8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,300
Average Mileage:
28,850 miles
Total Complaints:
32 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace clutch assembly (20 reports)
  2. not sure (12 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #32

Sep 032019

Focus SE 3.2lV69

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

I am just tried having to get the car fixed. I have had it in the shop five time for repair since I got the car and the miles and the year it should have to be in the shop to get fixed at all yet. So please try to do something about it - I need my car for work every day and it needs to be dependable for it.

- katie.karieshaum, Leetonia, US

problem #31

Jul 122017

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,245 miles

Second time having the clutch repaired. The worst part is, I have to take it in several times before they will fix it... it seems it has to fail what they call a "shudder" test before they will make the repair. This is a total waste of my time & gas money. It irritates the crap out of me b/c once they determine it meets the criteria for repair, I then have to wait for them to find me a loader car...

- Barbara M., Washburn, US

problem #30

Jul 252018

Focus LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

After driving the car for 20000 miles the shuddering started, the Dealership repaired the clutch. Then again at 40000 miles the dealership once again repaired the clutch and now this problem has started again at 60000 miles. Now my car has 63000 miles on it and I am going to take it back for the third time which is to me time consuming.

- grahamd48, Red Spring, US

problem #29

Jan 102018

Focus SE

  • CVT transmission
  • 69,104 miles

This car was purchased for my teenage daughter used. Did all the things having it checked out the car seemed fine. Within three weeks we were already feeling the shuddering and the hesitation when starting out. Just feeling like the car wouldn't shift properly. You know, feeling like you should not pull out in front of anyone closer than a mile out because you might die. We took it in and were told about the adaptive learning and all that jazz. Made sense because we both drove the car and each had our own style. I started driving it as the sole driver and it seemed better for a week or so then it all started again.

Took it in today, it needs a clutch, an almost $1500 repair and we have made two...two payments on the car. Disappointed!! They said it has the extended warranty but it doesn't cover the clutch. So now what! I was also told they could update the software and do the learning program for $200 and it may help. Confused...help...repair the clutch? If the clutch needs replacing...how is software programming suppose to correct that. I mean... I am no mechanic but that sounds questionable at best. Help what...charge me extra before making the repair anyway.

I digress. Then I got online and found I was not alone in the Focus struggle. Which I should find comforting but not so much really. This is the third Ford vehicle I have owned with no complaints...but no longer fan! Just sayin'!

- Denise E., Metter, GA, US

problem #28

Sep 062016

Focus SE

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,272 miles

Very disappointed with Ford and their handling of this bad product.

- goodsyboy, Seattle, US

problem #27

Sep 142017

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I bought this car a month and a half ago. I traded in my 2012 Malibu for 2014 Ford Focus SE (BIG Mistake) thinking that this would be a more fuel efficient and safer car since I’m expecting my first baby in not even three months. This car is the biggest pile of sh*t I have ever owned (I’ve owned five cars) and not to mention I’m literally scared to drive it. For someone who used to live life on the edge that’s pretty bad. Within the first week I bought it it would jerk like I was going up a roller coaster when I would accelerate from a stoplight or stop sign. It did it also as I was speeding up to switch lanes or pass someone. Not to mention a week ago what really pissed me off was the fact that this death mobile mis shifted and sped up like 10+ mph when I was driving at the same speed limit on an interstate. Not cool especially since icy roads are approaching. This car somehow passed the inspection for lemon law and now after owning it not even two months they are replacing the clutch. What happens when it fails again and I get in an accident with my baby/child or it breaks down and I have to cough up money to replace this car or the part again? Step up ford and fix your sh*t.

- Stephanie S., Glenwood City, US

problem #26

Nov 162016

Focus SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

According to the company we got it from, they had fixed it twice before me and then again in June. I had to pay money because they tightened something that broke the starter, so I had to pay out of pocket $100.00. I was pissed because this has been an on going issue since day one...I told them something was wrong with this car ... now I'm stuck with a lemon ..please help.. I want out of this vehicle .....thanks

- Lisa L., Dover, US

problem #25

Sep 162015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Purchased 2014 Ford Focus from Dave Smith Ford in Buffalo, NY. Asked why the car shuttered during test drive. they said they all do & the car needs to get used to my driving habits. (BS!!!) Took the car back 3 times within a month. They said they tested it & It was fine. I took the car to Florida & took to a ford dealer. They said the car failed the calibration test and all dealers are aware of the fact that these cars have a clutch problem. I had to wait 12 weeks for a clutch to come into the dealer. They fixed the car and it runs worse. It shutters, shakes, bucks and I have to PUNCH it to make it move from a stop light. It also had a rear fuel leak which they fixed. I called the State Attorney General who did nothing. The dealership refuses to speak to me. I spent $17,000 on a car that runs like sh*t and can't get it fixed. Ford needs to recall these cars. I am also involved in a class action suit on the car but thats going no where.

