8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
18,150 miles
Total Complaints:
47 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced automatic clutch assembly (15 reports)
  2. not sure (14 reports)
  3. don't buy a ford (4 reports)
  4. installed a new tcm and clutch assembly (3 reports)
  5. parts back ordered feb 2015 (3 reports)
  6. updated computer (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Nov 172015

Focus 2.0lgdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,010 miles

Also cruise control did not work. Had to order instrument control panel cluster. On back order. Took approx. 6 weeks to fix. Not complaining. Gave us a Fusion to drive while being repaired. But, I'm not convinced the transmission problem is fixed. While it's not as bad as is was, there is still shuddering while shifting.

- williamoh, Willoughby, OH, US

problem #26

Jan 052016

Focus 5 Door Hatchback SE 2.0L I4 Gdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

First noticed this slipping/rumbling on turning corners from either a stop, or on the move, and accelerating. Thought it was the front tires slipping in slush, but it continued to do this intermittently even on dry pavement. It also began to do it on straight acceleration from a stop. Was going to complain at next oil change, but in the meantime, we got a recall from the dealer to address what they call a FSA 15B22 TCM recall.

That was done, and immediately afterwards, the clock and date are frozen on the time and date of that service, and will not reset. Lovely! The recall fix didn't accomplish much. Still had the odd slippage thing happening. The vehicle is driven only a few times a week around town. Within 2 weeks, got an engine warning light after one of those slipping/rumbling turn and accelerate maneuvers. The noise/vibe is louder now.

The nearest dealer seemed aware of the issue, and said it could be months to get the offending part, and that Ford is going by serial numbers in replacing them. Wanted to check it all out at nearest dealer to make sure it is safe to drive to the purchase dealer, who says it can all be done in a few days. Why the difference in service projections?? I wonder what the end results will truly be.

There is a class action against Ford in California for this issue with the Focus and Fiesta. It seems that apparently Ford has known of the problem and the evidently faulty part(s) for years now, and continued to put them in the vehicles. All my online reading shows that multi replacements fail one after the other. We owners now are stuck with potentially serious transmission failure and all the consequences. I cannot trust this car. One could be tempted to join the Canadian class action suit.

You can look at this at https://www.charneylawyers.com/Charney/forddualclutchtransmissionclassaction.php

I am a senior, and totally sick at heart for the predicament I am facing.

- Bev S., Parry Sound, ON, Canada

problem #25

Apr 092015

Focus Hatch SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

I have learned that the shuddering/hesitation problem is with the clutch in the automatic transmission.

Within the first 6 months/8,000 miles, I noticed a hesitation when I attempted to accelerate from a stop. By 12 months/15,000 miles, I started getting the "clutch shudder," mostly when accelerating around a corner. Eventually the shuddering got worse and was happening even when accelerating straight ahead. Now the shudder and/or hesitation has been happening at higher speeds and/or in higher gears.

The service manager at my local dealer has ordered a new clutch. (Imagine my surprise when I learned that my automatic transmission needed a new clutch!) He said they were hard to get and it may take a month.

I have researched the issues with this PowerShift transmission, particularly in the Ford Focus. I understand that it is a "known" problem. I know that Ford extended the warranty on 2011-2013 models to 100,000 miles or 10 years. I learned that there have been multitudes of lawsuits and even class action suits.

The MOST disturbing thing I've learned is that replacing the clutch does not guarantee that the problem will not happen again. The PowerShift Automatic (which is actually a 6-speed manual with a clutch operated by two electric motors) is poorly engineered.

The problem is known to Ford and Ford should NOT be selling cars with this transmission.

- dkgotham, Bessemer, MI, US

problem #24

Oct 122015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,500 miles

Just bought used two days ago, traded in a perfectly great 2012 Honda Civic for this car that I know now why someone traded it in, I thought I would give Ford another chance on being maybe a good vehicle, guess I was wrong.

- Eddie M., Bristol, VA, US

problem #23

Jan 022016

Focus LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

There should be no transmission problems on a new car bought off the lot that I have put 8,000 easy miles on.

- Stephanie A., Lakeland, FL, US

problem #22

Jun 132015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

I WOULD NEVER, I MEAN NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!!! ACCORDING TO FORD THEY INSTALLED AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN A MANUAL CAR. TO SAVE ON GAS MILEAGE. THEY SAY THE SHUTTER/SHAKE IS WITHIN SPECS. IF I KNEW THAT THIS CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE AFTER ABOUT 15000 MILES I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT. WHY WOULD I WANT A CAR WITH A SHUTTER/SHAKE. THEY HAVE RESET SEVERAL TIMES SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER, WHICH DOES NOTHING. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE CARS AND MAKE THEM RIGHT. THE SHAKE DOES NOT START RIGHT AWAY UNTIL THE ENGINE "LEARNS" HOW YOU DRIVE.

