7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,650
Average Mileage:
47,150 miles
Total Complaints:
70 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (36 reports)
  2. replace dual-clutch (17 reports)
  3. only solution for me is to get rid of it! (10 reports)
  4. replace clutch/repair main seal (5 reports)
  5. recall15b22. reprogrammed pcm tcm (1 reports)
  6. replace transmission (1 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Aug 242015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,361 miles

This time they replaced the Clutch assembly again, replaced all Seals, replaced engagement bearings, removed and reinstalled transmission, reprogrammed transmission, replaced cylinder assembly

- Tanya C., Whitby, ON, Canada

problem #49

Sep 112013

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,125 miles

Took my car to the Ford dealer to complain and have my car looked at as I just bought this car less then 3000KM ago. Was told from the dealer that this is the way the ford focus drives and gave me a printout on the ford focus transmission. I was told that I did not know how to operate my Automatic transmission (Even though I have owned multiple Fords including standard Mustangs.

Rep from Service Department told me I was a liar and there is nothing wrong with the car and told me to leave the dealership and not return as they will not service my car again for transmission issues. I left in tears. Only bought my car less then 10,000KMs ago

- Tanya C., Whitby, ON, Canada

problem #48

Sep 052012

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

Well i brought my 2012 ford focus brand new on my L's, i was hoping to get a good reliable car. Ha wishful thinking i have had my transmission fixed and couch replaced more times then needed. I got the run around story that it was my driving for years! how sexist. I went back to ford ( Peter warren) so many times for them to check the car as it just stops going around roundabouts or streets. Then on sunday my car couldn't reverse and went straight to ford the sunday afternoon they told me to come back monday as the service department was CLOSED. LIKE WTF. Then to make things worse they told me dont expect a call until lunch time as they are to busy in the morning another WTF moment. I left my car there as i didn't want to drive it. Got to work monday they called me without looking at the car telling me its the battery ?? I know a battery has nothing to do with being able to reverse or NOT. Around 12 they call me to let me know it was the transmission module was faulty. I was pissed off at this point as they think because i am a young girl i am stupid. I had to google and got advice from a mechanic as i believe they will tell you anything so they dont fix the car. Then once i had enough i requested a meeting with the higher management they told me they can fix the car and i would be happy? I have had it fixed so many time i said can you guarantee it will fix the issue they said we can't but we can try. I said no thanks i want my money back this time. They SAID NO and to try them in court. BUNCH OF ASSHOLES i wont ever buy a ford again. I have had different people look after me there as they can't keep there staff due to these issues.

- Kelly H., nsw, Australia

problem #47

Jun 142016

Focus V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,036 miles

returned car to dealer for same problem as in Jan. 2016. This time they ordered and changed one clutch. I was with out my car for 4 days and since my job is 50 miles away I was forced to miss work those days.

- Coleen M., Rutland, VT, US

problem #46

Jan 292016

Focus V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

at 45000+ miles the car jumped at take off, then it started shuddering. I took car to dealer for warranty repair & it was fixed for now.

- Coleen M., Rutland, VT, US

problem #45

Jan 022015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,458 miles

I bought this car in January 2015 for my sister-in-law who lives alone in NC as she was in dire need of a reliable car and couldn't afford one of her own. I handled all the aspects of the sale with Lafayette Ford in Fayetteville, NC, via phone, fax, email and UPS, as I live in Florida. The car had some hesitation problems as she drove off the car lot, but the salesman, Darryl, told her that it would be fine, that the transmission just needed another thousand miles or so to "work out the kinks," more or less. She doesn't put very many miles on a car, so it took some time and she kept being patient.

At this point, the car was shuddering and vibrating on take-off. In time, it got worse. She finally took the car in for repair in September of 2015 after receiving the recall notice, and was told that the shudder was within "normal limits" and that it was fine. The car continued to shudder and vibrate, sporadically.

