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Ford Focus - Avoiding and Dealing with Repairs

Guest post by Lance Moncada. Lance does freelance writing and consulting. His specialty is in the auto industry.

The Ford Focus is one of the most popular American cars. According to Ford, the car was first produced in Europe during the 90s and had made its way to North America and other parts of the world by 2000. It was originally introduced as a replacement for the Ford Escort and, like the Escort, is considered a compact car, but it's on the large end for compacts. The car is extremely popular and well-known for its durability.

But, as with any car on the market, there are a few problems that spring up from time to time. If you are aware of these problems and can conduct preventative maintenance, you'll experience fewer major malfunctions. You'll find that keeping your Ford Focus properly maintained and obtaining the correct amount and type of insurance (you can decide what's right for you using sites like CarInsuranceQuotes.net) will help you with the major issues of car ownership.

Ignition Troubles

Some of the most common problems with the Ford Focus are issues with the ignition. Your key may not turn in the ignition or can get stuck there, for example. According to Car Complaints, this is the most frequent issues for Ford Focus owners. Luckily, this is normally an easy fix. Quite often the ignition is just “stuck” and with some maneuvering of the steering wheel, the key will turn. For more serious issues of this nature, you may need to take the car to the dealership.

A quick tip: Some car insurance companies offer free roadside assistance, which could help you get your Focus in for this repair at no cost to you. If your current policy does not, compare options and find a service that includes this. It could save you hundreds of dollars in towing fees if you face this common issue.

Engine Problems

One of the last thing any car owner wants to hear is that they are facing engine problems. Unfortunately, this often occurs when you've owned a car for several years and have had some work done on it already. The most major engine problem that Ford Focus owners need to watch out for is a blown engine. The car will often show some signs of trouble before the engine completely goes out though. One thing in particular to keep an eye out for is the check engine light. It is easy to ignore this warning, but by taking your car to the dealer or a trusted mechanic, you may save yourself a full engine replacement.

Electrical Problems

The third of the three most common areas where Ford Focus owners face problems is the electrical system. You'll normally discover this problem by trying to start your car. Often, a car won't start because the battery is dead. Batteries usually last only around four to six years, depending on where you live and how you use your car. If you keep your Focus for many years, you may wind up replacing the battery several times. Luckily, batteries are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, but they can be a sign that more major electrical issues are rearing their head. Other problems with the electrical system may require more in depth work. For instance issues related to the starter are often quite expensive.

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