Buy Ford Focus Hood

Quick Overview

The hood (also called the bonnet, front lid, or engine cover) on every Ford Focus shields the engine bay, helps manage airflow, and adds crash-safety features. Across four generations (1998 - present), the panel has stayed roughly the same size but Ford switched from all-steel to lighter mixes of steel and aluminum, integrated deployable hinges for pedestrian protection, and improved corrosion coverage to 5 years/unlimited miles on aluminum skins. (Wikipedia)

Fit & Compatibility

• Mk 1 (2000-2007 U.S.) - steel hood; shared across 3-, 4- and 5-door bodies.
• Mk 2 (2008-2011 North America; 2005-2011 Europe) - facelift changed nose lines but hinge spacing stayed the same, so late-Mk 1 and early-Mk 2 hoods are not interchangeable.
• Mk 3 (2012-2018 North America; 2011-2019 elsewhere) - first Focus to offer an optional aluminum skin on ST/RS performance trims, dropping curb weight by ~2 lb.
• Mk 4 (2019-present, Europe/Asia only) - redesigned edge profile and active grille shutters; U.S. models ended after 2018.

Construction

Most mainstream Focus hoods are double-wall stamped steel with an inner frame for strength. Performance and some export models add aluminum outer skins to cut mass. A stock steel hood weighs about 27-29 lb without hinges or latch.
Under-hood insulation pads lower engine noise and protect paint from engine heat; the fasteners are designed to melt and drop the pad onto the engine during a fire, smothering flames.

Safety Roles

1. Crumple path - The inner frame is engineered to fold upward, preventing the panel from intruding into the windshield in a front-end crash.
2. Pedestrian protection - Many Mk 3/Mk 4 cars add "deployable" hood hinges that pop the rear edge about 4 inches on impact to create a softer landing zone.
3. Secondary latch & sensor - A back-up catch stops the hood from flying up if the main latch is not fully engaged, and a small micro-switch tells the dash if the hood is ajar.

Common Faults

• Latch fouling or false "Hood Open" warnings are often caused by dirt inside the micro-switch; a quick spray with electrical contact cleaner usually fixes it.
• Cable-type releases (Mk 1/Mk 2 U.S.) can seize; emergency access requires pulling the grille and tripping the latch manually.
• Edge paint bubbles on some aluminum skins come from galvanic corrosion between aluminum and steel reinforcements. Ford covers perforation-free corrosion for 5 years.

Upkeep Tips

• Wash salt off the leading edge in winter to slow rust.
• Keep hood bump-stops properly adjusted; uneven stops make the latch work harder and can distort panel gaps.
• Wax the underside lip twice a year; moisture gathers where the outer skin is folded over the frame.

Replacement Guide

1. Support the hood with a prop or helper.
2. Unplug the under-hood light or washer-nozzle hose.
3. Remove two 10 mm bolts per hinge; mark bolt outline first for easier realignment.
4. Swap latches/insulation pads to the new panel.
5. Close the hood gently, check gaps, and adjust bump-stops or hinge position as needed.

[Video walk-through] A clear removal and install demo is on YouTube here.

Popular Upgrades

• Gas struts replace the prop rod and let the hood rise on its own; most kits bolt to existing holes in 30 minutes.
• Heat-extractor louvers cut under-hood temps and reduce lift at high speed (common on track-day ST/RS builds).
• Poly hood insulation with added aluminum layer helps protect custom paint on performance builds.

Paint & Rust Care

Ford's corrosion warranty covers aluminum or steel hoods for perforation for 5 years/unlimited miles; surface bubbles should be addressed early with sanding, epoxy primer, and color-coat blend.
If your hood already shows bare metal, wipe with wax-and-grease remover, apply rust converter, then primer and touch-up paint rated for exterior metal panels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size is a Focus hood?
A: Most U.S. models measure about 59 inches wide by 51 inches long; Mk 3/Mk 4 edges taper slightly for aerodynamics.

Q: Can I swap a hatchback hood onto a sedan?
A: Yes within the same generation-hinge spacing and latch points are shared.

Q: How do I know if my hood has the pedestrian pop-up hinges?
A: Look for yellow warning decals near the hinges and a small piston between the hinge and the inner fender.

Q: My hood shakes at highway speed. Fix?
A: Screw down the two rubber bump-stops ¼-turn at a time until the panel seats firmly, then verify the latch fully clicks.

Q: Is it worth installing hood struts?
A: Many owners like one-handed opening and the cleaner engine-bay look. Basic kits install with hand tools in under an hour.

Q: Hood cable snapped-any quick rescue?
A: Pop out the grille trim, reach the latch with a long screwdriver, and lever it leftward; then replace the cable to avoid future lockouts.

Q: Why does the paint bubble along the front edge?
A: Road chips expose bare metal; salt and moisture seep between the folded layers, leading to rust or galvanic corrosion on aluminum skins. Early sanding and repainting prevents larger repairs.

Helpful Resources

• Ford corrosion-warranty details
• Ford owner's manual safety section on deployable hoods
• Focus Fanatics forum weight chart (community reference)