By September of 2016, she had to take a longer trip than is her usual practice, and throughout that trip, it sputtered, shuddered, vibrated loudly, hesitated at every stoplight. She was afraid she wouldn't make it home. Subsequent to that, she took the car back to Lafayette Ford and was given the same spiel: they put it on the machine, checked it out, everything is within normal limits!!! That is not normal for a car to shake, rattle and roll all over the place every time you try to accelerate.

She is now taking the car back into the shop with the same complaint within a few days. I'll post the results afterwards. This car is a piece of sh** and the Ford company knows it but refuses to fix it. That is extremely poor customer service, the likes of which I've never experienced in my more than 50 years of buying cars. I will NEVER recommend Ford or Lafayette Ford to anyone unless they make this right with me and fix my car ONCE AND FOR ALL!

- ronaldwilbur, The Villages, FL, US

problem #44

Jan 122016

Focus 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 60,000 miles

soooooo disappointed. transmission is slipping, grinding, just terrible. I took it to Ford dealer parts wont be in for 12 weeks,grrrrr,i should be able to get a loaner, but dealership said problem is so extensive, they would'nt have enough cars to compensate the masses.

- maloimorannj, Pittsgrove, NJ, US

problem #43

Aug 052012

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

My 2012 Ford Focus SE has transmission problems. Every single time I start and stop the car shudders and hesitates. The car is unsafe to drive. Also the car's cruise control broke within 3 months of owning the car, it was fixed and then broke again a month later. And hasn't worked in 3 years.

This car is junk. I have taken it to three different Ford dealerships and they refused to fix the problem. They would tell me there was nothing wrong with the transmission it was the way I drive. Every time I took it in for the cruise control Ford would tell me that they were unable to fix the problem because the cruise was working that day, when it never worked for me. They refused to fix the problems and I finally ran out of a warranty and gave up.

I don't have the money to pay to have this car fixed when I bought a brand new car I college to not have to worry about getting work done to a car. This has been the biggest disappointment and I just want them to be recalled. Ford owes it to all the customers that are currently stuck with this car and paying big money for a car that doesn't work. I don't not feel safe allowing my family in the car because it is too dangerous to drive. It stresses me out on a daily basis having to drive this car and never knowing when it's going to stop working. I have been having these problems since I bought the car in July of 2012.

- Christie A., Oak Harbor, OH, US

problem #42

Jul 012015

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Transmission on this car shudders and makes noise intermittently. Have had older Focus' and never had a problem with the transmission. Problem comes and it goes. Especially bad in traffic.

- Dan B., Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #41

Nov 272015

Focus Limited 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

This car was good until it was serviced for a transmission recall. Then it shook/made noise/stuttered/felt like it was losing power when starting. The local dealer said this has happened with some of the recalls and ordered a part to fix it. This part made no difference. Problem is still there.

- Mitch F., Degraff, MN, US

problem #40

Mar 202016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

It has done it every day since I got the car in April of 2015. It's a pain, and it's actually pretty dangerous.

- Ansley M., Mt. Juliet, TN, US

problem #39

May 252015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,137 miles

I purchased my Ford at the auctions. Not even 2 years old and it started shuddering. I took the car back at least 4 times to Ford to have it fixed. I am still not happy with it.

- susanarroyo, Newcastle, Australia

problem #38

Sep 012013

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

It is very scary. Always feels like it is going to die on me at the worse times. Loses strength. Told the dealership about it before I bought it and they said it just needed to be reprogrammed. Bought it, drove it home. Thought the problem would get better but it never did. Took it back last year because they automatically extended the warranty. Reprogrammed it again but as soon as I pulled out of the parking lot I felt it shuddering and weak take off again. I am so tired of it and most of all I feel unsafe. I don't want to start a new loan and lose money by trading it in for another car. What a mess and Ford doesn't seem to care.

- lolita18015, Fountain Hill, PA, US

problem #37

Aug 052013

Focus V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

I was sold a lemon. Replaced the clutch/transmission a year and a half ago, now waiting on another one. I'm LIVID!!!! No one will help.