- Susan F., Lockport, NY, US

problem #24

Apr 042017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Still in for service after over 3 weeks. This issue had been occurring for a few months, but the local dealership didn't have anyone one that worked on Focus transmission issues.

I went to a different dealership (Ford in Cerritos, Ca.) I had to argue constantly with the dealership over getting them to cover the rental car. Getting status updates is a real challenge. They can't, won't, don't, tell the truth about when the car well be ready. It's always ready tomorrow or the next day, or so the story goes.

The Hertz rental at the dealership are staffed by crooks. They slip additional insurance into the contract despite declining the coverage.

- Mark N., Long Beach, CA, US

problem #23

Dec 142016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

... and it only took 4 weeks for this attempt at resolving the issue.

- Mark N., Long Beach, CA, US

problem #22

Feb 242017

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Seems like Ford has known about this problem for awhile. When I took my 2014 Ford Focus Titanium to the dealer yesterday the service rep said yea sounds like the clutch assembly. They've had problem's on the 2014's. OK so why was this on the lot to be sold to someone? God knows have them stop what their doing, rearrange their day because of a known defect, and sit at home with no transportation because I have to take my car to be fixed when it should have been fixed in the first place BEFORE BEING PUT OUT ON THE LOT TO SELL!

This car only had 26,500 miles when I bought it and have only put maybe 3000 in a years time. Look thru the history of when the clutch needs to be replaced and it seems they're all about the same. When I was shown this car and test driven there was no mention of this problem. Well duh, why would a salesman bite the hand that's going to feed him! FORD you're so freaking guilty on this and only have proven to not make this a priority to change all of them only hoping and keeping your fingers crossed it runs out of warranty so it won't be on your back anymore. Think I'll go Toyota or Nissan next time!

- Lisa S., Greenville, US

problem #21

Oct 152015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I HATE FORD I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE. I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY TRIED TELLING ME THEY SENT ME SOMETHING TWICE. I CALL BULLSHIT. IF I GOT THAT LETTER MY CAR WOULD OF BEEN IN THE SHOP. THEY JUST DON'T WANNA FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM COST ME 1400 DOLLAR RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. THANKS FORD I APPRECIATE IT. I HOPE ALL YOU FORD PEOPLE HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. THE WORST PART ABOUT IT IS THEY DON'T CARE I REALLY HOPE THIS LEMON LAW THEY HAVE AGAINST THEM GOES SOMEWHERE.

- nruggles, Lacona, IA, US

problem #20

Sep 102016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Same problem as the other complaints. Jerking shuddering ...so embarrassing. This is the 2nd time they're replacing the clutch. I should have chose a different car and I'm probably going to sell this one if I can... I'm so disappointed in Ford

- t98012, Bothell, WA, US

problem #19

Jul 012014

Focus Hatchback 2.0L Gdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,800 miles

When we purchased this vehicle it was to replace a 2001 Focus Hatchback that my wife really loved, that is why we decided to stay in the product line. Big mistake, if I had read these complaints it never would have happened. When we test drove the vehicle and I commented on the shudder I was told because it was an adaptive learning dual clutch transmission it needed to learn how we drove. Like a fool I accepted the reasoning. About 8 months after driving the car it started to become more noticeable so I had it checked and they said no trouble found. In June of 2015 we returned it after receiving a recall notice and they advised us not to drive the car because of the danger surrounding the clutch and transmission. The service department had the car for almost 3 months, they finally received a new clutch and installed it but failed to perform the required update software and I had to have it towed back. They did the update and it seemed to run ok for a while. In April of this yer I started to notice again it was shuddering and jerking from a stop, very dangerous trying to accelerate into the highway. We then received a recall 15B22 to reprogram the TCM and PCM, they did that on July 8th and the car is now driving worse than ever. I took it back on July 27 and am awaiting a call as to its status. My feeling is that I should start the Lemon Law process and probably will after we get it back that is if we get it back. Sorry Ford, you lost a faithful customer.

