Ford Focus Transmission Problem Has Ford Focusing On Solution
UPDATE: This post was originally written in 2013. Many of these claims have now exceeded the statute of limitations. Of course, you can always reach out to us at 800 536 6652 to discuss your specific situation.
Throughout the past few weeks, we have been receiving a number of calls on the 1-800-LEMON-LAW hotline from distressed drivers regarding 2012 Ford Focus transmission problems. 2012 Ford Focus lemon law cases are on the rise.
We have heard from several folks who are having their Ford Focus roll backwards on hills after they came to a stop. Others are seeing shuddering and vibration between gears and hesitation when shifting. After researching the issue, we see that many Ford Focus drivers are focusing on the transmission troubles and what can be done to fix the situation.
Use our Lemon Checker to see if your car is a lemon.
The rolling backwards is being blamed on the Ford Focus 6-speed dual clutch transmission which does not have a torque converter. This is supposedly designed to be effective when it comes to fuel mileage, but it has a negative effect regarding this rollback mechanism.
The drag of a torque converter would normally prevent a car from rolling backwards. Ford has attempted to solve the problem through a power control module reboot, however at least one Ford Focus driver complained that this made his problem worse. Another driver said his dealer has been consistently replacing solenoids in his Ford Focus to no avail.
If your Ford Focus is rolling backwards when stopped on inclines, or if you are having hesitation issues when getting your Ford Focus transmission in gear, you need to get to your Ford-authorized dealership as soon as possible to see if they can find a fix. And if you find that the fixes are ineffective, it’s time to look into your Lemon Law rights. After all, it’s only after you have successfully dealt with your problems that you will be able to “focus” on the road.
If you live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, or Ohio, feel free to call us at 1-800-LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652), and we’ll be happy to answer your questions, address your concerns, and – if applicable – file a claim on your behalf. If we are able to help, there is no cost to you at any time!
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:10 pm
had the Ford fix done last week still having a shudder when it shifts and wrong gear selection by the trans
July 27th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
I have a ford focus 2012 and it is doing all this and I have taken it in many times and can’t get it fixed. They tell me it is the way I drive it.
I have been driving for over 30 years, I know how to drive.
July 30th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Amy: Please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html so we can review your situation and how we can help.
July 31st, 2012 at 6:12 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus which has been in for service at least 6 times….my first time I took it in was within 400 miles of me buying the car….it hesitates….gas milage is 22.4 average…..A/C is not working….the hazzard lights are not working….it rolls back when in drive….the paint is peeling. Let me know what else I need to do and if I think of what else wrong I will let you know.
August 1st, 2012 at 10:38 am
tsb 12b37 is the fix…………………..ditto .It works try it you will like it.
August 1st, 2012 at 11:59 am
How do I find out if they have dont that because they have tried alot…they told me the ones that were built before August 12th has issues
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Many do Amy. If you sense you are having problems, contact the dealer.
August 2nd, 2012 at 6:23 pm
I have been in the deal 7 times…..I think that is sad that Ford can’t get it fixed or replace the car.
August 3rd, 2012 at 7:35 am
That is when it is time to get an attorney involved.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Does FL have a Lemon Law? I have a 2012 Focus and had the latest update done for the 12b37. I helped around 2nd gear, but 1st is even worse. The car has now stalled while driving and almost stalled three times when stopped. It feels like it fails to engage the transmission when driving below 10mph and you push the pedal. Seriously, we are in the 21st century and they can’t make an engine that is stead and reliable. Didn’t we just land on Mars….again?
August 17th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Well my 2012 ford focus is having huge transmission problems. Already been n 2 times to fix it. Hesitates and jerks forward bad so concerned. I am calling them for the 3 rd time tomorrow. This is ridiculous. Help. What are rights??
August 18th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Ford dealership is only will only take me car back if I trade for another ford and that there is nothing wrong with it and it does al of that. Other than that, they are not willing to do anything. What do I do?
August 19th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
My 2012 Ford Focus SEL just lost all power traveling on a busy interstate going 75 miles per hour. I am pregnant & had my daughter with me. The message on the screen said TRANSMISSION FAILURE & then we lost all power. Will not be driving anywhere in this car again, totally shooken up!!
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Angela; This is because you are representing yourself and going through the dealer and not the manufacturer. Contact a lemon law attorney. Find one in your state at https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Contact an attorney in your state at https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Florida does have a lemon law. For more information contact the law offices of Krohn and Moss in FL at 800-US-LEMON.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:36 pm
My car too had the same shifting prob everyone else had before we had our incident on the interstate, (see post # 13) My car is at the dealership right now, I spoke with the service manager & he said they don’t know what’s wrong with it. He said I will know tomorrow. I am nervous he’s gonna say nothing’s wrong with it!
August 22nd, 2012 at 8:33 pm
my 2012 focus was reprogrammed as per recall and it still shutters when at low speeds and also rolls back on inclines. third time at dealer. the mechanic said, that is just how the transmission works.wondering how long it will last with these issues.
August 25th, 2012 at 11:46 am
I bought my Ford 2012 Focus 6 months ago. Have had transmission problems ever since. Rolling backwards on hills after stops, grinding and hesitation at every shift point, not shifting down going into my garage…had to ride the break hard to keep from running into the inner was, are just a few of the problems. It is a mess. It will have been in the dealer 3 times next week.
September 2nd, 2012 at 9:50 am
Bought a brand new ford focus 2013.On our first trip we started having major issues.There is hesitation when you put a demand on the engine, especially when pulling out from a stop.In addition, there is a safety concern because it could lead to another vehicle hitting you when pulling out in to traffic.
As far as I am concerned Ford has deceptive business practices especially when I asked if there were any recalls with this particular vehicle.
Upon noticing these problems with the vehicle , I called the dealer and was told to bring it to the shop.I traveled home for 200 miles and the stress that I encountered for every mile was unbelievable. It is a big safety concern.
The vehicle is in the shop and the mechanic informed us of his? diagnoses. They will keep the car for 1 week. Now, what is my next move. I will not accept a brand new vehicle being in the shop 90 percent of the time.
September 5th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Look into your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html.
September 5th, 2012 at 11:31 am
James: Please contact a lemon law attorney at https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
September 5th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Dawn: Take the car back in. If the problems continue, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html and look into your lemon law rights.
September 5th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Ok I just got me car delcared a lemon and getting my money back….you have to take your car in at least 4 times for the same thing and you need to contact ford in the mean while so they can get you a rental….the thing is you have to make sure when you take it in they put down what you say….they tried to not write what I said and then it would not be the same issue. My car was hesitating and getting low milegae.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
i purchased a 2012 Ford Focus around 4 and half to 5 months ago. i have been experiencing it rolling continuously downhill and when i go from Reverse to Drive it does not catch gears at any point. I also have been experiencing transmission problems with it shifting and i have been hearing the transmission making a ticking noise when i am backing up and driving. I have had my Focus fixed 3 times already. What can i do!? There is much more wrong with it as well transmission and rolling wise.
September 7th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Brittany: Please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html so we can review the problem and how we will help.
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:28 am
I have been experiencing the shuttering feeling when my 2012 Ford Focus is shifting gears and had it to the dealer ship once and Ford just told them to re-program everything. Now they are finally looking into it b/c more and more people are complaining about the transmission.
September 22nd, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus a year ago in June. The transmission was a disaster. (Same problems everyone else is reporting) I called the dealer and took it in numerous times. They re-programmed it and it was even worse. I went in again and they finally said they had done everything that could be done. I called Ford Motor Company and the representative said that that was just the way the car was and there was nothing that could be done. In June I was driving by a Hyundai dealership and went in. I ended up buying an Elantra sedan. A month later the dealer got the Elantra GT in and I got that instead and it is everything the Ford should have been and was not! AND, it is less expensive and an amazing vehicle. I traded in my great 2006 Honda Accord EXL Coupe for a down payment on the Focus and I paid $26,000 for the piece of junk….THINKING it was going to be a good car. I got $16,500 on a trade for my new car one year later! Please tell me there is going to be a class action law suit on this sorry excuse for a car?
September 24th, 2012 at 10:23 am
I JUST bought a brand new 2013 Focus and have had it a week and a half. It does do a funny hesitation thing in lower gears, but in the past few days, it seems to have gotten worse – it’s now shuddering really bad, feels like I am driving a manual and don’t know how to use my clutch, and it sounds like there are rocks in the engine (or transmission)…. It’s in service right now, but they better give me a new one or take the car back!
September 24th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Rick: Depending on your issue, you should be looking into filing your own claim. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state.
September 25th, 2012 at 7:15 am
I purchased my car April 2012, I noticed the “kicking” and “stalling” of the what i considered transmission right from the start. At first i was told that the car needs to “adjust”, and to mention it when i have my first oil change. Then i was relieved to get a recall notice in the mail, took the focus to get the recall of the windshield wiper and the transmission issue corrected, but the issue did not resolve. Today i took my car in for its first maint. appt and mention the issue like they told me to. The transmission spec. acted like my complaints didn’t make any sense. When i said that the car almost died out when pulling into a busy st. and It is really scared me he seemed to just shake his head in disbelief. They said that it might be hard to recreate the problem…. I doubt that seeing it happens all the time. I live in Massachusetts I hope we have laws to protect me if this issue isnt corrected, it literally scares me!
September 26th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
bought a brand new 2012 ford focus, we traded our 2009 ford focus for this car and I sure wish I could get my old one back, this car drops the first three gears before 15 miles an hour. as soon as you step on the gas pedal it shifts to second, then at about 15 mph it will go to third. it also roles back some times. somes times it doesn’t. and on the same hill. it also chatters while backing up. I took it to the ford dealer and explained it to the shop manager, he drove it into the bay for his mechanic to look at, he said man that thing really chatters in reverse. I agreed. 1 hour later they gave me my car back and told me their was nothing they could do, and that the car was acting just like it was designed to. including the chattering he noticed, I called back when I got home and asked what the shifting speeds where. they never called me back. I was thinking how can they tell me it’s fine, when they don’t no what normal is? also wouldn’t give me a loaner car because I didn’t get the extended warranty. so I just bought a 22,000 car along with their normalwarranty and they won’t give me basic customer services. SUCKS
October 2nd, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Bought a brand new 2012 Ford Focus a week ago. Having all the same problems everyone else is having on the Transmission. This is a safety issue definetly! When is there going to be a class action law suit? I’m in if Ford dosen’t give me one that dosen’t have this Transmission problem.
October 5th, 2012 at 12:29 am
I just bought a 2013 ford focus a few days ago it seemed to run ok then all of the sudden i was rolling backwards on a slight incline and almost hit the car behind me. If I am on any incline on one can be behind me because the time it takes to take my foot off the brake and hit the gas pedal i am rolling backwards. HORRIBLE DANGEROUS!!!!!!
The bad problem i have noticed is the shifting of the car…it surges and stalls and doesn’t know what gear to go into. It is horrible….I have always drove german cars and thought like a fool to try an American car and here i am stuck with a car that has some really dangerous problems….Thanks ford!!!!!!
October 5th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
I’ve had my focus for only 5 months now and i am having SOOOO many issues it’s not even funny. The trans is just a freaking mess, but unfortunately that’s “a normal driving quark” of this transmission. It shutters, hesitates between gears, shakes REALLY abruptly, rolls backwards as if i intentionally put it into reverse, the weather strip on the driver’s side door ripped and started peeling off, and today is the SECOND time it’s told me that it has “low tire pressure”. Today is the 3rd time i’ve taken it into the dealership THIS WEEK. the first two times i took it in they told me that everything was normal…and now another dealership is telling me that there’s a leak in the TORQUE CONVERTER, which, if you’ve read the above article, you’ll notice that the torque converter DOESN’T EXIST in this model of transmission. i told them that and they responded with “well my transmission guy said it was some sort of converter issue, but i don’t know too much about the terminology so i don’t know. bottom line, it’s fixable.” LIES!!!!!!!!!! I’ve called corporate and i’m doing whatever it takes to get out from under this P.O.S. car and call them out on their lies. they’re supposed to put me in a rental car for at least the weekend while they “fix” the transmission. they told me they’d have the rental car company contact me asap….that was 2 hours ago. *still waiting*
October 6th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Anyone looking to buy a 2012 or 2013 Focus please BEWARE!! There is a no-fix on the Powershift Transmission! Ford has a 2 page letter that states that common characteristics for the powershift are.. Double clicking metal sounds- Coast down whine- clicking sounds after the engine is turned off- Low speed grinding- reverse gear whine- trailer.hitching feel- This is totally unacceptable for a brand new car this is in NO way common!!!! I have drove fords my whole life and I am very disappointed. I was told by my dealer that I would just have to drive it until Ford does another recall… paying on a car that has this many problems is awful and I am sure that one of the higher management at Ford would not do it so why should we!
October 7th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
We got our 2012 Focus SE in September of last year. We took it in for the recall to reprogram the tranny, hasn’t been right since. About a month ago we took it in for 15,000 mile oil change, brought it home and parked in our driveway it was fine, an hour later we went to leave and it started acting up real bad. When we pulled out to go the tachometer went up to 5 grand then started shaking real bad then shifted into second, when it went to shift to third tachometer went up to 4 grand. We had it towed in and they kept it over night. They called us the next day and said they reprogrammed it again. We took it home and it was alright for about two weeks, then slowly started acting up again when we pull out, this time it is slipping real bad when it pulls out. We took it to dealer and they told us we hear a hundred complaints a day about these problems, everyone does it, Ford told us that is how they work there is nothing we can do. I looked at the service guy and said “oh well, I just hope when the tranny goes it’s under warranty” He looked at me and said “you have a 100,000 mile warranty!”
October 8th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Only adding to the long list of unsatisfied Ford Focus customers. I did to the transmission upgrade and wish I had not. It only made it worse. I did not have rollback issues previously but had safety concerns regarding the hesitation before the transmission would engage. It is worse since the upgrade.
I stopped at my dealership today and got the same ole same ole song and dance that it must be me. I am tired of the lip service and want a reliable car!
October 9th, 2012 at 8:22 am
Bought a 2012 Ford Focus 2012 SE (sport package with leather interior and spoiler) and experienced same issues as everyone else has been experiencing. Slips gears, goes immediately to second when you press on the gas, rolls back on hills. It’s an automatic vehicle gone terribly wrong. My husband and I bought the car thinking that it would be a gas saver for when my family and I went on longer road trips (we have two kids ages 2 1/2 and 5). We bought the automatic because we didn’t want to deal with the jerkiness of the manuals, espeically when driving with kids. This automatic FEELS like a manual – but worse (because I can’t control it). At one point (at about 1000 miles on the car) the trasmission light came on along with the check engine light, and the RPM’s maxed out. The car SHUT OFF. I had both kids in the car. It was VERY SCARY. I was able to turn it back on and continue on, but the car has NEVER behaved as a new car well should. We’ve taken the car to the dealership now six times (one for a recall notice to have the trasnmission software upgraded), and now the dealership is saying there’s nothing more they can do – and what we are experiencing are “normal characteristics” of the car. It’s so hard to be in debt with a vehicle that is not servicing our needs as a family and quite frankly scary to drive – and now have the dealership say there’s nothing more they can do. We’ve filed a case with Ford’s customer service department – but not sure what more we can do. We also have a 2008 Ford Escape with 40K miles that we LOVE. It’s a great family vehicle. Unfortunately, we are not being treated as loyal Ford customers, and Ford is completely alienating us from ever wanting to deal with another Ford purchase ever again. I will say that I think all Ford customer and service representatives are trained to say that what we’re experiencing with the car are “normal characteristics” – especially after reading this blog spot. It’s so hard to continue to “fight” and put forth energy and VERY sad that a company who claims to be ethical, moral, and honest with their customers (as Ford has) is treating their customers this way and obviously covering up REAL ISSUES that their customers ARE NOT making up.
October 9th, 2012 at 10:40 am
I am taking my new 2012 focus in for the 1s time for the hesitation issues. It started the day after i purchased it about 2 weeks ago. I am sure they will say they cant suplicate the problem or do the stinky update. We will see what happens here in tampa florida maybe they will handle it better than other places.
October 9th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
I’ve had my 2012 Focus in for transmission 5 times…same symptoms as everyone else…Did the NYS lemon law….lost…was told ” The problem did NOT substaintially impair the value of the vehicle to the consumer”…. I still have the problems, only getting worse…If anyone has had any success to this or has any suggestions…PLEASE help..They keep telling me this is “NORMAL” for that car….contact me @ mgbabz@aol.com…Thanks
October 10th, 2012 at 9:28 am
This has to be the worst car I bought yet. It has had a transmission replaced in it and then the recall. Oh, that was a mistake! It made it much worse. It has almost caused me two wrecks now. Stalling and kicking and sputtering. Then the noise coming from the car is aweful! The dealership keeps saying they can’t do anything for me but wait… really? So, you going to pay to help raise my kids when I get in a wreck and die! I like Ford, and always bought American vehicles, but this has me thinking going to Chev or Dodge. I can’t beleive they haven’t recalled or done something about this yet. Very disappointed in Ford.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Mark: This is why we advise consumers not to go through this alone. Please go to https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out our firm. We will review it and see if we can help.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:16 am
John: A class action suit may provide a fix or solution but if your issue deems the car unsafe, you will need to look into a lemon law case.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:33 am
I had Ford check out my new 2013 Ford Focus because of the shifting problems and the car rolling backwards…..they said my car is fine that is just how they are! Well my view is that the my car is dangerous and is quite frustrating to drive! I spent over 20,000 dollars and i would expect more out of a car……
October 10th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
I live in the mountains of NC and experience power loss several times a day while commuting home up the mountain. Also several stalls while in traffic today. I’ve had the recall and have had it serviced for many of the above issues. Love the car otherwise, but the tranny is worrying me. Dealership told me not to use the sport shift as this may “train” the tranny to react improperly.
October 10th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I posted about my 2013 Fucus about threw weeks ago. Was told they can’t duplicate the problem, and when I picked the car up, it seemed okay. Two days later, all the same problems again, and as I drove the POS back to the dealer, I almost got rear ended – changed lanes on the freeway , and when I tried to speed up, the car was stuck in mid-shift and wouldn’t GO. I am having the dealer document every complaint word for word so I have my ducks in a row for a lemon law claim. My car was dropped of a week and a half ago and I haven’t heard one word from them.
Also, when I asked too speak to the general manager, they lied about who it was and that fake GM laughed at me when I told him they need to swap my brand new car out. Not a little chuckle under his breath – a full five second laugh.Cal Worthington in Long Beach – great customer service lol.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
On May 17, 2012 I had an accident with my 2012 Ford Focus I was at a light when I proceeded to go forward the car rolled backwards in order to stop myself from hitting the car behind I put my foot on the accelerator and the car jerked forward while turning right on the light and the car that was in front of me stopped abruptly because a car cut them off and I ran into the back of the jeep. I have been fighting to get my car fixed because two days after my accident Ford sent out a recall on the Transmission Power Train on my car. Sept Ford just informed me that they will not fix the car because it wasn’t their fault. I need justice I have been out of a car since May 17, 2012 and to make things worst. Ford registered my car so I thought, I purchased it December 2012 and the registration form stated that the registration expire February 2011. When I had the accident the police towed my car because my registration had expired on my brand new car. I called my insurance company to notify the accident, they informed me that the canceled my insurance May 7, 2012 because my car wasn’t registered. On top of that the tow company would not take my AAA card and charged me $208.00 in cash only to tow my car I had to chase him down because he wouldn’t leave my car at the car dealership, additionally, my sons daycare charged me a $100.00 late fee for picking my son up late during the accident. I am so stressed and I need a new car and recompense. Ford will not own up to this manufactured glitch that could have killed me.
October 10th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
I need your help it is costing me $4600.00 to fix my car in which I do not have I am a single parent with limited income and no assistance. Trying to do the right thing.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Hi Jessica: Unfortunately, we cannot help unless there is a manufacturers warranty. I suggest you reach out to your State’s Attorney General office.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I think it’s time to look into your rights, Erika. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your State that could help.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Jason: Look into your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state.
October 20th, 2012 at 9:51 am
I recently rented a 2013 Focus from a national rental outfit. Thought it would be a great car for the week, not realizing I would sense the tranny jerk at take-off and strange shifting RPM variances between gears. A maintenance guy at the rental place was telling me they have received numerous complaints regarding the Focus’s tranny’s and they are not pleased with these cars. Will never rent a Focus again.
Let me not forget to mention that the seat is quite narrow. I drove to Chicago twice (90 minute drive) and the left side of my body sat on the edge, where the metal support bar was present. Not a comfortable ride. I got home and had to move my car to park this thing (2006 Chevy Impalla). I hopped into my Impalla to move it and the seat felt like I was sitting on a couch, compared to this school chair in the Focus I just departed from.
October 20th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Hi, I recently bought a 2012 Focus. Today, six days after purchasing the vehicle, it is in the shop due to a strange grinding noise while changing gears. The mechanic informed me the vehicle’s transmission is bad and will need to be replaced! Really!! The car does not even have 500 miles on it and it already needs a new transimission. Something needs to be done about the issues with this vehicle. This is my first Ford vehicle and I will never buy another one. And, to think I got rid of my Honda CR-V for this vehicle makes me want to cry. I really thought I would be saving money in gas. I want my money back and Ford can keep the car.
October 23rd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
hi i bought a 2012 ford focus hatchback when you are on a little inclink or hill the car rolls back and i am afarid i am going to hit the person behind went to kindle today and they said they cannot do anything to the car and thats the way it is i know for sure if they told me about this problem i would have never brought the car
October 25th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Hi,
I have a 2012 Ford Focus and Fiesta. Both are having serious transmission problems. Been back to dealer 2x’s so far. Mechanic admitted to me that Ford doesn’t have a fix for these problems but knows about them. Both of my cars do exactly what everyone is saying, not shifting gears properly, rollong backwards, grinding noise, etc etc. Dealer replaced part of transmission in Fiesta. Now they say too bad I have to live with it!!! No way! I need a good attorney in Arizona!!
October 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Wow! I wish I read all of this before I purchased my car. I have many of the same problems. My car has also been in five times with Transmission problems, and had the software update which made zero difference. Dangerous to drive in the initial stages of owning it, seemingly slipping into neutral, incredibly rough gear changes, clunky and occasionally loud bangs coming from the transmission. I too will not deal with Ford again.
October 26th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
2012 Ford Focus, from day one I have been having the same problems with the transmission. I would have returned it with in the legally allowed time but Ford assured me that it would resolve itself. It seems as if they knowing lied, seeing as there a multitude of complaints out there. I bought the car with 422 miles on it and at 2364 it is worse than it ever was. It is also making this horrible crunching noise in the front left wheel area which I believe is the CV joint but the dealer says they can’t figure out what is wrong with it. I saw on U tube that someone had posted a snip it about their Focus and that the CV joint had sheared away, sounds dangerous. I am documenting everything with dates and mileage. I am thinking of having a second party look at the vehicle as a witness. Any thoughts?
October 28th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
0i have a 2013 ford focus i took it in this week they told me it should go away at 600 miles but its not the dame thing is only 2 weeks old and it strange grinding and it rolls a foot or so when i put it in park i wanted to save on fuel not give my saving to a shop
October 29th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Sherred: I would certainly look into your rights, especially if you have three invoices. Please feel free to call 800-LEMON LAW to discuss. If you are not in one of our 14 states, we will direct you to someone who can help.
October 29th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state.
November 1st, 2012 at 3:45 am
Ford is making big claims on their new and sophisticated technology being developed. They are really taking pride in the quality of products being produced. It would seem that it would serve to their best interest on finding the right solution to this problem and to generate a recall. That is, if they would like to continue enjoying customer loyalty and satisfaction that has been building a profitable momentum for them. DON’T DROP THE BALL FORD. All eyes are on you seeing how you handle this serious problem.
November 1st, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I have had the 2012 ford focus for just over a year, and i have only 18,000 miles on it. at 14,000 miles it started a grinding noise. I have taken it back two times now. the first time they said “it’s normal.” time two they said they had a software update. Last i checked a transmission isn’t software you can just ‘update’. However, I am taking it back for the third time this coming weekend, I will post on what I find out. So far the grinding was pin pointed between first and second. A transmission tech said they pinpointed it at fourth gear.
November 2nd, 2012 at 3:00 pm
I have owned 5 Fords in the last 13 years… i have loved them all, except my current 2012 Focus. I traded in a 2008 Focus and really regret it. I am having the same shaking problems when i step on the gas. They say they reprogrammed it, but it’s no different. I have had 3 tires that are “bad” and end up blowing out. Also, the low tire pressure light goes on constantly for no reason and I have to go to the dealership for them to reset it. I’m so tired of wasting time off work to go sit at Ford or have them put me in a crappy rental car just for them to tell me “that’s just the way it is”…. Can’t wait to trade this car in, not that anyone will want it!
November 2nd, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Hi. i’m a canadian citizen and i have bought a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium last september 2011. After plenty of visit to my car dealer about the trans problem, nothing has changed. In fact, it got worse. It is now clear for me. That car is a real fraud.
November 4th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Jamie: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out the information so we can review the situation.
November 7th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Purchased my 2012 ford focus 30 days ago. Gas mileage is great, but the same transmission issues everyone else is having. Took it to shop today….if possible a fix, if not i will call the local news station. I want it fixed properly or I want a new car. I’m not going to wait till its in the shop for 5-10 visits. This is ridiculous!!! And if there was a recall how the hell are dealers still able to sell them without informing the purchaser….sounds like fraud to me. Ford needs to take back these defective dangerous vehicles before someone gets killed!
November 8th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus SEL and it has been in the shop 5 times for transmission repairs and 2 times to have a rattle in the dash fixed. It is scheduled to go back into the shop again on Monday for the transmission. When shifting in the lower gear speeds (20 mph to 40 mph) the noise is horrible! The stuttering that occurs upon first accelerating is ridiculous and makes you feel like your trying to tow something too heavy for the vehicle. I contacted Ford Motor Company after the 3rd repair and they offered me an extended warranty or a car payment. ??? I have checked and this vehicle meets and exceeds the qualifications under the State of Oklahoma’s Lemon laws. My concern is what the depreciated value that they will pay to take the vehicle back will still make me come out the loser. Anyone have any suggestions?
November 10th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
I purchased my 2012 Ford Focus Titanium in July and immediately noticed the jumpy tranny, grinding noises in the lower gears. I was told I had to drive the car for several thousand miles in order for it to smooth out. Eventually, it did smooth out but the grinding was still there and I had very poor pick-up performance so I resolved to start using the Select mode. After a day of using Select, I returned to the Automatic and after months of being smooth, the tranny returned to jumping, still grinding, only this time the shuddering started. Mostly uphilll or “under load” as the dealer put it. I took it in and they replace one of the clutches. 2 days later, the shuddering was still there only this time, not just going uphill or “under load” but every time in the low gears 1, 2, 3. Shuddering and popping into gear with everyone in the car jumping forward in response. The grinding was still there too. Took it back in and after a day or two they told me I needed to put another 2,000 miles on the new clutch before it would smooth out. I’m taking it back in Monday for the grinding. The shuddering is still there but I’ll give it the 2,000 miles to prove to them they are wrong. Going to look into Lemon Law in Texas before this is over. I paid well over $20k and got the extended warranty. I plan to camp out until this is fixed.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I can NOT believe this is happening. Just got a 2013 Ford focus Titanium tuesday night 11/13/2012. Drove fine during the test drive it was awesome equipped. Just blews away with all the technology.
I Never liked FORD. Im a Chevy kinda girl but since my boyfriend really liked this car and my credit was better, i agreed. Biggest mistake ever. Just yesterday i drove it and the transmission wouldn’t shift smoothly after coming to a complete stop. On a hill it scared the hell out of me, it jerked back sooo nasty. On top of that the break pedal got hard like in old muscle cars when the car is off. Another thing there’s a crakling noise as your driving. This is a brand spanking new car. Ford needs to recall this car and give us our money back. Just a TERRIBLE CAR…BUYERS BEWARE. The sales people will NOT tell you about it. They just want to make the sale and say they are hooking you up when in reality they’re giving you a headache for the rest of the vehicles life. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!
November 15th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I just bought a 2013 ford focus sel and there is clicking sounds when i turn off the car. I just brought it in to the dealership after having it only 3 days.
BUYERS REMORSE.
Does anyone know what this is?
Why does under the hood click for so long after I turn off the car?
November 16th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I bought my 2012 Focus SEL in January. When I first started driving it, the trans was a bit difficult to get used to; and having read about issues as well as tips on how to drive it before I bought the car, I was admittedly a bit nervous.
I am definitely not disparaging any posts here – especially poor Dawn and Amy – but having adjusted my accelerator habits to that of driving a manual within the first few hundred miles, I have had great success driving this vehicle. Average MPG with 30% city/70% highway is around 36. I have even hit close to 50 mpg on the interstate under optimal conditions. I do experience the rollback at incline stops and have also experienced the stall stutter for the first few days with the vehicle. again, I adjusted my accelerator habits to mirror what they would be with a manual.
That said, I am not letting Ford touch my trans per the recall. Taking it in this weekend to verify that the wiper mechanism cover is correct, expressly forbidding them in writing to touch the trans. I appear to be one of the lucky ones… Except for the sync system bugging out every couple of months so bad I need to pull fuses for a reset. :-/
November 16th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I have been having all of these issues, also the remote no longer beeps when I go to lock my car as well. I took it back in when the recall came out they “fixed” it but i actually expirenced more problems with the car after having it looked at.
November 17th, 2012 at 12:45 am
This is crazy that there are so many posts! I have a 2012 ford focus with all the transmission problems. Just got it back from getting a brand new transmission, and it is still doing weird things. Tomorrow taking it for the 3rd time so Im looking into the Lemon Law now. I bought a brand new car so I would not have any problems! I really do like the car though, just want it to work properly. Might be lemon law time…
Also the rental car guy told me they get a lot of this and the ford guy denied that they have been having other problems like this…
November 20th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Nicole: Even if your car is fixed, you are entitled to compensation. I suggest you reach out to us at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html.
November 20th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
UPDATE ~ They finally was able to fix my transmission! They found it had a miniscule leak inside the transmission!! It wasn’t leaking enough to leak on the outside but leaked enough on the inside to saturate my gears and clutch causing it to slip, skip, stutter, and generate a gravel sounding noise when driving 10 mph up to 30 mph. So after 4 months of agony my car now runs like a champ!
Ford Motor Company gave me an extended premium 5 years or 75000 mile warranty, a full tank of gas, and detailed my car. I don’t know if were quiet even yet but given how much I loved my car and the gas mileage I am satisfied at this point.
November 20th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
I git mine back from the dealer and so far it seems to be much better. I emailed ford and they actuallt set everything up wih the dealer and replaced the clutches. Ford call me every 2 days to update and called when it was done to see how it was doing. We will see how it goes
November 21st, 2012 at 8:12 am
I paid like $28,000 for a totally laid out 2012 Focus. My transmission has the same issues that are listed here on this site. I know from writing to Ford about this problem,and the lost sync system,that I am just plain screwed. With 3,700 miles on it, I’m going to trade it off and take a huge loss. My last car was a new Hyudai Tiburon with a six speed manual, it makes me sick to have to say that this Korean Import, was the best car I ever purchased. I see no choice but to take a beating, and trade it off. Ford has no intention of fixing this car.
I’m astounded that in this day and age, a car company can rip off everyone that purcahses one of these vehicles,and get away with it!
November 21st, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Robert: Before trading your car, you should look into your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html to fill out a form and see how we can help.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
We bought a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium 2 months ago, same transmission problems as everyone else, traded in a nice Toyota RAV4 for this, now regretting it. I haven’t taken the car in, but will this week. Not sure Ford will be able to do anything, but will go through the process of documenting the problem in case I need to contact Lemon Law attorney. This is was an expensive mistake, but will make Ford pay for it with either repairing or lemon law…Really sad state of affairs, they say “Buy American”, but look what happens!!!
December 4th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Please help, I have been having all these issues and when I took the car to the dealer they had it for 3 days without hearing from them. On the 3rd morning I finally called to see if they had found anything. It was then they told me that hadn’t even looked at my car. Within 2 hours of that phone call they called back saying nothing was wrong with my car. I ended up paying over $100 for a rental because I had to continue getting to work which was 45 mins away from my home. If they had took the time to look at it and fixed it my rental would have been covered. I can’t afford to take it back again and not be able to get around just to have them tell me again it is in my head. They never test drove it all he did was drive it from the front where I leave the car to the back where they are supposed to be working on vehicles. Needless to say my car is still having issues. I am starting to fear driving this vehicle on any freeways especially over the ship channel which is part of my daily drive. When I finally took it to them me and my two toddlers were almost killed it traffic we were at a stand still so long that when it started moving again my car would not move just make the sounds like I was hauling butt. All the cars were swerving around us and if it hadn’t finally taken off we would have been trampled by a semi. I just don’t know what to do anymore I was starting to think the dealership was right and I was just going crazy until I read all these posts. Please from one single mom to all of you help me figure out where I can take my car for them to take me seriously.
December 7th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Sarah: Do not give up. Get the car back to an another authorized dealer ASAP. Take a test drive with the service advisor. And keep all of your invoices even if they cannot duplicate the problem. Once you are in three times or more, it is time to look into your lemon law rights. You can find one in your state by clicking here https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html .
December 8th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Just got home with my new 2013 Ford Focus SE – I have the clicking noise “Click-Click Whir” after I get out of the car and it is off.
I have about a 4-6 inch roll back when i put it in park when I stop on a slight hill in my drive way with my foot off the brake.
If I notice anything else I will start at the dealership – I have a feeling I will be back.
December 11th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
My 2012 Focus has 4900 miles on it and today the check engine light comes on and won’t go over 30 mph and the reverse don’t work…….what can I do….I just purchased this car on saturday so I only had it 3 days.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@Randy: get the trans reprogrammed. It’s under recall and should solve the rollback.
@Jeffrey: So I take it this is a new/used with that many miles after only three days? Isn’t there a return period for this short of time where you can turn it back in for something like this?
Good luck to you both!
December 20th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Jason: There is no three day rule, but if he is in three times under warranty, he should call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW as he may have a case.
December 20th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
I just leased a 2013 Focus two weeks ago and I noticed the clicking noise as Randy described. The dealership has my car right now and they said they couldn’t hear it. I am very aggravated right now. My 2011 focus runs fine with no problem.
December 24th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I also have a 2012 Ford Focus and the past year of my life has been a nightmare with this car. I’ve taken it in over three times for the transmission problems, and they cannot fix it. Each time they tell me that they cannot “duplicate my concerns”. To make matters worse, they purposefully leave my concerns out of my paper work and ignore my calls when I try to get them to correct it. I just picked up my car two days ago from having them look at the transmission again. They kept it for less than 24 hours and stated that Ford is now saying that it is “normal operation”. Since when is it normal to have a transmission that sticks, grinds, changes gears incorrectly, and most dangerous of all rolls backwards when on an incline!? As soon as the holiday is over I am going into the dealership to speak my mind to the service manger to have my paperwork rewritten with all of my complaints. LemonLaw, now that Ford has put out an official document stating that this is the normal operation of the Focus, will is be impossible to get my money back?
December 26th, 2012 at 4:26 am
I hope all the problems will be solved soon, i have a question, all these problems comes with the focus S sedan 5-speed manual transmission?? i was considering it to be my first car, but
December 28th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I wish I had read all of this before I bought my 2012 Ford Focus- iti s in the shop today for the 4th time for the same problem with the hesitation in the transmission. Guess I will be looking at the Georgia Lemon Laws……………………….
December 28th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Hector–It is not prevalent in every car, but know the issues before you buy.
December 28th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Brittany–Find a lemon law firm in your state by clicking here https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
December 31st, 2012 at 10:38 am
I recently purchased a used 2012 Focus SEL with 28k miles and I’ve always been a “Ford guy”. At first, I was really pleased with my Focus and figured that I would have to get used to the new style transmission. However, the more I drive it the less confident I’m feeling in this driveline. I too am experiencing the same shuttering and hesitation, especially in first gear when taking off from a stop along with all of the clunking sounds most everyone is hearing. I’ve had the car in the shop one time already and I’m definetely going to bring it back in again after my drive into work this morning. While attempting to merge onto the parkway here in Huntsville, AL, I depressed the gas pedal some and it would not shift into a lower gear and give me power. Instead, it just overloaded the engine with fuel and bogged down the gear it was in. It slowly revved up and then would not change gears. Then it lost all forward gears, like it was in neutral. I moved it into manual shift mode and tried to shift into any gear and it would not respond. Meanwhile, I’m progressively slowing down and traffic is beginning to back up behind me. I pulled over to the soft shoulder, stopped, placed it in park and then back in drive and it drove away…shuttering in first gear, of course. From reading the previous posts, it appears that lots of Focus owners are having real issues with the transmissions in these cars and that Ford is unwilling to make this right. I absolutely love the rest of the car, even the tempermental Sync system but I am losing confidence in this transmission with every passing mile.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Just got back from dropping my brand new 2013 Ford Focus off at dealer for all the same issues listed here.Just made first payment and this is second time in.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Keep those repair invoices Tom!
