South African Ford Owners Left in the Dark on Costly Timing Belt Replacements

The cost for South African owners to replace a timing belt-in-oil system at an authorised Ford dealership (including both parts and labour) for a 2018 Ford Figo 1.5Ti VCT Trend is R18 000-00.

The official replacement interval for these timing belt-in-oil systems in South Africa is 5 years or 150 000 km, whichever comes first.

Why were South African consumers not clearly informed about this major maintenance expense before purchasing these vehicles?

Ford originally believed the wet timing belt would last 10 years or 150,000 miles (241,401 km), effectively the “life of the vehicle.”

However, in reality, many belts fail much sooner, often around 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,934 km).

Because of some reliability issues and criticism, Ford revised the design.

From 2018 onwards (varies by factory/region), the 1.0 EcoBoost engine was redesigned: camshaft drive went to a timing chain in many cases.

But even in revised engines, the oil-pump is still driven by a small wet belt in many designs.

South African owners are left covering the cost of Ford Motor Company’s flawed timing belt-in-oil system design.

If you are considering purchasing a used Ford vehicle, it is essential to:

Verify the Engine Type: Check if the engine uses a wet timing belt or a timing chain.

Review Maintenance Records: Ensure that the vehicle has undergone regular oil changes with the correct specifications.

Consult a Professional: Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle, especially if it is approaching or has surpassed the recommended timing belt replacement interval.