- Gary A., Haverhill, MA, US

problem #18

Sep 102015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Purchased a 2014 Ford Focus (F*ck-us) Sept. 2015 from Dave Smith Ford in Buffalo NY. Upon test drive I mentioned the shuttering and bucking of the clutch when starting up. They said it was normal for that sort of clutch & said the car had to get used to my driving habits. Took it back twice for them to look at & they said it was normal. Took the car to Florida & the problem got worse.

Took it to Sam Galloway Ford and they did a calibration test on the clutch which failed miserably and said it had to be fixed and also had a rear main fuel leak. My car failed the shutter test for certain rpm's. I was put on a waiting list which would take 12 weeks to get the clutch fixed. I wrote and called my dealer, the BBB, filed a complaint with the State Attorney General and called Ford Corporation. A customer service regional manager from Ford called me every week to say there was no progress on getting a clutch. I got a case number and they said they would expedite the clutch since I was on vacation in Florida. The car continually drove worse. Four months later, the clutch was still not in yet.

Update from Feb 6, 2018: I AM CURRENTLY HAVING MY THRID CLUTCH INSTALLED IN MY CAR IN 3 YEARS!! WHEN IS THIS PROBLEM GOING TO BE RESOLVED????

- Susan F., Lockport, NY, US

problem #17

Feb 222016

Focus SE 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 32,500 miles

Called dealer about hesitation in shifting from 1st to 2nd. Was told by sales person that it does not sound familiar and they had no idea what we were talking about, finally was able to talk to service department and was told that it was supposed to do that but they would call us back when with in a day or so to get us in so they could take a look. Never did. Ended up having to call again. Finally they had an opening and we got the car in. They looked at it but the shudder was with in tolerance, but they decided to disconnected the battery and reset the computer to solve the problem... Nope, made it worse.

- Joseph D., Boise, ID, US

problem #16

Mar 162016

Focus SE 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 33,840 miles

2nd time taking the car in for the same issue. This time it's because there is dust on the clutch computer or something... ??? A sealed unit does not get dust in it but what ever. They checked the car out and this time got a shudder out side tolerance, so to fix it they have to get a new clutch. I know dealers need a chance to fix the issue, but having to wait 60 to 90 days for a part is excessive, once it does get replaced I am to drive 1,500 miles to "break in" the new clutch, on top of that I am told that this may not solve the issue. I've owned 6 different Fords over the last 15 years and I've never had an issue like this, nor have I ever had a problem with them not fixing things right the fist time. What really gets me is that this car I purchased is a certified pre-owned vehicle, and they didn't catch this, a known issue, when doing there certification.

- Joseph D., Boise, ID, US

problem #15

Sep 012015

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Car has been bought into Ford 3 times already and they keep updating the TCM. But they finally said I might need a new clutch replacement but they say it's on Back Order so they won't help me or anything. They said they will contact me but never did, so I keep calling and hear the same answer every day. I'll never buy a car that is equipped with a Dual-Clutch Transmission. Thank God this lease is up in November 2016.

- Robert S., Deer Park, NY, US

problem #14

Nov 152015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

The car has a jerky start, and it slips when accelerating from a stopped position. Especially dangerous when getting on the highway. I've taken it to 2 dealerships for repair, and both tell me there's a back-order on the clutch replacement. One dealer says it will take 6 months to get the part, the other dealer says 1 month. But, they told me to go ahead and drive it and they will call me back when they have the part. Terrible! It's not worth my life to drive this car.

- dustpang, Succasunna, NJ, US

problem #13

Jul 162014

Focus ES 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,899 miles

I bought a brand new car Ford Focus 2014 the car started shudder after you takes off. I took the car back to the dealer they kept it for 3 week stated that the clutch was replaced on the car is still doing the same thing I don know how much I can take of this. The manager want to give an appointment to bring it back in December that is not solving the problem I need it fixed or replaced vehicle. Unsatisfied customer right now I called no one will return my call.

- barkerga, Lithonia, GA, US

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