January 2nd, 2013 at 7:30 pm
My brother in law just rented a Ford Focus down in Arizona. Shortly after driving it, he realized that there was something serious wrong with the transmission. He called the rental car company and arranged for an exchange. When he picked up the new car, it too was a Ford Focus, but he was thrilled to see that it was brand new, only 4 miles on the car. No sooner than he was several miles down the road, it, too started having very similar transmission problems — bad sounds, and felt like the automatice clutch was not engaging properly. This was not driver error. Ford has a serious problem on their hands, and they had better make it right before their newly improved, more polished reputation goes downhill.
January 4th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I was just driving on the expressway and my automatic clutch went out. It wouldn’t go 55 MPH without hitting over 6 RPM. I seriously thought my car was going to blow up. I work at the ford dealership where I bought my car. I called them to see what I should do because I was a ways from work. They told me to stop and shut my car off for a min and then turn it back on. Weirdly, it helped my transmission for a little bit. They also told me that they’ve been having the same issue with other 2012 Focus’s, there were a few people in service getting their car fixed for the same thing as we were on the phone. They told me that the automatic clutch was on back order because so many people need it replaced. I don’t even want my car anymore after reading all these comments and going through the same issue. I feel like im just wasting my money paying for the thing. When I take my car in to get it fixed im going to need a rental. Do I contact ford or my dealership for the rental? I don’t want to be paying for this either.
January 5th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
I have 1900 miles on my 2013 Titanium hatchback and have also noticed the same issues with the transmission. Just yesterday I was driving home from work, which is an hour drive and all highway. I pulled into a convenience store and let the car idle for about 5 minutes. I then proceeded home driving slowly, as I was only a few blocks away along the neighborhood streets, when suddenly it felt like my car was stalling out and would not go, it felt like it was in neutral and sputtering. I pulled over to confirm that it was in drive and slowly made it home. Upon making it home, I turned the car off and restarted it and proceeded to get onto the highway for a mile or so and it seemed to be ok. I drove it to work today and it seemed fine, but none the less I called the dealer and they stated that the transmission needs to be “Recalibrated”….. What can I expect from having this done? Will this solve my problem?
January 5th, 2013 at 10:39 pm
I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus SE with 3 miles on it on Jan 1st and everything seemed fine other than the backwards roll until today after taking off from stop light the rpm’s rev and hard shifts as well as bogs down when trying to give it gas.
There is also some sort of crunching noise coming from the driver side front end when slowing down to about 10mph then trying to accelerate. I went right to the dealer and they tried to say this was normal until I demanded the GM to drive it while I was in the car and he said your right this isn’t normal and quickly took it to service and gave me a car to drive for the weekend until they can figure it out.
I’m very disappointed I’m dealing with this kind of issue on a brand new car that now has only 200 miles on it….
January 6th, 2013 at 12:19 am
Just bought a 2013 focus in November and im having all the same problems the noises, shuddering, grinding and not changing gears properly but have noticied that it will not shutter if you drive the crap out of it which kills yours fuel mileage and your car at that. The car now has 4,500 mi on it took in for first oil change and mentioned it has been making a noise when i open the doors with the engine off and could plainly hear it and said he couldnt hear anything that wasnt normal. Ford really needs to get it together im affraid the car is gonna be a money pit when it falls out of warranty and i purchased it for fuel mileage and durabilitly and im not satisfied with either for a $25,000 car.
January 7th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
I’m back. Lemon Law, I am very upset. Since Ford has come out with a document stating the “normal characteristics” of their transmission, they (Ford and their dealerships) are refusing to attempt a repair on any of the transmission issues that most of us are stating. Is that legal!? Just because they say it’s “normal”, does that negate them from attempting a repair!? They are refusing to do anything to my car now which makes it impossible to get the appropriate paperwork to assert my right to use the lemon law.
January 7th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
We purchased as 2012 Ford Focus Titanium in feb. 2012. We have had it in repeatedly for wipers not working, navagation froze, Seat belt light wouldn’t go off. Also shuddering and hesitation of the tranny. We were told it needed an update so got that done, then when I called told again that “due to the type of green clutch” it operates different that a regular clutch. Now at 15, 000 miles (our Oregon Lemon law is 12,000 miles) the car slipped out of gear in traffic and would not shift back in (using auto). Had to have it towed to shop and after 10 days they think it is the clutch pak but the parts are 5 weeks out????? Since we are past our Lemon Law in Oregon is there anything we can do???
January 9th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
This makes me very nervous. Just bought a Titanium on the 22nd of dec. 200 miles on it maybe. Lower gears seem like they have a shutter or a vibration. The other day I was on a steep incline and the car rolled back close to 4 ft. Thank God no one was behind me. I just played it off as it being a fluke. Now I’m not so sure. Ive had some minor issues with the rear camera, rear wiper and fog lights, but after shutting the car down and restarting it the problem went away and hasnt happened since. I will be reaching out to my dealer tonight letting him know I have a vibration in the trans now. Starting the paper trail.
January 9th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
I just bought my 2012 focus SEL it has 37000 on it n it is having all these same issues. Going in Friday for the “recall” so we will see if the Mississippi ford deals are any better praying hard cause I am a single momma that needs a reliable car.
January 10th, 2013 at 6:12 am
Just spent 5 days driving a 2012 Ford Focus rental. The jerking from 0 to about 10 to 20 mph is so profound it actually gave me headaches. By the end of the rental period I was feathering the gas oh so gently on takeoff which helped a tiny bit, but the jerking persisted. Definitely a flaw in design. Car looks beautiful. Mine was red. But could not help thinking about the lipstick on a pig analogy.
January 10th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Debbie: Click here to find an attorney in your area https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
January 10th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Brittany: As long as you have paperwork illustrating that this matter was brought to the manufacturer’s attention, I would still look into your rights.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Jordan: Many dealers do offer loaners. Inquire when setting up your appointment.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
LemonLaw, I did just that and submitted all of my paperwork to who you all suggested sinceI live in Florida (Krohn & Moss, Ltd) and they said they cannot currently file anything against Ford because though my taking the car in is documented, there was no “attempt at a repair”. My anger comes from the fact that Ford is not even looking at the car now! They keep it for a few minutes and return it because according to them; my issues are “normal characteristics”. This cannot be legal. Any suggestions?
January 10th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Brittany; When you send your documents in to K&M, make sure you provide a clear cut explanation of what you are experiencing. If you can illustrate the problem in video format as well, that would be great. Also, consider going to another dealer. And take the service adviser on a test drive to try and duplicate the situation.
January 13th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Oh Boy now I’m scared. I just purchased my 2013 Ford Focus on Jan 3, 2013. It also rolls backwards on inclines, and has problems changing gears. It almost seems to choke off at times. Unfortunately this only happens intermitantly. I’m sure it will probably work fine when I take it into servicing next week. I don’t have time to deal with car problems. That’s why I purchased a new one. Lord help me to deal with this.
January 14th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
The problem I had last month is when I put it in park with the car still running. I got out and walked directly in front of my vehicle looking for an address when I turned around and the car is now “going up the hill in reverse” by itself. I had to chase it down like in a movie…after it jumped a curb hit a fence then came to a complete stop. I never had this happen in my life with as many cars I have driven in my life and was in shock. So I looked online for recalls and problems with this model and came upon this website. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this too since I didn’t read any complaints of it slipping out of park into reverse on its own. I swear I put that thing in park…
January 17th, 2013 at 1:13 am
Purchased my Ford Focus SE less than a month ago – had 8 miles on it. Tonight, I went to back it up and the reverse is gone. Message on dash said that car was not in neutral and started beeping (which made absolutely no sense). I put the car in park and shut it off. Started it up and attempted to put it in reverse again and it would not back up. Single female stuck in a dark parking lot. I was and am still furious. When I called the complimentary Ford Off Road Assistance, I was told that the nearest dealership was closed and they would not make arrangements to have the car towed to my home. I was advised to leave the car in a (unsecured) parking lot over night. Yeah, right. These people (Ford) HOUNDED me with client/customer satisfaction surveys before I even got the car registered – to the point where I begged them to stop with the surveys. Can’t wait to see what type of customer service I receive tomorrow and how many survey’s will follow.
Absolutely furious. Have you driven a Ford lately? DON’T bother!
January 17th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
I bought a 2013 Focus SE in December. Car rolled backwards on an incline luckily no one was behind me. I also noticed the hesitation/sputter when at low speed. Just scheduled my 1st appointment for repair. Salesman and service dept say it’s normal operation for this vehicle. Excuse was that there are two 3-speed manual transmission that make up the 6-speed automatic. They told me it feels just like when you let out the clutch on a manual transmission. Gonna see what happens next.
January 18th, 2013 at 9:20 am
My 2012 Ford Focus just started doing strange things. All of a sudden, all the warning lights went on and “service transmission” alarm went off. It sputtered while driving and the speedometer would not work. I drove it to the dealer where I bought it and after 4 days they told me it was a “satellite glitch”. When I drove it home after no repairs were done, it started doing the same thing again. Am I in trouble with this car?
January 18th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
I bought my ’13 Focus SE hatchback in Nov. 12…It DID have some transmission shudder but now that it has about 4000 miles it drives perfectly, returns good (35+) mpg on the highway, and is just a really nice little car overall.
January 23rd, 2013 at 9:51 am
2012 Ford Focus SE having horrible noise and stuttering when shifting just like everybody else. Took it to ford, they tried to blame the noise on stuff in my door pockets and said the car is doing what it is designed to do. That may be, but the noise and jerking is so bad that I do not believe this design will stand the test of time or make it to see 100,000 miles. Everyone that rides with me asks me wtf is wrong with the car, its no fun and I haven’t noticed the great gas mileage that this design is supposed to invoke. I want it fixed or given a ford fusion, what say you Ford?
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Back in for service. Service Transmission alarm, speed ometer not working
January 24th, 2013 at 10:42 am
All I can say is wow! How does a new vehicle in this day and age ever get off the proving grounds in Detroit with a POS transmission like this? I purchased my 2012 SE back in April ’11… was excited to have a new model. I started experiencing transmission issues shortly thereafter, slipping clutch feel, hesitation when accelerating, jerkiness (almost rear-ended a few other cars), loss of power, car rolling backwards and engine stalling going up hills (I live in San Francisco!). After 2 visits and 30,000 miles, after failed attempts to reprogram the PCM and ultimately replacing it (and 2 weeks in the shop) the Dealer informed me I needed to have the transmission replaced, that the internal clutch was, in fact slipping. It seemed somewhat better for the next several thousand miles but was again soon hesitating, slipping and jerking. I now have it in again with 46,000 miles on it and I’m getting the old song and dance about this is a new transmission and it “”drives” differently. They went on to show me the 2 page information sheet trying to convince the consumer that grinding, whining, trailer hitch feel, hesitation, jerking and slipping are normal aspects of this transmission… after advising me that they won’t pay for my rental beacuse i’m out of the basic warranty. If you are even considering a new Ford Focus, do yourself a favor and don’t walk, RUN away!
January 26th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
I was the owner (ok my parents let me “borrow” it) of a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe that I drove for almost 7 years and that SUV was/is AWESOME. My husband decided to get me a car with better gas mileage since I was driving over 30 miles to work (still am!).
Now I have a 2012 Ford Focus SE we got back in April. My husband is taking it in for the 3rd time since we got the car next week. He knows ALOT about cars so he notices even the slightest sounds that aren’t “right” (I…don’t lol).
My car hesitates sometimes when it shifts gears (automatic), the wheels “spin” if it’s damp out, and yes the car was already in for the recall this year.
Transmission is having issues again (I don’t know alot about cars except how to operate them, put gas in them, etc. I know basics!)
It’s nice (well not really) to hear others have had similar issues.
Another thing that annoys me about the car? SYNC! It keeps saying “Indexing” and I have to manually program my iPod to play or else it won’t because it’s always indexing! And you have to practically shout at SYNC or it doesn’t understand you.
I should have gone with one of my other choices (Kia Soul, Escape, another Hyundai, etc.)
February 1st, 2013 at 10:08 am
Have the mechanic check the coil pack. This is what caused my cars problems. Simple and less expensive to fix.
February 1st, 2013 at 10:52 am
I just brough my 2012 Focus SEL into Ford with transmission slippage at 9,500 miles. I was worried that I would get told thats just how it was designed. However, I took the service manager for a test drive to show him first hand my concerns. I explained to him I was aware that this transmission was designed differently and took time to learn the driver. That when I first got it, it did jerk a little until I got used to it. However, within the last few hundred miles the jerking has come back and was so bad I thought I would get whip lash. They put some sort of dye into the transmission and were able to see that fluid was leaking into parts of the transmission where fluid shouldnt be. That that fluid was leaking onto the clutch and that was causing the slippage. They replace 2 seals and the clutch. Now it works GREAT!!! Better than it did the day I drove it off the lot.
February 3rd, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Follow up: I was driving in San Francisco the other night, and my Focus could barely get up the hills without stalling, sputtering, and slipping backwards. You have to keep the revs high and use the parking brake like a manual, then it lurches and sputters some more. Each time we encountered a steep hill my passengers and I contemplated if we’d even make it…a complete joke! On the highway, if you need a passing gear, the tach revs up to 5-6000 before the trans/clutch engage with a jerk and “catch up” to the engine speed. I spoke with my Dealer, and I have an appointment to bring it in tomorrow (5th time) and test drive it with their Transmission guy… we’ll head for the steepest hill I can find, then hit the highway! My service advisor more or less agreed with me when I told him that I felt this trans is a faulty design, and went on to say they are the mercy of Ford regarding what remedies they can even offer for this issue. Apparently, they are seeing a steady stream of complaints. I also have engaged a law firm and plan to pursue a lemon law case. In my opinion, this is only the tip of the iceburg and Ford is setting itself up to have a major fiasco on their hands with this transmission problem. As far as I’m concerend, the only real fix is to replace the powershift trans with a new design altogether… replacing internal clutches, and updating the PCM will not fix the problem.
February 4th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
I just bought a 2013 ford focus I am very upset. I really wish I would have research the vechile before leasing it. I had my car 4 days when it would show signs of stalling in stop and go traffic… and to top it off a grinding noise. I took it back to the dealership I was told this is normal and the grinding should go away after 1000 miles. I can’t believe I am stuck in this vehicle with transmission issues and I have only had the car for a week. I don’t know what to do!
February 5th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
My oil light came on with a wrench on my dash stating im due for an oil change at 10000 miles. Also the hesitation in my transmission I informed ford about?…The woman from ford told me that it is normal for this size transmission and when i pick up my car they will have a catalog and documentation stating so? Can you believe this?
February 6th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Day 2 of brand new Ford Focus 2013. I feel that the car shakes/jerks when accelerating from a complete stop, followed by a weird noise from driver’s side (left/front) of the vehicle. Experienced the noise again on day 3 (Mileage 120). Called the dealership. The service person said that he ‘knows’ what I am saying and it would go off after 500 miles as clutches will get used to. He said that this is normal with dual clutch transmission system. He indirectly denied inspecting the car until 500 miles.
Can’t believe a brand new car can have such a problem and Ford wants to avoid addressing it!! I was so excited with the car, but now feel stuck.
February 6th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
@ C.S. I feel your pain I was told 1000 miles. I had a person from ford test drive my car and he stated there was a problem. However on Monday I was told this is a common characteristic of my transmission. Seriously at first the grinding sounded like bad brakes but after driving it for awhile the when I make U turns or turns the grinding sounds like grinding rocks on the driver side. I emailed the manager of the service dept with my issues today. I work with someone that does a great deal of business with them. In addition my company services “All our company vans with them” I went on facebook “ford focus cars” and posted comments about my situation. There are ford reps that monitor the site and I have emailed the rep at their request and have still heard nothing back. I have emailed every dept at ford in addition to calling the 1800 number. The service manager at my ford dealership has finally requested to drive my car. So we will see.
February 8th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
My 2012 fiesta with 10060 miles on it bought brand new hesitated at a light to turn into a mall. My family screemed as a truck was coming towards us? the car would not move right away with my foot on the gas? Please help with any suggestions the dealer informed me these are normal characteristics of the car? Who buys a brand new car and has issues with it? This is surely not right.
February 12th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Terry: Take the service adviser on a test drive in an effort to duplicate the problem. If you cannot get any satisfaction at your current dealer, take it to another Ford authorized dealer. And make sure you collect your repair invoices even if they say they cannot fix the problem.
February 13th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
still having issues with my 2013 for focus car. The transmission is the issue. I took it to my dealership the test drove the car the first time for 4 miles stated the noise and issues I am having are typical of the transmission. I eventually spoke with the service manager who arranged to pick my car up and test drive it. He never even called me back, he sent one of his staff to return my car with the invoice stating he could not duplicate the noise or issues. My car has problems shifting from 10-20 rpms it makes noises similar to bad grinding breakes at times after driving it longer distances the noise sounds like graveling being tossed around in the engine and struggles to go into gear. I have kept my invoices my contact logs and copies of all my emails. at this point I do not know what to do. I am fustrated that a car with just over 600 miles on it is having issues and ford is ignoring the issue! they printed out a sheet of paper stating common characteristics of the transmission. it said that the transmission will be louder like that of a manuel transmission. I have never heard a manuel transmission sounding like grinding brakes, gravel being tossed in the engine. I guess this weekend I will take it to another dealership and have them tell me the same thing. I am very discouraged and feel that Ford should disclose this information at the time of purchase.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Purchased my 2012 Focus hatchback SEL in September of 2012. After having the vehicle less than a week the car began to almost jump into gear after starting the engine. I took it into the dealership and they informed me that this was a temporary issue while the clutch breaks in. I now have a little over 7K miles on it, and nothing has improved. It has also began to hesitate to the point where the car is shaking and feels like it’s stalling. Today it was the worst, I was 200 miles from home and thought i was going to need a tow with how bad the shake was. I am planing on taking it into the dealership one day this week for the second time.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Soy propietario de un ford focus 2012 SE, al frenar o manejar por terreno disparejo la suspensión hace ruidos como sí tuviera piedras dentro, igualmente al subir un tope la suspensión hace ruidos y rechinados. También cuando acelera y cambia de velocidad la caja de velocidades patina o vibra como sí estuviera temblando todo el auto, ya lo he llevado dos veces a servicio ford y el test car no presenta ninguna falla, sin embargo el auto continúa con los ruidos y vibraciones.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:06 am
i have a ford focuc 2012 their is a probleme in transmision and cluch what can i do
February 20th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
My 2012 Focus started making the shudder and grinding sound after coming to a complete stop at 7000 miles. It seems worse when the car is warmed up. It has also jumped forward into a cross walk after nearly stalling out. Luckly there was no one in the cross walk or I would have hit them.I have had it in the dealers service department 3 times and they tell me it is a “normal” noise and it must be the way I accelerate. If this was a “normal” noise and I heard it when I test drove the car I would never have bought it. I contacted Ford yesterday and got the same run around from them. My next step will be a lawyer, class action suit and lemon law. anyone who wants in on a class action suit against Ford let me know!
February 20th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
HECK YES Santa Cruz! That’s exactly what I’ve been working on. Even the Lemon Law lawyers have given me no options of what I can do ever since Ford released their statement that all of our complaints are “normal characteristics”. There is no way that this is legal. I’ve been looking for another lawyer who specializes in consumer law and can go above and beyond the lemon law since Ford has blocked that door by refusing to attempt a repair on these so called “normal characteristics”. I’m ready to fight this because it’s expensive, time consuming, and insulting what they are doing.
February 21st, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Brittany: What state are you from? Please reach out to 1800 LEMON LAW Client Services Director Michael Sacks at msacks@lemonlaw.com with your information.
February 21st, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Yes, I’m on board for a class action. I don’t have time to take my care in 5 times for the same answer, it’s not even the mechanics fault at ford, they have no choice but to say it’s the way the car was designed….The noise and feel of the car is horrendous….how they put this thing on the road is insane, no savings in gas mileage is worth the stare I get from people who ride with me in this thing. How do we get out of this!
February 23rd, 2013 at 8:18 am
Just leased a fully loaded 2013 focus SE this past Monday. We loved the car when we test drove it and didn’t notice anything funny with the transmission. Then, 150 miles later the, transmission starts shuddering when taking off from a complete stop, followed by some strange noises. Also the transmission always seems confused about when to shift. I drove the car hard for about 5 minutes and the shuddering seemed to go away, but I know it will be back. We’re they too busy playing with the my ford touch when they initially tested this car? It’s a real shame. Everything else is great about this car. How did this thing rank #3 in small Car reviews. What a scam. Glad I’m only leasing it!. Should have went with the mazda 3.
February 25th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
@ Johnny…. I am in the same situation you are in. I have taken my car to the dealership twice and been told its common characteristics of the transmissions. I continue to keep all my documents in the hopes one day it will do me some good. I am almost at 1000 miles. Its all very sad I work hard for my money to throw it down the toilet on a ford focus 2013 has been a hard lesson learned! I too am on board for a class action. I am going to attempt to have Ford look at my car yet again. Then I will be submitting my paper work to The DMV. I have been told I don’t qualify for the lemon law because Ford hasn’t worked on my car. what a joke.
March 1st, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Had our 2012 Ford Focus in yet again for transmission issues! The last time it was in the service manager called me and said if I feel it isn’t right I should bring it back and they would do what it takes to make us happy with our car. After going back several times and about 7,000 miles telling them it isn’t right, they finally listened and took it in. The problem this time was it slipped and shuttered severely when pulling out and occasionally when shifting. They told me they checked for oil leakage and didn’t see any, but they retrained the computer and drove it and said it was fine. This time the service manager said “If you still have a problem with it I suggest you take it to another dealer, not to be smart, but sometimes it’s better to get a second opinion!” So in other words, we don’t want to be bothered by it anymore! When I left their lot it only had a slight slip when pulling out, but was real bad shifting between some of the gears! What do I do next? I am so frustrated that I want to drive through the showroom window, not that I ever would, but that’s just how I feel! Worst part is we are stuck with it till September because we payed ahead of time the first two years payments.
March 6th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
I leased a 2013 focus titanium hatchback on Feb. 3. Since mile 4 this car has had issues. On my test drive the sales rep said the car has a break in period! What a nightmare, I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. It has been at the dealership on 3 different occasions for the same problems.(mile 204, 600, & now 800) The transmission shutters, lunges, and jerks. It makes weird clunk sounds when in reverse and have to really lay on the gas just to get it to move while in reverse. I have told Sales Mgr, Svc Mgr and other Ford associates the car is COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. Yet the Sales Mgr, tells me to just drive it!! Ford handed me the same paper you all are speaking about and told me I don’t know how to drive the car! Really?! In addition to the car currently being in Service it has developed a grind squeal on the front driver side. Since day one, it only gets 12-16 mpg. In 4 weeks I have saved my gas reciepts and spent over $350 in GAS!! Svc says once the break in period is over (2000 miles) it will get better gas MPG at this rate I won’t be able to afford to drive it! On visits 2 &3 dealership trying to upsell me on different car and me paying depriciation value over $5000! I absolutely want to trade the car but not as an extra expense to me! I want them to fix the car! Svc. Manager said that if they say there is nothing wrong with the car and its normal behavior there is nothing I as a customer can do! I am soooo upset. I recieved an e-mail from Svc Dept this morning and they say that can’t duplicate the problem! BS! The point is they don’t know what to do to fix the problem. I agree with a class action law suit. Ford has taken our money and turned their back on us. We all need to keep our receipts/invoices on this nightmare of a car!
March 6th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@ Jennifer: Please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html or call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW so we can steer you in the right direction.
March 6th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@ Mike and Angie: Please fill out our “Get Rid of Your Lemon” form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html so we can steer you in the right direction.
March 8th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
I bought my 2013 Ford Focus on 21Dec2012 it has been grinding gears in the shift mode from the beginning. I have 2000 miles on it so it has had enough time to do what its going to do. It shudders a bit in automatic mode then smooths out does’nt feel normal. When using the shift select it always grinds the gears when slowing down. Ilike using this mode. When I took to the ford dealer on tuesday he sad I was the only one with this coplaint. I could’nt believe him, also said it should do this as normal and said it was the way I drive the car. I don’t drive cars hard. Had a Honda civic si for eight years never had problems until about 140,000 miles the converter went bad. So they claim it’s a module in the trans. Been there all week and I’ve had no car. It should’nt take a full week what a waste of time. I will take right back if I hear one gear grind simple as that. That is among other unusual sounds it mkes.
March 8th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
I have had the same problems with my 2013 Focus SEL Hatchback. Fixed one major situation with this 6 months ago, but it is now starting the sounds and shuddering again. However, down here in Texas it is strange. The deal only starts doing it a lot when it is warmer – say 65 to 75 or higher degrees. Some shifting slipping any temperature but the noise shuddering is loud on the left front side. But the problem is that it doesn’t seem to do it when I take it to the dealer. Then I leave and it sounds again with me but they say they have to have a replication of the problem before they ccan do anything. What a bummer! Now it is over the3 36,000 mile warranty but I understand it is covered under the 60,000 mile power train warranty. I am waiting now until it gets real loud like I did last time so they can hear it anytime it moves! Hopefully this will start soon when Spring comes! This car has created a problem with me since I bought it! Ford must do something about this thing – I will never again buy a Ford product because of this!!
March 8th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
Just want to put my two cents in… I just traded a 2011 Fiesta SES with 34,000 miles on it. I really enjoyed the car but wanted something a little bigger and with a little more power. Enter the 2013 Focus Titanium completely loaded. Obviously from all these posts there is definitely something wrong with the auto transmission but that being said there is a way to drive these dual clutch autos and get the most out of them. I found in my Fiesta and now Focus there is a sweet spot when accelerating and it does not require flooring the gas, in fact almost the opposite. I probably apply about 50% pressure to the gas pedal and can feel the point where the car really accelerates well. I ease off the gas a bit at this point and the car seems to find the proper gear for my intentions. I do have a bit of the rollback on hills but I got use to that rather quickly. Not really a big deal to have your foot on the break when on an incline at a complete stop. I also have the clicking noise when I turn off the engine, had this with the Fiesta as well. Not sure why you’d be terribly concerned by this as my 2002 Jetta did the same thing. The clicking in no way has had any affect on the overall drivability of the vehicle and only lasts a short period of time when the car is turned off. I’ve only had the car three weeks and it has less then 1000 miles so maybe I’ll experience some of these issues in the future, sure hope not. I did have the car give me a problem in reverse today but I restarted and the car seems fine.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:17 am
I just purchased my 2013 Focus this March and took it back to the dealer with only 240 miles on it. I have the same annoying grinding noise coming from the transmission. The service agent said it will probably need a 1,000 mile break in to resolve itself. I would tell anyone reading these messages, if you’ve learned anything don’t buy a Ford Focus.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@Craig Stay on top of this issue and make sure that every time you are back to the dealer to address it, you receive a repair invoice outlining the issue (even if they are not performing a repair). Once you are in repeatedly, fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and we will get you to someone who can help.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
In reference to new comments as you can read we are not the only ones having these issues with the Focus, I think the standard statement of “You’re the only one with this complaint” is ludacris! If you visit you-tube and type in Ford Focus transmission problems, you will find a slue of people operating this type of vehicle and are having similar unsafe issues. Service saying they can’t duplicate the problem or it’s normal behavior or the car has a break-in period is just pushing our relevant concerns to the side. I too, even on my test drive had issues but at that time I was very nieve and trusting in what I was told by my sales rep. (example: the car didn’t have gas in it during transport and these issues, I was told, were because of that and the first evening after bringing the car home 30 miles away with a full tank of gas, I once again spoke to Ford and then I was told of the infamous “break-in period”. That’s all fine and dandy but the behavior of the vehicle is UNSAFE and in addition, the grind/squeal in the front end, and the unexceptable ranging in 12-16 MPG. The Svc.Ctr. put the car on a simulated road and say the car is getting 21 MPG, does that sound like the sticker on the side of the window stating 28-38 MPG? Anyone?! This is the only thing they tested, disregarding the UNSAFE factors of the transmission shuddering, lunginging(including reverse) the severe front end issues, bogging in idle as if its going to die, at this point with only 800 MILES the list is endless!! FYI problems with vehicles DON’T RESOLVE THEMSELVES!!!! That why you take them into service so the problem doesn’t become worse. For example, when your engine light goes on should you take it in to get it checked out or keep driving it so it can “resolve itself” PLEASE! Also, when a new car is purchased you should be able to drive the car as it was intended not tip-toe around it using alternate shift components. Ridiculous.
My Focus is still at the service center and is still unsafe to drive.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
The clicking noise you all are hearing is the relays in the engine compartment. The computer shuts down certain items in a very specific order. I just purchased a ’13 focus for my wife, 112 miles on it as of today. Now as far as im concerned, the slight little shudder you get when applying the gas pedal is minor, (comes from the dual clutch system) The rolling backwards from a stop on a hill, you should have the “Hill start assist” the brakes stay applied for 2-3 seconds to allow you to start rolling. As far as rolling backwards when you put it in park on a hill, Ford put an Emergency brake in for that.. Pull Up on it…and given the fact that you are dealing with a sewing machine motor, it will vibrate a little. But for only having that little milage on it, Im pulling 28.9 city.. I will not complain about that. It does ride much better than the “KIA” we traded for it… My only real complaint is that the dealer failed to tell me that the SE does not have Sirius Radio…
March 12th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@Jennifer: Being that we have now successfully resolved hundreds of cases with this issue, I can assure you no one is alone on an island here!
March 13th, 2013 at 8:13 am
I actually bought my Focus from a dealership where a friend of mine is my salesman (see post #72). The other day I brought this blog to his attention. He wouldn’t cop straight-out to the known transmission issues other than the 2x recall reprogramming of the trans, however, he did say that the 6 speed dual clutch is very unique and not one made with U.S. drivers in mind. I told him that I had done research prior and – pardon the pun – shifted my driving habits to mirror how I used to drive my manual trans vehicles; however, given that we aren’t talking about a Mazarati or a Ferrari, that maybe this choice of transmission wasn’t the best for a low-mid level Ford vehicle. On that, he agreed.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the 2014/15 Focus with an entirely different trans.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Everyone***** I just went through a series of steps w/ my Focus ’12 S. I have shuttering in first gear and loss of power. I have had the 12b37 update, PCM full reprogram and finally found that a seal was broken and fluids leaked in the gear box. Had it fully replaced and still have the same issue. I issued Ford a final attempt request and today the field supervisor reported that my issue, which he felt, was normal for the car. Well, I am contacting my a legal specialist and starting the BBB Autoline process. If this fails I’ll go to the State of Florida Arbitration board for this. I am not going to take this lying down. This car was not cheap and it is an embarrassment that Ford would create such a disgrace of a transmission. They invented the car!!!!!!!!
March 14th, 2013 at 10:18 am
I just purchased a brand new 2013 ford focus 1 month ago. Its having all the same problems. When I come to a stop and start to go it feels like its slipping or skipping (puttering). Sometimes it has a hard time changing gears. It scares me when I start to go its gonna stall its like it want go hardly for the first few seconds. And then makes some terrible sound comes out from under the hood rattling sounds terrible. I knew right away something was wrong took it to dealer ship a service man road with me then took it back checked for codes cause he hooked it up to a machine and then said nothing came back so it was fine and gave me a piece of paper saying it needed to wear in and that it was normal. My problems have gotten worse so bad to where I don’t wanna drive my car. It has less than 1,000 miles on it. Nothing about it is normal and now I am going to take it back to the dealer ship again!!!!!
March 19th, 2013 at 11:28 am
Amanda: It’s important to learn about your lemon law rights. If you are in the shop repeatedly with the Ford Focus, you need to something about it. Good luck to you and safe driving.
March 19th, 2013 at 11:32 am
Mario: I would be very careful about venturing through the BBB process alone. Most lemon laws offer completely free representation, access to knowledgeable attorneys and ASE-certified experts for you to work with. Take advantage of them. You can find a lemon law firm in your area by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html.
March 19th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
In reply to post#155,Amanda, I am dealing with the same concerns you have with your Focus, in addition to 12-16 mpg. The dealership delivered my car to me on Saturday with 1064 miles on it. This morning the car has 1144 and have used HALF A TANK OF GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ford continues to ignore our relevant concerns with the transmission and mpg. A “High Priority” Ford specialist is suppose to call me before end business day but I don’t plan on holding my breathe that my concerns will be addressed especially after listening to the new posts others have written. I agree with post #154, Mario, that a seal could potentially be broke and leaking on the gear box in my Focus as well. My husband had brought that up to the Svc.Ctr the 2nd through 6th time there and they said that there was NOOO way that could be the problem with a vehicle having 400-1000 miles at the time, they wouldn’t even check it they just dismissed it. We are obviously going to have to take the car to a different Ford dealership but I not holding my breath that the issues with the car will be resolved. How could Ford just ignore us? I don’t get it, I would think repeat customers are a big part of their business.
March 19th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Jennifer: If you want action, you cannot sit around waiting for Ford to do the right thing. This blog is about fighting for your lemon law rights and it provides you with the tools to go against the car companies. Take advantage of them. Find a lemon law lawyer in your state by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:20 am
While I am in Canada where we don’t have a specific lemon law, I wanted to bring to people’s attention another very serious safety concern with the 2013 Ford Focus. Six weeks after purchasing my vehicle it was rear-ended while turned off and in park. The person hit my car at less than 2km/hr, there was no damage to the back of the vehicle or the front of theirs. However, my vehicle rolled nearly half a city block after being tapped by her car…and ended up slamming into a snowbank just feet from a busy intersection. It caused $3K + worth of damage to the front end of the car.
The Ford dealership where I bought the car is doing the repairs. They tell me it is impossible for the car to have rolled like that, and said it can’t have happened. I have a witness and police report that state otherwise. The dealership could not re-create the issue (they parked it and had some guys push it as their test) so they say nothing is wrong. Ford Canada says they won’t investigate because there is no way for them to know what to look for since they can’t re-create how my vehicle behaved. Of course they did say if someone had been killed or seriously injured a full investigation would have taken place.
For now they are advising me to take the car back, monitor it, try and re-create the problem myself and just hope that if it happens again it doesn’t injure or kill someone.
This is a VERY serious issue and I want to make sure that other 2013 Ford Focus owners are aware that this could potentially happen with their vehicle.
March 28th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I have a 2012 focus, I bought it used at a Volkswagen dealer it had 31,000 miles now has 48,000 I’m getting 32+mpg but my transmission hesitates between gears will randomly act like its in neutral, if u drive slow u can faintly hear clunking sounds and what almost sounds like clutch chatter, I have to use the hill assist (6-speed auto by the way) to go up hills cause it won’t shift I brought it to ford they said there was nothing wrong with it but the updated and reset everything. But he said he did it off the books cause I had over 35,000 miles so he wanted it to be covered (so I got no paperwork on it) what ever they did, didn’t change a thing. Since then I brought it to another dealer twice and back to the same first dealer again all say its normal and won’t make an appointment. Also won’t give me a rental because I’m 19. I can’t afford the car if I’m missing work to get it fixed. I need the car to get to work. I tried trading it in but apparently the car I owe $17,500 on is worth $9,400 so I can’t even trade it in. What can I do????
March 28th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@ Joshua: Why are you not getting paperwork? You need to ask your dealer for a copy of your repair history. If it illustrates that you have been in three or more times under Ford warranty for the same issue, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under Federal law.
March 29th, 2013 at 7:59 pm
I bought my 2013 ford focus in December. It has made unusual noises from the start. The worst was when car is in sport shift the transmission would grind when decellerating. I drove it for awhile to see if it would change. Then while in sport shift while accelerating the trans faulted.. So I took it in to see why it did that, they said it was a module. It was replaced and while driving home from the dealership it did it again while in sport shift selection. I called and told manager at dealership and said I would drive to see if it would do it again. It did again, been in the shop for two weeks and counting. A new transmission is being put in. We will see if it does better. Only 2000 miles on car..Very disappointing..Matt
March 30th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
bought a new 2013 focus se hatchback. the car has less than 300 miles on it and I am experiencing the rollback, the shudder noises and hard gear changes (automatic)
we will be taking it back to Ford but from experience with Ford I know what they will say – it’s not broken in, we can’t duplicate the noise, Ford home office says not to do anything
April 1st, 2013 at 10:44 am
@Matt: I feel now would be the time to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
April 1st, 2013 at 9:50 pm
I have a 2012 focus sfe it has been the worst auto ever owned trans rebuilt in shop a lot now trans all of a sudden will loose reverse and at 40 miles a hour rpms will rev up to 4-5 thousand rpms this car is junk ford should be ashamed
April 2nd, 2013 at 6:55 am
We bought a used 2012 Ford Focus with 6,000 miles on it for $18,000. It has a hatchback and premium wheels. We were impressed with the 45-48 mpg on the highway. Rolling back on our driveway didn’t bother us when we were in drive. My husband and I both know how to drive stick shifts. I left work one day about 6 weeks after buying the car and the steering wheel wouldn’t move. After starting and shutting off the car 4 times, the steering wheel turned. We brought it in to the dealership. They never seen anything like it, and repaired the steering. We had NO issues with the transmission until we brought it in for the steering. Immediately upon leaving the dealership and turning right out of their parking lot, I felt the transmission sputter and hesitate 5 times in first gear and about 4 times in 2nd gear. It no longer rolled backward in our driveway. The clock was also now averaging 6 minutes late peer WEEK, and the display went blurry so badly that we took a picture of it with our cell phone. My husband told me I’m never satisfied and they did a great job fixing our car. We argued for 3 weeks and I also complained that our gas mileage dropped down to an average of 32 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. Finally when my husband drove the car he noticed the hesitation in 1st and 2nd gear. We brought it in again. They replaced the manual clutch transmission pads. (We have an automatic). Again, it is hesitating in 1st and 2nd gear. The car is now in the shop for the 3rd time, twice for the transmission. Each time they have our car, they have it for a week and never once offered a loaner car to us. I bought Ford because it was American Made….now I wish we bough a hyundai.
