7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$930
Average Mileage:
27,400 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (19 reports)
  2. replace transmission (2 reports)
  3. replaced the clutch in the transmission (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #22

Jul 122021

Focus SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,390 miles

My 2017 Ford Focus vehicle was not even 4 years old when it started shuddering shifting into 1st and 2nd gears. I am a cautious, defensive driver but had to start out really slow in order to shift into 1st gear at 9 mph and 2nd gear at 19 mph. I really had to baby the car but the problem still got worse so called Roush Ford in Hilliard Ohio to get an appointment as they stated they had to do a diagnostic test even though I knew what the problem was.

This happened on December 30, 2021. I had to get someone to follow me to the dealership and bring me home and the repeated the process to pick up my car 2 days later. While they had the vehicle, I had to ask for help to get to appointments and church. Then I had to repeat the whole process on January 24, 2022 to have the transmission's clutch replaced. This time they had the car for 8 days. This was a huge inconvenience as I am a very busy retired lady, asking for help from friends. The diagnostic testing cost me $150 and the bill for the repair was actually $2,042.68 but Ford paid all but $778.51. Both of these expenses were a huge burden for me as I only received $1,032.39 per month to live on. It was interesting that the service coordinator told me that they have the clutch in stock so they did not even have to order it.

- Ruth S., Hilliard, OH, US

problem #21

Jan 262017

Focus S Sedan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

I was a trusting Ford customer, had driven a long line of Fords, so I chose my vehicle online and did not test drive. The problem appeared while still in the dealer lot - a delayed start and jerk. I told the dealer mechanic about it and he said that's how that transmission works (as in there is no fix). I found that I could not accelerate without a power cutout slowing the vehicle, which was very dangerous. However, I am retired, so I did not need to do expressway driving and I thought my only recourse was to bear it (and never buy a dual clutch transmission again). The car had dangerous problems while merging and it bucked like a bronco changing gears during its whole short life. My last Focus (2010) got 200,000 miles, but this one required major transmission repairs at under 100,000 miles. A clutch solenoid stuck open causing no starts because the transmission assumed I was not in park, thus wouldn't allow the car to start. The transmission would keep searching for the gear even after the key was out until it would wear down the battery. Since the transmission didn't know what gear it was in, it also overheated. Two transmission codes set - one was the stuck open solenoid. idk what the other was.

I hated and feared this car from DAY ONE and did not want to spend a dime on it. I searched online and saw the class action lawsuit filed for the transmissions of previous model years of this vehicle (2011-2016), that the same transmission had been put into my vehicle as well, and that there is, indeed, NO FIX. I saw that the class action plaintiffs went through THREE expensive transmission repairs each, none of which were any help, and were reimbursed only a pittance of the money they spent to attempt repairs. So I sold my vehicle to the junkyard 5 years before I should have had to do so. Although I have bought Ford cars my entire life, I will not be buying Ford again.

Online, you see a HUGE drop in reliability, longevity, and safety of these new transmissions (DCT, CVT) which are being used to squeeze out an impractical amount of extra fuel economy. I see that rating companies have set their limbo bars too high - rating hugely expensive transmission repairs as "minor" just to be able to recommend SOMETHING to people to drive. It's enough to send me looking for a manual.

- Susan W., Warren, US

problem #20

Dec 222019

Focus SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

The transmission faults just like what I read from everyone else. I drove the car often but not expect to have transmission problem at 66k miles. I am too late to find out that Ford knew the transmission issue but still are selling these cars. Now I am not sure what to do with this piece of s***.

- Ryan S., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #19

Feb 012018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I had a 2013 Focus with a bad transmission (rebuilt 5 times and the 5th time it was out of warranty so the dealer charged me $1200 the last time). Traded it in for a 2017 Focus because the dealer promised me the "known" transmission issues were fixed now. @ 20,000 transmission shudder (same as my 2013) Dealer flashed the TCM and said it was fixed. Day later it began to shudder again.

I left it alone and at 40,000 it was so bad it had to be rebuilt. Rebuild lasted to 96,000 to which the dealer rebuilt it again. Now 123,000 and it is shuddering so badly it barely has any power from 1st through 3rd gear. The 2017 isn't included in the lawsuit however it should be. It is now 2022 and my car pays off this year (if it makes it till then). My car is also now out of its standard warranty period so I can either pay another 1200-1400 to have it repaired or leave it on the side of the road when it dies. I will NEVER buy another Ford product again. Never. I also tell everyone how Ford consistently lies to their customer base.

