CriticalAffected: 2011-201850,000–120,000 miles

Ford Focus Mk3 2.0 TDCi — Steering Rack Motor Failure (EPS)

The Electronic Power Steering rack on the Mk3 Focus suffers from water ingress, causing the motor to short out.

Severity

Critical

DIY Difficulty

Professional Only

Est. Cost

£800–£1200

OBD Codes

U3000

Component Diagram

Steering

Typical layout and location for the Steering assembly.

Reference Illustration

Symptoms

Complete loss of power steering (very heavy steering)
'Steering Assist Malfunction' warning
U3000 fault code

Root Cause

Water runs down the steering column or past the track rod boots, entering the EPS motor housing on the rack.

How To Fix

The entire steering rack must be replaced. Requires coding to the car's PATS/immobiliser system. Cost: £800-1,200

Estimated Repair Costs

Repair Option	Est. Cost (GBP)
DIY (parts only)	£320–£480
Independent Garage	£800–£1200
Main Dealership	£1280–£1920

Other Faults on This Variant

Powershift Dual Clutch Gearbox Failure

Critical

2011-201550,000–100,000 miles£1800–£2500

The 6-speed Powershift (MPS6/6DCT450) automatic gearbox is notoriously fragile. Internal plastic parts shatter, clogging the transmission filter.

DPF Vaporiser Failure

Moderate

2011-201860,000–110,000 miles£250–£350

Ford uses a 5th injector (vaporiser) in the exhaust to regenerate the DPF. This vaporiser clogs with soot, preventing regeneration.

Air Conditioning Condenser Leak (Stone Damage)

Minor

2011-201840,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

The air conditioning condenser is mounted at the very front of the cooling pack, making it highly susceptible to stone damage from the road, leading to refrigerant loss.

Disclaimer: Repair cost estimates are indicative and based on community data. Always get a quote from a qualified mechanic before proceeding with any repair.