mkaresh Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 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. I start including a model year in the main survey when 25 owners have signed up to participate. Just about every recent year of the Focus is either just over or just under this minimum. More participants would help a great deal either way. 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 will receive full access to the results for free. For the details, and to sign up to help out: Auto reliability research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Updated results for 92 model / model year combinations in a week or so. The 2005 Focus will be in there, with an asterisk for marginal sample size. Would like to get rid of that asterisk and include additional model years next time, in May. Just need more participants. Vehicle reliability research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmustang Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I'll help to get your 2008 Focus going. :reading: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted April 8, 2008 Author Share Posted April 8, 2008 I'll help to get your 2008 Focus going. :reading: Thanks, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, still not enough 2008s signed up to include the new Focus in the main survey. Know anyone with one who might be interested? Please point them in this direction: Vehicle reliability research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Posted a result for the 2005 recently. It appears to be about average in reliability. I'd like to include additional model years in future updates, but this depends on how many owners participate. For the full set of results, and sign up to help (if you haven't already): TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted August 21, 2008 Author Share Posted August 21, 2008 The August results include the 2001, 2005, and 2007. Sample sizes were small in all three cases, so these results were asterisked. The 2005 and 2007 appear to be about average in reliability, while the 2001 appears to be better than average--though this might be the small sample size talking. With more participants, we could provide more precise results for all years. Full set of results here: TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Updated results in November. Additional participants needed to cover all model years. Vehicle reliability research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Harbinger Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I don't suppose, do you track whether visitors who found your site via particular auto websites have a particular bias towards the cars advocated by that website? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) I don't suppose, do you track whether visitors who found your site via particular auto websites have a particular bias towards the cars advocated by that website? I don't track this. But people have argued that it could go both ways. 1. Fans might under-report problems. 2. People who came to a forum because they had a problem might over-report problems. The process has been carefully designed to limit both of these potential distortions. And it seems to work, since the reported problem rates track with other surveys. Just sooner, with an actual repair rate. Edited December 1, 2008 by mkaresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 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. I am participating with my '00 Focus, and will register my '09 when I receive my next email asking for my results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 I am participating with my '00 Focus, and will register my '09 when I receive my next email asking for my results. Thanks. Did you add the 2009? We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2008: 62, about average 2007: 33, better than average 2006: 41, better than average 2005: 58, about average 2003: 101, about average 2002: 216, worse than average; based on results for other model years, this one is not accurate 2001: 93, about average 2000: 111, about average We only had a sufficient sample size for the 2005. The other results are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself. A big thank you to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. Ford Focus reliability comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGR Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I have an '02 ZX5 with nearly 180K miles(all mine, I'm the original owner). The only major problems were the front suspension, fixed under a recall notice, and the fuel pump, which let go at about 125K miles in Rawlins, WY(not the best place in the world to be stranded...) I will buy a new C2 5-door when it comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2008: 69, about average 2007: 60, about average 2006: 9, better than average 2005: 46, better than average 2003: 115, about average 2002: 188, worse than average; based on results for other model years, the actual repair rate is probably a bit better than this 2001: 143, about average 2000: 131, about average We had sufficient sample sizes for the 2003, 2005, and 2007. The other results are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself. A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. Ford Focus reliability comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009x. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2008: 69, about average 2007: 60, about average 2006: 9, better than average 2005: 46, better than average 2003: 115, about average 2002: 188, worse than average; based on results for other model years, the actual repair rate is probably a bit better than this 2001: 143, about average 2000: 131, about average We had sufficient sample sizes for the 2003, 2005, and 2007. The other results are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself. A big thank, once again, you to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. Ford Focus reliability comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 22, better than average 2008: 64, about average 2007: 84, about average 2006: 60, about average 2005: 41, better than average 2003: 126, worse than average 2002: 128, about average 2001: 95, about average 2000: 85, better than average We had sufficient sample sizes for the 2003, 2005, and 2007. The other results are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself. A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. Ford Focus reliability comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 (edited) We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 22, better than average 2008: 52, about average 2007: 93, worse than average 2006: 65, about average 2005: 58, about average 2004: 72, about average, very small sample size 2003: 112, about average 2002: 90, about average, small sample 2001: 148, worse than average, small sample 2000: 144, about average, small sample More consistent from year to year than in the past, because more participants and more data per car. A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. Ford Focus reliability comparisons Edited June 8, 2010 by mkaresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 19, better than average 2008: 57, about average 2007: 70, about average 2006: 71, about average 2005: 58, about average 2004: 50, better than average, very small sample size 2003: 96, about average 2002: 93, about average 2001: 117, about average, one response short of the minimum for a full result 2000: 125, about average Now very consistent from year to year, because more participants and more data per car. Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help: Ford Focus reliability comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 55 2008: 59 2007: 65 2006: 84 2005: 82 2004: 54, very small sample size 2003: 92 2002: 91 2001: 120 2000: 135, a single car short of the minimum The 2004 is better than average, all of the others are about average. Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 65 2008: 62 2007: 60 2006: 71 2005: 90 2004: 74, small sample size 2003: 95 2002: 123 2001: 123 2000: 140, small sample size All are about average. Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 (edited) We've updated our reliability stats for the Focus to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 73 2008: 77 2007: 52 2006: 54 2005: 96 2004: 77, small sample size 2003: 102 2002: 132 2001: 91 2000: 103 The 2006 and 2001 are better than average, the others are about average. Sample izes are near the minimum in all cases, which likely explains much of the variation from year to year. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. We're especially interested in providing some quick results for the new 2012. 18 cars signed up so far, a very fast start. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Edited June 27, 2011 by mkaresh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 We've updated the results for the Focus to include owner experiences through June 30, 2011. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2009: 94, worse than average 2008: 52 2007: 53 2006: 73 2005: 116, worse than average 2004: 81, small sample size 2003: 107 2002: 93 2001: 94, better than average 2000: 123, small sample size About average except where noted. Sample sizes are near the minimum in all cases, which likely explains much of the variation from year to year. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. We're especially interested in providing some quick results for the new 2012. 31 cars signed up so far, a very fast start. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 We've updated the our reliability stats for the Focus to include owner experiences through December 31, 2012. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2013: 15, low 2012: 38, moderate 2010: 43, moderate 2009: 20, low, small sample size 2008: 25, low 2007: 41, low 2006: 41, low 2005: 41, low 2004: 26, low, very small sample size 2003: 80, moderate 2002: 114, high 2001: 66, low, small sample size 2000: 32, low, very small sample size The 2000 and 2001 seem too low to be accurate. Or owners are living with problems rather than fixing them. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more owners involved, we could provide more precise information and fully cover all model years. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 We've updated our reliability stats for the Focus to include owner experiences through March 31, 2013. Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2013 Focus: 16, low 2012 Focus: 35, moderate 2010 Focus: 51, moderate 2009 Focus: 28, low, small sample size 2008 Focus: 26, low 2007 Focus: 41, low 2006 Focus: 51, moderate 2005 Focus: 48, low 2004 Focus: 31, low, small sample size 2003 Focus: 82, moderate 2002 Focus: 129, high 2001 Focus: 90, moderate, small sample size 2000 Focus: 69, low, small sample size We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop: 2012 Focus: 69, < 1 2007 Focus: 82, 4 We'll have further updates in August and in November. For the details, including the descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help improve this information: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 We've updated our reliability stats for the Focus to include owner experiences through June 30, 2013. (Another source is about 14 months behind.) Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year: 2013 Focus: 23, low2013 Focus ST: 44, moderate2012 Focus: 37, moderate2010 Focus: 38, moderate2009 Focus: 22, low2008 Focus: 31, low2007 Focus: 47, moderate2006 Focus: 62, moderate2005 Focus: 55, moderate2004 Focus: 38, low, small sample size2003 Focus: 95, moderate2002 Focus: 116, high2001 Focus: 84, low, small sample size2000 Focus: 69, low, small sample size We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop: 2012 Focus: 70, 12007 Focus: 70, 3 We'll have further updates in November and February. To view competitors' scores and descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help: Ford Focus reliability ratings and comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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