- jdmt, Radcliff, US

problem #18

Jul 292021

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This is the second time in. First time in for issue was May of 2020 and they said they fixed it. Brought it in again and it took them 5 days to tell me nothing was wrong but they reset the sensor and are charging me $110.

Not happy that Ford will not address this issue.

- Annette W., Riverview, US

problem #17

Sep 042021

Focus SE 2.0L Gas

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,200 miles

Everytime I drive, this thing shudders like it's nobody's business. Sometimes it'll jolt when you park it, which was an issue with the previous DPS6 transmission.

- Liam R., Falls Church, VA, US

problem #16

Feb 012021

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

Shudders on slow acceleration. Car has less than 20k miles

- ggolflq, Palm Desert, US

problem #15

Dec 012019

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

The 2012-16 Focus has a lawsuit on them for the default transmissions. Yet Ford still made them in the 2017 models!!

- John G., New Haven, US

problem #14

Feb 082021

Focus 4s

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,800 miles

Took vehicle in for suspected shuddering issues. Was told that it was running a 150Spec and not 250 so nothing was done about it. Car still hesitates on take off and very worried I could be in an accident because of this issue.

- abbilene, Bedford, US

problem #13

Jul 102018

Focus S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,089 miles

2017 Ford Focus S I had the clutch replaced inside transmission on 12/27/2018 and the problem still occurring vibrates when I accelerate from a stop. The federal government needs to do their job and recall 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 engine and replace with new transmission before someone gets badly hurt on these roads.

- David H., Augusta, US

problem #12

Jun 172019

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

Purchased this car 3 months ago from a reputable dealer. They should have been aware of these issues from he class action lawsuit and 9 reports on CarFax and let us know but they did not. We had the car for 3 months before it started shuttering when trying to accelerate from a standstill. SEVERE transmission fluid LEAKING also began after 3 months. I have been a loyal FORD supporter for 3+ decades and this is the end for me. This has the potential to become a serious accident in the making.

Shame on FORD for putting these on the road and endangering the lives of my family and others. We are now going to have to eat the cost to repair which will basically mean we're paying off the car loan and the credit card debt we'll accumulate fixing a car we expected to run without issue for quite some time. This has set my family back years financially and we will NEVER forget it Ford. Furious doesn't cover it.

- Tommy R., Gladewater, TX, US

problem #11

Jun 012018

Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback 2.0L-Liter I-4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Same car, similar problem. This transmission is awful. From corners, occasionally it just doesn't go. It jerks and bounces feels like a kid learning to drive stick.

If you drive it hard at all, come to a stop then go light it jerks like it is tied to the concrete.

I highly recommend people stay away from this thing.

- David L., Madison Heights, US

problem #10

Nov 142018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

I bought this 2017 Ford Focus because it was new and I thought safe. Before the year was up, it started having problems at stop signs and at stop lights. This car is stalling like it does not want to go. Better not try a left turn in front of anybody. May get hit. I soon got a recall in the mail. Made an appointment at Ford. Let them have my car all day while I was at work. Picked it up the guy said nothing is wrong. I drove the car home, it hesitated all the way. I called and spoke with the service Manager. He said bring it back. On the receipt it says you have an oil leak. I said on a 2017? Why didn't they tell me when I picked it up? He said I will find out. He told me to bring it back because I had a 2nd recall letter. I went back and the tech put my recall letter in the garbage. I said go get the manager. The manager came and said we can look at it but we are backed up for 6 weeks. I need a rental. Ford does not provide one, he said and so now I sit, broken car and no fixing it in sight. Ford does not stand behind their brand. I want another car!!!

- Toni W., Memphis, US

problem #9

Oct 012018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

We are the second owners of a 2017 Ford Focus SE. After driving it for about a month, the transmission started "shuttering" when acceleratinig from stop. I'm at a loss on what to do. I read where a class action lawsuit was filed against Ford because they have known about the faulty transmission. Is it too late to get in on the lawsuit? Please HELP.

- Kerry M., Sulphur Springs, IN, US

problem #8

Oct 042018

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,600 miles

Really pissed. Just bought this car used based on the 2017 Focus not having transmission stuttering issues like the earlier years. Runs fine cold. Jerks, shudders, slips,and grabs when warm. Took to the local Ford dealer, they just called and said yes it stutters and grabs and slips. But it's not bad enough to fit their criteria for repair. Don't make a mistake like me and buy this car. Stay away from the new improved, bullshit Focus.