April 2nd, 2013 at 7:21 am
How many millions of Americans are stuck with these cars? The transmission is covered automatically for 60,000 miles. But after 60,000 miles, you know it’s going to go out again. Losing 3 weeks of the car in 3 months time is too much. I wish we could just get all our money back that we have been paying on the car and buy a foreign car. This is so discouraging. ALL OF THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NOW I’M HEARING THAT YOU CAN BUY A NEW FOCUS FOR $11,995.00….NO WONDER!
April 3rd, 2013 at 9:22 am
Wow.. just wow. Leased a 2013 Ford Focus SE Hatchback in February. The car has 2200 miles on it as of this posting. In the last two weeks it has shifted a several times VERY hard (jarring like hitting a pot hole). Yesterday while merging onto the freeway the transmission would not shift up. The maximum speed the car would go was 15-20 mph. I tried putting in in neutral and back into drive a few times and nothing would help. I had to pull off the side of the road and shut the car off. Thank GOD my girlfriend wasn’t driving it (who just got her license). Also I was not told of the rolling back issue. We live in Minnesota where hills are fairly rare, so when we test drove it we didn’t know about this potentially dangerous issue. Imagine a brand new driver having to put a foot on the brake and the gas at the same time to not roll back into the car (or cyclist, as we have many in the Twin Cities).
The car is now having the transmission taken apart for diagnosis. I can say one thing, I’m not going to keep a lemon.
April 11th, 2013 at 8:19 am
April 11, 2013
I bought a 2013 ford focus last September and drove it for 4300 miles with no problems. Two days after a 6 month oil change the transmission started to slip and shudder between 20 and 40 mph. I took the car to the dealer and the service person told me this behavior was normal for this transmission. The car now makes a grinding noise when accelerating and shudders even more. The dealer service person stated they did not have a cure for my car’s problem and the problem should go away after 10,000 miles. No new car should have these problem, I would never have purchases a car with such transmission behavior.
April 15th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
I bought a 2012 Ford Focus used with 32,000 miles on it. I have had constant problems with it chugging, grinding, engine failing and rolling backwards on hills. I have an appointment finally this Wednesday to take it in to Ford dealship. My question is since I bought it used does the lemon law still apply or just to new cars?
April 16th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@Julie: You may still have a claim under Federal Law if you are in repeatedly in the shop for the same reason. Search Magnuson Moss Warranty Act on our blog for more information.
April 20th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
My 2013 is the worst car I have ever owned. It has been in the shop 3 times already. It jerks, hesitates, lunges, and has no power. It also rolls backward on hills . I hate this dangerous car. It drives worse than a standard.
April 21st, 2013 at 5:07 pm
The problem is you guys bought a Ford. That was your first mistake.
April 22nd, 2013 at 3:14 pm
@Stacey: It is time to look into your lemon law rights. Feel free to contact us at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html if you want our help.
April 22nd, 2013 at 5:36 pm
I feel like such a dumbass. Everyone told me to get the Carolla! I wish I had read this before I bought the Focus. Same issues… no fixes…
April 23rd, 2013 at 2:08 pm
My car has been fixed!! They replaced the torque converter and it has been running fine. I hope this helps someone.
April 24th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
I just bought a brand new 2013 Focus April 4th and I am experiencing these problems well. It makes me uneasy and I am starting to regret purchasing this vehicle after reading all of these statements from others. I have brought the vehicle in twice, first time it was an issue with the cylinders misfiring, then the second time they said nothing is wrong. What are my options at this point?
April 25th, 2013 at 11:40 am
@Hannah: You do not mention where you live, but if you are having problems, it is essential that you continue to bring the car back to your service adviser. Offer to take the adviser on a test drive so they can duplicate the problem and verify your complaint. For a summary of the lemon laws throughout the Country, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/.
April 26th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
My Focus’ transmission has been very jerky at parking lot or slow city speeds. Then the other day it dropped out of “drive” into neutral (although the stick was in “D”) and the engine started racing; then it dropped back into drive and thrust forward; then again, back into neutral, engine races and then it drops back into gear; all through a busy city intersection.
Yesterday the backup sensor was on although I was driving forward. I had to pull over and shut the car off and start again to get it off.
I took it in to Lief Johnson Ford (Austin, TX) this morning. Clearly, I’m not the only one with these issues. I have a rental for the weekend. I guess we’ll see what happens next.
Also, the Ford “Sync” audio system is the worst! The program jams/doesn’t sync and is very slow. It’s also laid out poorly.
May 2nd, 2013 at 3:06 pm
I had a very good impression of this car before I started to lease the 2013 focus (hatchback). Good handling, massive trunk area, 17″ alloys, interior light for foot wells and cup holders, great fuel economy figures and nice styling. I loved it when I test drove it. But in one month’s time, this nice car became a headache. It pains me to say this, because its my first car.
Every month I find myself going to the service center for transmission issues – jerking, lunging forward, delay in shifting and trouble getting out of the driveway when its confused. I’ve been in 3 times, now wanting to get it called as a lemon. I’m sad, wish this was an isolated issue, but I can see its not.
May 7th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
My focus is back in the shop , again with tranny issues. The 1st time mine had the leaky main seal that the dealer said damaged the clutches. After that “fix” the car is now sitting at their lot and they inform me that the needed parts are on a nation wide waiting list for recall / failure repairs and my car may not be fixed in a couple months.
This is a classic lemon if there ever was one.
May 8th, 2013 at 9:40 am
I leased a 2013 se ford focus in december 2012. It was a really nice car for a month and then I came to a conclusion that this was the biggest piece of junk I have ever driven. When you open the doors half the time the interior lights won’t turn on even when they are set to turn on when you open the door. The transmission has a problem in lower gears. My tan cloth seats stain from droplets of rain. The doors have a problem of unlocking. Its deserves to go to a junk yard. I would trade it in a heart beat, half the time I drive my other cars because the new focus is an embarrassment.
May 10th, 2013 at 8:16 am
Taking my 2012 Focus in for the 3rd time this morning. Transmission shutters in forward and now reverse. The reprogramming appears to have stopped the car from rolling backwards on inclines (at least for now). This is getting old. I hope Ford comes up with a solution and quick. Their brand is being tarnished.
May 14th, 2013 at 10:26 am
The first “fix” made my FAR worse (as well as reducing my average gas mileage by 8mpg). At first it would shudder, mainly in lower speeds, but that my have due to not feeling it as much when it was faster. I was told that was “normal operation” twice before I threatened to call Detroit (two different dealers). They then decided to look at it again and decided the seals were leaking on the clutch. After that fix the car started shuttering every time it was in reverse and bucked so hard on the highway one day I thought I had been rear-ended (but the nearest car was several car lengths behind me). It has happened a few other times since. I could also hear grinding as it shifted. Then, I had it out for a short run to the post office. When I went to back out the gas didn’t seem to do anything (felt like it was in neutral). I verified it was in R and then put it back in park and tried to shift again with the same result. I finally let it roll out of the spot and put it in drive. It did fine until I got on the road, then instantly felt like it was in neutral again. I made it into a nearby parking lot and turned off the car and back on again. It let me drive for about a minute and then back to neutral. I ended up having to have the car towed in. The dealer told me it was just a computer programming error and gave it right back to me. I had it in again last week after talking to Detroit and have been told the the bucking is “normal operations” from time to time by the Ford district manager! I don’t feel safe having my soon to be born twins in the car as the force during the bucking was enough I would have had to take them to the ER to be checked for head trauma.
May 14th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
our 2012 focus has been in the shop for 35 days they said they had it fixed and it still was acting up so they had to put another clutch in the transmission…ford motor company not doing anything they say they will call you back and dont..we contacted the better buisiness beaura
May 15th, 2013 at 10:15 am
I purchased my 2012 Focus SE Hatch in September of 2011. I too was told the car would “learn” my way of driving and smooth out. I took it in for the software update to fix the jerky transmission and I don’t think it helped at all. It feels the same. I took it in for service on May 11 for an oil leak which turned out to be from the valve cover gaskets, and to have them check the transmission. I was informed that the computer has been reprogrammed for the transmission and I’m hoping it helps, but since reading the posts above, I am not optimistic. Also, when the A/C is on, and the vent is set for “face/body”, it also blows on my feet to the point of freezing them out. I live in Florida so i wear open toed shoes often. I was told to “change the temperature” or “put it on defrost” to solve the problem. I called back after stewing on that bit of information and told them that was an unacceptable solution and to find a fix. They made an inquiry to the “Ford Hotline” who told them that it is common in the “smaller cars” and that “the car should be returned to the customer”, so no fix. However, my tech guy said they would find a 2012 Focus on the lot and compare it to mine and hopefully they find something. Wishing I had bought the Kia Optima or the VW CC, as the mileage is about the same considering i never get near 40mpg despite most of my mileage is highway miles.
Good luck to everyone out there with the same problems!!!
May 15th, 2013 at 10:46 am
Angie: I think it is time you look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/ for more information.
May 15th, 2013 at 10:52 am
@Darrell: Time to look into your lemon law rights: https://www.lemonlaw.com/.
May 16th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
I purchased my 2012 Ford Focus in Feb and after having the software recall done the transmission stated making noise and not shifting when it should. After being laughed at and told that, that was the way the transmission was meant to sound like I left. These cars with this, auto shift transmissions should never have been sold. Last week I returned from a 2000 mile trip in which I had nothing but trouble with it. This was my first and last Ford I will ever buy, and I would not recommend them to anyone. I also understand that Ford says the Focus is their best selling vehicle. I thought Ford would stand behind their cars but I guess I was totally wrong. NEVER AGAIN!!!!! What can we do?
May 16th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Has anyone actually contacted or spoken with the Lemon Law people? What have they done? What did they say? I keep seeing posts saying “Look into your lemon law rights”….ok, we looked into them, now what? Ford is simply denying the problem and that’s that. The car runs and sounds like sh*t….I doubt it will ever make 100,000 miles…so we loose?
May 17th, 2013 at 11:37 am
Seems like as long as no one dies they can do what ever, sale what ever and continue to screw over the consumer. This is my first Ford and my last. I never bought one before because I felt like Ford Motor Company was putting out junk. I was fooled by the styling I suppose. My sister, who only buys Fords is saying “NEVER again!”. My husband was talking back and forth with Ford motor company for a while, he had some direct contacts and even that did nothing.
May 20th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
So as previously stated, we have been experienced the lovely tranny issues with our 6month old 2013 ford forcus se hatchback. Never thought anything of until recently when the car started stalling. took it in last week they put in a new tranny. After getting the car back almost immediately we could here a knocking while turning(as well as loss in gas milleage). Well now 4 days later the car is back in the shop as the control arm and the axle have completely detached. Luckily we werent on any major roads or highways and did not wreck. Needless to say but the car had to be towed back to the dealership where we were told by the service manager that the ball berring on the control arm busted which has been happening alot. Now given that the verdict is still out on possible repairs. This is very unsettling as the wheels needing to stay on the vehichle are very important part of the car. We are extremely unhappy and very uncomfortable in driving a car where the tires tend to pop off. Is there anything that can be done even though this is only our second time in the shop. And even if not with us I would say just keep an eye and ear on these horrible cars as no one needs to suffer from them.
May 20th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Mine may be the only success story. I have a 2012 Titanium purchased in January 2012. It has had the shuddering/stuttering problem from the beginning. The dealership finally decided to put a “recorder” on it and let me record the events. Afterwards they kept it for 10 days and when I got it back, they told me that Ford had found the issue. Sure enough, I have had it back for close to a month and the shuddering/stuttering is GONE. I never experienced the roll backwards problem. However, my windshield wipers went crazy and after that fix they park about an inch higher than they did when I bought the car but Ford says this is normal. That does seem to be their standard response to every problem.
May 21st, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I just read an email from John H. who stated he had a transmission fix that seem to work ( at least for a month). What did his deal do to fix the problem and where did he get the fix done. My local Ford dealer said he did not know of a fix. The Ford owners hot line person said that Ford had not issued a fix memo. I received the John H. email today: May 21, 2013 at 12:39.
May 25th, 2013 at 2:37 am
I have a 2012 Focus and I’m hearing the same noises and shuddering. I’ve had my car at my original dealership twice and was told that this is normal. I finally got the nerve to try a different Ford dealer only to find out that the PCM and TCM were on different software programs. One had the current update the other one didn’t. So, that was fixed and the car seemed to drive better but the noises were still there. So, they are now ordering me another part because for some reason the car didn’t accept the adaptive learning and drive cycle program. Only thing I know for sure is that I have been told that there are no leaks, I’m hoping once this part gets replaced the car will be quiet.
May 29th, 2013 at 8:35 am
I bought a 2012 Focus SEL in April 2011. It was the first off the truck at my local dealer during one of their promotion events (first mistake!). In the first week I owned it, the touch screen blacked out and had to be fixed (2nd clue). Not long after I started noticing the rollback, shuttering, stalling feeling, and rough shifting. It has now been in the shop 4 times for the transmission and every time they do a “new update” and nothing fixes it! Yesterday it was back in the shop and I was told there is nothing wrong with it and it’s just how it drives to get good gas mileage. I don’t know about anyone else but my car does not get amazing gas mileage to make up for the car driving like an old beat up junker!! I’m fed up with the service department telling me they don’t feel anything and there’s nothing they can do. Since I have a long commute to work, I am so tired of not feeling safe and in return I’ve already stacked on over 25k miles and the trade in is worth nothing compared to what I owe. How can they get away with this?!?! I owned a 2008 Escape before trading in for the Focus and loved it. But after the horrible service and treatment by Ford, I will never buy another!!!! Has anyone had an success in getting Ford to take their car back?
May 29th, 2013 at 11:36 am
@Megan: We have been very successful with our Ford claims for the last 22 years. If you would like to review your situation and see if we can help, call 1 800 LEMON LAW or fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html. Our services are 100% cost-free.
May 29th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
So, finally, after two years of getting the run around on my 2012 Focus my boyfriend went into the dealership with me to tell them what the problems was and they finally agree there’s something wrong with the transmission. For two years i’ve been told it’s the way I drive. Suddenly there is a problem with the transmission. Here’s the best part – Ford cannot get the part to fix it. Now I have a second problem, the car doesn’t turn over when I turn the key. It’s going back in for service next week. I’d really like to research this further…if the fact that i’ve had to replace brakes and tires on the anniversary of the car’s purchase because there’s something wrong with the transmission then I think Ford needs to pay for it.
May 30th, 2013 at 11:16 am
I’m in PA. Car is scheduled for service on Monday for the ignition problem.
June 2nd, 2013 at 10:05 am
I bought a 2012 Ford Focus in Aug 2012. I started experiencing the shuddering in lower gears but didn’t think too much of it until it got so bad that passengers would comment on it. I took the car to the Ford dealership in March and they claimed it was a leak in the seal causing fluid to leak onto the clutch. In late April the car left me stranded in a parking lot as it would not go into reverse and when I tried to put it in drive, it wouldn’t go out of 1st gear. Had it towed to dealership & they told me it was an update that was needed to the transmission module. Then in May the car started shuddering again and is back in the shop. They want to keep it for a week! My “new” car has been in the shop THREE times in the past 90 days. I will not put up with this and neither should anyone else! DO NOT left Ford try to convince you that this is “normal” or that you need to “learn how to drive the car”. Take action as I plan to and do not let up! Contact a Lemon Law attorney ASAP. Do not let Ford get away with this!
June 3rd, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@Marus: If you have three to four repairs, we will be able to help. Please contact us at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html when the time comes.
June 3rd, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@Dennesse: Please reach out to us at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html with your information to see if we can help.
June 3rd, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@velnigan: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html for us to determine if and how we can help you.
June 3rd, 2013 at 8:18 pm
With everyone having these problems has anyone had the actuators for the transmission forks replaced? I’ve been told that is the problem with my car, I don’t know if it’s going to help but I’m doing everything I can before the factory warranty expires.
June 7th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
@Dylan: If you are in three or more times under warranty, you may have a lemon law or breach of warranty case. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and enter your information. We will be glad to review the situation and determine if/how we can help.
June 8th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Well I had to get my 2013. Focus se towed in tonight only have 1148 miles on it.
I think the transmission or something to that issue may be wrong. It would not shift and or the gauge would rpm up to 8. I could not even make it go faster. While rolling the rpm would reve up. We will see what happens next. Complained about it since I have had it. Only 3 weeks.
June 9th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
So my brand new ,2013 focus is shuddering, Idleing rough and skipping gears.. I took it into the dealership, (the car has 2190.3 miles on it) and they said it was due the reprogramming for the trans and the PCM for the Idle. They held it hostage for the night. I picked it up the next day, and The idle is still rough, and the trans still feels like my 10 year old grandson is at the clutch… Smashing the gas does wonders, no skipping, but who wants to drive like that.. I did notice that the Trans soleniods are latching when you open the doors now. They must have deleted the function with the new programming. Im gonna give them 3 trys and then thats it.. Oh yea, the dealer said ford is recommending 7500 miles for the trans break-in….
June 9th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
In my previous post I misstated my self. I Meant The transmission relays are NOT latching now that the reprogramming has been done. Its Real quiet when you open the doors.
June 10th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Ive had awesome luck with my 2013 focus, had the tranny issue once, took it in, had the car in the dealer for a week and a half, had the tranny rebuilt, new “clutches” and “shift motors”. My ford dealer has never let me down. I know three other focus owners from around town from a focus forum and they all took the cars in to the same service dealer and battabing battaboom, cars are a well and havent had problems since. I honestly think it isnt fords fault, but more of the technicians that are getting a hold of these cars and possibly not knowing what they are doing. I did my research and i purchesed my vehicle from the dealer with the best Service department in the northwest, the most Ford Master certefied techs available in comparison to any local dealer. I dont think its the car, but the people fixing them.
June 11th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Just updating previous post. We’re now taking our 2013 Focus in for the 2nd time for shuttering/not shifting correctly. Once again it put our family in a dangerous situation where it would not shift up (just reved up) and I had to pull over to side of road, turn car off then on, and it was “ok”.
Absolutely my first and LAST Ford. They’re risking our lives for $$$.
June 12th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
It’s a computer controlled dual clutch manual people. It SHOULD roll backward at idle on an incline exactly as a full manual would. Learn to use that damn brake.
June 12th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
I’ve only been in twice at this point, the second trip was to a different dealership and they provided me with much better service. The rattling is still there but at this point I’m willing to give Ford one last chance to resolve the issue.
June 15th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
I purchased my 2012 Ford Focus SE in April 2012. Since I have purchased it I have experienced all the problems above the rolling back the chattering the hesitation the bucking the jerking. I went to arbitration and lost because ford continues to say there is no problem. I go to court July 15 but I’m concerned im going to lose because ford keeps refusing to admit there is a problem. It has been I. The shop 6 times everytime it gets reprogrammed comes back and it is the same or worse but reports say no problem found. I actually rode with the head mechanics at ford and he said the car needed rest time let’s give the car time to rest. At the time the car was under a year old. Please advise.
June 15th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
This ford focus 2013 is going to replace the “pinto” back in the 70’s. It is very jerkey in 1st and 2nd gear and seems to get worse as it heats up.Runs fine in 3rd gear and up.I feel sorry for my company as there are replacing there fleet with this lemon. It will probably take someone getting killed in this car before Ford will recall this car and fix the problem. Remember what Ford stands for, found on road dead !!!!!
June 16th, 2013 at 12:31 am
I just got a 2013 titanium focus hatch for graduation. I love everything about it except the tranny. I feel bad because my dad was just being a great dad and giving his son a fantastic graduation present, and now it seems we’ll have to dump money into the car that was supposed to supplement my gas guzzling thunderbird. My uncle works at the dealer. We will be having a conversation about this.
June 17th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
i have two ford focus in the family, my wife drives a 2012 and i drive a 2013 both purchased new new. i have taken the 2012 into the dealer 3 times already, my wife twice. regarding the loud gears when it shifts and the rolling backwards all we are given is a copy from Ford statng that this is normal. a ticket is never written up each time we go. i feel so frustrated that we have 2 brand new cars and we have to deal with this and no one to go to
June 17th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
2013 Ford Focus SE – Purchased in 9/2012. The transmission stuttering problem got worst, at 5K service Ford dealership did not have time to address the problem, required the car be kept at dealership for 2 days, of course no loaner or rental offered. Finally at 8K could not bear it any more, took it to dealer for firm ware update, and car failed after the update. They had to remove the transmission, and replace 3 clutches and 2 seals, as oil got on to the clutches. Not sure how bad the problem was and what else was wrong. The car still stutters, but is better than before repair. If the car was out of warranty, it would have cost 5k – 7K for this service. For a car on which I paid $18K, after 5 years warranty is over, will have to junk it, cause it will be more expensive to repair, than value of the car. Keeping my fingers crossed, someone has to file a class action suite to help the common man.
June 17th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@Erin: It is time to look into your lemon law rights. To find a lawyer in your state, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html.
June 17th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
I hate to say it but I think we all have to deal with some problems for awhile. For those of us Like me who have never driven a manual tranny this new design will feel very strange. My dad has driven manuals quite a bit and when he drove my DCT automatic he admitted that I may have to re-learn how to drive the Focus. He told me that it was as manual of a tranny as any he had ever driven and that there is no way I can continue trying to “drive normal” with a tranny like this. So, the rollbacks and the hard shifts and hesitations are results of inexperience more than a problem with the car. Of course Ford does have some issues with the tranny that need to be addressed but as my father said the people who have never driven manual transmissions are going to have to adjust their driving habits as well.
June 18th, 2013 at 9:29 am
I have a 2013 Ford Focus with 459 miles that has had issues with driving forward and backward since the 2nd week I bought it but I had to wait until the “check engine” light came on before my dealership would fix it. Now in order for that to happen it had to break down and then towed to them (Crazy!). I was told that my car had a TCM modules and should be ready this evening… it only took them a week to week it and me having to drive a rental car that smells like a locker room
June 19th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
I had many of the problems posted here and had the reprogramming done as well. All my problems disappeared at 13,000 miles.
If they were normal how could they disappear. I formerly owned a VW GTI which also has a dual clutch transmission and it had none of these problems save a shudder upon very low speed shifts.
if all the posts here are not discouraging enough, you can also read hundreds more at https://www.focusfanatics.com/ by searching the word transmission.
June 23rd, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I have a Ford Focus 2012. it has 9000 miles on it. It is in the shop. They are waiting for the parts for the transmission. Lets see how it works. I have the loaner car for the next 4 weeks. I will come back and let you know how it goes. Hopefully it doesn’t shutter anymore and makes an awful weird noise up at 40 miles per hr. they thought I was hearing things but the big guy went with us for a ride. he heard them too. so we will see. hope you all get rid of your problems. hopefully mine goes away.
June 25th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Bought my 2013 Ford Focus hatchback this past Dec. 2012. It now has approx 4800 miles on it. I’ve taken it back to the service dept at the Ford dealership 4 times as of today. First time the computer was “reprogrammed”. Still with tranny problems as mentioned by others above me. Second time, was told that there was a recall (never received any kind of notice from Ford) and it was reprogrammed again and then told to bring it back to replace the clutch system. Third time, kept my car for 3 days (thank God, I’m still under warranty) and was given a rental. This has all taken place within the last 4 months. Today, I took it back due to same ole…same ole grinding, rattling, shuddering, etc. The transmission guy personally came out and told me that what I’m experiencing is all related to the new PowerShift 6-speed transmission. THIS time I was given the handout of the “operating characteristics” of this car and was told to bring it back if I had any other problems not mentioned on the handout. I was not given an invoice for the visit due to “couldn’t find anything wrong”. Well, of course as soon as I got on the road, my car continued as before. After reading everyone’s comments, I’m going to call them first thing in the morning and have them write out the invoice and then I’m going to take it to another dealership and see what they say. I will then take all my receipts, invoices, etc and follow up with a lemon law atty. This is absolutely astounding that Ford is denying all complaints and I want to be a part of what I’m sure will be a major class action lawsuit. I seriously hope that it doesn’t come down to someone or their family members losing their life over this. I live in FL and have to drive across the state next weekend and I’m freaking out that something is going to happen. I’m even thinking of renting a car but good grief…I have a brand new 2013 car for crying out loud!!
June 26th, 2013 at 11:20 am
@Karen: Four weeks out of service? Time to look into your rights. Find a lemon law lawyer in your state by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
June 26th, 2013 at 11:28 am
Cheryl,
I feel your pain. I’ve stopped coming onto this site for a little while because I feel so defeated. Let me predict what the next few months of your life will look like. Now that you’ve finally been hit with the “these are the normal operating characteristics” line, that dealership/service center, as well as any other Ford approved dealership/service center that you can find, will refuse to attempt a repair on your car. No matter how many invoices or write-ups you get, IT WON’T MATTER! Why, you ask? Because in order for Lemon Law to take place there has to be documented attempted repairs. Every invoice you get back at this point will state that your complaints are “normal” and therefore no repair was done. Sure…go ahead and hand those over to a lemon law layer like I did and you’ll get the same response I did which is that, “we cannot help you because although you’ve given us all documentation, they do not show attempted repairs. Please try to get them to attempt a repair and try multiple Ford approved service centers until you get the attempts that you need”. Unfortunately, ALL approved Ford service centers have been given to “normal characteristics” memo and will not attempt a thing. Ford has successfully come up with a way to stall us all until our warranties or lemon law time periods run out. It will take a serious accident and law suit to get our money back.
Please, anyone, let me know if this too is how your story went or is going. I can’t get one Ford services center in my entire state to attempt a repair therefore I am stuck…no lemon law for me. However, it is good to get on here and wallow in my sorrow with others. Thanks for listening :-).
June 26th, 2013 at 10:31 pm
My 2012 Focus has been to 3 different dealers for the tranny.
July 1st, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Took my 2012 Focus in for service a while back for transmission shuddering and was told that the clutches needed to be readjusted and rain had leaked into the trunk lid via the tailights, the fix was to silicone seal the tailights back on, basically they glued them back.
Took it back on June 19th, 2013 for transmission shuddering, which was getting worst than before at 22,000 miles. Also brought back to their attention that after thinking about it, the tailights do not have access to the bulbs for removal. The fix now is that they have to replace both tailights and have to have their body shop do the work as they don’t want the body damaged. As for the transmission, the clutch was ordered on June 20th and it has been back ordered still as of July 1st, 2013. Makes me wonder how much longer and will it be the same again.
July 2nd, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Eddie: It’s time to look into your lemon law rights. If you would like us to review your claim, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html
July 4th, 2013 at 1:00 am
Well, I think you just have to find the right dealership….my selling dealer was less than helpful. I am lucky to have another local dealership with a proven record of being able to satisfy their customers. They have not only taken the time to listen but they have stood behind me in telling Ford that something is definitely wrong with these Focus’s. Currently, my tranny has been torn down and they had found several areas of scoring on areas of the transmission which they said was the “smoking gun” that led them to finding the real problem with the car. I’m at the stage of waiting for parts, they are replacing everything from clutches to bearings to seals….anything you can imagine. I’m not sure what I will be getting back but I hope it will be better than it was before. So, my suggestion is try and find a dealership that has a good reputation in your community, shop around until you find one willing to help. Don’t let Ford get away with this, because unless they are pressured by the dealership they will do nothing but make excuses.
July 5th, 2013 at 3:03 am
I purchased the 2012 Ford Focus in August 2012 as a new car. Now I have transmission problems, jerking, pauses and lethargic acceleration. I have been in 3 times. Each time I am told the computer needs to adjust to my driving style. The last time they found two codes that needed adjusting in the transmission. I was told to drive it for 500 miles so it could adjust to my driving pattern. What if someone else is driving it? Would it need to adjust to their driving pattern too? It’s time to talk to the owner.
July 5th, 2013 at 11:19 am
1
9/27/2012
PowerShift 6-Speed Transmission
Operating Characteristics
Background
In 2010, Ford launched an all new transmission, PowerShift, an advanced six-speed automatic
transmission based on manual transmission technology with class-leading fuel efficiency. This
communication will help explain the technology and common operating characteristics of this new
transmission available on the Fiesta and Focus in order to improve customer expectations and
experiences.
PowerShift is an advanced automatic transmission technology
The PowerShift is really like two 3-speed manual transmissions put together, with the dual clutch and
shifting components controlled electronically. Since most of the components are derived from a manual
transmission, the PowerShift transmission will drive, sound, and feel like a manual transmission but
without the driver interaction.
Vehicle features to support the PowerShift transmission
One of the vehicle features incorporated with the PowerShift transmission is the hill hold feature called
Hill Start Assist (HSA). The HSA system activates automatically in D (Drive) uphill or R (Reverse)
downhill. When the driver removes their foot from the brake on a hill, the vehicle will remain stationary for
approximately 2 to 3 seconds – replicating the behavior of a traditional automatic. This allows the driver
time to move their foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal. After this delay, the feature will deactivate
and the vehicle will be free to move down the slope. HSA will not be activated unless the vehicle comes
to a complete stop while the service brake is applied. (Refer to Owner Guide for additional details.)
This feature was added because using engine torque and clutch slippage to hold a hill can result in a
clutch overheat condition if held too long.
Service Personnel Support
Since the PowerShift transmission is a new technology, some customers might not be familiar with the
normal driving characteristics of this transmission. Service support personnel should be aware of the
normal operating characteristics and be able to differentiate between normal characteristics and abnormal
symptoms that require service. The following information will assist with addressing certain potential
customer concerns.
Common Characteristics of the PowerShift Transmission
Common Sounds a driver may notice:
Double clicking metal sounds
These sounds can likely be heard while driving on very smooth surfaces during a 1-2 upshift or a
3-2-1 coast down. The sounds occur with every gear engagement, but generally cannot be heard
over the background engine, road and wind noises at higher speeds. Most noticeable if the
windows are down and the radio is off, these sounds are due to the shift forks moving and the
synchronizers engaging a gear (similar to a manual transmission). These shifting sounds are part
of normal operation.
Coast down whine
A slight gear whine while slowing or coasting is normal.
Clicking after the engine is turned off
As the vehicle is powered down, the transmission will cycle the clutches to the released position
so it is ready for a safe restart of the engine. This is part of normal operation. Clicking sounds
from the transmission immediately after the engine is turned off are normal.
2
9/27/2012
Low speed “grinding”
A slight grinding-type noise may be heard at about 2 MPH. This noise is more evident during
“trailer-hitching” events (see below). This noise is caused by normal bearing rotation and does
not affect the durability of the transmission.
Reverse gear whine
Some PowerShift transmissions will exhibit gear whine in reverse. The level of whine has been
significantly reduced in later build vehicles, but can still be detected to some level. This is
characteristic of many manual transmissions, and is not a defect or a situation in which a repair
should be attempted.
Trailer-hitching feel
Some customers may experience a trailer-hitching feel (or a slight bumping feel). The trailer-hitching feel
may occur in lower forward gears – particularly if the customer is off and on the throttle quickly. It may be
more noticeable in a parking lot or when a customer is doing multiple on/off throttle pedal maneuvers.
This trailer-hitching/engagement feel is a normal characteristic of the dry clutch-equipped manual
transmission design. Conversely, conventional automatic transmissions are equipped with a torque
converter. The torque converter is a fluid coupling device which dampens these positive engagement
feels.
Diagnostic tips to be used during service visit
When evaluating a customer concern regarding this transmission, first compare to a like vehicle. The like
vehicle should be at the same transmission fluid temperature as the customer’s vehicle. Sounds will
change as the transmission oil changes temperature and viscosity. If the suspect sound is similar to a
like transmission at the same temperature, it is most likely a normal characteristic and no repair should be
attempted.
If vehicle loses electrical power due to the removal of a power or ground battery cable, or the battery
discharges, the transmission will perform an initial system status check upon power restore to verify shift
motor position. This results in a series of mechanical noises for 10-30 seconds. The transmission will not
engage and the vehicle will not move while this status check is occurring. This is normal after an
electrical power loss to the transmission.
“Green” clutch break-in period
New, replacement, and reset clutches are “green” and require a break-in period before shift event quality
is maximized. During the break-in period, green clutches may exhibit:
A rattle noise similar to a loose catalytic converter shield. This noise is commonly heard
after light throttle 1-2, 2-3 or 3-4 upshifts. This rattle noise will diminish greatly as the
clutch completes the break-in process.
A take-off shudder/launch judder (shaky vs. smooth) on light loads.
A harsh-shift feel during the first few cold shifts before the transmission reaches
operating temperature.
All of the above conditions will diminish and the customer will notice progressively better launch and
smoother shifting within the first few hundred miles of mixed driving as clutch break-in occurs.
Note: The break-in process may take longer for highway driving, where the clutch is not shifting. The
transmission will automatically learn and make adaptations during shifting events, so it is important to
evaluate after allowing sufficient driving time for adaptations to occur.
This green clutch feel may reappear if the clutch touch points are reset and/or the clutch is removed
and/or replaced. The condition may last longer for a clutch replacement than a reset. A reset may take
up to 100 miles to get the new touch points learned to the point of not making any out-of-adjustment
noise. A clutch replacement may take as much as 1000 miles or more to reach break-in depending on
the customer style of driving.
The break-in period can be minimized by performing the adaptive drive cycle exactly as described in the
Workshop Manual, Section 307-11 (Fiesta) and 307-01 (Focus).
July 5th, 2013 at 11:27 am
HERE IS ANOTHER IDEA IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH YOUR FOCUS GO TO YOUR DEALER AND ASK THEM TO PERFORM 2 T.S.B.’S 13-04-05 & 13-04-06.
July 5th, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Please someone somehow get a class action going I have A 2013 focus Se with all the above rattle hesitates bad shifts grinds. Roll back. I also noticed sometimes u can rev it up in gear and sometimes u can’t. I think that’s due to not having a torque converter. I am going to the dealer next week for the 3rd time and they think its a joke. My car just rolled out of my driveway IN PARK and had to floor it to get back up. Ford needs to step up and fix or buy these Junkers back. I am going to a lawyer next week I sure hope a class action suit gets going. Or we all need to hang out at our dealer and tell potential buyers what they can expect.
July 9th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
My 2012 Focus is has the same problems as everyone else states !!!
July 9th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
Got my focus back for the 3rd time today. Transmission got re-programmed again and is worse than ever just a constant rattle and now my struts are making a popping sound. It’s ridiculous to have a brand new car that sounds like a pc of junk. Please review my story and let me know if I would have a case. Last year I bought 2012 ford f150 and the motor had to be replaced at 2000 miles I then traded that for my focus out of frustration guess it didn’t go as planned. Anyway that’s 2 vehicles from ford that have gone bad on me if that helps my case. Also my truck sat in their shop for 2 months before they finally got ford to ok a new motor. It was knocking. Thank u and please help
July 11th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
@Pavlovic: It’s time to look into your lemon law rights. Find your state statute at https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ and remember even if you fall outside of the lemon law parameters, you very well may have a federal claim. If you want us to take a look at the issue and direct you the right firm, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html. The help should be completely free.
July 11th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
@Andrew: It’s time to talk to a lemon law lawyer. If you would like us to review the claim, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html.
July 11th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
So here’s another problem to add to the others. My transmission now is slipping. Six times today while trying to accelerate after a stop the tyranny just slips. Have to put into park and turn car off/on. That be great except that my ignition switch still doesn’t work. It’s been replaced but still doesn’t work. So dealer says being it in….I’m terrified of driving it so I’m wanting to use my roadside assistance. The dealer doesn’t have a rental available….why did I bother getting the extended warranty.?! So I call for a tow, an hour later I get a call from California asking me to pay $172.00 for the tow and submit the receipt for reimbursement. They must be out of their freaking minds!! This is so far past insane
July 12th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
My car was towed into dealership last night. After fighting for a rental car I got a call at 4:00 telling me I had til 5:00 to come get it. UGH!!! I make it there and they give me a 2013 focus. Since it was that or nothing I took it, guess what. ABSOLUTELY NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. And it gets 29.5 MPG. at best mine gets 21-22. What kind of gas mileage is everyone else getting?