IT IS DECEITFUL AND WRONG TO SELL THESE CARS TO THE PUBLIC. REPLACE MY CAR FORD, WHERE IS THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. WORD OF MOUTH IS A WONDERFUL THING AND I WILL MAKE SURE THE WORLD KNOWS NOT TO BUY ANY FORD PRODUCT. RANT OVER

- Jody K., Hampshire, US

problem #21

Feb 052014

Focus ES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

I've had the car for 2 years and have complained about it since I took possession. I've been given excuses like, "You aren't used to a 4 cyl. It's just a Ford quirk.. ect." When I finally got them to look at it in JUNE 2015, I was told they had to order the parts and that they wouldn't come in until September. Well it's September and I was told they are still servicing cars with this problem from back in May that are ahead of me. That was just for my tech. He said that he didn't know how many the others had on their lists. He also told me that they spread out these repairs due to the volume.

I still owe $18,000 on this vehicle and drive 2 to 2.5 hours daily for work. I CANNOT be without a dependable car and the best offer I've gotten as a trade in is $11,000. There are many things to love about this car, but I do not feel safe, my friends refuse to ride with me, and I am stuck upside down in a vehicle that is getting increasingly worse.

- Shannon P., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #20

Nov 162014

Focus SE 2.0L. I4. Gdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30 miles

The POS has always shook and shuddered. When I first bought the car I took it in for repairs on the Trans. and because the motor sounds like it has top end problems when first starting it cold. I was told by the lead mechanic when first starting the car a heat shield had to warm up and then it will get quiet, which it will. Driving back and forth to Orlando every day I found I had to stand on the brakes and immediately jump on the gas to keep from getting rear ended. The transmission is definitely not a quick response Tranny so if you need to hit the brakes then the gas-- the Trans will slip and the motor will rev up. Downshifts when turning around corners unless you stay on the gas. I have been using Lucas Fuel Treatment lately and it seems to be helping with hesitation on take off.

I have taken it back to the Dealership repeatedly, they claim to put it on the computer every time and tell me the Trans is acting the way it is designed to act. This is the first Ford I have ever bought for myself ( have always had a Chevy) and I am so sorry I did not look at reviews before buying the Focus or I would still be driving a Chevy. Also, I am 6'-0" and 235 lbs, very difficult little car to get in and out of for a big man. Not a real comfortable ride either. It gets decent gas mileage though and that is what I bought it for.

Do not buy a Focus, Fiesta or Titanium unless Ford gives you an unconditional guarantee of satisfaction in writing.

- vator, South Daytona, FL, US

problem #19

Oct 012015

Focus Titanium 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 16,500 miles

I live in Maine. I will never buy another Ford product!! Shuddering began at 16,000 miles. They tell me at Ford that some shuddering is normal. I said--"What? Normal?" It goes into Fords garage in a month and they will replace parts in the transmission. I hope it still "shudders"--so I can apply for the Lemon Law!!! I have heard nothing but horror stories about these cars!! Ford needs to be held accountable!!!

- Thomas S., East Machias, ME, US

problem #18

Jul 142015

Focus SE 2.Ol

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,876 miles

Purchased this car new. I have to say I really love driving it. 38 mpg is nice. It also handles very nice, and rides smoothly once you are at highway speed, but I also have to say the transmission shuddering between 15 and 20 mph and on left turns is just "flat out wrong." The dealer mechanics claim this is the way these type of transmissions work, but they went ahead and updated the computer, which did not solve this problem, anyway...hmm? I actually considered waiting to buy the new AWD RS version of this for next year, since I have had no problems with my AWD Taurus and Freestyle. But if Ford cannot step-up to the plate on this one, like replacing the transmission with something that feels like I could trust it, then I will definitely have to consider something else before 36,000 miles. I currently would not take this any long trips for fear of a mechanical failure.

- Greg G., Richland Center, WI, US

problem #17

May 012015

Focus SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

I bought the car off the show room floor in 2013 with only 4 miles on it. Before there were 200 miles on it the issues started. I called the dealership and got the following response...."the transmission that Ford used for this model year just does that. You can bring it in and we will replace the transmission and engine, but it will do the same thing. It is the turbo booster that Ford used and you will just have to live with it."

