it I was getting rid of it too. Fixed the creaky suspension though by WD40-ing the anti-roll-bar link rod thingies.

Not sure now wether to try and sell with rust, try and sell with bodged touched up rust repair, or to get a respray (i guess about £200??).

[Nighthawk]

Get a smart repair done on it for under 100 all in, then buy a new one and help pay my mortgage.

go on, you know you want toooooooooooo

[alarmist]

there should be a small thin plastic trim between the panel above the number plate and the hatchback. ford are aware of the problem. we have 2 in the family both 2000 year models and one owners from new one has started lightly blebing and the other not, both have been very reliable though (there thats done it)... gary

[andyjek]

First noticed some rust on my 2001 Focus back in May on the bottom of the nearside front door, where the door skin is folded over the door shell. Looks like the bead of sealant hasn't covered the join properly, just done a good job of masking the paint. Local dealer processed claim, I had to wait about 8 weeks, then they made great job of spraying nearside rear door. Yep - the wrong one! Still waiting for it to be booked back in, but sounds like I'm lucky to get it done at all under warranty. Now I've noticed rust appearing on the front door, under the mirrors. Looks like the plastic on the mirror housing has flexed and rubbed the paint, just where water collects.
This was first new car I bought, thinking that if I looked after it from day one it would last, especially the way they plugged the galvanized body in the ads..."..will look good for years to come...?!"