July 15th, 2013 at 9:18 pm
I’m having the same issues as everyone else.
I bought my 2012 Ford Focus SE brand new in September 2012. After 9 days of driving it, I brought it in for shuttering/jerking/hesitating. They re-programmed it and said it should be fine.
I would have returned the car at this point under “buyers remorse” if I knew what an awful car this was going to be.
A month later, brought it in again for the same issue, I was then told to drive it until there were at least 8000kms on it before the car would get used to my “driving habits”? Didn’t know this was required for a new car.
It stalled in a parking lot in December, brought back to the dealership-told again, this is normal? what?
It’s back at the dealership again, I finally got the sales manager involved and he finally agreed that there is something wrong.
I’m in Canada, does anyone here know where to go from here..is there “lemon laws” in Canada?
July 17th, 2013 at 7:28 am
RE: #241 – I am one of the apparent lucky ones. I have a 2012 SEL (pre-flex fuel) that despite a couple of chugs here and there when I first got it (see prior driving tips I’ve posted), and the 2 ft backslide on hills, I have had no issues other than the traction control keying down the trans from a parked position on ice. I average anywhere from 39-44 on the hwy and around 24-29 city. I also chose NOT to have the trans reprogrammed. If it ain’t broke…
To be honest, you do have to drive the thing like it’s a manual. Is that an excuse? Heck no! This is a low-level Ford, not a Mazarati. But it is what it is. I really feel for everyone here having problems. Ford should be ashamed for its apparent customer service (or lack thereof) directives.
July 18th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Well I have the same issue with the transmission ( the rollback on hills ) ,but about the mileage nothing to say 33 mpg average 2013 hatchback 5 speed trans. and everything else so happy 🙂
July 19th, 2013 at 9:39 am
I purchase a new ford focus April 2012. For the first 8 months the car ran smoothly, I took it into the dealer for regular oil changes and services. Then about 9 months ago, I started to notice that when I tried to accelerate from a stop that the transmission becomes jerky and the car shudders, I have to floor the pedal to get it to move and then suddenly it surges forward, once causing me to nearly rear end someone. Sometime when turning at a junctions the car will shudder and I have to remove my foot off the accelerator. I have taken my car into the dealer on 4 separate occasions and they tell me they can’t find a problem. The car rolls back when on an incline and like many others if at an intersection or merging onto the highway, my car loses power and will not pick up. Sometimes when travelling at higher speed the car will loose power on overtaking. I really am at a loss what to do and wondered if I would be covered under the lemon law in NH. My car has 19,000. If anyone has any suggests, I would greatly appreciate it.
July 19th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Well, my car has been in the shop since the 24th of June. They did find some problems and have ordered the parts. As of today the parts still haven’t arrived but Ford is paying for my rental car. I feel terrible that a car with barely 13,000 miles had to have it’s transmission torn down. I have no idea when I’ll get my car back or what it will be like when it comes back. They are replacing several components of the tranny so it should be as good as new but who knows at this point.
July 19th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Re: 243….Jason, I agree that you have to drive it like a manual but for someone like me who has never driven a standard manual transmission my question is how do you do that? My salesman never told me what this was, I thought it was a regular automatic…..I guess this is a lesson to do research before I make a purchase this big again.
July 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Let me jump on this train. I just traded my 2001 ,with 157,788 miles, for a new 2012 SEL with 33 miles on it, 3 weeks ago. I currently have 900 miles on it and it has all the same problems everyone has been grinding about…..lol. About 100 miles ago it started to have a faint grind while shifting through 1-2-3 gears as well as backing up in R. It also shutters in first gear and has the now and agian, jerk shift in different gears. Im set to go to the dealer tomorrow. Kinda wish I still had my old work horse ZX3 back.
Dealer performed TSB13-04-05.
Two weeks later….
Going back to the dealer today. The shutter is gone but now it jerks in the 3rd gear. It like driving stick shift with somebody that doesn’t know how to drive stick shift. Boo
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:23 pm
@Dylan: Time to look into your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lemon law lawyer in your state who can help.
July 23rd, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Melissa: I sent you an email. We handle lemon law in New Hampshire. Please visit and fill out the form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html so we can review this situation and determine how we can help.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:26 am
If I could afford a lawyer I would look into it, but right now I’m just tapped out when it comes to money.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:33 am
I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus Titanium Automatic with a sports shift option and i’m running into the same issues. dealer claims “its our driving style”. they ran some update tha briefly fixed the problem but it returned in a matter of 2 months. We are also having issues with clunk noises from the front suspension. Dealer claims its a strut issue. Again they say they took care of it but 2 months later the noise is back and worst than before. for what i’ve been told by others, they probably put the old stut back on. the noise went away cause the stut kinda “reset” itself. its a matter of time until the vehicle settles and the noise returns. How many time would i have to take it in until the lemon law applies?
July 29th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
I bought a slightly used 2012 Ford Focus 2012 HB and drove it for about three months when I started having issues with the manual transmission. Anything under 10 MPH, it was trying to stall and didn’t want to “go” once I stepped on the gas. Ford replaced a seal and said it would be good. It wasn’t, and I still had major issues with the shifting. After three weeks in the shop, they said they couldn’t figure out the problem but they “didn’t think it was a safety issue.” I’m sorry, but if they don’t know what’s wrong with it, how can they say it isn’t a safety issue…especially when it want’s to stall in traffic! I ended up trading it in for a brand new 2013 Ford Focus HB because supposedly all the problems were fixed in this year. Less than 4 months later, I’m having major issues again with the tranny. Try to accelerate and it just revs and doesn’t go anywhere, then it goes and jerks and doesn’t shift, etc. Car is in the shop, and who knows what will happen. At least it’s still under warranty, but I’m thinking about trading it in for something other than a Ford.
July 30th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
My 2013 focus is having all the same shuddering and jerkiness and after getting a fuel pump worked on in jan less than 2mos after driving it off the lot. They completely dismissed my complaints about the trans. A few weeks later I called and asked about brining it in and was told that they would not provide a rental car and that they would more than likely need to keep it for more than a day. A few weeks later before going out of town and the shudder becoming more and more intolerable, they “reset” the transmission. Since then, I brought it back a few weeks later for the same issue. This time they miraculously found that my clutch pack needed to be replaced due to a recall. You can imagine my surprise when they said my car had a clutch since I had specifically asked for an automatic car. After keeping my car for about a week while they waited on a back ordered part, the trans guy came out and told me that I actually have a manual trans with an electronic clutch. I was livid as this was NEVER explained by the salesperson at time of purchase. If it had been explained I would not have purchased this car. I complained a week later after “breaking it in” and putting a couple hundred miles on it, only to be told I need to come in and test drive a like vehicle. The salesperson took me out and the car drove with the same shudder as mine, just less pronounced. The service guy then took me on a ride in a manual to try to give me a lesson on how to drive my car and why a manual trans feels jerky. The regional manager called the next day and stated there is nothing he can do since the car is performing according to standards. They refuse to acknowledge my complaints and basically told me to learn how to drive my car more like a stick shift in order to minimize the shuddering. Collecting my paperwork to get to a lawyer. Unbelievable.
August 1st, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Dylan, with the Lemon Law, there is no cost to you because the manufacturer pays attorneys fees if you win. If you lose, with Kimmel & Silverman, you pay nothing at all.
August 1st, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@Ricky–It depends on the state. Read about your lemon law by clicking here https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/.
August 2nd, 2013 at 7:46 am
@Dylan: I totally understand where you are coming from. The easiest way to explain this is that when you are accelerating, estimate the shift point and let off of the gas slightly for ~0.5 sec, at that point, then apply slightly more pressure to the accelerator than you were before letting off. Again – THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY, but appears to be the nature of the beast.
Also, check out post #706 from this website: https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/15998/ford/focus/ford-focus-transmission-problems, as well as a mentioned earlier in this thread – most likely all of these problems are caused by faulty trans seals allowing oil to leak into the transmission. At the least, everyone having problems could mention this possibility to their dealership.
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:22 am
I have had the same issues with my 2012 Focus . I’m so disappointed with Ford . I mean i have always purchased Fords , my last Focus was great , got over 200,000 miles on it before trading for this new one . I have always told my kids to buy Fords but now i sure look foolish to them . Very disappointed .
August 5th, 2013 at 5:33 am
please see post #73 at the thread named 2013 focus titanium transmission noise (grinding) at https://www.focusfanatics.com , worth your while to go read of you have transmission problems and the dealer has been telling you its normal.
August 5th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
I have previously posted on here with all of the same problems being reported. I am so disgusted. I traded that piece of crap in because it was dangerous to drive and I was concerned that if I waited any longer I would lose so much value that I would not be able to get another car. I love my new Hyundai Elentra GT. but, I lost ten thousand on the trade in of my 2006 Honda coupe. There needs to be a class action lawsuit on this sorry excuse for a car. I pulled up to a woman driving one today and she related the same nightmare we have all had. HOW DO WE START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!???
August 9th, 2013 at 11:36 am
@Richard: You will accomplish MUCH more filing an individual claim using State and Federal laws. See https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state.
August 9th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
So I posted on this site in March shortly after purchasing a 2013 Focus Titanium. I essentially said that you need to learn to drive the DCT a bit differently to get the most out of the car. I stand by this as when driven correctly the car drives great! Here’s the big caveat… I ended up with one of the Focus’s with a true transmission problem. At 1700 miles my check engine light came on and within seconds the car almost died on me in the fast lane of the freeway. I was able to exit the freeway and by turning the ignition off and restarting the car I was able to make it to my local Ford dealer. Indeed the diagnostic test showed an issue with the transmission. Car was in the shop for a week. They found no mechanical problems with the tranny so they re-flashed the software that controls the shifting in the transmission. Problem solved, the car drove beautifully again. Fast forward to 5500 miles… identical situation, check engine light comes on and bam car goes into full power loss mode. Once again I get off the freeway, restart the car and make my way to the Ford dealer. This time the car is in the shop for almost two weeks with major transmission work necessary. I believe they changed the seals and the main control module.Got the car back yesterday and everything seems to be fine, I guess time will tell. I’m posting this because a lot of the posts here and at other sites complaining about the drivability of the car are off base. I obviously haven’t driven each car and maybe some are worse then others but if most people would take the time to learn to drive these cars properly you’d be very surprised at how well they actually drive. I know you shouldn’t have to relearn to drive a new car after dropping 20,000 – 30,000 on it and Ford should definitely be more up front about these transmissions when selling you the vehicle. That being said a large portion of these posts are people who don’t want to make any adjustments to the way they drive regardless if it will make there driving experience more comfortable. To put things in perspective, Ford has sold close to two million Focus’s the last two model years. ( 2012, 2013) I’m going to guess about 75% of those have the DCT. Thats about 1.5 million cars with this transmission. There are 250 posts on this site and if I combine all the sites i’ve been on with this topic we’re probably looking at a few thousand posts. Now I know not everyone goes online to tell their horror stories so i’m going to increase this number by 1000%. This gives us about 30,000 cars with possible transmission issues. Thats about 1.5% of the Focus’s on the road for these model years. There will not be a class action suit against Ford because the numbers simply don’t add up. I’m going to guess any product that is mass produced in the millions will have a defect rate in the 1% range and that seems reasonable to me.Now it sucks to be in that 1% ( which I am ) but to scream that Ford makes crap cars and these Focus’s are pieces of junk is just ridiculous. There are well over a million very happy drivers of this car you despise, me being one of them. Even with my major transmission issues I still enjoy the car very much. I’m not a shill for Ford as a matter of fact no matter how much I enjoy this car if I have another actual transmission issue I will start to look into my lemon law rights. That being said Ford or any major car dealer is not going to replace your new vehicle because you don’t like the way it drives.
August 11th, 2013 at 11:45 am
I bought my 2012 Ford Focus Titanium used in September 2012 and after I took it in for the first oil change I started hearing this grinding noise at about 20 mph (when shifting from 1st to 2nd). I have taken it to 4 different dealerships and one of those I have taken it back 4 times in the past 2 weeks. They say that there is nothing wrong and they tried to reboot my computer, but when I got it back I was doing some errands and the car just died on me 4 times in a row in the middle of a parking lot. I took it back and they said that a Evap hose needed replaced, but yet again, it died on me when I first got it back and is still making the grinding noise. I’m at about 31,000 miles and I think I’m just going to have to trade it in and lose about $4,000 on it because I can’t afford to drive my family anywhere because of the unknown of when it will die or if the transmission goes out. These people don’t believe me that it’s the transmission… We will see…
August 12th, 2013 at 8:53 am
@Abby: It’s time to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state who may be able to help.
August 12th, 2013 at 9:20 am
I understand where a lot of people on here are stating to learn how to drive the car and everytihing will be fine, well to be honest you might be right and wrong. if i wanted do drive a car with the feeling of a non automatic feeling i would have purchased one, honestly the feeling would be better. ive street raced cars when i was younger and the feeling of these cars are horribel. When you have a “automatic” car that feels like this and the noises it makes, and the amount of $$ you are finacing for a “new” car you should not have to be dealing with this.
These cars are not made for the constant stop n go for a city like Chicago.
August 12th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
So my main issue with the ford focus isn’t in the car specifically, but how they advertise. By calling this an automatic there should be no reason to learn how to drive it correctly as with any true automatic it wouldn’t matter. My issue is that they are not informing buyers of this hybrid transmission, therefore causing everyone who wasn’t aware of it to feel duped. If this was provided prior to purchasing, I would have dropped few extra dollars and gotten the fusion which has a true automatic trans. I spent $20k on a car that was not what I asked for. I am currently suing Ford not under lemon laws but under a warranty act and just pray that it covers the amount lost in trade in value. I will never purchase another ford again.
August 12th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
The amount of mis-information on this transmission is staggering. I wish everyone stuck with it could get to drive a VW GTI so they would have a factual, real-world comparison that all these problems are NOT normal, like I do.
Food for thought: among the hundreds of posts at https://www.focusfanatics.com, are people who have had there transmission removed and rebuilt by Ford. Everything is then fine for weeks to months, then the problems RETURN. Ask yourself-if the problems are “normal” , how can repairs make them go away ?
Food for thought II: if the problems are related to a small percent of the cars, surely Ford could afford to fix them, why aren’t they?
and repeating food for thought III, as a former VW GTI owner, who has also driven various Audis with DCT transmissions, I wish everyone trying to minimize this subject could be plunked into a VW GTI, drive it and THEN come back and tell us about what is normal.
August 12th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
I forgot one more thing on my prior post, I did not have to “adjust” anything about how I drove this same transmission on my vw GTI. That is just more SMOKE in Fords attempt to put this back on the drivers.
August 13th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
August 13, 2013
I purchased a new 2013 Ford Focus on April 1st. What an April Fool’s joke that was. I had the same shudder from the transmission everyone is complaining about. Finally got tired of it because it was getting really bad. Took the car in, the kept it two days, reset the computer per the recall bulletin, and told me the car had to “relearn” how I drive, and it would be fine in about 200 miles. Well the car had the same problems the minute I left the dealership. Less than two weeks later, I pulled out from a stoplight and the car wouldn’t go over 10 mph and the engine light came on, the car shuddered, tried to die, and I managed to pull into a gas station. The car had to be towed to the dealership, they had it for a week, and had to “replace the clutch” (mind you this is an AUTOMATIC) because the transmission was missing 2nd gear and reverse. They had trouble getting parts because the car is so new. Less than 4 months old, less than 5,000 miles, and I am going to look into the Lemon Law here. Had I been pulling onto a busy freeway instead of a semi-vacant street, I could have been hit by another car. Very Dangerous!
August 15th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
I just bought my 2013 Ford Focus a month ago and it’s already dogging down when I shift so bad that I almost get Tboned every time I pull out on a street!!! I took it in to get serviced and they said it was fixed. I drove it DOWN THE STREET and it started acting the same way!! Now it’s back in the shop again. WTF.
August 24th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
I JUST bought a 2013 Ford focus titanium and have had it 2 days and noticed that it is doing the hesitating, sputtering at acceleration when going from a stop sign or light and thought to myself this is weird and this isn’t right for a BRAND new car that I JUST purchased TWO days ago. WTF? I then got online to see what could cause this and that is when I found this post. NOT HAPPY @ all and you can best believe the dealer will hear from me on monday morning.
August 25th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
If it’s any consolation, I have had 2 cars with this transmission. The trans tech at the dealer I got mine from quit because of these things. My wife finally fixed it by running into a minivan doing 40 mph and totaling the Focus. The first thing to fail in the accident was the transmission mount which caused the transmission to break. LOL
August 25th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
purchased a 2012 certified focus. next day brought it back for grinding noise. service gave us the ford letter stating this grinding noise is normal and will not cause any damage to transmission. Why was I not given the letter at time of contract. I believe ford dealership withheld important information that may have swayed me away from this car. Anyone else feel the same way. I have a meeting with the dealership. any suggestions. I have owned the vehicle for 30 days. I have called ford twice and the dealership to fix this noise.
August 28th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
Anthony, despite what Ford may tell you that noise is not normal and that paper they give you is just an excuse for faulty workmanship. I bought my 2012 new and had to deal with all the rattling, grinding, noises too. Plus, the hesitation and jerkiness of the shifting….I was persistent until they finally agreed to tear down and inspect the transmission. What they found was a ton of damaged parts that needed replaced. So, I have a car with 14,000 miles on it and a rebuilt tranny…..so far so good but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
August 28th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
We took our 13 focus in today and was given all the same info about normal characteristics and unable to duplicate concern on road test, yaday yaday yaday. With the same code of 1573 imfs 0.00 only 6,000 miles on it and it runs like crap and every time we pull out into traffic or an intersection we risk collision due to the power loss when you need power the most.
August 30th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@Dylan: Did you know even though your issue may be fixed, if you were in three or more times, you still may have a strong claim under the law? It would entitle you to compensation plus continued ownership of the car. Consult with a lemon law attorney in your state. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find someone who may be able to help.
August 30th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Just wanted to update on my previous post. I contacted fords again about my issue and they had me take my car in two more times . Each time I was told they could find nothing. I was heading out with my friends and the car shudder so badly they were concerned for our safety. I put this is writing to fords and the dealership. They had me in within days and gave the car a completely new transmission and clutch. I have had the car back for about a week and have no had any problems yet, but I did mention to the deal that I had no problems until 18000 miles so he might still see me. However ford did not offer an extended warranty for this issue and I’m only cover to 36,000 which is not too far away. I did tell them that if I had any further issues that I will be contacting a lemon law attorney. Fingers crossed this will be the fix but I’m not holding my breath judging from others experience.
August 31st, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I took my car in for the hesitation issues(have had it 9 days now) and was told that ford is aware of the issues and going to replace my clutches
but the parts are on back order. I got a call they are in so I need to set up service. Praying this is the end of it. Nothing like a brand new car needing service within a week of purchase. Not good.
September 7th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Bought a 2013 focus Titanimum with this transmission 6 weeks ago. Almost immediately I had transmission problems. A Shuddering noise (which my wife would even ask, what is that noise?) poor pickup and hesitation. I took it to my dealer with about 800 miles, they came out with a letter saying “the car needs to LEARN” my driving habits and things should improve at 1500 miles. (What if 2 people regularly drive the car, will it learn 2 different drivers? I don’t think so).
About 2 weeks later I took it back in with the same problems and ask to talk to the service manger. As he came out of his office to greet me, he had a printout which stated that I need to drive the car for 2000 miles and things should improve. I’m nearing 2000 miles now with no improvement. I suspect once I get there I’ll be handed a printout that states I need to drive the car for 2500 miles.
I called the Ford 800 number and their advice was to take it to a different dealer (which I planned on doing this coming week) and if they agree with the 1st dealer then there will be nothing Ford can or will do!
Does anybody have any suggestions? How many times do I need to take it in before I can think about the lemon law? Also I had to take it in last Friday because the engine fault and service now message came on. They checked that out and had to replace the battery with only 1800 miles on the car!
Please help!
September 10th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
I have 2012 ford focus titanium. I been back and forth 6 times already to the dealership regarding ford bright idea dual clutch transmission. It has caused me so much of my time. The dealership keep fixing it or they say updating it but the POS transmission still does the same thing which is stuttering when start and rolling backward. Finally there is nothing the dealership can do anymore. they have given up too regarding the vehicle transmission problem. Im contacting this to the lemon law attorney see what can they do about this. I shouldve listen to my wife and bought myself a lexus IS instead.
September 12th, 2013 at 8:25 pm
I bought my 2013 Ford Focus and started having troubles with the transmission. I went to my local Ford dealership and they refused to work on it as did 2 other Ford dealerships in my area. I had to call ford and a regional manager had to make me an appointment to get it looked at. I got it looked at Sept 10 2013, they did “the fix” reflashing the pcm and it didn’t work. It is worse than ever. It is still shuddering worse than before and still don’t shift right and didn’t stop making noises, like grinding sounds when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. I have only made 2 payments. I will go in again and again and see what happens.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
@Sergio. We have successfully handled numerous lemon law and breach of warranty claims for this problem. Feel free to visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and submit your information to have us review your claim.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
@Kevin: if you are in three or more times, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and send us your info for review. We will see what we can do to help.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@Gary: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out your info. We will review it and determine if we can help.
September 18th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
I sure wish I would of read all this information on Ford.. Before making a purchase… I have a 2013 Focus… its in the shop for the 3rd time since my purchase in Feb 2013. For the same type of shifting and hesitation at lower speeds. The first time the shop told me it was my driving and I wasn’t used to the way the transmission engaged. They re-programmed my transmission. The second time the hesitation started I got a check engine light.. This time they told me it needed a new clutch motor. or maybe it was a clutch switch motor. Then it ran perfect for 5,000 miles…. Yesterday the same hesitation started again.. and I felt I was going to get stranded. Today the dealership tells me that I have a small transmission leak… that is leaking onto the clutch… and that will need to be replaced… First I was told the parts would take a few days… and that in the mean time… I could pick up my car… and return the loaner… til the parts arrived… I was assured that the car wouldnt strand me… Why am I in disbelief of that??? Now, they have called back and told me my car only needs one seal and they will be done with it.. however, they have to wait on a part.. and that I can keep the loaner til the part arrives.. should be a couple days. I am not anxious to get my car back… I feel.. I will be again re-visiting the issue… of the transmission.
September 19th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Hi, here is an update on my 2013 Ford Focus. I took it to the garage again this week and they did the fix to the car again. Then they told me I am sorry that is all we can do for this car. If you are still unsatisfied with it, I don’t know what you can do. We have done all we can do, there is nothing more we can do for you. Basically, don’t bring it back. I have been in the garage 2 times now. I don’t know what to do…No one in my town or surrounding area will work on the car. The only garage that will just told me there is nothing more they can do. What do I do? It still isn’t fixed and does the same things as when I first took it over to the garage. The basically to me that is the best they can do, so drive it that way and be happy, because it is better than some other cars. That isn’t the point. I paid good money for this car, in good faith having driven fords all my life, and now they want me to be happy with a car that don’t work right….??? Anyone have any answers that can help?
September 19th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Melissa, Fords drive train warranty is 5 years 60,000 miles…thats engine transmission and drive train…
September 19th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I took my car in and they said they replaced the clutch assembly. I will say @ first it was better but seems ti be doing the same thing again. Shuddering. Rolling back I n hills. I only have 800 miles on it and I’ve only have it less than one month. Not happy.
September 24th, 2013 at 11:30 am
@Kevin: You are not alone. Please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and we will try to connect you to someone who can help.
September 24th, 2013 at 11:34 am
@Jo: I understand your frustration. If you would like help, please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html. We will be glad to evaluate your situation and see if we can help.
September 26th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
Has anyone had the Focus repaired to your satisfaction? If so, what was done? I am taking my 2012 Focus SEL in for a new clutch next week. Not sure this will solve the problem after reading 100’s of posts. I really like the car but this transmission issue is ridiculous.
September 28th, 2013 at 10:51 am
Today was my second time going into ford asking them about my transmission because it stalls or shudders when i press on the gas pedal. the first time, the guy told me to come back and he’ll redo the program. when i went there on my appointment, a different guy told me it’s normal and i don’t need to fix it. it still shudders and i’ve researched it. many drivers were having the same problem.
September 29th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
I have been having problems with the transmission, shifting, shuddering, etc, and it has been in numerous times. Just tonight, I took off from a stop sign, and it really jerked more than a few times. I was at the dealer last Saturday getting an oil change, and i mentioned the shifting. TWo sales agents said that is how the car drives. BS……I know how to drive a straight and an automatic, and this 2013 focus sucks. I am getting the runaround from the dealer now, saying stuff like “it is a straight shift, but the transmission does the shifting for me.” I am on the road a lot and have put 18000 miles on it, and it has been doing this since the first part of 2013. I bought the car in NOV 2102. I do not know what to do next, or who to turn to. I , like I said, am on the road a lot, but I am not comfortable with this car.
October 1st, 2013 at 11:35 am
@Diane: I think it is time to speak with a lemon law lawyer. To find one in your state, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
October 1st, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@Diane you might want to take a look at this TSB ford recently published.
tsb13-04-05
fordservicecontent.com/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/3581/tsb13-04-05.pdf (link is no longer valid – removed by Admin)
October 1st, 2013 at 8:42 pm
2013 Ford Focus Titanium…Purchased brand new POS. Was in the shop at 1100 miles. Transmission, clutch, check engine, shuttering/yanking, keyless errors now rolls back,I have been given the run around been in the shop prob 8 times would have been more but they tell me im hiring things or its just the way it runs, the headaches I’ve had and bull I have been through…these cars are junk. I purchased a new one in 2009 NO problems. This time I got JUNK! Class Action for sure…
October 15th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
I took my car in for the 8th time yesterday and had a test drive with the service manager at the dealership (this was advised by Ford Customer Service). Once we started driving, the manager told me that I was already his 2nd drive that day and it was only 11am. As we continued to drive, he heard the sounds and kept repeating that it was normal and gave me the whole presentation (which sounded like they were trained to say) about it being a 6 speed and unlike a normal car that shifts into 3rd gear at 30 mph, the 6 speed shifts to 3rd at 18 mph. I called customer service back just now and they are saying there is nothing they can do because the service manager noted my account saying, “Running as normal.” I would be happy to trade it in for what I owe on it, but of course they won’t give me that…so now I’m not happy because I bought the Titanium, with FULLY LOADED with remote start expecting to have it for at least 5-6 years, not expecting to listen to grinding that makes it sound like the front end is going to fall apart! I’m not sure that I’m eligible for the lemon law now, but I hope there is a Class Action soon so that I can be part of it!
October 18th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
@Allison, it’s time for look into your rights. Please fill out the form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and we will review the situation. Eight times is absolutely unacceptable.
October 18th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
I’m suing ford under a breach of warranty because I couldn’t consider it a lemon since this ridiculous transmission isn’t defective. My lawyers are saying I’ll probably get a small settlement but it’ll be worth it to try to trade it in and get rid of some of the negative equity I’ve already accrued. I would definitely say that there needs to be a class action due to the misleading information given to buyers on the type of transmission this car has. This should be called a Hybrid trans and never sold to someone without explaining it WILL NOT drive like a fully automatic.
October 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am
My 2012 Focus may not be a Lemon, but it is definitely sub-standard. Here’s what’s happened in 27,000 miles:
-At 5,500 miles, “body control module” failed. I lost headlights, instruments, turn-signals, etc. The car needed 3 days of repairs.
-At 9,000 miles, the “audio control module” needed replacing. This repair required 2 days.
-Despite these repairs, I still hear “buzzing, shorting” sounds from the instrument cluster, and my hazards flash, randomly.
-Finally, a 26,000 miles, a bearing required replacing (2 days of repairs). And most recently (27,000 miles) a clutch needs replacing (the shuttering has become intense and the grinding sounds are unbearable). This will require another 2-3 days in the dealer’s garage.
And just yesterday, the car stalled – twice – after starting.
So, in summary, in 27,000 miles and 16 months of ownership (purchased 6/9/12), 4 major repairs and new issues every few months.
This vehicle should be avoided. Period.
October 31st, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I am a Ford service tech. We have had consistant flow of focus and fiesta’s enter our shop for transmission issues. We get the same run around from Ford that the service managers give the customers. So it’s not the dealers fault. When it comes to warranty work it has to be okayed by them first. As far as the shuddering I’m not quite certain they have a fix yet. Their has been several tsb’s for this issue, the latest seems to be the most common sense one yet. They do have re engineered seals that have stopped the leaks. We are are pretty much putting clutches in every one that comes through the door. The problem now is getting parts. we use or computer system to run tests if they fail we replace the clutches. As far as the roll back on hills that is completely normal, as it is a manual transmission they have a 3 second hill start delay after that they will roll.
November 5th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I have had my 2012 Ford Focus in numerous times for transmission shifting hard and been told its normal for the car. I bought it new in April of 2012 and it has 18000 miles on it currently….Husband went to change oil Saturday and found a leak so I took it to dealer. Now being told the clutch in my automatic transmission is broke and leaking and thats the problem. Again this is an automatic with only 18000 miles on it. NOT HAPPY
November 5th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
@Teresa: It’s time to look into your rights. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
November 5th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Finally traded my 2012 focus sel!. Got totally screwed from buying that sad excuse for a car. Had all the problem that ahve been discussed, latest greatest was a new transmission at 14000 miles and one year old. Didn’t fix a thing! Had as many problems as before plus some. Ford shouldn’t be able to get away with this.
November 7th, 2013 at 9:29 am
I have a 2012 Ford Focus with every option available ( highest end ) and paid big money for it. Now with less than 20,000 miles and after endless visits to dealer they are replacing the transmission so I suppose we will see if that helps. However I am not happy because this will be reported on CarFax and such which completely takes away from the value of the cars worth as I want to get rid of it. I have owned four other Fords in my lifetime and will NEVER buy another one.
November 9th, 2013 at 2:59 am
I took my 2012 ford focus in 4 times to the dealer because the trunk rubbed the paint off every time I closed it, they sent it to a auto body shop and they dented the bumper while they were trying to adjust it but no one will admit to that. Now I took it in because of the transmission shuddering and jerking when I take off. This has been getting worse with time. First they told me that it has no leaks so it is fine. I took it back in this week and was told that this is a on going problem with this car and that it needs a new clutch but that they are back ordered for at least a month because so many of them are having problems. Why haven’t they recalled this car?
November 9th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
I have a 2012 focus with the same issues disrobed by many of those posted here. I took it in to the dealer and was told nothing was wrong I will be taking it back next week. Very disapointed
November 11th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
To All –
I brought my car in a few times for the tranny issue. Having driven a stick for years, I knew the difference between normal and abnormal for a duel clutch transmission. My big issue is that the dealer kept saying, “nothing to see here, no issues”. It was not until I crawled under and dropped the engine shield that I clearly saw that the transmission was leaking. If you do not want / are able to crawl under, make sure the dealer does. Challenge them on this.
We’ll see if the new clutch assembly makes a difference. Hoping that they have it figured out by now and not simply replacing defective assemblies with newer defective assembles.
This is my first FORD since 1973 and will be my last. Have had Mazda’s and Toyota’s. Although Toyota was far more responsive and helpful than Mazda, Mazda was still far better than FORD has ever been. Guess I’ll go Korean next. So very disappointing … I have never shed a car in less than 10 yrs and 100L plus miles .. I suspect this FORD will be a first. My 20 yr old corolla with 190K on it was a highly reliable car … guess I should have spent the $$ to replace the fuel lines. New England weather and road salt are not easy on a car
November 12th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@Wheelman: I hope you are looking into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer who can help you.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
@Jim: Keep going back and make sure you receive repair invoices each time.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
@Teresa: You have every reason to be angry. Time to look into your rights. Consult with an attorney. You can find one in your state by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
November 12th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
I had the “backordered” part replaced on my 2012 Focus back in August, and have NOT felt the shudder/hesitation. It did take at least 5 weeks for them to get them to the part in and I was second or third in line for a part. But, in the end it did solve the problem. Keep trying to get your dealership to order the part – they’ll say it’s on backorder because they can’t get their supplier to make the parts fast enough. Keep on them for it. I will try to figure out what part is was that worked and repost it.
November 12th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Great post, Vicki!
I would HOPE this would constitute a recall, once/if Ford can get their supplier to create the needed supply of these parts.
My shudder is negligible, but with recall status, I would definitely take it in for the longevity of the vehicle.
November 12th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Glad to hear that Vicki because I pick mine up after work today. They replaced the automatic clutch in the transmission from what I understand.
November 14th, 2013 at 11:31 am
I have 2012 Ford Focus and it is currently awaiting a back ordered clutch as well. It was shuddering, hesitating to shift, making noises, jerking etc. Apparently there was a broken seal that was leaking oil on the clutch. Seems strange. I bought this car brand new hoping to not have any issues for many years yet here I am dealing with this. I am looking into trading it in for a different Ford. What a nightmare this has been!
November 18th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@Valerie: before you trade, look at your paperwork and look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html to have us review your information for free and lead you to someone who may be able to help.
November 25th, 2013 at 11:57 pm
Purchased my 2012 Focus the last of May 2013 with 1800+ miles. The dealership has had it 34 or so days since that time. They have performed a computer reboot and stated it was working fine. I returned it and reported that the car was having the same transmission issues. The dealership called stating that they could find nothing wrong. Left the dealership with my car and within 5 miles had to return. This time they were able to hear the problem and replaced the solenoid.
The car drove like a champ until we took it to the mountains ( 2 weeks.) While there, the transmission solenoid noise was so bad, I did not think that we were going to make it home. Then, we like to have been hit by a semi when changing from one interstate to another because the car hesitated and would not go!
The service manager heard some of the noise and experience some of the hesitation, but the Ford engineer did not, so the car was deemed running “normal.” When I spoke the representative at Ford, and I asked her what she would do, she told me that she would “trust the dealer and the car.” Since the last “fix” the mpg has reduced about 3 mpg.
I fear for the safety of my family. The dealership offered to trade the car for another that cost $12,000 more than the one I purchased. The trade value has reduced $7k since I purchased it and I have approximately 8200 miles on the engine.
To say that I am frustrated is an understatement. I have returned my car 5 times to the dealership and have driven more than 800 miles round trip to have it fixed. I’m tired of hearing the “this is normal” nonsense. I have between 1/2 and 3/4 of a million miles of driving under my belt (some of which was driving hazmat tankers without baffles…) I do not think that my driving skills have anything to do with the problem even though I have been told that “my driving habits may be part of the problem.”
The newest problem…when I put the car in park, take my foot off of the brake, and turn off the ignition switch, the car leaps forward!!@!!! Explain that one! What if someone was walking in front of the car when that happened?
I wanted to buy an American made car and I am saddened that this product has not lived up to my hopes= ( HELP!!!! What exactly does it take for the Lemon Law to be honored?
November 27th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
@Cynthia: It would seem to me that you are well on your way to having a claim. If you would like us to review your situation, please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:07 am
Yes, I too have a 2012 Ford Focus.
First time I ever considered a FORD and the last time will ever even think of a FORD!!!
December 13th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
You cannot fix the roll back issue, it is just the way it works. when you come to a stop the dual clutch has to release other wise it will kill the engine. if the clutch is released then the trans is no longer connected to the engine there for it would be impossible for the trans to prevent a roll back on a hill when stopped. Ford did provide this wonderful device called a brake pedal, the brake pedal is and always will be the method you should use to hold the vehicle at stops. when you release the brake pedal the pcm will hold the brakes for 5 seconds to prevent the roll back. if you cannot move your foot from the brake pedal to the throttle pedal within 5 seconds i have to question your ability to even be able to drive a car. this transmission is an automatic but a totally different type. for all intent and purposes it is a manual that shifts on its own. it uses a dual clutch instead of a torque converter to transfer engine torque to the trans and also has geared input and output shafts to achieve different gear ratios instead of a planetary gear set. They are a high rate of failure on the clutch but some noise during shifts and a little bit of shudder on take on is normal and can never be fixed with the current design of the trans. Further more you guys should maybe test drive these cars before you drive them and if you do not like the characteritics of the vehicle simply dont buy it.