Now....the car has 28000 miles and is almost 2 years old...now when I take off it jerks and shudders so much, you almost feel like you are starting a roller coaster ride. When I turn corners it does the same thing but makes a noise as if the plastic over the engine is shaking off! There needs to be a valid fix before I run out of warranty!!!

- Rachelle D., Brownsburg, IN, US

problem #16

Apr 302014

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Dealer replaced the clutch. Still not much better. Dealer claims shudder is under tolerance level.

- Tim A., Laurel, MD, US

problem #15

Jul 162015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Car has been in twice transmission is still shuttering and slipping, ford replaced clutches still doing the same thing. Changed computer still the same problem, going to get a lawyer. Car is dangerous it hesitates on take off constantly. What a piece of crap and Ford is doing nothing about correcting the problem. Proudly made in Michigan it says on it. Come on Ford stand up and correct this!

Update from Nov 11, 2015: Finally had to dump the focus with14,000 miles on it, Ford cannot and will not fix them correctly. Mine was in three times and never fixed. Ford dealership said they get a least one a day in with the same problem.

Shame on Ford for not changing out this engineered junk transmission .

LAST FORD THAT WILL BE IN MY GARAGE!

- Patrick M., Youngstown, OH, US

problem #14

Jul 222015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I told my husband, get rid of the car or were going to be killed. It hesitated on me while I was switching lanes , and I almost got rear-ended. We had just got it back from Ford last week. Problem is not getting and is not going to get any better. They need to replace the whole transmission to fix the problem. Transmission alert comes on and the car just stops whether you are at a stop sign or in the middle of a busy freeway. My advice is if you are contemplating suicide, by all means, buy a 2014 Ford Focus.

- Patricia M., Goshen, OH, US

problem #13

May 182015

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,620 miles

We bought this Focus in the fall of last year for the gas mileage. A month or so ago, we got a transmission fault light on the dash. I called the dealer's service dept., but of course they couldn't do anything unless the light was on and it had gone off late in the day after the car had been driven several times.

A week or so ago, we noticed a shutter in the front end (like chattering tires) when accelerating. We took the car to the dealer and found out this is a known problem in 2013 & 2014 Focus models. Apparently, the automatic transmission is not really an automatic at all, but a manual transmission with an electronic shift added. The fix has been to either replace the clutch or update the TCM & PCM modules or both. They told us they updated the software in these modules and the problem was fixed, WRONG!!

The day we got it back the problem started all over again, although not as bad as before it was serviced. I found out that most people with this issue ended up trading the car as sometimes the fix works but most times it doesn't. We ended up trading it in for an Escape. My advice, if you experience this issue with either a 2013 or 2014 model year Focus, get rid of it. Supposedly Ford has fixed the issue in the 2015 model but we didn't want to take that chance.

- William B., Glen Allen, VA, US

problem #12

Apr 142015

Focus SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Took car back to dealer. Apparently parts are on back order for probably 2 months.

- ekorsos, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #11

Mar 302015

Focus SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I have brought my car in for the same issue, they had to update the computer which helped for a day or 2.

- ekorsos, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #10

Oct 232014

Focus SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Ford is supposed to be a reputable company, I am so disappointed. We purchased our first NEW car and we're having issues.

- ekorsos, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #9

Oct 012014

Focus Titanium 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

Still not working properly. Hesitates from a standstill. Upon heavy acceleration, it stalls while changing gears. It feels like it in neutral. Make funny clicking sound when going to a lower gear.

- Joseph O., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #8

Dec 142013

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,400 miles

Trans parts replaced 7 times. Regional Ford in Orlando ..................no communication ability. They ignore phone calls. On the 7th repair attempt Ford did not put transmission back correctly. Told this is all "Normal" I have lost $10,000 in value on a trade in in 1.4 years. Tranny lasts about 3,000 miles and back In we go. It's like I have nothing else to do. Going to arbitration next week with BBB . Sounds like it may be just a waste of more time. We have two Fords. A 13 Fusion and the 14 Focus. After all of this .........NO More Fords will be in my garage ever! Used to believe in the big 3 ! Maybe a Volkswagon or a Mazda in our future. After reading complaints seems Ford may be just deaf ! Like to ignore problems. Try to sell this car with CARFAX entries. Ford cannot erase that ! if you would consider buying a Ford.....you may need your head examined.

- Phil F., Venice, FL, US

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