- Jim H., Brooksville, FL, US

problem #7

Aug 172018

Focus Titanium 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,221 miles

My Ford Focus has been having this problem since I put 5000 miles on it. I have had it to Ford Company 3 times and they tell me nothing is wrong. It jerks your head off when taking off and has a growl noise. This so upsetting pay this much for car and it runs like sh*t. It has also has a miss in it. The Ford Company tells me that it has electric transmission and it will do that. They tell me when I come to red light wait till car in front takes off and accelerate hard so it won't do it. They also tell me to wait till it goes completely out till they will fix. They told me also to call wrecker to tow in Ford will pay for it.

I am a 55 year old female with a lot of medical problems and I also have my grandson with me a lot he is 5 years old. I have told them that and they don't care. I be damned if my car breaks down on me or I get hit by another car because of these issues. I will sue the hell out of Ford Company if my grandson gets hurt or killed. If they put cars or trucks on the road like this and not tell the buyer about the issues first. They should shut Ford Company down. I am one pissed off customer. I would recommend no one to buy a Ford car or truck. It's all about money they don't give a damn about peoples lives.

- beverlyharris, GREENWOOD, US

problem #6

Oct 102018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,400 miles

I read online that the transmission issues were resolved in 2016 obviously not. We bought a new 2017 focus last fall for ourselves since we had a 2010 focus that we put 130000 miles on and figured a new Focus was the way to go. Big mistake we put just over ten thousand miles on our new focus and the transmission is shuttering and going out the dealer says no big deal drive it till next week and bring it it it won't hurt it.

Bullshit I am a retired mechanic/engineer I have personally rebuilt hundreds of transmissions in my lifetime when a transmission starts shuttering the plates are not fully engaging thus the wear surfaces grind away. What really bothers me is the fact we also purchased a new 2017 Fiesta for my daughter last year too. My daughter hasn't noticed a problem with hers yet. Called Ford they said the dealer will repair it till it hits end of factory warranty after that too bad. So we have decided to trade in on a new Kia can't buy a Dodge or Chevy they have major issues too. A shame you can't trust an American car anymore

- Steve M., Shannon, IL, US

problem #5

Dec 012017

Focus SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

I was basically forced into trading in my 2012 Focus SEL with the same transmission problems at Hagerstown Ford. I was told there was no fix for the old car (even after having the clutch replaced at 30k) but the 2017 Focus's had a "redesigned" transmission and the issues had been fixed. I noticed withing the first month that the transmission was a redesign and it showed signs already of being just like the 2012. I have 10k on this year old car now and I'm scared to drive it on the highway in fear of getting into heavy traffic and having to "stop/go" because thats when the shuttering, clanking and growling goes on. It soon will leave me sitting like my 12 did. I've called and left 2 messages with the transmission specialist with no call backs, I imagine they should hire 5 more with all these issues. Not sure what else to do but I know I will never buy another Ford again.

- tdawn870, Hagerstown, US

problem #4

Jun 202018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,340 miles

Got my Ford Focus almost year ago at the dealer. I told them I need a car which I should drive at least for a next 3 years with no problem. I asked couple times salesman about this car, is it any issue people complain about it? That's why I decided to go with a new one instead of used. They told me not at all. 15K and I have a new clutch changed by the standard warranty. Thanks for that, it sort of fixed a problem it's not shaking as was before, but still its 15k only WTF Ford?! Should I come back in next 15k again? I feel so bad about people who are buying especially this car.

- Peter C., Plainsboro, NJ, US

problem #3

Jul 112018

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

Bought a new leftover car Ford Focus 2017 on May 30 2018 at Hagerstown Ford. I have 3000 miles on it and when I come to a stop and give it gas to go it shutters and feels like its slipping in low gear. I took to Hagerstown Ford and told them what was going on. They called me several hours later to come and get car said they road tested scanned for codes, none found. Unable to verify any abnormal conditions at this time. I am a 65 year old lady who feels cheated and will be paying on a car for 6 years and I don't know if this car is going to make it. I work at a hospital and really need a dependable car to get to my job. Really upset need some advice on what to do about this.

- Debbie B., Hagerstown, MD, US

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