December 16th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Well Ford finally did a exchange in colatteral for me on my 2013 focus under lemon law its been been going on about six months but ill picking up a 2014 focus tomorrow brand new from my dealer I have never been so stressed out in my life but it’s finally done and it can be done my car had 25, 000 miles on it and they still did it. It took called some corporate sending emails but it’s done.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:51 am
I have 2013 Focus hatcback with the 6 speed “auto”. Quite simply the transmission is a awful! I’m an engineer by education (Bachelors & Master’s) and by trade and there is not another car that I’m aware of that has ever operated by design to shudder, lurch, hesitate and clank like this transmission does. Its on its 3rd trip to the dealer service to see what they’ll do, but I’m skeptical they are wiling or able to fix it. When the regional CSM tells me that shuddering after gear shifts, the occasional clanking metal sound and the hesitation are normal… uh.. Houston we have a problem.. a big big big problem! I’ve been driving for 36 years and this is the worst car to drive I have ever had. I test drove it.. and it seemed fine. It actually drove ok for the first 5,000 miles.. but ever since the shudders, hesitation are much worse and the clanking has started. The TSB application did nothing on trip 1.. trip 2 they drove it exactly 1 mile and pronounced it fine.. and now trip 3 is with another service center. We’ll see.. but its just unfathomable that FORD, where Quality is supposed job #1, would keep putting these transmissions in these cars.
December 19th, 2013 at 9:53 am
John, Did test drive, had car for a week. no problems. Bought 2 focus’s as company cars. One car has 25000 miles and no transmission problem ( the one I test drove), the other has 18000 and has been in shop 4 times and still shudders even after updates. Both cars were new. Under stand the roll back, that was explained during test drive. But the transmission is a problem that I don’t think they know how to fix.
December 22nd, 2013 at 10:06 am
I would like everyone who has one of these focus`s to put on the side window like I have, telling everyone that this new focus has a bad trans and not to buy one.They think there stocks are going down, just wait!
December 27th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
I have a 2012 Focus SEL.. Same problems as everyone else, same results after dealer visits. So I decided to try something for myself when the shudder came back after my last dealer visit…..I drove my car “like I stole it” for a couple days! Jack rabbit starts to WOT when and where ever possible. It made a remarkable difference in the trans. I dont notice any of the old problems anymore. It worked for me. Give it a good workout and see for yourself. Good luck !
January 1st, 2014 at 11:29 pm
I noticed the transmission on my Focus Titanium grinding between first and second gear around 10K and finally got my dealer’s attention at 14K. They ordered the parts but then ignored my car when I brought it in, so I took it back for a while. I eventually had the clutch assembly and transmission seals replaced, and so far, the car is finally shifting properly. However, now my horn no longer works. I’ve also had to replace the driver’s door rubber seal which is starting to shred again, a tire which blew out, and a floor mat fastener that broke off. Plus, the car smells of mold because of a leaky hatch, so I have a permanent Febreze dispenser mounted in the car. Oh, and once in a while the Auto Park errors out spontaneously while driving but not using it. I love the design, the color, and the technology, but come on, my CarFax report is gonna suck!
January 2nd, 2014 at 8:22 am
It’s quite a sad situation that Ford is giving so many customers with cars that have the horrible 6-speed dual clutch transmission greif I mistakenly traded an excellent 2010 ses Focus for a 2012 with the DCT. After complaining to the selling Dealer (Franklin FORD,Mass.) and given the run around for almost a year in which they pretty much called me a “complainer”.I found another dealer (MUZI FORD, Mass.) who have finally ordered new clutch replacement parts. I’ve been waiting now for allmost a month. I wish I could just sell the car and get a toyota, KIA, Hyundai or Honda. I”m 83 years old and I don’t need this aggrivation.
January 4th, 2014 at 12:11 am
2013 ford focus se automatic shudders when accelerating had car reprogrammed twice was told that’s how the car drives and one I have been hearing sound like running stick along fence on driver side when turning…….
January 4th, 2014 at 12:11 am
2013 ford focus se automatic shudders when accelerating had car reprogrammed twice was told that’s how the car drives and one I have been hearing sound like running stick along fence on driver side when turning…….OMG
January 6th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
#328 Jennifer,
The “running stick” sound when turning is the outboard constant velocity joint. The problem is most likely as simple as re-greasing & installing a new rubber boot.
January 6th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I think todays news said the focus is the number one selling car in the world now.
go figure
January 7th, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Now Ford is telling dealers if the shudder isn’t past a certain point they aren’t allowed to even try to fix it under warranty. They KNOW it’s a bad design and are just trying to get us to accept that it is “normal”. We are NEVER buying another Ford. Mine has had the clutch replaced a few times, several computer updates, and several times taken it in to be told it is “normal”. I’ve already mailed them my Lemon Law letter and waiting on their response. They offered me an extended warranty last time I was in. Why in the heck would I accept that when they won’t even FIX it under the regular warranty!!!
January 9th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Similar to everyone else
2012 Ford Focus – brand new in May 2011
Took the car in twice in the first 15,000 miles for the extreme shudder. Was told nothing was wrong.
Took it in at 20,000 miles and forced them to get in there.
They kept the car for 3 weeks. During that time they FINALLY acknowledged what we had been telling them AND the clutch had “completely disintegrated” (their words). There were chunks of the clutch all throughout the transmission. They replaced it with the exact same clutch.
45,000 miles – EXACT SAME PROBLEM! Getting ready to take it in, assuming the clutch has disintegrated again.
Ugh.
January 10th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
I promise Ford has no idea how to fix this. We are their test mules as we are sent back to the realize for another reprogram. I’ve been in four times. I’m so tired of it, I wish I never bought this car.
January 16th, 2014 at 9:17 pm
I have a 2012 Focus with transmission issues. After several complaints, the TSB was performed. The shutter felt better for a few days, but quickly returned and worsened. I returned with my car, and was told that the clutches would need to be replaced. I bought this car with the intent to pass it on to my daughter when she can drive in a couple of years. Knowing that I have a transmission that will not last, I will now have to trade and find another option for my daughter. Even the clutch replacement is thought to be a short term fix. Very disappointed. I have always been a Ford customer.
January 22nd, 2014 at 12:38 pm
@Marie: How many times have you been in for the problem? Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find out if you qualify under lemon law.
January 22nd, 2014 at 12:43 pm
@Morgan Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to read about your State’s Lemon Law. It’s time to look into your rights.
January 22nd, 2014 at 9:58 pm
Has anyone had the clutches replaced in the transmission and had them go bad again? Please tell me you story if this is what you experienced. Thanks Kevin
January 31st, 2014 at 9:16 pm
I am horrified to read these comments! Did a ton of research before buying 2013 Ford Focus! I did notice the “little things–jerking & roll back” at my first service–the guy said “Oh that’s the way they are made”!–I’d like to see that entire memo! Just came back with complimentary Ford rental, my car started randomly shifting to neutral on freeway! Close to home turn on flashers as nearly missed being hit! The Ford Guy who drove me to pick up the rental asked me how I liked the transmission on my car–then gave me lurid details Ford is not giving. DANGEROUS CAR!
February 5th, 2014 at 10:59 pm
As a ford tech I can only tell you focus and fiesta with automatic trans are junk we are replacing clutches and tcm’s in these car left and right
and stll coming back with problem do your self a favor get a toyota or a honda .If you have one get rid of it once you out of warranty your screwed .
February 5th, 2014 at 11:17 pm
car not worth the agravation
February 6th, 2014 at 9:37 am
I have the same problem of shuddering and vibrating with my focus 2013,
i m from Egypt.
can you help me?
Regards
February 6th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
@Ahmed: I’m sorry but we can’t help folks internationally.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:27 am
To All –
Gotta love this … I had my clutch assembly replaced after waiting about 7 weeks. My clutch was leaking and it had taken many visits to my dealer to get that acknowledged. I truly suspect that FORD is telling its dealers to sweep this transmission issue under the carpet … in part because the transmission indeed feels different from an automatic with a torque converter. Even so, the dealer should actually make a good faith effort to understand and assess any reported issue. Even take out a customer in a standard transmission version of the FOCUS as a passenger so that they can gain an understanding of how this duel clutch automatic is going to inherently feel.
Anyway, took the day, clutch assembly replaced. Next day, I drove the car about 80 miles in varying traffic conditions. It felt fine although the car felt a little sluggish.
Next day, I started the car up, backed out of the drive (the car felt a little off when backing up but, it really did not register with me as the car felt different with the new clutch). So, off to work .. in about 2 miles, an audable ding and message on the dash board popped up reading something like “Service Transmission Immediately”. Being on the highway, I went looking for the first exit I could find. The car, within a second of that message, stared “lunging”, felt like acceleration followed by breaking, the accelerating, then breaking even thought I had constant pressure on the gas. Less than an 1/8th of a mile, at 55 MPH, I heard “B A N G” and saw a cloud of white smoke in the rear mirror. The exit was right ahead of me (going down hill) and I rolled off the highway.
Two hours and many calls to FORD roadside service, I was finally towed to the dealer.
Long story short, got the car back after 5 days. The dealer said that the clutch ‘blew up”. They put a new one in. The car stunk for more than a month due to whatever that clutch material was. Bad enough that in the dead of winter (below freezing) I was driving with the windows open … hopefully I do not have a lung full of asbestos.
Transmission seems fine now. I have over 1,000 miles on it now but, my average mileage is about 6 MPG lower than it had been (31 vs 37). Not sure if its weather or driving condition related or, if this “instance” of the transmission was “programmed” for better performance not better mileage.
Almost goes without saying, this is one car that needs to get traded in before the warrantee is over 🙁
February 9th, 2014 at 8:55 pm
Thank you for posting this website and for all the comments. We looked at 3 different Ford Focus 2012 yesterday that we wanted to buy for my daughter. The last car that we tested was jerky after stopping at various intersections. The car owners were ridding with us, so when we asked them about it, they told us that they had taken it to the Ford dealer twice over the past year, and were told both time that it was normal, that it was a feature of this car.
Not being convinced about their response we came home and started looking up various web sites, including this one and were very glad that we had not bought this car or any of the ones we had checked out at the dealership. You really saved us from making a $12,000 + mistake.
February 9th, 2014 at 9:05 pm
Having same problems on 2012 Ford Focus SE. Bought in August 2013 in Oregon and now in California. Car has terrible grinding noise and lurches badly from a stopped position. I took my car in immediately after purchase in 2013, but they told me it was just how the transmission was designed. It’s starting to feel like a real problem, but I worry about getting the same response from my local CA dealer. What should I do?
February 10th, 2014 at 12:31 pm
I was out of the Lemon Law miles for my 2012 Ford Focus when I started having real problems. Until then I stupidly believed the propaganda given at the dealership of “this is the way this transmission shifts”. They had to replace parts. Shortly after that the car went completely out of gear while driving 35 mph, showed a “service transmission” alert on the dash and the Ford dealer said they couldn’t reproduce the problem. Since then the car has been back another three times, the last to a different Ford dealer who said my car needed a new battery. I will say that the shifting and shuttering isn’t as bad as it was but is still there. These are the worst cars ever!!! I’m wondering when there is going to be a class action suit for these cars.
February 14th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
@Wheelman: Rather than looking into trading the car, you may want to look into filing a claim. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state that may be able to help.
February 14th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
@Austin: Do not give up. If needed, take the car to another shop and take your service adviser for a test drive so he can verify the problem.
February 20th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
I have a 2012 ford focus se hatchback. I got it through in-house financing at a local ford dealership. I had the car 2 weeks and had to bring it in for transmission issues. At first I was told there are no issues because its a dual clutch transmission. Long story short they had the car for a month and replaced the dual clutch and apparently did a system update to the transmission. I was furious and literally went to the dealership and pulled my plates and insurance off the car. I got a call back saying I wasnt allowed and that I would be charged for early termination of a lease and they would put it as a repossessed vehicle along with my ford escape that I leased through them as well. So I got stuck with the car in fear they would take both vehicles. I went to a different ford dealership today and had the same issues everyone is mentioning with roll back, shimmering, poor excelleration, shifting to soonbor to late. They gave me the latest update for my transmission. Now my sync is shutting down while on a phone call greater then 10 minutes and on cold starts I get a loud bang when starting the car I was told a condenser but I cant reproduce the noise for them to hear. So im stuck with a car im not 100% happy with.
February 26th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
@Chris: I am hopeful that you are looking into your lemon law rights. Please fill out our form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html if you would like a free case review.
February 26th, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Just an update about my focus. I know in the above post the dual clutch was replaced and a update was done. The sync is working properly now but I still had issues with the transmission shifting to soon or to late. Paid to have another update last week which fixed the shifting issue now the transmission jumps while driving at a steady speed between 80kms/hr to 110kms/hr. Felt like I got rear ended along with a spill of coffee. Not happy. Wrote ford canada today and will fill out the lemon law link that was sent to me tomorrow. I wanted out of this car yesterday!!
February 27th, 2014 at 4:04 am
Well, I just bought a 2013 Ford Focus SE fully loaded a few days ago, thought I got an amazing deal. When I asked the dealer why the car was being sold after being owned by previous owner for less than a year and with hardly any mileage on it I was told he had to bring it back because he could not afford the payments. The car’s original window sticker was in the glove box, it was priced at $32,000.00 and I got it at about half this price. My test drive had me in love with this car and it has been averaging about 38mpg. Yesterday it did something crazy however, I was backing into a small space in our shop and the display said something about engage transmission and while I was trying to see what that was about, it lunged in reverse, nearly ramming into our high-rise shelving. Then today it did the jitter stuff at almost every stop light and some strange things on the fwy. This all prompted me to do some web searching and I found this site. Being that I bought this car used, I’m really concerned about Ford not responding to me. I did buy a 120,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, something the dealer insisted on (I think they knew about this issue) but this car has me financially at my end. I really need this car to work for me or I’m going to be in some very hot water.
I’m looking for the best Ford service I can find in the Orange County or Riverside County, California area. Does anyone have any suggestions?
March 5th, 2014 at 11:33 am
I am having the same issues with my 2013 Titanium Focus. The sputtering, jerking etc. They keep saying an update might help, but never does. I am just disgusted with this car. My next step is telling them I am contacting a lemon law lawyer. I have also noticed the Odometer seems to run fast. Anyone else noticing this? I drove to the store , about 3 miles one way and roundtrip odometer reading said 12.9 miles! I am starting to track EVERYTHING. I hope I have not waited too long, have had the car 14 months and have 21,000 (again, i think this # is very exaggerated, probably should be at 15,000!) said 12.9 miles! I am starting to track EVERYTHING. ANyone else notice this?? Is there a way to prove the “real mileage” since it is all computerized?
March 6th, 2014 at 12:30 am
Hi there All of My Many Many, way too many Lemoners….
Has anyone had success with a lawsuit yet…and if so what state…I apologize for not reading all your comments……it’s so depressing.
I live in CA, just got a lawyer and establishing a case…so far I’ve brought it in 2x and have all notes detailed on work orders…I too got the same comments about “that’s how it drives”…to update..March 5, 2014 the Dealers are now acknowledging the issues as it is effects them–it’s making them look bad (boo hoo) and backing up the service department with the influx of people like us.
Kepp plugging away…….keep notes, keep bring it in……..my attorney say Ford is the worst….but we can break them…these cars ARE NOT SAFE! Best, Diane
March 6th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
@Diane: We have successfully resolved over 100 of these claims so far, and you are on the money. Keep plugging away and you need to fight. Anyone experiencing the problem can visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html to have us review the claim for free. Remedies for our clients have included many repurchases, with cars not falling under Lemon law parameters receiving significant monetary compensation.
March 13th, 2014 at 5:17 am
To those having transmission problems. I took my car in and they replaced everything in the transmission, seals, clutches, bearings, flywheel on the engine, seals ect. This is what you need done to your car. Push them and don’t take no for an answer. They fixed my car and i got a settlement from ford thanks to the lemon law attorneys. Thank you to all involved in my case. Thank you for all you did for me.
March 17th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
@Kevin: Happy to help!!!
March 17th, 2014 at 9:50 pm
Hay kevin as a ford tech here I can tell you your car is not fixed better get rid of if before it happens again the car is a piece of junk !
March 19th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Reading all of these comments makes me so sad. I just bought my 2013 Focus Titanium Hatchback – 1 week & 2 days ago. Off the Showroom Floor!
It’s getting serviced at the dealer as we speak – for all of the issues everyone has mentioned. They are replacing the clutches & needed to lube the suspension due to a popping/knocking noise. Ugh…. I really love this car. Already taking notes on these isses….guess I just have to wait & see. 🙁
March 19th, 2014 at 8:19 pm
WENT BACK NOW 2ND TIME WITH MY 2012 FOCUS AGAIN RE-PROGRAMMED TRANS. BUT NOT ANY BETTER. STILL SHUTTERS AND DOES NOT BACK SHIFT TO MAKE UP FOR POWER LOSS. FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS FROM ALL THE PINGING. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. WIFE IS AFRAID OF CAR AS YOU CAN NOT RELY ON IT GOING TO GO IN A EMGY. NICE TO SAVE GAS, BUT BETTER FOR CAR TO RUN CORRECTLY FIRST. WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE A R/D FOR FORD ON THIS NEW STANDARD/ AUTO TYPE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY PUT IN THIS CAR .
March 19th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Hey thanks ford tech, i did get rid of it, while it was still doing good, thanks for the advice though. Everyone else, take this advice, get rid of those junk cars.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:21 am
I bought a 2013 Ford Focus with manual transmission in April 2013 with 1300 miles on it. I’ve had some crazy problems with it that the dealership says it cannot replicate. When starting off on an incline in 1st gear, sometimes it seems like the engine wants to shut down. I’ve asked about it a couple of times, and finally have learned how to work the clutch, gas & brake so that I can out think the car to make it go and not shut down! My car is not one of the expensive models, so I do not have all of the setting controls. We had an independent mechanic trouble shoot it and he believed that it was the traction control (which I really don’t understand). Anyway, having ignored the other problem for months, today while sitting at a traffic light in heavy traffic, with the car shifted into first gear in anticipation of moving forward when the light turned green, the gear disengaged. I immediately shifted it back into first. When the traffic light changed, I let out the clutch and pressed the gas. The car would not move forward (and I could tell the gear was not engaged). I shifted to 2nd trying to move forward – nothing still!!!! Fortunately the driver behind me realized I was having problems and didn’t move. I turned on my emergency blinkers and just sat there stuptified! My car only has 18,000 miles on it! Before I panicked and called someone, I tried shifting in 1st one more time, and this time the gear engaged and I was able to move forward. I drove the last 2-3 miles into work without incident. I’m starting to have some serious concerns about this car getting me killed! I’ve been driving manual transmission vehicles all of my life and I ‘m an experienced driver. When I first discussed with my husband about the engine trying to shut down, he thought I might be “double-clutching” or doing something else wrong. However, after a few test drives, he agreed with me that starting out on an incline in 1st gear was problematic! Anyway, once again the dealership said they couldn’t replicate the problem. Now, I’m concerned about the gears disengaging! Has anyone out there had any issues with the manual transmission on the Ford Focus? After reading all of the above, I have serious concerns about the car in general!
March 20th, 2014 at 11:59 am
I bought my 2012 Focus SE used in September 2013 from an auto auction via a small used car dealer. I started having issues with hesitation and rumbling on initial acceleration almost immediately. At worse is has a noisy shudder, at best it runs like a top. The biggest concern is that it seems highly intermittent. Some say there is a fix, others no. Some fixes are as simple as a reprogramming of the on-board computer, others have the transmission replaced. Some say don’t have anything done to it because it will get worse. Oy!!!
Is there any way that I can get rid of this car without selling it to an unsuspecting person who will still have to deal with it, or without putting hundreds of dollars into false diagnoses and days of no transportation? Are we looking at the Ford version of a “Cobalt shut-off” caliber issue?
I love Ford. This is my third vehicle from them. However, I will never buy American again. My wife’s Honda Fit is a wonderful vehicle. I should have bought the Mazda 3 instead of the Focus.
March 21st, 2014 at 2:34 pm
@Tim: The answer to your question is sadly, no. The only way you can get a car returned and branded is if you file under the Lemon Law and in most states, you would have need to purchase the car new to file such a claim.
March 21st, 2014 at 2:36 pm
@Tim: If the car was new, you could have filed a lemon law claim if you were back repetitively for the same issue. Being the car is used, you would only have a claim if still under Ford warranty.
March 21st, 2014 at 2:45 pm
@Theodore: If problem is continuing, get to another dealer and then look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find the laws in your state.
March 25th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
I have the 2012 Focus, I’ve had the roll back issue, but live in a flat state, not a big deal. I haven’t any of the big issues that everybody else is complaining about. Talked to dealership, rep told me that it depended where the car was manufactured. I questioned him about that, he stuck to his story. I have 13,000 miles on Focus, does anybody know if that means that I got lucky? Checked resale value, ouch.
March 26th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
After almost a year and having our focus In three times before they actually did the update and it still had the shuddering and whatnot that make this car a death trap. Went to the Chevy dealer at 6pm this evening and they paid off the upside down loan and got us into a “14” Chevy cruise for $5 more a month. No more manual automatic transmission issues for this cat!
The only reason they did the update last week is I had a mechanic friend print out the process for the symptoms we were having, they didn’t question a thing and scheduled the update and did it, but like I said, it didn’t stop any of the issues.
Good luck everyone.
March 28th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
2012 Focus. Shudders, jerks and rolls backwards. Took it twice to dealer (MNT VIEW FORD CHATTANOOGA) and they said there is no issue. Dealers are being told not to list anything on the work orders other than “cannot duplicate the issue” (I know because I know someone there). Car is junk, the dealer I bought it from knew it (LARRY HILL FORD CLEVELAND TN). I will get this issue resolved legally but I will tell anyone not to buy Ford and never, ever buy anything from MTN VIEW FORD CHATTANOOGA or LARRY HILL FORD Cleveland TN. LIARs I tell you.
March 31st, 2014 at 9:25 am
Took my 2012 Focus in this morning. Shifting was slow and rough. I’ve previously noticed the rollback but didn’t think nothing of it being used to driving manual transmission vehicles. Car would not recognize when it was put into “S” 28,000 miles mostly I45 and I10 driving between San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
March 31st, 2014 at 4:30 pm
I had a 2012 Ford Focus automatic with 49,000 miles after a week took it back & they kept it for 9 days to replace the clutch. Went to pick it up & the car was shaking. So I made them give me a new one. So i ended up with a 2013. I had it about 1 1/2 to 2 months it started to sputter & when i would stop & then go it would jerk & shake. Took it in & they called to tell me there was a leak in the transmission. So they are going to fix it & it should be done on wed.
April 1st, 2014 at 9:12 pm
I got my decision from the BBB today. They are in bed with Ford. Don’t waste your time with them. My car has been back to the dealer 5 times for the same problems. shuddering, bucking, rolling backwards. Twice the tran. has been changed, still the same problems. I hate to trade this car in and have someone else get stuck with it. I WOULD NEVER, NEVER OWN A FORD AGAIN. I wish there was a way of starting a class action suit with all the people who have been stuck with this piece of junk.
April 1st, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Hi! Im having the same issues everyone here has. I bought the car on february under a Ford certified pre-owned basic warranty… Does it apply to the Lemon Law? Can I make use of it??
April 2nd, 2014 at 2:46 pm
@Fabian: If you are in for repetitive repairs, you can file a claim under the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.
April 2nd, 2014 at 2:49 pm
@Carol: Do not be discouraged with a BBB decision. It is not binding and in many cases, it is a waste of time. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out the information so we can review your claim and try and direct you to someone who can help. We have successfully resolved thousands of claims where consumers lost in BBB hearings. The BBB does not recognize Federal law and they are funded by the car company.
April 2nd, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Ford is not focusing on a Fix… They are trying to divert and break us… Keep taking the car in…document all even if you take the clipboard and write it yourself ” i do not feel safe in this car, car shifts to neutral no warning it DOES NOT DRIVE THE WAY IT DID WHEN I BOUGHT IT…tired of same excuses… Get a lawyer they are as eager to take down Ford as we are… Hope no lives are lost as with GM… Do not doubt yourself ….as you read Ford keeps writing the same excuses on our repairs… ‘Cannot duplicate in the field or car drives as designed’ are the worst…. Keep in touch… A lemon is a Lemon and Ford is responsible for the safety of their product …keep in touch….have faith be safe don’t let them bs you…
April 8th, 2014 at 10:26 pm
I’ve had my 2012 Ford Focus Titanium in for shuddering, roll back and slipping transmission several times. Took it in for a noise coming from the dash and was told the clutch needed to be replaced. Dealer says I’ll have to pay the deductible on the warranty. I shouldn’t be paying for this because the problem is on going and constant.
April 11th, 2014 at 10:34 am
@Karrie: It’s time to look into your lemon law rights. If you would like a free review of your claim, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html
April 12th, 2014 at 3:28 am
I have a 2012 Focus Ti now with 42K miles. I paid $29K for this car with a garbage transmission. I have experienced just about all of the symptoms above. My xmission dual clutch slipped so bad at 10K miles I thought it was going to burn up. They replaced some parts and it seemed fine. It has always shifted awkwardly and sometimes revs very high when i am slowing. Now the new problem is loud grinding sounds at low speed as i make a left turn accellerating and shuddering in between shifts sometimes at 65mph. I took it in and they said that is normal,of which i said yes for a faulty xmission. The shuddering issue is better after the reprogram, but is no returning only after 1k miles. HELP!
April 21st, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Have owned our 2013 SE model for 9 months and problems were evident from the beginning. Sales person said to expect a ‘little’ break-in issue that will go away. But it has not broken in and now we too will have the transmission fixed. This concern has to be seen as a safety issue due to mechanical design and performance problems. Ford needs to know that our safety is jeopardized each time we drive and chug along. We have no idea how the car will perform each time we drive.
April 22nd, 2014 at 11:45 am
@Jim: Please call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1 800 536-6652) to discuss your situation or visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html for a free case review.
April 22nd, 2014 at 12:11 pm
To follow up on my comment from March 19th. I had just purchased my 2013 Focus Titanium in early March….it went in to be serviced twice within the first month. First visit…they did the software update & had to replace both clutches. It was great for a week… Then it started making the grinding noises again. They would happen while shifting in the low gears. It began to lunge when it would shift & also acted like it was going to stall a few times. Lastly, it started to idle extremely roughly… A seriously deep vibration while stopped at a signal.
Took the car back in (week 3 of owning it) & we took the transmission specialist out for a drive. He confirmed everything we were experiencing BUT said it was all normal. “Give the car a chance”. I gave it one more week & felt so uncomfortable driving it, we met with our sales guy & the GM. They understood my concern & kept the car over the weekend so their trans specialist could take another look at it. Legally, they needed to make sure it was or wasn’t a Lemon. Monday came around & I got a phone call from our sales guy & he said the car is running as it should but they wanted to see me happy & will put me into something else. I was almost in tears due to the fact that I thought I was going to be stuck with this junk of a car!!
I am now the PROUD owner of a 2014 Ford Escape Titanuim….it’s night & day from the Focus. I LOVE this car….payment is a bit higher but I’ll make it work for the peace of mind I now have. I can’t thank them enough!!!
April 23rd, 2014 at 4:09 pm
@Amanda: While I am happy to hear you are happy, Ford wins in this scenario. Based on what you are explaining, you had a lemon law claim and were entitled to a new car with no out of pocket costs.
April 24th, 2014 at 11:47 am
Have taken my Focus 5 times to two different dealers. The first dealer (where I bought it) still has not looked at the car in any of the 3 visits. The last visit they said I needed an appointment (after telling me to just bring it in all 3 times!) so I now have an appointment. There is little doubt I will be wasting my time and money to bring it in. The second dealer (took car twice) tells me nothing can be found. Even though they stated nothing could be found the car shifts differently so I know they did a re-program on the computer. The paperwork says nothing about it. When I picked the car up the second time I had to force them to give me paperwork saying what they did (which was nothing). This paperwork showed the same miles as when I brought it in, it was in the same spot I left it in and a water bottle I left in the driver seat was still in the seat. I am pretty sure they never even cranked it up the second time. In any case that dealer told me not to bring it back and I would have to take it back where I bought it. This is getting old. I guess I will wheel and deal like the previous poster did and try for another car. I just hope they have a Toyota, Nissan or Mercedes in the lot when I do because I ain’t buying another piece of crap Ford (or Chevrolet) product.
April 25th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Update on our troubles getting dealership and the Ford District Rep – a fella name of Mark. Mark refuses to allow the dealership to fix the transmission. On a certain dx test, our car was 2 points away from meeting the ‘fix it’ threshold. I told Mark that a 248 measurement was 99% on the way to the 250, the threshold, and he wouldn’t budge. Mentioned too that we have
‘daily data’ from our use of the car for 9 months and he said that didn’t matter. I noted that European governments do not allow this Ford Focus in their countries due to the transmission problems. He did not respond to this fact. So working with Ford personnel will get you a stonewall and really weird thoughts and comments.
It’s the GM ignition story all over again.
April 25th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
@J: You need to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find the law in your state.
May 2nd, 2014 at 12:19 am
I bought a used 2012 Focus about 8 months ago and have had problems with it almost instantly after purchasing. Pretty much the same issues everyone else is having. The first issue I had was the shakiness and hesitation when taking off from a stop or driving at a low speed. Then the stalling and slipping out of gear started. Everytime except one I was on the freeway. You better believe I was scared. Having your car completely go out on you when your going 75-80 mph is not fun, especially in the middle of the road. The last time it happened was in L.A. by LAX. On Sepulveda blvd. Those of you who know the area know how busy it is over there. Keep in mind, it was my first time ever actually driving myself in L.A. Anyways, I have taken it in 3 times in less than a month to two dealerships. Both have been very helpful. They replaced SOOO many things, including giving me a new battery and replacing the clutch which made the shaking and hesitation go away…surprisingly. The second dealership guy even told me that, although he wasn’t sure they could fix the problem, they would at least get it running so I could try to trade it in and get another car. Yes, after it was serviced the second time the problem got worse, so when it stalled in L.A the car WOULD NOT restart! He also mentioned they get focuses and fiestas daily to be serviced. I wish I would have done my research before getting this car because It’s caused nothing but headaches for me and my husband. I really hope Ford takes responsibility and makes this right. In a few days I will see what my options are as far as getting another car. I would like all of the $ I have put in to this car refunded or put towards another car. I don’t mind Ford at all, I just want a car that works!!
May 3rd, 2014 at 10:06 pm
I did my research and everyone was saying get the new 2012 Focus so I did. At first I hesitated because I remembered the Ford Winstar that I had so many issues with and trying to get Ford to fix the issues when they was useless. It caught on fire while I was gettting the oil changed and luckily the oil change technicain put it out. I ended up pay for getting it fixed myself because ford refused to acknowledge that they had an issue with oil dripping on a switch and shorting it out. Later on so many of them were burning up they had to recall them but to late for me as I paid for the fix myself–twice!
So I thought well maybe they have changed. Hell no they haven’t! I have had this piece of junk 2012 Ford Focus in for transmision issues twice and it is still doing the same thing. The last time I had it in they claimed there was a technical bulletin out that said they had to reprogram the transmision. So I let them program it and it was 400 dollars. I might add this is the second time they have reprogrammed it. I called back and said it was doing the same thing and they said it will stop in a few days as it is learning your driving habbits. And a month later its still doing the same thing.
I tried to get Ford to help me on the cost since it was their transmission issue and they offered me a free oil change. A free oil change… Can you believe that?
That is the last “Found on road” FORD I will ever purchase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 5th, 2014 at 9:24 am
I have a 2012 Ford Focus which was purchased in Sept. 2011. Currently there are 68,000 miles. I have had all of the same problems mentioned on this site. The transmission has always made the shuttering noises and had the roll back on hills. When I got word last year that there was a “reprogram” from Ford of the computer to help with the roll back, I took it in. This helped slightly, but didn’t correct it completely. The other problem I would notice is after long drives on the freeway, the following day, the car would shift hard into the gears when I would first try driving it. It would “launch” into the next gear very hard.
On Saturday 4/26/14 I was driving on the freeway traveling at 70mph, when my car seemed to have gone into Neutral. The car was visibly in Drive, but when pressing on the gas, it just revved the engine. I carefully maneuvered through the other traffic and made it to the shoulder. I moved the vehicle into park then back to drive, but the car wouldn’t move after pressing the gas. I turned the car off. Removed the key and proceeded to start the car. It would not turn on. I removed the key again. Waited a few seconds and tried again. I held the key over in the on position and after about 5 seconds the car finally turned on. The car drove normal after that.
Now, just this past Saturday 5/3/14, I was driving the car and the transmission wouldn’t shift past 3rd gear. As I tried accelerating, the engine just revved higher and higher, but wouldn’t change to the next gear. This time the “check engine” light came on and I was able to make it home. Yesterday 5/4/14, I took the car out and it shifted normally but the check engine light was still on.
Today, 5/5/14 I took the car to the local Ford Dealer as the check engine light was still on. On the way to the dealer, the transmission was shifting fine.
May 5th, 2014 at 4:01 pm
@Jim: You need to reach out to a lawyer. You can find one in your state by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
May 6th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
I bought this 2013 Ford Focus hatchback from a dealer with under 20,000 miles on it. It drove great on the test drive and the Carfax checked out as well. The dealer said that the owner moved overseas for work and was unable to take the car with him. Being in somewhat of an emergency situation, needing the car for work, I bought it. The drive home was fine but the following day I began to noticed some funny noises from the trans as the car was shifting up from the lower gears. The after a couple more days it begun to shake as you took off from a stop. Now, after a month or so later, the car seems to have a mind of it’s own. Even getting the windows to roll up has required me to reboot the computer on more than one occasion, I did not even know they were controlled by the computer. I have taken it to the Ford dealer nearest me, in Norco and they keep telling me the car is operating perfectly. Does anyone know of a Ford dealer here in So Cal who is honest and able to make some progress on these issues for me???
May 6th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Bill and anyone in SoCal go to Sunrise Ford in North Hollywood specifically Jose in service department ..
May 9th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Just bought a 2014 Ford Focus. Dropped it off today for all of the same symptoms described above. Told me it is the clutch. 1 week to fix. Hopefully last issue.
May 13th, 2014 at 8:19 am
We’ve had a focus for 2 years now. It has a Getrag dual clutch transmission which is tuned to give the great mileage. You have to remember it’s a computer operated manual and drive it such that it should be in an upshift or downshift cycle. If in mixed traffic conditions only small throttle inputes are required. This is a lot easier if you come from a manual or Porsche PDK/VW DSG.
May 13th, 2014 at 9:27 am
I had a 2012 automatic for a week, took it in because of the shuddering. So they fixed it in 9 days replaced the clutches & when I picked it up it was shaking. So I walked to the Hyundai dealership next door where I bought it, they exchanged it for a 2013, it started to do the same thing shuddering, so they said it was a transmission leak, they fixed it & gave me a paper about green clutches that they do shudder a little. Well my car has been shuddering again & when I stop at a light or stop sign & go it hesitates. I am going to call the guy who helped me the 2nd time & tell him that its doing it again. Also had taken it in for them to check the ac because when I had the car running & turned the AC off it had this loud humming noise. They couldn’t recreate the problem so said it was fine & if I hear it again to call him. It seems to run good, except for the shuddering & hesitation when pushing on the gas. When I have the ac on it does the shuddering even more….I go to the Cerritos Ford who is owns the Cerritos Hyundai next door…
May 13th, 2014 at 11:28 am
I have a 2012 Focus with the shudders. Took it in to a reputable local Ford dealer who replaced the clutch. Now it runs like brand new. Hopefully yours is also fixable.
May 13th, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Has anyone else have issues with unusual wear on tires and brakes? EVERY year since I purchased the car in 2011 I’ve had to replace the tires and front brakes. I’ve never spent so much on brakes and tires in all my previous cars. This is getting ridiculous.
May 14th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
It is amazing, and extremely depressing, that the stories written on this site are EXACTLY the same issues that I am having. In addition, if you Google “2012 Ford Focus transmission problems” you find so many hits it ruins your day. The hits include a CBS investigative report done in western PA on these same complaints that Ford continues to ignore without a recall.
I bought a used 2012 Ford Focus SEL (CPO) about 16 months ago. The transmission grinded and sounded like a tin can full of quarters everytime it went from 1st to 2nd. For a year, 3 different dealers said it was normal, and fixed nothing other than reprogramming the adaptive driving strategy software using a tech service bulletin.
Three weeks ago I went in to the dealer for PA State Inspection and complained about the transmission. They said there is now a fix – the dual clutch assembly had been updated and they would replace it. After replacement, the car shifted beautifully. I was finally enjoying the drive.
Three days after the clutch replacement the check engine light came on. The car still drove fine but this morning the car broke down. I was doing ~70mph when out of nowhere the car bucked so hard it almost threw me through the windshield. The car had downshifted (to 2nd or 3rd gear?) on its own and the RPMs were screaming at over 5000. Flying down the highway I realized I could not get it to shift out of the gear it was in (this is an automatic trans). When I moved the shift column back to “S” to try and manually shift using the button, I got nothing, and it didnt even illuminate the “S” on the dash when in that mode. I limped off the highway to a parking lot and found I had no reverse gear. I pushed it into a spot and it was towed this morning.
