COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
Ford
Focus
2.0L I4
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
Ford
Focus
1.5L I4 EcoBlue Diesel 120
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
2020
2026
Engine
2.0L I4
1.5L I4 EcoBlue Diesel 120
Drivetrain
FWD
—
Transmission
dct
automatic
Fuel
gas
diesel
04
Cost of Ownership
5-Year Maintenance
$14,352
0.24 $/mi
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$9,428
0.16 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEFord Focus — Saves you $4,924 over 5 years (34% less in routine maintenance labor)
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
Oil & filter change
0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$966 / 5yr
Cylinder Head Cracking (1.5L EcoBoost)
— hrs$1,750 / 5yr
— hrs
1.0L/1.5L EcoBoost Wet Belt Timing Belt Failure
— hrs$1,715 / 5yr
— hrs
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (PowerShift DCT models)
— hrs$1,528 / 5yr
— hrs
DPF Clogging and Regeneration Issues (1.5L EcoBlue Diesel)
— hrs$1,170 / 5yr
— hrs
Front brake pads
1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr
1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
Dual-Mass Flywheel Failure (Manual Transmission)
— hrs$630 / 5yr
— hrs
Wiper blades
0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
0.9 hrs$300 / 5yr
12V battery
0.4 hrs$260 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr
Timing belt service
— hrs
5.8 hrs$508 / 5yr
Fuel Filter and Injector Issues (Diesel)
— hrs$464 / 5yr
— hrs
Fuel filter
0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr
Cabin air filter
0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr
Water pump
2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr
2.9 hrs$194 / 5yr
Coolant flush
0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr
0.9 hrs$185 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
3.0 hrs$162 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr
Engine Mount Failure (Particularly Transmission Mount)
— hrs$325 / 5yr
— hrs
Oil pan gasket
3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr
4.0 hrs$163 / 5yr
Engine air filter
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
Alternator
1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr
1.7 hrs$139 / 5yr
Serpentine belt
0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr
0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
1.7 hrs$126 / 5yr
Spark plugs
0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr
— hrs
Starter motor
1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr
1.7 hrs$91 / 5yr
PCV valve
0.4 hrs$80 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr
Thermostat
0.8 hrs$56 / 5yr
0.9 hrs$61 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.
07
Fluid Capacities
Ford Focus
ac_refrigerant · R-1234yf
brake0.60 qt · WSS-M6C65-A2
coolant7.40 qt · WSS-M97B44-D2
engine_oil5.70 qt · WSS-M2C946-A
power_steering · none — electric power steering
transmission_auto7.40 qt · MERCON ULV
washer4.20 qt · windshield washer fluid
Ford Focus
ac_refrigerant · R-1234yf
brake0.50 qt · WSS-M6C65-A2
coolant7.50 qt · WSS-M97B44-D2
engine_oil4.50 qt · WSS-M2C950-A
power_steering · none — electric power steering
transmission_auto7.40 qt · WSS-M2C938-A
washer4.20 qt · windshield washer fluid
08
The Verdict
🏆
THE WINNER
2026 Ford Focus
1.5L I4 EcoBlue Diesel 120
- Ford Focus is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$4,924 over 5 years)
Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.