Is the Ford Focus a piece of junk?

Whether the Ford Focus is a "piece of junk" is subjective and depends heavily on the specific year and model. Some years and models have experienced more reliability problems than others.

To get a fair assessment, you should look at:

* Specific year and model: Reliability varies significantly from year to year. Research the specific year's common problems reported by owners.

* Owner reviews: Websites like Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and RepairPal provide owner reviews and reliability ratings that can offer insights into common issues.

* Maintenance history: A well-maintained Focus, regardless of year, will generally be more reliable than one that has been neglected.

In short, you can't make a blanket statement about the entire Ford Focus model line. Some were good, some were less so. Researching the specifics of the car you're considering is crucial.