Im extremely worried about the safety of this vehicle as today’s event could have easily caused me to lose control if the road was slick. Im about as accepting and easy going as a guy can be and dont look to cause trouble – I just want a car that works safely. But this time, look out – Im willing to go to the mat in a fight with Ford on this one as Im not putting my wife and kids in it.
FORD – You wont rip this NY’er off, I was raised never to be.
May 14th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
I also have a focus with similar problems to #395 jim in texas. It is a 2012 focus purchased in sept. Of 2011. It has the goofy select shift 6speed auto transmission. Early on, the car would drop out of gear into neutral just driving on the street. After fully stopping and turning the car off, i could restart it and all would be well.When i took it to the dealer for regular service, i complained and they claimed nothin was wrong and there were no trouble codes. The problem persisted untill the re-program was released and installed. After that, no problems untill recently. I had the exact problem that jim had on the freeway – only it wouldnt drop out of gear untill 80 mph. The check engine light came on too. First time it happened, the car wouldnt restart and i had it towed to the dealer. Again, they claimed nothing was wrong and there were no trouble codes. Two days later, it happened again. This time it restarted. Complained to the dealer, basically said they cant fix it without a trouble code. This all happened around 35500 miles – bumper to bumper warranty was still active. Car now has 36,500 miles and it dropped into neutral and stalled just trying to turn out of my neighborhood. I suspect it has a fuel delivery problem and shifts the car into neutral automatically to protect the engine and transmission. Grasping at straws now…dealer is no help as the check engine light turns off and apparently there is no record of it. Im worried the problem is going to get worse, like jims did.
Apologies for bad spelling and sentences – typed on a phone
May 16th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
@Tom: We worked with WTAE on that story. If you would like a free case review, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html. if we can help, the representation is 100% cost-free.
May 22nd, 2014 at 7:29 am
Morning All. Wife purchased a 2013 focus 4 door hatch. Same trans issues. At ford kingston ontario car has been in for clutch contamination. 4 times at dealer . Update done. What happens is after a decent drive, trans gets hot. This is when issues appear. Trans tech takes vehicle for test drive,, after it sits all night at dealer, ” sir,,we cant find anything wrong” now been asked to drive car at highway speeds for at least an hour , return to dealer , then take techie for a ride,, if it will move.. These transmissions only work properly till trans is warmed up. Oil. Galleys are not allowing for oil cooling. Been driving transports for 32 years,, these assumptions are my personal thoughts.
May 22nd, 2014 at 11:27 am
@Andre: It is time to look into your lemon law rights. Find you state’s law by clicking here: https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/
May 22nd, 2014 at 2:29 pm
I’m in a State with no Lemon Laws. I’m not afraid of a fight for my rights, but having read these comments, I’m incredibly despondent and don’t feel Ford will admit there is an issue and I feel I’ll get nowhere. Biggest concern for me is the safety….I’ve accelerated and hit top RPM’s and the car has hesitated and stalled when pulling out of junctions, literally leaving me almost like a sitting duck to be hit until it regains power. It’s frightening. It’s not even a year old and I’m thinking my only hope is to trade it in although really we can’t afford the extra payments. Does anyone know if this transmission is only an issue with the Focus or have Ford used the same transmission in their new Escapes or Edge models??
May 22nd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
@Meg: There are lemon laws in every state. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ for a rundown.
May 22nd, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Thanks. If I’m reading this right though, taking it in repeatedly and having paperwork saying “we found nothing wrong”….won’t count as my 3 “repairs”. They have to physically work on it/replace something?
May 23rd, 2014 at 3:50 pm
@Meg: Not necessarily. If someone calls us, we ask to see the invoices and suggest another dealer. We are familiar enough with the problem that we may still accept the claim.
May 24th, 2014 at 10:44 am
I purchased a used 2012 ford focus and im having the same issues as everyone else. Hesitation to accelerate, jerking of car when going from 0mph or slowing down then accelerating the car jerks and i am also hearing a grinding noise when switching gears. (Sounds like im driving a stick shift) but its an automatic. The car has been brought back to ford twice so far. First they replaced some valves and reset the computer..issue is still happening. Brought it back a second time and they replaced a bunch of other things and the car is still doing all the above. So now im told to take the car to a different ford for a second opinion because theres nothing else they can do. This is so fustrating and inconvient
May 30th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
I purchased my 2012 focus in August, 2012. I have had it in the dealership at least 6-8 times due to shuddering, shifting rough, grinding and noise. My clutch was replaced once and reset 3 times. Problem NOT solved! Ford never has a “recall” on their vehicle, they have “service bulletins” and they are aware of all the issues with the Focus. The dealership says there is nothing wrong. They also explained that they have to run tests on the vehicle and if it falls between Fords parameters, then there is no problem. Ford must have those parameters set HIGH! I just had it reset last week and it still shudders and shits rough! What should I do? I can’t sell it to someone knowing its crap! I can’t trade it in as I know I won’t get what I owe out of it!
May 30th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
@Shawn: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html and find a firm in your state that can help you. Fight for your rights.
May 30th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
@Desiree: Even if the car is used, you still have rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lemon law attorney who may be able to help you on your state.
June 13th, 2014 at 9:59 pm
I have also bought a 2013 ford focus SE and I’m am not happy at all ..I have been to the dealership twice already for the same problems (rolls backwards when on hill and the jerkiness of the car) especially when I’m a stop sign or at an intersection.. I’m to the point I don’t even want to put my 3 children in that car .. I’m feeling so frustrated and don’t know what to do 🙁
June 13th, 2014 at 10:04 pm
I can’t believe ford does not care enough about their customers and at least try to fix the problems with these cars. I’m constantly told it’s “the type of engine” well I don’t want it and my family does not feel safe in that car. I just don’t know what to do.
June 14th, 2014 at 10:33 am
I have had transmission problems with my 2012 Ford Focus is the in the last 6 months to 1 year. I keep taking the car back to the dealership explaining the same problem and it never seems to get resolved. I just dropped it off again today and I was told that this model has had a lot of people not liking the transmission and so they will try their new three step test and if it fails any of them we will then “go” from there. I wish I was told this car had issues like this prior to purchasing it. Now I am afraid that if it doesn’t get fixed and my warranty is up and then what happens with some major happens with the transmission. Any advice on what questions I should ask or what I can do. I have a long commute to work every day and I do not need a car that is going to have ongoing transmission issues.
June 16th, 2014 at 5:10 am
Why can’t someone help these cars are unsafe. Mine is hesitating bad at takeoff then all of the sudden freakn spins tires and goes. I’m gonna get into a wreck. Has the BBB helped anyone or attouney general?
June 18th, 2014 at 8:43 am
i had bought a new 2012 ford focus sedan in May 2012. Had it back at the dealership within a month for stuttering and shifting problems when going up hill and when the AC is on. The dealership told me it was my driving and that the specific tranmission needed to get used to my driving sytle. It was fine for a week then the same issues started again. Second time they told me the engine needed reset? Third time they told me it was still my driving all 3 visits within first year of owning the car. I have had it back to the dealership a total of 3 times and the issues are still there i have just stopped taking it back to tell me there is nothing wrong when something isn’t right. it currently has 17,500 miles is it still considered a lemon?
June 18th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
I bought a brand new 2012 Ford Focus from Ford with 12 miles on it. I owned the car 6 months. It was horrible. I brought it back to the dealer time after time and was told the same story everyone else seems to get. “It is the unique transmission”. BULL. It was so unsafe. They kept “resetting” the learn to drive. Finally, out of pure frustration I took it in to have it “reset” and then drove across the street to a Chevy dealership and traded that sucker in. Worst car I have ever owned and has turned me away from Ford for life.
June 19th, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Please see my last post “# 404 Tom” as the problem happened again today. And dont forget, this is after the clutch has been replaced, transmission reprogrammed and reset x 2, and oxygen sensor replaced. Specifically, I was on the road doing ~25 mph when the transmission threw itself into neutral or 2nd gear and stayed there. It did this out of nowhere with absolutely no inputs from me, just like last time. I limped the car off to the side of the road and turned the car off. Check engine light came on when this all happened. I again had no reverse, no manual shifting, and was stuck. I waited 10 minutes, restarted the car, and the car was able to be driven but noticibly rough in shifting again. I drove it straight to the dealer where it sits now waiting to be looked at.
This car has a mind of its own. Not only are there proven mechanical issues with the design of this transmission, but the control system is flawed as well. This is not only a problem with rough shifting or rollback, its something much more serious since it disables itself with no warning. Im scared to drive it and wont put my kids in it for fear we will be stranded. Im hopeful that I can get some lemon law help because Im out a lot of money when you consider my down payment and only having the car for one year.
I once owned a Mazda and got a letter from them saying they were extending the warranty on the A/C compressor because of many complaints. I CANNOT believe Ford wont at least extend warranty for the transmission if they arent going to recall. They are absolutely the most shameful company making cars right now and I will never buy their product again.
June 20th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
@Britt: I would certainly contact a lemon law lawyer for education on your rights.
June 20th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
It’s a dual clutch sequential manual. If you go on and off the throttle the sequential manual is going to go back and forth between spinning up the gear lower and gear greater than the current gear. If the lower gear is spun and ready and you decide to accelerate there will be a pause while the greater gear is accelerated then a clutch swap. Also, creep is simulated. Allowing lots of creep can glaze the clutch disc and make for rougher initial engagements. Best to keep the brakes engaged and avoid any simulated slip.
June 20th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
@Tony: We have resolved hundreds of these claims.
June 21st, 2014 at 11:52 pm
I Have A 2013 Ford Focus SE Flex Fuel. Last Week I Was Pulling Out Of A Family Members Drive Way With The Motor At About 4000 Rpm And The Motor Blowed And I Have Engine Pieces On Top Of The Under Neath Cover. My Car Only Has 32434 Miles On It. Are There Any Other Cases Of This Problem Happening. They Came And Took It To The Ford Dealership From Where I Had Bought It Friday And Still No Word Yet And I Have A 75000 Mile Warranty But I Am Worried Ford Will Try Do Say Its Something I Have done
June 27th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Hello I have been dealing with this issue since purchasing the car last year. It had 6000 miles on it. Now the car has 19000 miles on it and has been in the shop 4 times with transmission issues. Finally after numerous seals replaced and being told 3 times that the car was fine when their mechanics drove it I went to another dealership, where they admitted that they had no idea what the last dealership had done and that they would need to re-do all their work. When we received the car back we were told that they cleaned the clutch, car was fine for about a month and yet again has the same issue. Getting ready to call the shop again to schedule another appointment but figured I would see if I had any other options.
June 29th, 2014 at 7:28 am
I just bought a used 2012 Focus with 65000 miles on it Wednesday evening. Yesterday (Saturday) morning it did exactly what Tom described in post #404 to my husband. After he got it home and we started it up again it ran fine for a little while and then did the same thing to me last night. This time the check engine light has stayed on and it’s making an awful noise when starting it up. I’m very discouraged after reading all these comments. You don’t buy a vehicle to have major transmission problems within 3 days. I do have the best 50,000 mile extended warranty, does anyone know if I will have to use that or if Ford will try to fix it since this is a common problem they are aware of?
June 29th, 2014 at 11:47 am
Have a 2012 Focus hatchback. Car drove like a dream for the first 16,000 miles. Started to have obvious tranny issues -slipping, shuttering, jumping, jerking. Dealership reprogrammed the tranny and told me, “Ford forces us to complete this step of reprogramming FIRST. It hasn’t been working and it won’t work for you either. When you notice it still having problems, bring it back straight away and we’ll replace the clutch in the tranny.” Dealership told me straight up that they had to waste my time with the “reprogramming” because Ford makes them go through a series of steps that don’t even work. Went back 2 days later and got the new clutch installed. The car actually drove better for about another 5,000 miles and then started having the same issues: sputtering, jerking, shuttering. I took the car back to complain again -my 3rd trip to dealership over the same issue. They looked at the car, hooked the tranny up to a computer and said, “Nope, it’s working fine. This is just the way it drives. Try to be a little more aggressive on the gas pedal when you take off from a stop…that might help.” So, the transmission shutters because I am easy on the gas??? What? And to get an answer like, “This is just the way it drives” is not true. I had the car for many months and drove it 16,000 miles before it ever showed signs of distress.
Angry with myself for buying Ford. The very first car I bought (at age 18) was a Ford and it needed a complete transmission replacement at 38,000 miles. Since then, I have always bought foreign cars but decided to give Ford a chance because the American car industry had been making huge strides lately in technology and (I thought) quality. No wonder they all needed bailouts a few years ago….what a disaster…they’re making crappy cars. I’m planning to trade this Focus in and think I’ll stick to Honda from now on -a car you can drive for 200,000 miles and all you need is an oil change and to rotate tires. This was an expensive lesson to learn. I’ll find other ways to be patriotic….buying another American car won’t be one of them.
June 30th, 2014 at 8:34 pm
So it wasn’t until I researched it that I saw it was a huge issue. I had taken mine in for servicing about a year ago.They had given me tickets for oil changes…. and was told they fixed a recall but didn’t say what it was. I bought this vehicle specifically for the gas mileage due to a 120 mile round trip commute. Now at almost 70,000 miles do I even have a case? I have the same issue. Slips out of gear out of nowhere as if I switched into 6th gear then shakes horribly trying to reverse or pills out for no reason and loses power. I fear i am stuck with an out of warranty piece of crap.
July 1st, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Purchased my 2012 ford focus 13 months ago. I’ve noticed some hesitation but when my husband took it in, the dealership told him that its normal with a 4 cyl engine. It didn’t do it often, so I chalked it up to the way the car is made etc and let it go. Tonight, I had a lot of hesitation between 10-40mph while the automatic transmission switched gears. The car did this over and over again throghout my 5 mile ride home. My husband shut off my car and restarted it and went out for a drive on the same roads I was on and had no problems like we had experienced minutes before. It sounds like this may be a bigger problem and I’ll be calling the dealer tomorrow morning!
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:14 pm
@Rory: The key to filing a claim is to make sure that you are in repeatedly for the same issue while under warranty. This is why you should never ignore concerns.
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:19 pm
I will never buy a Ford product again! My 2012 Focus has had problems from purchase….lie #1 “the computer adjusts to your style of shifting” lie#2 “this car has an automatic transmission” truth #1 – “the design of this component is defective and there is not fix” truth#2 – the car operates as designed”. The replacement of the clutch pack offered little relief of the jolting, shuddering, rpm flair ups, power loss. Truth#3 I lost a lot of money on this car because it’s value is ZERO! Truth#4 Each dealer has the OASIS report on all service requests. There is no Ford dealer that will offer help because it would be like shooting themselves in the foot, or losing their job.
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:20 pm
@Brent: I would certainly look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to read about your state’s lemon law.
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:22 pm
#430 Rory – you’re stuck with a piece of crap. Get rid of it because the frustration and lies will make you nuts.
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Update on mine, the transmission control module is having to be replaced. This part has apparently been on back order for many months, but ford is releasing 180 today and another 200 on Monday. Long story short, it will be at least another week, if not longer, before I get my car back. Thank God I purchased the best extended warranty the offered or I would be out of luck. I filed a complaint with ford and the nhtsa. If we don’t do that they will never force ford to recall these cars.
July 2nd, 2014 at 5:32 pm
#430 Mary….Your story and my story are identical to the mileage, what was done, and what they said!! Amazing how Ford can get away with this!!
July 8th, 2014 at 11:29 am
My 2012 Ford focus is in the shop because the transmission control module went out. Also when I first bought it, it was having problems shifting and would make a grinding noise. I took it to the dealer and they said it was completely normal. I knew it wasn’t normal when my car wouldn’t go into reverse the other day. Seems like everyone is having the same issues. Thank god for my warranty.
July 8th, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Ok so now im getting transmission hot. Looks like its going in for servicing
July 10th, 2014 at 9:13 am
My wife and I purchased a new 2013 Ford Focus SE (with the Select Shift Transmission) in December of 2012. Has made clicking/whirring noises from day 1 of ownership. Was told this was normal. This is her car and I only drive it occasionally. One of the times I did drive the car, I noticed some hesitation and lugging on take off from a stop light. I asked her if she had noticed this before and she said, no. Called the Service dept and was told the car had to learn my style of driving since she was the primary driver.
Long story short, at about 22,000 miles, while I was driving again and turning on to a main road, it sounded like the trans was going to fall out of the car. ???
Called the dealer the next morning and brought it in the following day.
I researched the issue and found multiple complaints along with the TSB. Told the Service Writer what I found on the web and was told not to believe everything I see on the internet. When I showed him the TSB he said they have had a lot of those issues and would take care of it. I hate a smartass.
Called that evening and was told the seal was not leaking but the clutches were shot and needed replaced. Waiting on parts for the next morning. He asked if I knew that this was not an automatic transmission, it was actually a manual trans with no torque converter and dual clutches that needed to be driven harder than a normal automatic trans. After a long pause to regain composure, I told him to just fix the car.
Picked it up on 6/20 and seems to be driving ok. I have been driving her car to work the last couple weeks to see if I can notice anything. Still have some hesitation but not like before. The clicking/whirring is gone also. So much for “that’s normal”.
I asked what changed in the clutches to keep this from happening again and he said he wasn’t sure if anything had changed. I then asked if this was going to happen again after another 20K miles and he said, he personally has not seen any come back in for the same issue. Not very reassuring. We’ll see.
July 11th, 2014 at 9:54 pm
We also have a 2012 Focus . Just was towed into Ford today for not switching gears and check engine light came on. Just got it out of Ford last week for the 7th time for same problem. (Hesitates and stalls also a grinding noise when switching gears even tho it’s a automatic) They said they fixed the clutch this past time but that’s not what we sent it in for. It’s the transmission. I’m done with this car! Someone is going to get hurt or killed because it hesitates so bad. I guess Ford wants to get their butts sued.
July 12th, 2014 at 6:35 am
Update to #423 – spent almost a week in the shop. Transmission Control Module (TCM) was replaced. Now Im just waiting for the next problem to get me stranded on the side of the highway.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:20 pm
I bought my 2012 Focus SEL HB in Feb. 2012 right off the showroom floor and the very first day I attempted to drive it to work the tranny acted up within 3 miles of my home. It would not shift into gear and made a loud grinding noise then the dash light came on. I turned around and went home and called the dealership. They sent a tow truck but said they couldn’t find what was wrong with it and in the end, blamed it on a Microsoft patch it needed. The dash light went off before I got it home so they acted as though I didn’t know what I was talking about. I complained again at two different dealerships about the shifting and was also told it was “adjusting” and that it was “normal” to slip backwards when at a stop on a hill. I’ve lived with this and the extremely poor and incompetent service and customer service since, bringing it to their attention each time I took it in for maintenance or other un-related issues. I just had another episode of it not shifting and was unable to drive it. I took it in and they said it needed a new “module” and kept my car a week. Of course, I’m over the 36K now so I have to pay… Even though it should be in their computer system that I’d had it in before for the same thing. Now, I’m told it also has wheel bearings going out. At 40K! I’m never buying another Ford. I will trade it in and will take a loss on it but better to be rid of it than to have it fall apart while I’m driving. Now it is also having steering issues, what next?
July 16th, 2014 at 6:10 pm
My daughter purchased a 2013 Ford Focus in June 2013. It had minor issues initially however she was experiencing a car that was not acting properly, delays in pickup and a funny noise. About a month ago they finally found that the rear engine seal was leaking, idler seal leaking and clutch pack needed to be replaced. The car was ok for maybe a week, then the car began to vibrate/shimmy when you car to a light/stop sign, then the grinding noise started [that sound when driving a manual and its not quite in gear], then it was not shifting when it was supposed to….so back in it goes and the clutch pack once again is crap! This is an AUTOMATIC transmission just a year old! This is her first new car and its a LEMON!
July 17th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
I have a ford focus hatchback se 2012. The transmission is garbage and rattles clinks, rolls backwards on hills, jumps forward, lags on accelleration, and overall riding a horse is more predictable. This car was broken by poor design and a recall needs to happen.
July 18th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I bought a 2012 Focus Titanium with 45,000 miles. Soon after I bought it I had a very bad shudder in 2nd and 4th gears. After several visits and “fixes” they ended up replacing a clutch. 9,000 miles later I’m starting to experience a the shudder and slippage in 2nd and 4th again. They said the clutch has a warranty on it but I don’t know how long. Was there a recall on my car that I don’t know about? What should I do?
July 22nd, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Well same story here.I have a 2012 Focus I bought mine in 2012 brand new shortly after noticed all of the same issues with the transmission. Took it in and of course they tell me it’s normal. Everytime I took in for an oil change I said something and I would get the same response “normal” it has to get broke in. Well my car now has 33,000 miles on it and there normal now has had me in a rental since 7-5-14 and this is the 3rd time it’s been in the shop. The engine light came on and transmission malfunction service now in the communication center. And it’s reading all transmission codes. Well they reprogrammed it and changed some seals the first time.Two and a half weeks later same thing took it back codes read the same thing.They reprogrammed it again saying it may not have installed the program but they made sure it did this time.Well Two days later same thing it’s back at the dealership and this time I took it on the 5th of July and its the 22nd and its still there. I contacted Ford which isn’t any better but the engineers told the tech to replace the transmission control module.The dealership calls me today for the first time to tell me that my part is on backorder so who knows when or how long it will take now. It’s probably not going to fix it anyways I guarantee it will be back soon after I get the car back whenever that maybe. So frustrating
July 22nd, 2014 at 8:15 pm
OK my daughters car had the Clutch pack once again changed and the problem did not improve. They up graded her software. The dealership called and said they are not sure what the issue is….seriously! Now what, well Ford is having a Ford Specialist come in and look over the car to see if he/she can determine what the issue is…… The transmission is a DOG!
Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions. We contacted an Attorney, we will be submitting a complaint to the Mass Attorney General. Anybody know another avenue???
July 23rd, 2014 at 4:17 pm
If she has been in three times in MA, you need to look into formally filing a claim. Did you contact our firm? If not, visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.
July 23rd, 2014 at 4:19 pm
@Angela: I would strongly suggest filing a claim. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html to fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form. If we cannot help, we will point you in the direction of someone who can.
July 23rd, 2014 at 4:21 pm
@Phillip: Reach out to Ford corporate. I am curious if you ever looked into filing a claim.
July 24th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I thank you for the suggestion but in Massachusetts the rule is: 3 times for the same issue within 1 year of purchase AND it must occur under 15,000 miles. The first incident was within the first year but the car was over the specified mileage. The dealership basically told my daughter good luck with the lemon law and the Attorney General they will get you no where….
We have contacted Ford Corporate and my daughter is calling them daily. We have posted our issue everywhere we can, contacted the local media…. When a dealership admits the problem is still there and they DO NOT know what the problem is, that they even called the technical specialists and they have no answers. Monday Ford is sending one of these specialists to look directly at the car.
Everything I have read points to the clutch issues being caused by the transmission slipping……but unless it is a ‘catastrophic failure’ the transmission will not be replaced per Ford Corp!
What about a manufacturers defect in the transmission??
Sadly it is going to take a death or two, before the media or Ford stands behind this issue!
July 26th, 2014 at 10:27 am
Well, Focus lemon owners. I took my car to another dealer. They told me they test drove the car and it operates as designed. Funny, the service report has the same mileage in and out. The car shuttered and jerked going out their parking lot. The dealers are all lying to protect Ford. I have Excellent credit that is about to be blown up because I’m at the point where I’m going to let payments lapse and Ford can repossess. I looked into trading it in and there’s absolutely no value. Additionally, I told two dealers what I was trading in and they blatantly frowned and walked away. This car has no value to any car dealer. I owe about 30% of what I paid for it in 2012. I can’t get that for a trade. Sickening.
July 27th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
We purchased our 2012 Focus used, in April 2013. Right away we knew there was an issue with the transmission. We informed the salesman and were told to take it to the service department, on Monday (we bought it on a Saturday). That Monday, I took it in and got the b.s. spiel about “double clutching”, “this is normal”..blah, blah, blah. I wasn’t happy, so we took it to a different dealership, to see if they would tell us what is wrong. The man told us that it was in need of an “update” and it was under warranty, so they went ahead and took care of it. The car ran better (not perfect) after that. Yesterday (7/26/14), with no warning, the car lost all throttle/gears. The first couple of times that it happened, it would suddenly kick back in. Then it got to the point that my husband would have to shut the car down, wait a minute and then restart it. Then it would run right, for a few miles before losing the throttle/gears again. We were finally able to make it home safely. The transmission control module is what is reading on the “code reader”. We plan to take it in, tomorrow, to get it fixed (hopefully our warranty hasn’t run out). We did find the recall notice, online, today. Since we purchased this car used, how can we find out if this car was a “lemon” car? Meaning, it was returned after legally being dubbed a “lemon”. Is it even possible to be able to purchase one?
July 29th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
I’ve got a 2012 focus and Ford seems to dismiss any complaints on the transmission. I’ve even e-mailed a complaint directly to Ford and they never responded.
I’, a retired mechanic and had once worked for Ford. I was very good diagnosing transmission complaints back then. Well I wanted toe try figuring out how to get the shake and hesitation out of this trans. so I put my left foot on the brake and gave a little acceleration to the gas and low and behold the shack goes away. Simply said if Ford engineers had any brains I believe they could make this a better unit but honestly I wish I had bought a standard six speed that I could control the clutch.
Outside of that since I work part time for Enterprise rental cars I know any transmission from any other car is better than this one. I wish Ford would owe up and simply develop a transmission that works efficiently.
Chevy has a good shifting in the Cruz and it gets nearly the same mileage as the Focus so this transmission isn’t a answer for better mileage.
July 30th, 2014 at 9:27 am
I have a 2012 Ford Focus SEL. First day I drove the car I noticed a jerk every time the car shifted gears. I called the dealership and they asked me to bring it in they checked out the car and I was told Ford has been experiencing problems with the transmissions and Ford was currently working on getting a part out. Their temporary solution was to reboot the computer on the car to which I agreed to. I drive the car for a week and the same thing starts to happen again, not to mention when I’m at a stop even with a slight uphill the car starts roll back. I go to the dealership and tell the problem and they tell me I’ll need to bring the car in so they can take a look at it. I asked to speak with a manager which at that moment the district manager happens to be there. Long story short manager has the mechanic hook up his computer and test the car while I drive to see what the car is doing. I didn’t have to drive off the lot and the mechanic tells me okay I’ve got what I need; we will get your car on the list for the past which is in back order. The car gets fixed, here we are 4 months later the story repeats itself. I take the car in and get it checked out and they tell Ford has changed the part AGAIN they will call me when the part gets in to have it replaced. I’ve been dealing with this for almost a year and taken my car in 3 times now for the same thing. I’m worried this will continue to happen and my warranty will run out. What happens then? Will it still be covered? Please help!
July 30th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
@Sandra: You need to talk to a lemon law lawyer. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find one in your state.
July 30th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
@Terri: You can visit https://www.carfax.com and obtain that information.
July 30th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
@Elaine: You have a Magnuson Moss claim. It appears you would still be entitled to monetary compensation, which would help cushion the blow if you have to trade out of it. And the help is free. Please call us at 800-536-6652 to at least discuss your rights. I think you are missing out.
July 31st, 2014 at 11:19 am
I have a 2012 focus SE. i,ve been to the dealership a hand full of times in the past 2 years for the shuttering, jerking, and everything else. mind you that I am a Fire Fighter and this happens all of the time. i cant worry about getting into an accident on my way to a scene and every single time the look at it they say it needs an update, it works for a couple weeks and then the problems continue like nothing was ever fixed. I just took it in last Friday and they hooked up a recorder to it. hopefully this solves my problems. I was also advised that ford will not be making these transmissions ever again because of these problems. and anyone that says its because of your driving habbits has been misinformed. It was an issue with how they manufactured them and programmed them. I read a few other posts saying that others have gotten there cars fix and i have talked to the dealer ship about how it was done. good luck everyone and thanks for the helpful tips!
July 31st, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I have had transmission problems since I bought my 2012 Focus SEL. They fix it and it continues to do the same thing. Jerks and Bumps. I hate that a company like Ford can’t fix this issue.
August 2nd, 2014 at 7:21 am
@Don – Get rid of the car asap. Ford doesn’t have any parts. While Ford jerks current owners around (no pun intended) warranties are running out, or owners are simply taking their loss. I’ve been taking my 2012 back and forth to dealerships hoping for a new remedy and there isn’t any. The only way to get rid of the problem is to get rid of the car. I wanted to hang on until the car is paid for, at least. However, in the last three months the car revved up to 6Krpm and shifted out of gear 3 times while I was simply driving. I tapped the break and it kicked back in, but I have no idea what happened. The last time I was going 65mph on a three lane highway. I reported this to the last dealer and I got the same “it operates as designed”.This car is a potential death trap and for safety reasons I can no longer keep it. If I lost control of the car and killed someone I could never live (if I survived) with the fact that I hung on to this defective lemon to minimize my financial loss. Ford doesn’t really know how these computerized clutches are deteriorating outside of the lab environment or the effects of the shuddering, slippage, etc. on the mechanical components. I’ve been a driver for 35 years and have ample experience with many different cars. This vehicle is dangerous.
August 5th, 2014 at 3:40 am
I have a automatic ford focus SE 2013. It hesitates when put foot on gas, it jolts as it finally takes off. Took it to Ford and they said its the transmission they put in the new cars and it will go away, they asked if I was the only driver because it adapts to feel and with how you drive and place your foot on the pedal during acceleration. It shakes/trimmers when I stop at the light, this car only has not even 20,000 miles. it makes a clicking sound when I drive at times and the gears when switching from park to drive very loud and sticks to move gear. I recently had a scare my nephew was in the back seat of my car, I put him in and strapped him in his car seat and I got in when I reversed and starting moving about 20mph, I got an alert saying the door was opened when I looked my nephew door was slightly opened! The automatic door locks did not initiate so the doors were opened while I was in motion! I’m scared and I have a newborn I need something a little more dependable!
August 8th, 2014 at 11:25 am
Purchased a 2012 Ford Focus on day 5 of having the car it won’t start. I contacted the dealership and asked them if I could return the car. The salesman said No. He told me to have the car towed to one of the other dealership and they will get it fixed. After not hearing for 2 days. I called and the service dept told me the car started, but when he went to put it into gear it won’t move. I said what do you mean. He said he had to do some more research. He called back the next day and said the car need a transmission module. All I heard was transmission. My car was in the shop for 9 days!! I’m picking it up today and if it doesn’t run right. I will be taking further steps
August 9th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus. Like everyone else I have had it in the shop 4 times now for the transmission. The last time I took it in. It had stalled while backing out of the driveway shuddered twice then died! I took it to the dealership for repairs and they told me there was nothing wrong with the car. They handed me a information sheet which states that the shuddering and hesitation is normal. It lurches forward sometimes, and hesitates when shifting especially at low gears. I have paid far ahead on the payments and am not due for a payment until April of 2015. I do not want the car anymore . It is not safe! Is there any recourse for me?
August 11th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
6 times in the service dept for the transmission and Ford has the nerve to offer me a free oil change for this matter? Really a free oil change! Wow. Then the Ford Rep said I can give you the X Plan to buy another Ford. Wanting to get rid of the Focus I went to the deal who doesn’t want my Focus also said the X Plan will give me 1400 off a 31,930.00 car. I can do a better deal without the X Plan. And why would I buy another Ford knowing they won’t take care of me on my Focus. Sorry but you can keep your free oil change and you can keep your X Plan (joke). Why would I put my money in your pocket when you don’t stand behind your products? Why? Oh and 4 other times to try and fix the steering electrical problems. Can you say safety issue?
August 17th, 2014 at 11:30 am
I have been reading all these complaints about these transmissions on these focus. My focus has been in the shop over a week for the third time . Its doing everything that everyone has been saying. The dealer replaced the clutch in the transmission because they said the input seals were leaking into the clutch and destroyed the clutch and leaking into the transmission causing it to slip. Guess what its doing the same things all over again . Dealer told me that the trannys have bad seals so my question is how many sets of seals are they going to have to put in this thing. every car that I have owned has been a ford . this is just crazy going to check into the lemon law in the state of md .
August 17th, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Although I have not had major problems with the car, 7k miles, the transmission is a real problem. It stutters, Jerks, clanks and so on. It is a 2013. I just got a letter from Ford that gives me seven years and 100k miles warranty on the transmission. Good deal but it doesn’t fix the problem.
The Microsoft sync is a joke and doesn’t work as does the voice activation. No storage space even for a tissue box. I think my last Ford.
I hope the car is not as dangerous as Barbie indicates.
Good luck to all.
Gene
August 18th, 2014 at 12:25 am
We have a 2012 Focus, around 4000 miles I noticed the shuddering from 2nd to 3rd, this got progressively worst til we brought it in around 5k miles. Up to this time I had driven the car carefully for gas mileage (good on the freeway, bad in the city). To work around the issue I used the S mode (manual shift), which does not have the problem. The Ford dealer here in San Jose replaced the clutches in the transmission. When we got it back there was still a small amount of shudder, the ford dealer told me that it will take time to learn our driving style. On one trip I drove the car aggressively and the shudder was reduced, I continued to do this and now the car shifts smoothly, no issue (after 6k miles). The gas mileage is good too in the city. I haven’t noticed the role back issue since I drive manual shift cars and don’t rely on the transmission to hold the car in place. It’s a pity they have this problem, since many people buy this car to conserve fuel, and it appears to me that conservative driving creates this problem.
August 19th, 2014 at 11:31 am
I had a 2012 focus and it was terrible
first within 3 months of buying it the car just stopped on day ..dealer said it was a computer malfunction
it stuttered so much when idling that it felt like it was going to stop.. took it in several times and was always told that it was normal and just the way the car was
finally i lost a ton of money but traded it in for a Toyota because i was afraid to have my daughter driving it
August 19th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
I have a 2012 Focus Titanium, have the loud grinding, missing gear, slipping, etc. I purchased the car in 2011, and currently have over 76K miles on it. So far it didn’t explode, just feels like I own a matchbox. I got mine with every option at 28K.
I took the car in multiple times (maybe 12) over the years. No fix.
Problem appears to be getting worse. Guess I can just keep putting up with it, but is there any hope for me to get ford to fix it at 76K miles?
August 21st, 2014 at 1:15 pm
@Mike: You need to consult with a lemon law lawyer to review your rights. With that amount of mileage, it’s now or never. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
August 21st, 2014 at 1:18 pm
@Sturg: Call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW to discuss your claim and how we can help.
August 21st, 2014 at 1:19 pm
I have a 2012 SEL five door which I have been lucky with as the trans has always been great.
However, I received a letter in the mail from ford a few days ago stating that repairs to the transmission regarding the blown seals (apparently the cause of these issues) are now covered under a voluntary recall. Also, the trans is covered no matter what for 7 years or 100K miles. In addition, if one of these parameters has been passed (only possible for mileage in this case, obviously), the offer is STILL good on that vehicle until early 2015.
So I am hoping for all of you that if you now take your Focus in, tell them the issue(s), reference the voluntary recall on the blown transmission seals, maybe you can FINALLY get the repairs you deserve.
August 21st, 2014 at 1:39 pm
@ Shawn: Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lemon law firm in your state.
August 21st, 2014 at 1:47 pm
@Larry: There is absolutely recourse. Fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form at https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html and we will be in touch.
August 21st, 2014 at 3:07 pm
@JasonK Thank you for the info.
Turns out my seals are not busted this time. (They were twice in the past). I just get the slipping, major grinding sounds like a cheap matchbox. (Was gonna say Tonka, but my old Tonka toy worked much better)
I’m told this 7/100K warranty only covers the blown seals, and is only covered by 1 instance. I’m told that the entire Transmission is NOT covered by this Warranty.
So the 5/60 applies to others without the blown seal problem.
I got this straight from my dealer, and from ford customer service at 1 (800) 392-3673
August 22nd, 2014 at 3:44 am
Now that we all own and drive the unsafe Ford Focus. How will this impact us when it come’s to our insurance company. Higher rates? We all know we all pay enough now.
August 23rd, 2014 at 10:58 pm
I bought a new 2012 Ford Focus SEL 22 months ago and now have 23,000 miles on the car. At first I was really happy with the car, then I started having major transmission issues. It grinds and shutters, I’m embarrassed to have someone in the car. I can’t believe Ford would put a transmission like this in a car. No recall which I’m not surprised. That’s okay if they don’t correct the problem soon, I’ll take the loss and trade it on a Toyota Corolla which I had before and was a great car. I figured I try Ford and thought they were making a quality product but never again. And MyFordTouch sucks also.
August 26th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
I also have a 2012 Ford Focus that I bought back in November of 2013, noticed it jumping and jerking, and tranny seemed to slip. I blew it off as just the way the car ran but after reading more and more on it I noticed it was just not me who was having these issues. I brought it to my mechanic and he seemed to think it was fluids leaking into the gear causing the slippage and grinding noise I have been hearing. I decided to just get it fixed and parts were ordered. On August 23rd I received a recall notice from Ford that this issue will be fixed free of charge, for fluids leaking in the gears due to bad seals in the transmission, so i’m hoping all of you who have this issue can finally get your car fixed also.