- Kelly P., Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #36

Oct 302013

Focus SEL 2.0L 4cly

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I tell you what I owned this car 1 Year and I could not take it anymore I had it to the ford dealer ever 2 weeks for the shuddering and loss of power would not shift very good had so many issues. They flash the computer 5 times when I had it every time they did it got worse then I got a recall in mail to replace clutch deals and new clutch so they did it still made it worse grinding shuddering and I had it traded it off for an older one with out computer problem 2002 Chevy Avalanche 230,000 miles on it and now has 245,000 and haven't did a thing with that compared to the Ford it had only 35,000 when i bought it when I sold it. it had only 40,000 because it was in the shop most of the time and I was scared to drive it. FORD NEVER AGAIN! 5.4 Triton suck never gonna own a Ford again. STAY AWAY FROM THEY CARS AND FORDS TOO!!!!

- Tyler J., Webster, SD, US

problem #35

Sep 012013

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75 miles

From the start I kept telling them. They said the car had to get USED to the way I drove! Several tows later and lots of shaking, shuddering, two replaced TCM, last one was the letter from Ford. I get a call saying my battery would not let them program the new transmission. It was out of warranty and I had to pay $130 before they could go any further fixing the transmission. The fix didn't last long I have gone 75 miles and it is back to the same shaking and shuddering.

I haven't tried the hill to my friends house. It barely makes it up to her driveway. Yes it rolls backs when stopped at a light on a hill. My friends won't drive with me.They are afraid of the car. I am just waiting for something to happen , intersections especially. No one wants to buy the car when they drive it .I need a lawyer. I have 4 jobs and was working 7 days a week until recently. Did not have time to take care of the issue. I tried but the servicemen just did the bare minimum to get me out.

- Booie B., Reseda, CA, US

problem #34

Jul 232015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Bought car used in 6/15. Within two weeks the car shuttered/hesitated on takeoff. Dealer sent me to Ford for a recall fix. They reprogrammed the computer. One month later, same deal, this time they replaced the module. It is happening again. I love the car other than this issue. I have made four payments on the car and look forward to trading it. I will when I get sick of the issue again going back to Ford and having them " fix" it again. Time and inconvenience is the hassle with this.

It shutters still and now I am just living with it. I feel Ford should take this car in trade with full trade in value (what I paid) and start over. !!!!!! Yes I'm over it.

- kendy, Ct, US

problem #33

Dec 292014

Focus Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

They first tried to FLUSH the system. Thanks, lets just see if customer will be happy. Then about a month later problem was worse. When I took it into dealership they told me that the car was fine. Even though I dropped it off and told them to look at it. Next day a phone call and said they need to order parts to replace clutch system. Three months later car goes into dealership for new clutch, in June. Now in November it starts happening again. Very disappointed with this Ford.

- James W., San Tan Valley, US

problem #32

Sep 042012

Focus SEL 2.0L 4c

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

We are the original owners of a 2012 Ford Focus. With less than 5000 miles on the car, we started noticing the transmission making a noise. We brought it to our local dealer and a software update was done.

With less than 10,000 miles the transmission started jerking from a stop light or stop sign. Back to the dealer again and a new transmission clutch was ordered.

This problem has now started again with less than 34,000 miles.

I stopped at the dealer again today 11/20/15 and was told by the service manager a clutch was again needed.

This is a quote from the service manager " This is the worse transmission Ford has ever put in an automobile." "We will need to be putting in a new clutch in about every 25,000 miles until the car has 100,000 miles on it and than it's your baby.

That left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Before we bought this Ford, we were always GM owners, Ford has lost my future business.

- David / Donnalee S., Grand Haven, MI, US

problem #31

Jul 162015

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,888 miles

I brought my car to the dealership not once, but twice for the shuttering. They fixed it and reset the transmission the first time for recall 15b22. Then within like 4 days it went back to stuttering. So I brought it back and they told me that was normal..........I CALL BULLSHIT.

- Tim A., North Easton, MA, US

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