August 28th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
My wife purchased a 2014 ford focus. The 1st week we noticed a grinding like crunching plastic noise towards the passenger front area while excellerating from 0-20mph. Along with the noise the transmission seems to be “skipping”. Kind of a feeling when someone manual shifts from 1st to 2nd with a long pause than floors it. So our heads lean forward than snap back. This causes the car to slow then excellerate quickly causing us to apply the breaks right before rear ending the car in front. Makes us look like a teenage dick driver. Really unsafe. My wife has brought the car in I think 3 times with the response “yeah, that’s how they drive”. Along with this problem, we have no dome lights, no lights to light up the ac radio area, no lights on the shifter position indicator. “Yeah, that’s how the lighting is in those cars” was the response to my wife. I didn’t really persue these problems while my wife was driving the car. I have been using the car for the first time commuting to my work (50 miles each way) and am seeing what she was talking about. I was so pissed the first day driving I was going to go to the dealership and probably end up getting escorted out. This is the third day using her car and I’ve had it. I’m going to the dealership tonight and make a scene. I work three days a week and will use the other four sitting outside the dealership with a large sign.
I’m 52 and have had many cars and can say this is the biggest piece of crap of a car I have ever been in.
August 29th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
So I was on my way to take my 2013 Ford Focus SE to the dealership to fix the back window carpeting which has ripped. So I had a car stop in front of me on the freeway & when I went to accelerate after they did my car started to shake & didn’t want to go for about a minute. Finally I was able to go & not get rear ended. I was shaking by the time I got to the dealership service dept. I told the guy what had happened & asked why ford wasn’t doing a transmission recall on the focus. He said they made this transmission to help us save on gas. He then told me all that they would do it update it on the computer. But the sputtering won’t stop even after if being updated. So ford would rather have us save on gas then to get us killed. I would rather have consumers be safe driving, then to save on gas. This is my 2nd time taking it to the dealership for sputtering & problems accelerating. The 1st guy I dealt with was very concerned & the 2nd guy wasn’t to much concerned for my safety. The 1st guy wasn’t in when I took my vehicle to get the right passenger window fixed or to look at the ripped carpet.
August 30th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Ford is attempting to put a Band-Aid on a cancer. Leaking seals are not the only cause (if a cause at all) for the computerized clutch behavior. I had mine “repaired” and there was no evidence of leaking fluid, so I was told. The car never performed any better after the “fix”. Ford is “buying time” until these cars are all in the salvage yard, or until someone is killed.
August 31st, 2014 at 10:51 am
has anyone had their focus fixed where it actually works??
September 1st, 2014 at 12:11 pm
I bought my daughter a 2012 ford focus and thought i was buying her a safe vehicle to drive.I could have bought her a used vehicle and expected to have problems with it.She got stranded in Chicago on a Friday night due to transmission problems, we cleared the codes just to get the car back home. Took it to a Ford dealership where they said there are so many cars with this problem its ok to drive.I then asked if it was safe to drive and the serviceman said yes. My daughter drove her car to school and started having problems , the car stalled on her when she was driving, I dont consider that safe. I called the service department and he was so rude to me, he seemed to forget I was the customer. I am dealing with corporate now but not wanting to have my daughter ever drive that car again. I have 6 Fords in my driveway and im ready to get rid of each one. I believe in buying American but Ford doesnt show its worth buying American anymore. Thinking of not buying american made vehicles anymore. Its such a shame that Ford put such a bad taste in my mouth. My daughter is my baby and I want her in a safe reliable vehicle
September 6th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Just had my TCM (transmission control module) replaced in my 2012 Focus (purchased new in Feb 2012). Cost me $1200 for part and install. Ford states this is part of the emissions system, yet with the faulty unit, the car would miss 2nd and 4th gear. Seems transmission related to me…Even has the word transmission in it’s name. Buying Fords for 25 years…. They won’t ever see another dime of my money.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:24 am
Hello, I have a 2012 certified pre owned Ford focus se that I bought a few months ago. It does the same thing with transmission. I brought it in and the updated computer. It still does it and they say it normal. But I feel this is incorrect. What do I have to do to file a complaint and get it fixed correctly? Please help!
September 8th, 2014 at 10:37 am
I took have had a jerky, hesitating transmission in my 2012 Ford Focus. However, things have gotten much more scary the last three weeks. I’ve had my transmission completely fail while driving on a major highway with my pregnant wife and daughter. I brought it into the dealer, and they couldn’t duplicate the issue, forcing me to take it back unfixed. 7 Days later it happened again, this time I got it on video. Please share and convince others to stay away from Ford. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHXelGqmK1M
September 9th, 2014 at 10:27 am
I have a 2014 Focus, approximately 900 miles. It slips in first gear. They still haven’t figured it out. They told me my seal was leaking, so they replaced the clutch and seal. When I picked it up, the paperwork stated no leaks. They told me they never said that it leaked. Not sure what they are trying to cover up. Here’s the kicker: It didn’t fix the problem. I’m assuming the leak is back already. They told me they reprogrammed the computer at the same time. I will have to drive 1000 miles to get it to relearn how to shift. I was also told that during that time, it would get better or it wouldn’t. Computers take a month to learn this??? Wow! They need better computers. I’m sure no damage will occur during that process.
September 9th, 2014 at 10:49 am
@Steven: Once you are in a repeated number of times, you need to reach out a lemon law firm in your state. You can find one by clicking here https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
September 10th, 2014 at 8:19 am
My 2012 Focus is currently in the shop for recall notice 14M01. Service stated they are replacing the clutch assembly. It has been there for three days now. Hopefully this will fix the shudder problem. I’ll re-post after I get the car back and drive my first 1k miles.
September 11th, 2014 at 8:57 pm
While on highway stop and go traffic, things cleared up, hit the gas started go to and poof. My transmission stopped working. The instrument panel started flashing, check engine light, oil pressure light. My panel was like a disco.
Pulled over, turned car off, opened door, closed door, restarted car and was on my way. This happened twice. Took to dealer and after a few days they said the TCM was bad and replaced it.
Still got the jerky, grinding, slipping aka normal problems ford ignores and says is normal.
September 12th, 2014 at 8:32 am
@Michael: This is not normal. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state that can help you.
September 12th, 2014 at 8:38 am
I am in the same boat as all of you. I have the grinding noises and shuddering that happens between 1750 and 2250 RPMs consistently. I have had the service manager ride around with me for about 45 mins one day. He heard and experienced all that I was complaining about and said he would do some research. I get a call back a few days later and he said that he spoke with his field engineers and they said those were normal occurrences. These things all started for me roughly 7-8 months after I bought the car. There were other issues as well, but Ford was able to resolve those to my satisfaction.
September 12th, 2014 at 8:55 am
@Michael, did Ford cover your TCM?
September 12th, 2014 at 9:03 am
**TRANSMISSION WARRANTY INFORMATION RE-POST FROM AUG 21**
I have a 2012 SEL five door which I have been lucky with as the trans has always been great.
However, I received a letter in the mail from ford a few days ago stating that repairs to the transmission regarding the blown seals (apparently the cause of these issues) are now covered under a voluntary recall. Also, the trans is covered no matter what for 7 years or 100K miles. In addition, if one of these parameters has been passed (only possible for mileage in this case, obviously), the offer is STILL good on that vehicle until early 2015.
So I am hoping for all of you that if you now take your Focus in, tell them the issue(s), reference the voluntary recall on the blown transmission seals, maybe you can FINALLY get the repairs you deserve.
September 12th, 2014 at 9:22 am
@ Randy (#449 ) – I had originally posted about my car going into Netural and me pulling off the road, turning the car off, opening the door, closing and restarting (post #395). I took it in and they reset the computer.
Since that time, the check engine light had come on multiple times and after a while it would go out. A few weeks ago while on my way to work with the cruise control on, the car went into neutral and if I hadn’t hit the breaks the engine would have pinged the rev-limiter. Then it felt like it wouldn’t go past 4th gear. I took it to Ford and they told me it was the TCM (Transmission Control Module). They replaced as it magically had a 7 year/80,000 mile warranty (no charge as my car had 76,000 miles).
No more check engine light, but still has shutter noise. No more than 3 days later, I received a letter from Ford informing me of the issues that people are complaining about. The three items are the seals, the computer reset and clutch assembly. There was also a separate piece of paper discussing that the shutter noise is normal as it is designed that way to “take advantage of the fuel efficiency of a manual, with the shifting of an automatic transmission”. It’s a joke if you ask me.
The good part about the letter is, if you had previously had to pay for repairs relating to the 3 issues prior to the letter, Ford will refund you. These 3 items are now covered for 8 years/ 100,000 miles.
So let’s see how the new TCM and rest of transmission holds out.
September 12th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Hi I got a 2014 Ford Focus Se in a trade in May 2014. 3 months in the vehicle started to shake. When I be at a complete stop and I step on the gas and accelerate the car starts to keep like it wants to cut off. Plus making grinding noises under the hood. I went to Ford because my car is still under warranty. The service people was rude, but they said the parts will be in 1 to 2 weeks. Hopefully title will be solved if not what do I do. I just had the tire replace it blew on me. I already see this car is going to give me issues.
September 15th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
i have one of these ford turds…i took it back to the dealer to trade it in and they offered me 12k for it..it stickered for 28k..not even 6 months old then,,the salesman even told me it would be better to leave the keys in it and hope someone steals it…nice going ford..i have tried for several months to get it in to service and the dealer tells me now its gonna be a 3 month waiting list. this is my first new ford….and my last…ill buy an import before i go to another ford dealer.
September 16th, 2014 at 11:44 am
1 year old 2013 Ford Focus. Recently I’ve been hearing a noise come for the front driver side of the vehicle that happens when I am stopped and begin to accelerate. When accelerating up to around 20mph the car will minor jump and begin to make a noise as if the car were dragging cardboard through the street. the noise lasts around 2 seconds. Took the car to dealer only to be told it this is normal for this vehicles transmission and there is nothing they can do about it. I didn’t sign up to purchase a brand new vehicle that doesn’t live up to expectations. How exactly is it normal for a transmission to sound like this?
September 21st, 2014 at 4:16 pm
I purchased my 2012 ford focus march 2014, low miles. I started to notice the rollback on hills, scary!! and shudder of the gears when im trying to gain speed. Not to mention a noise in the transmission. I try not to drive too far. Recently twice my car has shut off at red light, right when the light turned green. The gears locked i could not put it in park, and the brake locked also. This is madness, oh and not to mention the acceleration at times especially when im turning corners. I thought Ford made good cars. They need to fix this immediately or better yet recall the damn thing. If this is a constant problem why havent Ford done anything.
September 29th, 2014 at 10:52 am
@ Michael – read the earlier posts about the letter that ford sent out to owners in August. You should have received this letter (as I did). When I got it I thought “yeah my car does that which is annoying, but otherwise it’s been fine.” Then a month later the transmission control module failed while I was on the highway and the car jerked all over the place between first and second gear. Not fun. They are replacing it now so we’ll see what happens.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:20 pm
I too have had the misfortune of purchasing one of Fords most horrific engine designs. I purchased my 2012 Focus at the end of 2012 – and unfortunately – it was used. Within weeks I called my sales person and advised him that I was noticing that it was losing gas mileage – that it rolled back – etc. and was told – this is normal. A few more weeks went by – and I called again – and it was only then that I was advised that my car had this lovely duel manual transmission. I took it in and explained all the things wrong: the coasting – the hesitation – the jerking – the lurching – – they weren’t able to find anything wrong… a few months went by – and – once again.. in for an oil change – and they replaced a sensor of somekind or something or another… few more months.. finally got the Service Manager to drive my car… he was able to notice the problems.. made an appointment – and they replaced the clutch.. I was told to drive it for a few thousand miles … you know – to break in the clutch – to let it get used to how I drive. (this is what I was told) … so.. a few thousand miles after that… having even more problems… I am taking my car back in today… for what I hope is the last time.. I have been trying to get the dealer to make good on this piece of crap – and trade me up… but – their hands are tied – … is there any hope for someone that has this problem and their vehicle was purchased used???
October 1st, 2014 at 1:28 pm
@Roxane: Under Federal law, a used car may still be eligible for assistance. However, do not trade your car in as no car = no case.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:57 pm
@JD. Who is paying for the TCM? Ford or out of your pocket?
October 1st, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I haven’t received any letter from Ford. What do I do. I have a 2013 Ford Focus SE bought Jan of this year.
October 10th, 2014 at 11:49 am
@LJW: Reach out to your dealer to find out if your car is included
October 10th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I too have a 2013 and was sent the letter for the extended warranty on the transmission. My car shutters, jerks, etc and I’m frankly sick of it. I got mine in august 2013 and it runs like crap. Not cool. I’m out of the lemon law guidelines so I can’t do that. Do I have any other recourse? Ready to put it in the shop again. My car has 11k miles.
October 10th, 2014 at 3:19 pm
I have fought with two different Dealerships and Ford since my 2012 Ford Focus had 1300 miles on it. Almost 3 years later and the car is still crap. It has had two new clutch assemblies put into it and it still is the worse car ever to drive. Ford and the Dealership kept telling me there was nothing wrong with it for the 1st year even though they had the Technical Bulletins advising them of the problems. They chose not to do a thing but insinuate I was crazy! Then magically they figured it out but the parts were under a 3 month back-order! When they finally arrived and they had in the shop for 5+ days it still had the same problems. Then they ordered a new and improved clutch assembly and after it being in the shop this time for a week, it still had all the same problems. Dealership told me they didn’t know what to do and that they would contact Ford…that was over 3 months ago and nothing. All they did was stall until I was out of the guidelines for the Lemon Law. Consumer Protection is a joke and only works to their advantage, consumer is screwed. Best I can do is file suit for Breech of Warranty and they may or may not do anything. If they do the most I would see on an almost $28K piece of junk is about 10-12%…NEVER BUY A FORD! THEY ARE TOTAL CROOKS AND WILL SCREW YOU.
October 10th, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Took my 2013 focus in 8 times for transmission problems. Clutched replaced, seals replaced, and computer reset. Problem still persist with shuddering, hesitation, and grinding of shift motors. Ford dealer says they can see all the problems but, ford won’t let them doing anything they are supposed to tell the consumer that it is functioning as intended. Spoke to area manager Tracy who informed me that we should be more informed consumers and should have known the nuisances of the transmission. What a commercial that would be. In sure people would flock to but this piece of garbage.
October 14th, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Transmission sudder and Ford will not fix
October 23rd, 2014 at 11:43 am
I brought my wife a 2014 focus sel titanium
Been in twice to dealer with all the faults that are mentioned above
How come ford have not corrected them from 2012.
October 24th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Brought my car to the Ford dealer to fix the “leaks” got a call that the main engine seal was also leaking and contaminating the gears, part on back order to fix and would be in yesterday (23rd) still haven’t heard anything today about it. I have a loaner which low and behold is a 2013 Focus (mine is a 2012), drives “better” than mine did, but something is still off, if this doesn’t fix the problem, I will be looking for a new car.
October 24th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
@Paul: Why are you not looking into the lemon law? Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state to help.
October 24th, 2014 at 1:21 pm
I’ve only had it in the shop once at this point, I think it has to be at least 4 times before you can do the “lemon law”.
October 24th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Mine is going in the shop soon. I called yesterday to make the appointment and was told they couldn’t get it in until the 14th of november, so I said ok. I told them I will need a loaner/rental while it is in the rep says well we can’t do that on the weekend. OK whatever, she gives me another date and then when I told her I better get a rental, she is telling me it has to be approved, or I will have to pay for it. I am NOT paying for a rental for them to fix my car that shouldn’t be in for repairs in the FIRST f$*%#ng place. I told her if I have any problems I will be contacting corporate.
I am pissed the fudge off and she could tell so she says well I can get you another appt closer and call you back, calls back with a appt for november 4th.
I am NOT happy at all with my ford focus. I have the 2013 focus titanium. If only I knew, was trying to repair my credit and got a good deal for the loan etc, now I am feeling very very sorry I ever bought this car in the first place.
October 24th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
I have commented prior concerning all the issues my daughter has been dealing with. I read how many have gotten this or that ‘fixed’. THERE IS NO FIX, (PER FORD CORP) they are working on it. What dealerships are doing are putting bandaides on a major defect.
My daughters ( her 1st car after college) 2013 Ford Focus, beautiful car but mechanically a DOG. Within the first year the car was in and out of the dealership, ohh that noise is the “new” transmission. The clutch packs have been replaced 3 times, the engine seal 2X, various other parts in the transmission replaced. So they offered an extended warranty big whoop. They want us to be happy and that was their solution. They assured us the car is “safe”. When the car shifts to neutral as you are going down a highway, it especially loves to do it as you are slowing or speeding up on and on or off ramp…REAL SAFE. Or when we were stopped on an off ramp in traffic, foot on brake and the car started to roll forward, she had to take her foot off brake and depress brake again to stop the car just prior to the car rolling into the car in front of us. REAL SAFE. The car still fails to completely shift many many times….. The 2 clutches are dry and the incomplete gear changes and failure to engage..cause grinding, crunching, slippage and constant worry about what will this car do next. Why do we still have the car because it is almost paid off as soon as it is BYE BYE it will be someone elses nightmare! I recently bought a new Mazda CX5 and they (Mazda) explained that when Ford sold its stock back to Mazda, Ford lost their transmission (was Mazda’s patent) as part of the transaction…Ford is on its own and is falling flat on its BUTT. What happens as these cars age and the parts are worn more and more…how many will be killed, mamed…whose son, daughter, mom, dad will never come home because Ford will not stand behind their NIGHTMARE!
October 27th, 2014 at 8:42 am
Just picked up my Focus from the dealer, we’ll see how it runs now. Seemed OK from there back to work, but only time will tell i’m sure.
October 29th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
I filed a claim with an Attorney and I am still waiting for a response from Ford, it’s been 2 months now! Ford and Dealership know just how long to tell you nothing is wrong with your car and not notate things when you take it in so the Consumer is screwed and not able to file a Lemon Law Claim. Again, Consumer Protection is a joke and Ford has no intention of fixing these problems, just will continue to screw us and take our money.
I cannot tell you how much I hate Ford Motor Company!
October 29th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
2012 Focus Titanium in the shop again (6th or 7th time related to trans). They called me with good news, it’s not the Transmission, its the Transmission Control Module….is that NOT part of the transmission? Luckily I have the extended warranty and it’s covered but it doesn’t take away the aggravation, time lost, and knowledge that my piece of crap Ford isn’t worth it’s weight in manure (a little farm joke). Someone I know, knows a person who works for ford who told her that “people don’t drive their Ford Focus’ right and that’s why they have problems”. Obviously Ford has brainwashed some of their employees. I’ve been getting the same song and dance from Ford about “that’s the way these transmissions shift”…what, like someone who doesn’t know how to drive a stick???? FORD HAS LOST MY BUSINESS FOREVER!!!
October 30th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
So today I take my 2012 Ford Focus in to have a recall adressed, the person in service department says”I’m sorry we have no appointments until after the 1st of the year”. I say its that serious and he says yes. I asked what do I do in the mean time and he says “oh you can drive it, its safe to drive”, I respond that It is not safe to drive. It will suddenly lose power while driving it. This car is my 2nd recall, the first was taken in and still has the same PROBLEMS! Hopefully no one dies before the problems are fixed. I called another Ford dealership but no answer so I left a message and waiting for a call back. By the way I bought this car because of fuel efficiency, haha never yet got above 29 miles per gal.
November 3rd, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Just dropped mine off. I really really hope this does the trick this time. I just realized since I bought my car in Indiana I can still file lemon law (bought car end of august 2013) if this is true this time I won’t be letting it go if it is NOT fixed right!
November 11th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I took my 2012 Focus in for transmission repairs following the tranmission disengaging when stopped. There have been multiple times now that when stopped at a red light, the transmission disengages out of gear. When I look at the screen on the instrument panel, it shows that i am not in any gear.The only thing i can do is put the car in park and shut it off. If I restart the car too soon, the gear shift will not allow me to press the button in to change gears out of park. So I am left sitting in traffic with my car shut off till it decides I can shift out of park. Had the car in for reapir on Oct 27th. Got it back on Oct 31st. Said they fixed the seals, had to order a clutch (go back in Dec) and that they recalibrated the transmission to prevent from coming out of gear. That didn’t work. On Nov 7th, a week after getting it back, the transmission came out of gear while turning across traffic. Luckly I was able to coast across the road and pull off the side. Once again I am sitting with the car shut off waiting. Again today, while at a red light, I look down at the instrument panel and it shows that I am not in any gear. Called the service department and I am still waiting on a call back, almost 4 hrs later…
November 19th, 2014 at 11:10 am
@Diane: How many times has the car been back in for service?
November 19th, 2014 at 11:12 am
@Focus Hater: I am hoping that you have looked into your rights by now. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state that can help you.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:14 am
@Susan: Not sure what firm you are using but Ford does take a while to resolve these claims. They care the least about their customers and they like to tire them out. All that being said, we have helped thousands of consumers resolve their issues successfully so do not give up and stay the course.
November 19th, 2014 at 11:24 am
I am using a legal firm but they move slowly as well and I am even more frustrated. Three months and nothing but told that the Ford Claims manager is reviewing my case. I was just on vacation and was given a Ford Focus for my rental car and it actually drove really well with none of the issues I have been experiencing. So why can they not fix mine????
November 19th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
I got the Warranty letter and took my 2012 into the dealer last week. They said I was a few points away from having the transmission fixed. Whatever that means. They did re-calibrate the clutch and it did drive a lot better on my way home from the dealer. The next morning the check engine light came on and it shook and jerked and the engine nearly died every time I came to a stop. On my way home, all was well again, but the shudder had returned. Today it happened again and I had to pull over to let people pass me. It kept slipping out of gear and jerked and shook. I’m taking it back to the dealer tonight (if it will get me there)
November 19th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
I just bought my first car, 2012 Ford Focus, from a dealership about a week and a half ago and during the test drive everything seemed fine.. I mean I’ve only had crappy cars since I was able to drive, so this was a luxury. I was not made aware of the issues this year, make, and model had, until I noticed 3 days after I bought it, it was grinding and slipping in the first gear. So I called the dealerships service center to let them know what’s happening. Apparently, it’s a common issue and I’m not the only one, because the part(s) are on back order and could be months till I get it in and fixed. I LOVE this car, with the exception of that issue. I just hope they can fix it and I don’t have to go through a huge ordeal.
November 26th, 2014 at 9:37 am
I am experiencing the same difficulties. when i purchased the car in August they failed to inform me of any mechanical issues but suggested i buy a extended warranty. when i called and complained 3 weeks ago the dealership suggested i bring the car in for a diagnosis. i still havent heard anything other then its not safe to drive and the transmission is on recall. does anyone know when ford will have this issue solved? or does anyone have a new transmission?
November 29th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
For those who do not know, the transmission is a manual transmission that is shifted by servos. You yourself drive it like an automatic transmission. However it is a manual transmission shifted by the computer. That is why it rolls back and shutters. The clutch plate burns out easy when you baby the gas pedal. I own a 2013. The clutch needs to be replaced whilst under warranty. In order to make the clutch last you will need to “gas it” until you reach desired speed. Reasoning for this is that the computer tries to slowly let off the clutch when you gently accelerate. This burns up your clutch very quickly. However if you accelerate faster you will keep the computer from burning up your clutch. Tada, easy day and you will have one of the longest lasting “automatic” transmissions on the market. Actually referred to as an automated manual transmission.
November 30th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Shawna, can you share your info? Do you have it in writing or can get in writing? I can share too–in litigation–so frustrated–my transmission was replaced etc, in service over 45 days, same stories, verbal only–we deserve our $$ refunded,not safe—would appreciate–get zero from Ford but will be searching for me using social media, alt. contact? than< you…
December 4th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
My problem is the same they have replaced the clutch and sensor module in my 2012 Focus. New twist same problem, dies while driving and I have it towed to the dealer who informs me I need a new battery to run the high tech transmission. I am ticked so I call AAA and have them come to the dealer to replace the battery. Ford wanted 165.00 AAA 125.00. Short story the guy runs the diagnostic and says my battery is perfectly fine and gives me the print out. AAA guy and Ford have words and AAA refuses to replace battery because it is not bad and they can not sell me a battery knowing this. Ford says they will not repair the car (under warranty) unless there is a new battery. Any thoughts?
December 11th, 2014 at 4:51 am
Ford Focus hater, now Ford hater. 2014 Focus Titanium, same tranny issues, now on incident # 3 (WO still open), they diagnosed it, but can’t fix mine, parts on back order til Feb. Forced to take dangerous car back, they’ll call when parts are in.
Forget calling Ford Customer Relationship Center, they are liars, I waited 2 months just to get a response back, the response back is you are an idiot, and this is normal? You the consumer are wrong! I asked for buy-back, it is that bad. I waited 2 more months, I got no calls or emails back, then I got Their Form Letter “Do Not Qualify Letter – rev 05/07/2010”. YES, a form letter with my vin in it, dated 2010, which means they started this back then. WE DON’T STAND A CHANCE, so I filed a lemon law law-suit. Actions speak louder than words, and Ford is telling us we are wrong in a form letter from 2010!
January 1st, 2015 at 8:32 am
Having the same problems with my 2013 Ford Focus. Will not buy another Ford Focus or another Ford after the way I have been treated by Ford and the Ford dealer where I bought the car. I leased the vehicle so at least I am not stuck with a worthless car. Ford can deal with it when I turn it in in 6 months. I have driven several cars with the same kind of clutch all of which had no issues. I worked at a Ford Assembly Plant for 30 years for 15 of those years I worked in QC. My job involved testing the finished vehicle I know how vehicles are suppose to run. The dealers are really handcuffed when the Manufacturer does not put out a good product. But when the dealer tells you that you do not know what you are talking about and tells you to just live with it. That is where i take exception. I have had my vehicle in twice for the problem, parts have been replaced and modules have been updated. After 500 miles the problems all came back. Now they want me to leave my car with them for a month while they provide me with a rental car. My car would just sit there waiting for parts and for the Transmission Tech to get caught up to work on it. I would take it to another dealer but their transmission Tech is backed up at least a month also. The Service Writer at the other dealer told me they would do the same repairs as the other dealer has already done and they would not fix the problem either. My next step is to call a lawyer. Yippy that sounds like fun.
January 2nd, 2015 at 9:24 am
My 2014 Ford Focus transmission successfully fixed! I started experiencing the common problems at approx. 7500 miles. After the dealer tried the TSB solution, which made no improvement, I opened a case with ford Motor Company. When I explained that I love the car, which is true except for the unacceptable transmission issues, they agreed to a transmission rebuild with the latest parts. The parts used in my car were Clutch Assembly BV6Z 7B546 F and Seal Assembly EV6Z 7052 A. Problem solved! Car drives as it should and still gets great gas mileage!!
January 2nd, 2015 at 4:37 pm
@Rich–Happy to hear it, but if you have been back in repeated times like many of the other consumers, you could still be entitled to thousands of dollars plus continued ownership of the car. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer to discuss the matter.
January 2nd, 2015 at 4:39 pm
@Brian: The law is on your side here. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lawyer in your state.
January 14th, 2015 at 12:55 am
I have a 2014 Ford Focus I been experiencing problems since I bought the car I now have 8,000 miles on it and car died while driving almost got hit with my two kids in the car, they said it was my transmission control modular which they replaced. Then 40 miles driving after picking it up out of service wouldn’t start was leaving work which is late nights was stuck in park emergence flashers came on would come off or out of park and said my key wasn’t detected then said I had gas then gauge dropped and said no gas then all light in dash came on. Now in service again. Would never buy a ford again I bought this car for a reliable car for work and my kids I’m a single mom I have no help and now been with out a car to go to work or kids to get to school and ford won’t give me a rental in replace while my is in the shop for reasons out of my control.. What do I do I want my money back and a car I can drive..
January 16th, 2015 at 2:12 pm
@Christy: Be diligent about repairs and keep all repair invoices. If you have to keep going back you need to look into your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rights.html for more details.
January 21st, 2015 at 11:42 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus… And I don’t like the way it drives! Everything that is said about the transmission is true! I took my car back to ford and they told me that that’s how my car drives! No car should the way the ford focus does! I want a reliable car! This was my first and last Ford!
January 24th, 2015 at 9:04 pm
I have a lot of the same problems everyone else is having. I have a 2012 ford focus sedan.I have taken it to the dealer twice and today my car was jerking forward and shaking uncontrollably when I go in reverse. I am taking it to the dealer to get it fixed. What are my options? I live in California.
January 25th, 2015 at 10:30 pm
Purchased a new 2014 Ford Focus with 123miles. Had it for three months and its already been in four times (one for a tire sensor issue and the other three for the shaking, stuttering, hesitating so badly it failed to continue moving forward and almost caused me to be hit. It rolls back terriblely — I have a video of it. Dealership suggested changing cars but wanted to jack my payments up almost 150 dollars more. I can’t afford that and they wouldn’t budge on price so I was forced to take my car back. They keep saying they can’t duplicate the problems and that its all normal. That I need to learn how to drive the car. Ford Motor Company is useless. Spoke to a regional customer service manager — and got the same lines and that my car doesn’t qualify for a buy back. Looking into legal help. But meanwhile I keep making my point on their Facebook page. I would have been fine switching cars for a similar payment even though it meant losing the tint, special coating I had done to my car. But since they aren’t willing to help I am going to take this as far as I have to!
January 28th, 2015 at 1:12 am
Have had the same problems with my 2012 ford focus, took it to the dealership when it lost power and stalled on the freeway. This is not the first time it has lost power or stalled on me, the last time it happened I had my children in the car with me. I took it to the dealership right away, they couldn’t figure out why it stalled, but did some work on the vehicle, reprogrammed the computer, fixed a transmission fluid leak, and changed some seals on the transmission. My vehicle continues to shake at low speeds, and feels like it will lose power. This is very unsafe, especially when children are in the vehicle! The Ford dealership tells me that the focus has to learn my driving habits, really! I have had the Focus for over 2 years, and it still can’t seem to learn my driving habits! How disappointing, good job Ford!
January 28th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
@JC I think it is time to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find a your state’s law and connect to a lawyer who may be able to help.
January 28th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
It’s time to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find the law in your state.
January 30th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
I have a 2014 Focus that has been in the shop 5 times now (1 for broken seat latch and 4 times for the transmission). Same issues as many have listed here with shuddering, losing speed, falting shifting, etc. Have filed complaints with Ford, the BBB, NHTSB, and all car review sites. Want out of this car before I end up killed!
February 5th, 2015 at 6:59 pm
WOW! I’m appalled by how many terrifying reminders there are regarding what is happening to me and this 2013 Ford (Lemon) Focus that I’m still paying for. UNBELIEVABLE!! A class action lawsuit is warranted & necessary. It’s like a corporate conspiracy, with all dealerships playing “ride the pony” and stall the customer with nonsense. This is a real debacle! I am so frustrated at this point. It seems greed has gotten the better of many a person. I’d like to hear from a newer Ford Focus owner who doesn’t have a problem with their vehicle… Exactly!
February 12th, 2015 at 11:18 am
@Heather: Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to find information about the laws in your state.
February 19th, 2015 at 7:16 am
Great arguments and information shared about the transmission problems.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:38 pm
I have a 2013 Ford Focus and I have all the problems mentioned above by all other owners. It is unbelievable and embarrassing how a brand new car make more noises than my old 1998 Dodge.
I went to the Ken Grody Ford Agency to talk to them about all the problems with my car and they said that my car does not have any problems and that my car is not a Lemon car.
March 3rd, 2015 at 3:15 pm
I have a 2013 Ford Focus and today will be the 5th time I’ve taken it back to the dealer for the clutch shuddering problem. The first time I had the problem I only owned the car 4 months and I bought it brand new. This morning it simply would not shift into the higher gear while entering the freeway and I almost didn’t make it to work. I’m hoping I make it to the dealer this afternoon. Every time I take it in they say it just needs an update and that the letter I received from Ford about this problem is only a warranty extension and not to replace anything. How long to I have to keep taking the car in before Ford will fix it? Or do I need to get injured or killed before they will find it necessary to address this as a recall? It’s definitely a safety issue!!
March 3rd, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Oh and I forget to mention, my radio volume goes up and down on it’s own and sometimes the lights flicker… it just keeps getting better. Once I’m rid of this car I will never buy a Ford again!
March 9th, 2015 at 2:08 pm
@Diane L: You certainly need to look into your lemon law rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
March 10th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Hi i would like to know has anyone been successful with the Lemon Law against Ford? I have a 2014 Ford Focus SE and i am having the same issues as everyone here. My car rattles, shakes , and it jerks when I accelerate. This will be my 3rd time bringing the car in for the same problem. The Ford dealership service keep saying its nothing wrong with it, but it is. I live in North Carolina. So what do i do?, because its very frustrating and annoying.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
I’ve been having same problems w/my 2012 ford focus I really like the car but just the other day the car lost power and would not move so I had it towed to ford dealer I just got from under maxcare coverage at 100,000 mi but the repairs will be fixed under the parts warranty its a transmission module that needs changing hopefuly this will be a fix for all the rest of the problems w/how it drives. I also had to get the steering column rack pinion changed out and had it brought into a ford dealer for a recall recent.
March 11th, 2015 at 10:59 am
@Charity: We have successfully resolved hundred of Ford Focus claims. I suggest you reach out to a lemon law attorney in NC to find out your rights.
March 17th, 2015 at 5:02 pm
for the second time in 6 months my local dealer is going to have to replace the clutches and they tell me it will be 8 weeks before the new parts if I had a job at this moment I would seriously consider trading it in I love the car
March 18th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
@Mark: If the car is not drivable while the part is on back order, I would consider speaking with a lemon law firm about your rights. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
March 25th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Well we also bought a tricolor white Titanium edition 2014 loaded. when i test drove it i noticed it seemed to shift funny and jerked a bit. But i didnt believe it was the car but more the road. then we went and bought it, no wonder it was reduced price. By bad i guess. It jerked all the way home and now has about 3000 miles on it and it still acts up. No use bringing in, i know the sales manager and he already told me thats how they drive you stuck. Guess if me had more time id leave it there untill i run out options, but need the car so its difficult to just keep leaving at dealership. Has anyone really gooten the correct fix yet?
March 25th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
The real problem boils down to each year they keep selling this car with the same problems knowing they havent been fixed. Thats hard to believe. i love fords but lets face it Ford you have had your share of Transmission issues in all your cars over the last 10 years. This isnt my first by any means, I should have learned. Trying to keep buying US but its getting real hard. This applies to Chey also, they have their share of problems also. Ford and chevy lots of time buy the exact same trans and they both exhibit the same problems.
April 2nd, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Where Do I Find The Transmission Fluid Level Dipstick In The Engine Compartment Of Our 2012 Ford Focus SE ?
April 3rd, 2015 at 12:03 am
I have a 2014 Ford Focus I purchased in November 2014 and it always jerks when shifting. It’s like I have a standard car and someone is learning how to drive a shift car. My gas mileage is horrible also. Ford has now found someone that has placed there name on our church prayer list and God will deal with them for me.
April 6th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
I bought a Ford Focus 2012 in Dec. 2014. I should have looked at the reviews. Called the dealer the next day. I had no return policy. That was my 2nd mistake. When I test drove it it was raining and didn’t feel or hear the grinding, mistake 1. I have been to the dealer 6 times. At this point Ford is not replacing the clutch. I waited over 4 months for the new clutch to come in, I took it to the dealer to replace along with a new Sony radio that wasn’t working either. They had me sign a new service order and told me it would take a week to fix. It took a day. They only fixed the radio. They would not fix the clutch. They adjusted it. I found out March 20, the Ford service dept. received a halt on replacing clutches. They. Jerked me around so much I feel sick. Ford is in trouble big time. Then I received an extended warranty in the mail the same day. Extending the trans. so the owners of these cars feel appeased. No no no. These cars are dangerous. When several people die in accidents, then they will do a major recall. Death.
April 6th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
@Beverly: Being that your car was purchased used, in most states it would not qualify for lemon law protection. However, it does appear that you have a breach of warranty claim. Please contact a lemon law lawyer in your state by visiting https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html. You need to discuss your rights.
April 6th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
@Theresa: Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a lemon law lawyer in your state. Don’t leave this to a higher power!
April 8th, 2015 at 7:20 am
I brought a 2012 ford focus back in March 2014 and I have regretted my situation ever since. I had issues since driving off the lot and called to find out I had no return policy despite it being less than a week. I have been to the dealership several times and the last time was this past February where they kept my car for over a month. I have had three rental cars that I had to pay for myself because ford refused to give me one. I contacted a lemon lawyer and we are now in the waiting period for Ford to respond.
May 19th, 2015 at 9:36 pm
I just had the TCM (Transmission Control Module) jgo out on me in my 2012 Titanium Focus. Mash the brake to push the start button and it won’t crank. Used to could put it in Neutral and it would start but now that doesn’t work anymore. Was able to try it again after 30-minutes and it cranked so I drove it to dealership and dropped it off. Got a call from service tech and he says he can special order the part and have it in by tomorrow. I call around to other dealerships looking to see if they have part and all of them say it’s on back order for the next 4-6 months! I immediately call Ford customer service and they are supposed to have regional manager call me back tomorrow to help with my issue.
If I have to wait that long for a part, Ford will be providing me a vehicle or compensate me for a rental.
May 22nd, 2015 at 11:42 am
@Keven: If you have to wait 4-6 months for the part and the car is not drivable, you may have a federal warranty claim. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state that can help.
May 31st, 2015 at 11:34 am
We have a 2014 Focus waiting for clutch, taking 8 weeks for repair. Offered to purchase a different car but dealer refused to compensate me for the Focus with only 19000 miles. The offer was $5000 as trade-in. What are my options?
June 5th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
@Jim: Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/ to read about your state’s lemon law and contact an attorney.
June 8th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
Got a 2012 focus 2 months ago took it in today for tranny problems car started jerking then check engine light came on when taking off it feels like a manual tranny with the hesitation.I am a ford guy I have 2 80’s model fords with no troubles.Will see if I get the run around tomorrow. It seems with auto manufacturers prices going up and quality going down!!! And if it takes 8 weeks like other people talking about I will be paying for a car I can’t drive!!
June 8th, 2015 at 8:17 pm
I bought my 2012 Ford Focus used in Oct. 2012. I drive 40 miles one-way to work so I needed something with good gas mileage. I noticed the shuddering and rolling backwards on hills right away. but after I had it for about a year, I was on my way home from work in 20 mile an hour bumper to bumper traffic and it wouldn’t shift properly in low speeds, it would jerk. it felt like I was re-learning to drive a manual. I was stranded on the side of the road for 3 hours until AAA got there. when they got there and car went to the dealership. my car was still under warranty at the time, so they looked the car over but really couldn’t find anything wrong or re-create my problems.so they said they replaced a motor in the transmission and after a 100 deductible I was on my way home. it still shudders every day, but last Friday it did the same thing again on the way home, I let it sit for awhile, I got home safely and this morning went 5 miles down the road to go to the store, and the car was jerking so bad, and not changing gears properly I barely made it home. it was jerking so bad, my 9 week old puppy fell off the front passenger seat. one of these days it is going to cause an accident, but my car is not under warranty anymore, I can’t afford to fix it. there is a recall but last time it went to the dealership they said this is how the transmission works and my issues were not part of the recall. I have no idea what to so I owe 4000 dollars more on the car then what Kelly Blue book says it is worth and I need to get to work everyday. HELP!
June 21st, 2015 at 12:29 pm
I bought my 2013 ford focus just a few months ago from a used car dealer just over my 30 day warranty the engine light came on and when the transmission shifted from first to second it was like you put it into neutral engine reved up and then it slipped into second and shuttered every time I took off… This has happened 3 times and now today did it again and it is bad this time don’t even want to drive it ford needs to fix this I can’t afford to have a car I can’t drive or fix
June 25th, 2015 at 7:55 pm
So I once loved my Ford Focus SEL 2012, but that all changed today. Recently I got an oil change. When I left my car started making an awkward sound when I would accelerate. I initially thought the service men from the oil change had messed with something and took it back for them to “correct” it. They assumed they may have not tightened the air filter department and sent me on my way. The car continued to make the sounds, but not as frequently. Well here we are one week later and I cant even drive my car. It started with my car jerking (as if the engine was falling out of the bottom) and this horrible screeching/grinding sound when I would accelerate from a stop light or stop sign. My mechanic was not able to look at my car until today and says its the transmission. I am livid it had no “sign” indication from the car for me to take it to the dealership due to “transmission” issues. My warranty ended at 60k miles, my car is now 76k miles (how convenient). However, I did receive the letter from Ford at the end of last year. Is it likely this repair would be covered under this warranty? I have owned cars for 7+ years and never had a transmission go out in less then 3 years on a new car.
June 28th, 2015 at 7:44 am
I have had all the same transmission problems with my 2012 Focus SEL which I bought new in Feb., 2013. The car is in the shop now and has been for almost 2 weeks waiting for parts. The car has run bad for months but Ford has tests that the car must fail before they will even work on it. Called Ford Customer Care Center and they have assured me that the new parts will be a fix and not a patch as they have done in the past, we shall see. I can only suggest everyone who is having these issues call 800-392-3673 which is Ford Customer Care Center and complain about their service.
July 3rd, 2015 at 8:57 am
@Tony: Sadly, that phone number is nothing more than a pacifier. Our firm has now successfully resolved hundreds of these claims, with clients receiving anywhere from thousands to a complete repurchase. I suggest ANYONE who is experiencing this problem take action. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state who can help you. Judging from the calls we continue to receive, this problem is not going away.
July 3rd, 2015 at 9:00 am
@Suprena: They did extend warranties. Contact your ford dealer for more details.
July 3rd, 2015 at 9:19 am
@Earl: I would contact Ford corporate–they were extending warranties on these cars due to their issues. Find out if you apply (and NEVER buy a used car with a 30-day warranty. That is asking for trouble.)
July 3rd, 2015 at 11:42 am
My girlfriend has a 2014 focus and is riddled with this transmission problem. Already had clutch packs replaced and we are going back again due to chattering and lack of performance. What a joke. Lemon law may be on our list.
July 3rd, 2015 at 2:11 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus, we bought used about March of 2013. My daughter drives it and has had it in the shop for transmission twice since November 2014, once for the sudder/transmission input shaft and the other for control module. Both of those were under warranty, and now is broke down in Florida, which is about 12 hours away from home. It is at a ford dealer and they said it is transmission, but not sure if it is either of those again and will have to take transmission out to see. They say it is $500 just to open up the transmission and won’t be able to get to it until Monday since it is a holiday weekend. Now, they have to be back to work in Ohio so they had to rent a car which is over $500. Then, they will have to fly back to Florida next week to get their car and drive home. I am not happy and very concerned about the kids being out there. Should I try this lemon-law thing or not?
July 6th, 2015 at 3:53 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus with 42000 miles. After noticing hesitation in power and massive shuttering, Ford fixed the clutch under special warranty circumstances about 6 months ago. Now, same problem is happening. They said it will take about 8 weeks to fix due to the high volume of problems they are having and lack of parts. They put me in a long term rental. What are my options for having them buy back the car, or receive some compensation for this problem so I can go get a car that actually works? I live in Mass. Thanks.
July 7th, 2015 at 10:14 am
My 2013 focus stopped moving as I was going up a hill and in traffic. Tried to get the car off the road, but no luck. I purchased this car about a month ago. I was driving along and all of the sudden I could hear the engine rev, but it wasn’t moving. All the lights came on the dash. My biggest concern was hoping that a big rig or other vehicles would not slam into me from behind. I was sitting in the road for about 10-15 mins until a few good people stopped and helped me push it off the road. Turned off the vehicle and could not start it back up. Towed it to the dealership to find out what was wrong with it. The guy indicated to me that it was something in the transmission and he had seen this before. My question back to him was “is there a recall for this”. He said yes. My next question? why wasn’t it fixed before selling the vehicle to me? His response? “well it doesn’t always fail, so what they do is wait to see if the part fails before replacing it”. That is an unacceptable answer in my opinion. If they know that this is a bad part, they should be replacing them or recall the cars and have them replaced. But in this screw up world where it is all about cost, they don’t. I am fortunate that nothing seriously happened during this failure or that my kids weren’t in the car with me. My biggest question on this? Is the dealership (or Ford) liable for selling me a defective vehicle knowing that there was a recall for this part and they did not replace it before selling me the car? Or did not tell me about this prior to selling me the car?
July 31st, 2015 at 3:20 pm
@Laurie: Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/rid.html to fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form. We will review your information and see if and how we can help.
August 7th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
I just bought a 2012 Ford Focus SEL about two months ago. Did not want to, had to, it just happened. Long story. Anyway, the car only has 22K miles on it so I thought I was getting a decent car. The car “bucks” and “sputters” like everyone else is describing and I am JUST SICK!! I had NO CLUE what I had just got myself into. What am I going to do?? I can’t trade it in, I have ZERO equity. I have been thinking about taking it to Ford to see what is going on but reading all of the posts and all of the “good luck” everyone is having dealing with them, I am wondering if it is worth my time and effort? I really am considering biting the bullet and and trading in the car. Ugh.
August 13th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
I have the same issue, i bought it new from the dealer at the same day the car start jerking and vibrating with Noise in the transmission from 0 speed to up. i went to dealer 4 times , first they saying no issue , second they said there is an issue they just change the oils and other maintenance procedures the car became smoother but soon the same issue appeared again i went to them twice times again and after tomorrow i have another appointment with them lets see what they will do at the end i will never accept this situation i will go to court and make a official complains
Thanks
Br
Ahmed Darwish
KSA
August 14th, 2015 at 9:30 am
I bought a 2012 Focus used and noticed transmission issues just like the ones mentioned above shortly after. Brought the car into the dealer, who at first told me the issue was probably my driving as this is a “different” kind of transmission. Next day I’m told the clutch is burned out. The dealer kept the car for a month, replaced the clutch 3 times before tearing it apart to figure out what the problem was. I called Ford corporate and was told that because I bought the car used there was nothing they would do for me. Got the car back and traded it in 2 weeks later for a brand new 2014 focus that I was told did not have any of the transmission issues of the 2012. How wrong they were. This car has had the same issues since shortly after I bought it. Again, I am told by the dealer that it’s my driving style. Finally took it in for the reprogramming recall which only made it worse. Now waiting for a clutch replacement which could take weeks because I am told the clutches are on serious back order. In the meantime, I am experiencing hesitation so bad I can’t pull out into fast moving traffic and shuddering that shakes the car worse than ever. I bought this car new so that Ford would have to stand by their product with an original owner, but so far I have not even received a response. Can’t trade it in because I would again be short on equity-I can’t afford to trade it in. How bad does this have to get before Ford does something about this issue???
August 18th, 2015 at 10:35 pm
John Jefferies – there is a “fix” that is covered by a recall I guess, they know the clutch is having issues and they have to replace it and replace the seals…I am having this issue and they are giving me the run around so I got corporate Ford involved. Good luck.
September 9th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
How does one go about getting Ford Corporate involved? And, does it even help?
I love my Focus – EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION!!! ugh!
September 18th, 2015 at 10:01 am
@Cornfused: Start by reaching out to a lemon law lawyer in your state. You can find one at https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html
September 22nd, 2015 at 2:44 pm
I bought a used 2012 ford focus about a month ago and started having transmission problems, the car does not go on reverse it looses speed on the road it shakes when you press the gas and a transmission malfunction sign keeps coming on so I took it to the dealer so the would reprogram the transmission module and they told me the car want taking the reprogramming on the recall and wants to charge me $2000 to fix it. Is it their duty to fix it if it’s a recall it should I pay to get it fixed?
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:06 pm
OMG, look at this list of comments. Really? I HATE THIS CAR. I HAVE A 2013 FOCUS. NOTHING ABOUT IT IS NICE….12 trips to the dealer for transmission repairs, at first, they said it was within spec, then “we tweeked it” then they replaced the clutch.
12 times in less than three years. Same Story. Really? I am so frustrated and the dealership had the nerve to ask me if they could put me in another car.
its spending more time with mechanics than me
September 23rd, 2015 at 6:57 pm
So I love my car except for the transmission problems. I took my car in for a oil change and said the transmission was acting funny again since I’ve had my clutch replaced 4 times due to the same issue.. Well I get the call this afternoon saying i need yet another clutch and my rear main seal was leaking so they will replace that too. Seriously how much of this do I need to endure before FORD steps up and does something serious about this!?
It’s been in the shop 15 times since I’ve owned this car from transmission to water pump to inside door panel falling off.
I’VE HAD IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 24th, 2015 at 6:42 am
At what point does the 2012 lose its standing for being called a lemon? I just got a 150k coverage for the tcm after being in the shop for a week this summer. I now have an appointment for October (that’s the soonest the transmission guy at the dealership can see me) because the behaviors came back in under 1500 miles and they’re amplified. I belive this will be time 7 I send my car in to have this same issue actually addressed. Is lemon law lost at all if during the time of owning the car I moved out of state for a couple years for school?
October 17th, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I have been reading the comments of the Focus Owners. I have the same issues. I purchased two ( 2 ) Ford Focuses— They both have the same issues of jerking– Shuddering– hesitation. Very frustrating… The Red one has been taken in at least 6 times— with no improvement— Getting worse. This one has 66000 miles on it.Ford cannot fix it.— The black one has been in to dealer 3 time with same negative results… Just had the latest so called fix done to it. Did not work. I am very discussed with Ford. There is no reason for the public to be given a bad vehicle to drive like this one (2) – bad vehicles in same family- REALLY
November 3rd, 2015 at 3:12 pm
I ALSO HAVE BOUGHT A 2012 FORD FOCUS , USED AT A YEAR OLD, WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS IT BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, ACTING LIKE WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING THAT IT WOULD REV UP TO ABOUT 4 AND THEN BACK DOWN. WHEN YOU AT A LIGHT AND READY TO GO YOU PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE AND IT ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OUT ON YOU AND THIS IS ALL AFTER IT HAS ALREADY STALLED ON ME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT GO ANYWHERE I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY GET OFF THE MAIN ROAD AND JUST SIT THERE, THEN AFTER 15 MINUTES IT WOULD START AGAIN.
THE NEXT TIME IT STALLED ON ME AT LIGHT AND WOULD NOT GO ANYWHERE, HAD IT TOWED INTO FORD DEALER IN SURPRISE AZ WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION NODULE, STILL RUNS LIKE CRAP AND DOES THE SAME THINGS, I OWE TO MUCH ON IT FOR WHAT ANY DEALER WANTS TO GIVE ME FOR IT. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE NOW WHERE IT WILL BREAK DOWN AGAIN. HOPE IT DOES NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WILL NEVER, NEVER BY A FORD AGAIN AND I TELL EVERYONE SO THEY WILL NOT EITHER BECAUSE FORD DOES NEED TO DO SOMETHING MORE ABOUT THIS…MELISSA
November 25th, 2015 at 11:29 am
Have the same problem, had it since I bought it new,jerking– Shuddering– hesitation, dealer told me always that the motor was that way. Now its in the shop because they say now that it is a transmission problem covered by the warranty. Lets see what they do to it
November 27th, 2015 at 5:54 am
My daughter purchased a 2012 ford focus from Enterprise, ran great for 2 months. Started having transmission problrems – took it to a Ford dealer on staten island, ny. They were well aware of the problems with the ford focus. The 1st time they said the filter had to be cleaned & linkage parts what to be replaced, we will call when parts are in – “Its OK to Drive as is” – 3 weeks later parts are in, problem solved !!! 6 moths later same problem – cleanded transmission & some there things whick they did not explain in detasil to us. 3rd time same problem – they test drove did something & said its ok no problem its to “Ford specs” – Whatever that means – In the mean time get letter for Ford about extended warrenty on trans for 10 years?? They will not Honor lemon law because it meets Ford Specs – Novermber 27 – bring it again to ford for same problem will let you know later
December 1st, 2015 at 8:45 am
I have a 2012 Focus SEL with 73,000 miles on it, and it’s been in the shop four times for transmission issues. The TCM has been replaced twice and the clutches and seals twice. The last time I had a problem where I was driving home from work and the car went into neutral all bye itself even though the car was in drive. I almost was rear ended. I had the car towed to a Ford dealer and they replace the TCM for the second time. We’ll see how long this latest fix works. I called Ford and told them if it happens again they will be hearing from my attorney.
December 2nd, 2015 at 7:42 pm
I too have a focus that is a piece of junk..4 trips to mechanic and still no fix . clutches on back order second time I had it in for transmission problems , two times they put it on the computer to adjust same but that didn’t help. engine oil light also came on .they tried to charge me for an oil change, DIDNT WORK. IM DONE WITH FORDS
January 18th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I have a 2012 Focus SE-S. It has 62,000 miles on it. It has spent over 7 weeks in the shop over its life and has had 7 clutch packs replaced and 4 rear main seals. It now has a severe vibration at idle. I have a 2013 Focus also with 51,000 miles, a standard SE without the select shift and have not had a single problem. My dealer keeps telling me the vibration is normal and I should not compare the two. My dealerships is full of it and I need a attorney. Any suggestions?
February 4th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
@Gene: We would happy to look at both cars to determine whether you have a potential claim or two. Please call our office at 800-536-6652.
March 6th, 2016 at 12:21 am
I bought a 2012 Ford Focus on Feb 14, 2014. Had no problems until I was a thousand miles over the warranty. For the past six to eight months….it has been in the shop for repairs more than on the road. To make things worse, I have been afoot for six months and paying for a car that I am unable to drive. I have maintained and kept up recommended maintenance on the car and do not understand or comprehend how it is possible to have to pay more for repairs and such than a person has paid in payments on the vehicle! Replaced a transmission and the computer still reads transmission problems. It continues to make a noise like the doors are trying to lock or unlock….such that the door lock mechanism could be faulty.(just what I need….to have my doors fly open going down the road…..which is a current point of investigation I have learned). All of this money…..and I am disabled and on a fixed income. I can not in good faith continue to throw money into a car that will not be dependable! Please help……
April 8th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
My 2012 Focus had the worst shudder , I found a web site called focusfanatics and found a guy there saying he had a fix for the shudder and money back guaranteed it , I was doubtful and bought it , it stopped all my shudder for 3 months now and drives better then it ever has and shudder free why cant Ford do this ?????
April 10th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
My wife and I just bought a 2012 Focus Titanium Hatch on March 8th, totally unaware of the transmission horror stories that others have endured. We only have 45,000 miles on the vehicle and are experiencing the same issues: hesitation, shuddering, etc. We’re only a bit over a month into ownership of the vehicle, and we’re already taking it back to the (Lincoln) dealership for a second time. The last thing I want is to have to deal with this ongoing problem for the life of the car. Since we’ve had the car for such a short time, can anyone offer us any advice on how to handle the situation? We live in Florida and are under the impression that Florida Lemon Law doesn’t cover used vehicles. Any advice would be appreciated!
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:20 pm
@Nathan: The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act may apply depending on the number of repair attempts.
May 10th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
We bought my wife 2013 Focus, and it’s been the worst purchase we’ve ever made.
We’ve had in and out of the service department so many times now that I can’t even count.
It’s not only been the transmission, but we’ve had it in on for several other issues as well.
This has cost my wife to miss some work, not counting the time she was left stranded on I-94 down town.
I’m would never recommend anyone to purchase a Ford after this past experience.
And we’re a Ford family.
My wife’s dad is an retired Ford excuutive.
May 14th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
So I bought the 2013 Ford Focus Titanium when it had like 5,ooo miles on it. However because it had been in an accident where the airbag deployed it had a branded title but I bought it from a dealer that specializes in branded title repairs. The accident was to the passenger side and in NO WAY affected the engine or transmission. Of course I have had the same experiences with the transmission as everyone else. And the dealer has been trying a new fix or resetting the transmission etc for the last 3 years I’ve owned it. Obviously nothing has worked for more than a few weeks or months. However this last time I took it in they said they had mad a terrible mistake and had not known my car had a branded title, and that they never should have helped me with a single thing, and from here on out I would be responsible for everything. This problem is CLEARLY a fault of the way the transmission was built in the first place, however I don’t honestly know if I have any rights because I did buy it with a branded title. Any advice? Or did I make the worst car mistake ever with buying this car, because now I’m on my own for a problem that has no fix.
May 18th, 2016 at 7:50 am
I have a 2012 ford focus. yesterday, I stopped to get gas, and when I turned the car back on there was an error message on the screen that said, “transmission malfunction service now”. Now my car will pop up a message a lot of times that says engine oil change due, and I will have just had an oil change. So I thought that maybe the sensor in there was going crazy again for no reason. I decided to try and drive and get it home. I got on the road and the car would not shift past first gear. I tried to cut it off and back on and nothing. I have to have my car towed to my ford dealer. No word yet on what the problem is. I have also always had a stutter when trying to get up speed that makes a sound that I can’t describe. I took it to the ford dealer multiple times and they first said my drive shaft was going out and they replaced it. The problem remained and I took it back. They said it was supposed to do that because that is how the transmission was made. That I had to drive it like a manual. When it made the noise to let off the gas and then go again. This never worked. It also does the going backwards when stopped on a slight hill. Now I have a clicking in the front of my car when I turn the wheel. They just fixed some recalls on my car back in march but I haven’t seen much improvement except the stutter is better. This car has give me nothing but problem for the past three years.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:19 am
So I have had this 2012 Ford Focus SE for a couple of years now & let me tell you it’s always done that shaking & grinding ever since day one. It makes it even crazier that my car is automatic but it jerks & grinds in between gears like someone driving it manually & doesn’t know how to work the clutch & shift gears.
Yesterday I was driving on a busy interstate & I lost the ability to accelerate. It was like my transmission slipped out of it’s gear & got stuck in neutral. My kids were w/ me & it was a terrifying event to lose control of you’re vehicle like that on a busy highway. I got it towed to the dealership & I just couldn’t believe the level of disrespect these staff displayed. It was like they didn’t care one bit & weren’t in no hurry to look at my vehicle! Ford can kiss my ass, I will never purchase another vehicle from these jerks!
July 11th, 2016 at 10:24 am
I had my 2013 Ford Focus for 2 years and after year one I noticed it would jerk. I didn’t think anything of it until one day it completely lost power. The engine worked and responded to the throttle but it wasn’t working. I pulled over and restarted it and it took off again. This continued off and on until one day last month I was driving with the family and it happened again. This time after I parked it and tried to restart it nothing happened. The dash indicator said it was in neutral not park and it would not start. I took it to the dealer and they said the TCM is probably bad and they could changed it out due to the recall that’s going on for that part. A few days later they took it on a test drive and said it had to be towed back in. Then they told me it could be the oil seal that is also on recall. I waited 4 more days and then they told me that the speed gear was broken and their was metal in the tranny. There was nothing wrong with the speed gear when I brought it in but now its broken and so is the tranny. Estimate is around $4K for new one. What the hell. I’ve only paid 4k on it no way I’m pay 4K for a tranny on a new car.. They got to fix this issue now!!!
July 12th, 2016 at 7:40 am
have a 2012 ford focus had it at the shop now having to take it back to the shop for the same problem with the trans, now they want you to pay for the problem saying that it has problems with the trans, and not the tcm bad trans, bad car ford could do better.
July 16th, 2016 at 8:20 pm
I just bought a 2012 hatchback focus and is having that kind of vibration when it change from 1st gear to 2nd ANY OPTIONS TO FIX IT ??????
July 20th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
I have à 2012 Focus , my car before was also a Focus and I never had any trouble with it. I Los have many issues with it. I can’ t tell you how many times I have had it in the shop. Joining the class action suit, I have had enough.
August 8th, 2016 at 2:03 am
Sunday (7/31/16): I was driving my 2012 Ford Focus SE with my wife and kids when all of a sudden the vehicle lost power and the “check engine light” came on. We were in heavy traffic and almost got in an accident. I was able to drive the vehicle home but the car would stay stuck in 3rd gear. I couldn’t accelerate faster than 35 miles/hr.
Monday: (8/1/16)
Took vehicle in…
Dealer said they would look at it.
They called me later that day and said the car has several problems and can’t fix the recall unless I pay them $120 to keep looking at it because they can’t perform the recall fix due to “another” problem.
Of course I tell them I’m not paying them squat and ask them to give me my vehicle back and go elsewhere to fix the problem. 2 mins later they come back and tell me they can’t give me the car back because they fried the computer and the car is dead. So they tell me they are going to fix everything and I won’t have to pay a dime. They inform me its gonna take a few days for a part to come in.
Thursday: They call me that they need to drop the transmission to replace my clutch.
They tell me it’s not gonna cost me anything. So I didn’t question it…
Saturday: (8/6/16) They call me and tell me that the vehicle is ready. The tech tells me the clutch got wet and I had to have driven through a flood to cause the damages on the old clutch. (I’ve never had the car sit in a flood.) They tell me I might have to pay for the cost because flood isn’t covered under warranty.
I inform them maybe the clutch was bad because the Transmission Seals leaked… maybe thats why the clutch was damaged.
They had no response and saidto take the vehicle and return on Monday to discuss the matter.
I SAY OKAY AND LEAVE IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY.
Not even a block down the street, the check engine light comes on and the same crap happens again. Lost power and can’t drive faster than 35.
I take the car right back luckily 3mins before the shop closes.
So let’s see what they say tomorrow. Or later today… (8/8/16)
August 26th, 2016 at 3:45 am
I just got a 2012 ford focus and when I take off I. It it stuttering to go an when I take off the transmission don’t want to go I’m having the same problem right now an it doing all of it I have just put a down payment on it an ideal have not even make one payment and it doing all that what can I do can someone tell me
August 26th, 2016 at 3:47 am
Some time my car stay stuck in 3 gear and have everyone of them problem with my car
September 4th, 2016 at 4:24 pm
I bought 2012 Ford Focus SE just 2 mounts ago, I have the same problems with it and I don’t know what am I gonna do? I was planing to bring it to dealership but I read all what you guys wrote. Probably same isues that I will have with dealers . I do not want to spend my money. What I need to do? How did you guys solve this problem?
September 11th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
I have a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium. I have experienced all what you have been describing: the shuddering, the Jerking. Had the clutch pack replaced and the transmission Relearned at least twice. Now something new. There is a snapping noise when I go from a dead stop and start to accelerate, and dead stop and go to reverse and let go of the brake. 52,000 kms. This is a joke. Fed up. That car wasn’t cheap, and if it wasn’t for the major transmission issues I would love this car!!
October 5th, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Yep…got the transmission failure signal today…after some time with the shuddering…I just wish Ford would take this seriously and pay for my rental car while it takes dealership two weeks to fix it. I shouldn’t have to pay for some defect of theirs. They need to own up to the problem and take care of their customers inconvenience. My decision never to buy a Ford again is not based on the defect but the the lack of appropriate customer customer service…in my case giving me a loaner car while they fix my car.
October 6th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
I bought my daughter a 2012 Ford Focus and have the same issues as everyone else. I have taken it in many times for software updates and clutch changes and nothing fixes it.
FORD WILL DO NOTHING FOR US!!
Done with Ford they do not care that people can die driving this car
October 12th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
I just bought my Ford Focus 2012 about 6 months ago. I also have the same noise and jerking as well as lack of power. I almost got rerended getting on to the very busy traffic in Spokane Washington. I have 2 children and am a single mother. I can’t afford to take my car into the dealer ship over and over again. I took it in once for the oil change and they looked at me very strange by how I was explaining the issues. They would not look at it that day for me. And have not been able to afford to have it taken back in to asses the issue. Somebody please help with this car. This is not ok I have read several other people’s comments and this should be addressed.
October 29th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
I bought my 2013 Ford Focus Titanium in early March of 2014. I’ve loved the car ever since but I’ve always had concerns about the sluggish transmission and how it really lags driving the hills of San Francisco. My service manager explained about the fuel efficiency causing the slow shifting and shuddering at slow speeds. I overcame this be almost always driving in sport mode, especially on hills where I could shift into 1st at stop signs. Yesterday, the car was dead when I pushed the start button. It eventually started so I proceeded up the hill in Sausalito to get the highway. The transmission shuddered, and went out of gear going up the hill, and continued to shudder and go out of gear as I crossed the bridge. Luckily, I was right near a gas station when I got the transmission overheating alert. I called my service manager who talked me through a bunch of steps and assured me it would be fine in 10 minutes. I drove for about 6 blocks and got the alert again so pulled over to park. After another 10 minutes, the engine would not even start. I had to get towed home since it’s a weekend, then will have to get it towed to the dealer where, my service guy says I’ll be able to get a loaner car. Why isn’t there a recall on this Ford transmission?
November 15th, 2016 at 10:15 pm
Purchased my 2012 focus in 2011 trans problems and the latest the had to replace the gas tank and several other problems . Whe have spent about six thousand on repairs and up keep is it too late to file a claim?
December 3rd, 2016 at 9:32 pm
My 2012 ford focus shutters at take off and to me its like it takes off in the wrong gear.i have hade it in the shop at the ford dealership here in north richland hills and they keep telling me it is the way i push the gas pedal and that it is up to ford specks.it has a tendency to excelerate on its own 3 times now and as a matter of fact it done it again today .i was traveling at 60 miles per hour and it excelerated to 80 on its own and it was raining out side scared me to death.i am tired of the ford shop people telling me nothing is wrong.i have taken it to 2 different ford dealerships one told me that they took care of a recall and they did not because i had to take it to a different shop and they told me all they done was clean it but they had my car for 2or 3 days .the second shop had it for a couple of hours .so now i dont trust the ford dealerships .i dont know what else to do i have had my car in the shop a total of 6 times in the past year and a half that i have had it .i have had nothing but problems and the run arounds and i am tired of it .i am thinking of getting in contact with a lawyer to see what i can do and i live paycheck to pay check so i have to see if there is one that will work with me on getting paid when we win the case.i get so scared to drive it however i have to cause its the only vehicle i have to get to and from work.
December 5th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
@Vanessa: Being that your car is a 2012, you need to reach out to a lawyer immediately or your rights may expire. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
January 26th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Please help me!!! This 2014 Ford Focus is causing me a lot of headaches and etc. I just bought this car at the dealership about a month ago, I noticed about a a week or two after I got the car it started shuddering and jerking. I called the dealership about it and bring it in. I bought the car in and they told me “you know they have Nation wide recalled on the transmission”. I told them “no I didn’t know of any recalls on the car at all”. If I did I would not have got it. They also told me “yes, your transmission needs to be replaced but you have wait until May, June or July if we get the part for it. So, I have tried to trade in my car for another type of vehicle and it is not worth what the car is worth ($14,900 when I got it). I have taken it back to the dealership for maintenance work and asked them again about the transmission. They told me, I will be lucky if I get fixed by this Fall. The transmission is getting worse now. Please Help!!!
January 31st, 2017 at 1:07 pm
@Mary–You need to have all of this documented and then talk to a lawyer. Visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html to find a firm in your state.
February 18th, 2017 at 9:11 am
2012 Focus. Transmission shudders violently now and then in 1st and 2nd gear, especially when it’s been driven for hours. It shudders even worse when making a tight turn at low speeds.
Car has been to Ford at least 8 times, once after the trans computer packed up. (Had to creep home at 40 mph on the Interstate, at night! Talk about dangerous!) Car now has 70,000 miles on it and, though the motor runs great (and gets great mileage) I don’t trust it. And since I live far from a dealer, it better not die here at home!
Disgusted.
Jeff
February 20th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
@Jeff: Being that the car is 2012, you need to look into your rights immediately. Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html and contact a firm in your state to discuss the situation.
March 14th, 2017 at 9:31 pm
We just signed papers on our 2012 ford focus sel yesterday and today it started the hesitating and shuddering…..It sounds as if somebody is driving a straight drive and they don’t know how to hit the gears right or something. This ridiculous that they haven’t recalled it if it’s this many problems out of it. I can’t afford to make payments on something that I can’t even drive. I’m hoping they finance company I bought it from is going to look into this problem tomorrow.
April 30th, 2017 at 9:48 am
I have been driving a 2012 Ford Focus since my parents bought it back in September 2011. The transmission was always jerky, but never a huge issue until the last couple of years or so. Backing out of the driveway and switching from reverse to drive- the car continues to roll back! Lots of hesitation when pulling out into traffic etc. Recently, with 65,000 miles on it, the car finally had a transmission problem that required servicing. It is still in warranty luckily so no cost. My question is, if the car had been switched over from my father’s name to my name last year (it is now considered “used” since I am technically the second owner), but is still under a transmission warranty, do I have any chance at winning any kind of dispute? I am reading on here that it needs to be taken to a shop multiple times for a specific issue. I know my car doesn’t have much time left on it, and once it’s out of the extended transmission warranty it’s going to start costing $ when it breaks down again. I want a different car, but don’t want to trade this Focus in until I know that I have absolutely no chance at winning some type of dispute. Again, it’s about 5-6 years old with 65k miles. I’m sure during one of the maintenance visits it’s had recalls fixed for the transmission. I can have my dealer print me all the documentation of the work (have been bringing it to the same dealer).
May 12th, 2017 at 9:48 am
I bought my 2014 ford focus in Florida but moved out to California. Would I still fall under Florida’s Lemon Law? also I am having problems from the sun roof, SYNC’s system as well as the steering wheel controls. I have had it in the shop at least 3 times now. Tomorrow marks the second for specifically the steering wheel and transmission.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
I have a 2014 Ford Focus which has been giving me transmission problems. Under the manufacture warranty I had the transmission replace and as of today 05/15/17 the transmission has stop working again. Ford failed to disclose the fact that the PowerShift transmission contains one or more design and/or manufacturing defects that cause problems and unsafe conditions, including, but not limited to, suddenly lurching forward, delayed acceleration, and sudden loss of forward propulsion. I would like for Ford to buy back the Ford Focus due to its safety issues. I have 99,000 miles on the car and I just dont feel safe any longer
May 15th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
@Sally: If we have not already spoken, please call us at 800 536 6652 to discuss.
May 17th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
So I totally lost my reverse gear. I need a reverse/3rd gear shaft assembly and a new fork. This will cost close to $2000. I put 280,000 on my 2001 Focus. I purchased a new Focus with the intent of going the same distance. I have 87k miles, so my power train warranty has expired. Since none of the recalls or service bulletins involve this specific issue, I’m on the hook for the cost. If Ford knew these transmissions were problematic, why am I stuck with a $2000 bill?
May 18th, 2017 at 11:23 am
I have a 2013 ford focus that is currently in the shop for transmission issues. This is the 5th time I`ve had this vehicle in the shop. They`ve done multiple TCM updates, replaced clutches and rebuilt the transmission. There`s been no fix for the the noise and jerking problems coming from the transmission. The vehicle is currently at 48,000 miles. This was my first new car purchase and needless to say it will be my last FORD. Is there any specifics I can do? I feel as though ford has no fix and will continue to do nothing to put this issue to bed.
May 19th, 2017 at 10:50 am
@Chris: If you send an email to https://www.lemonlaw.com/mail.html with your contact information, we will be able to connect you to a TX law firm that may be able to help you.
June 2nd, 2017 at 1:30 pm
I had my 2012 Ford focus automatic transmission worked on three times now, and now it’s beginning to do the same thing. I was also told by the mechanic at the Ford dealership it was the way I was driving, he told me I need to pull out like it’s a standard. does the lemon law apply if I bought the car used?
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:30 am
I have had my ford focus in to the dealership 8 times and on the 28th will be the 9th time in for transmission problems and shuddering when you accelerate.because I am over the 160,000 KM the dealership wants to charge me $1,655.90 for repairs which should have been fixed the first time.
Ford gives you an 1-888 number which is in the state of Florida and it is a call center that all they say is, you are over the 160.000 km and we cannot do anything for you When you call ford you want to talk to someone at ford not a call center, we spend a lot of money for these cars, so far I have had fords since 1984. TO BAD FORD DOSE NOT REALIZE THAT. And look after their customers a little better.
March 1st, 2018 at 9:33 pm
From the beginning I felt the transmission wasn’t shifting right. I asked the service department they told me this is Audi transmission was installed in Ford vehicle for the first time. there was a recall and they told it was fixed.not I have 60000 miles they changed a clutch just recently but I have a grinding noise from the transmission and they say it will cost about $5000 plus the labor to fix it. also gave me choice to have a used one with about 40000 miles to be replaced for about $2000.
September 11th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
My daughter has a 2012 focus with just over 100k on it and the transmission is not working correctly, it shutters and sometimes won’t even move or will stall. It has been at the ford dealer for 2 1/2 weeks before they finally looked at. They say the dual clutches are worn out and not covered by the recall. It will cost $2800 to repair, she bought this car used is there any action we can take to hold Ford responsible?
November 23rd, 2018 at 8:48 pm
I’ve got the 2014 ford focus se flexfuel it drives great change the oil and sparks close to on time but I get 37 miles per gallon but the only deal I’m having is a long whoning sound coming from the engine if anyone may know what is please email me at Scrappycrow4341@gmail.com and let me know o like my car want to keep it running good thank u
April 11th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
I had my car looked at the day before we went on our trip to North Carolina at the dealership.they did the test and drove it and told me the car is fine no problems last year. While driving down to nc the car lost 1 and 2 gear and reverse an the highway with my family in the car I called our local dealership an they gave me the number for ford company an I was very pissed about it an they said take it to the closed dealership an I did an they couldn’t find anything wrong with it an I called the ford company back an they said it doesn’t meant the Require meant to buy me out of it or replace my transmission. An to this day it shift weird an rolls back on a hill an I don’t feel save in the car what can I do