I was driving, and wanted to shift to lower gear (from 5th to 4th - manual transmission) for braking. The transmission was stuck in the 5th gear. I used the clutch to coast to a safe stop and had the car towed to a service location. The mechanic diagnosed it due the broken cables from the shifter to the transmission. The mechanic replaced these cables and the car is ok. We did not save the cables.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

The contacts son owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving 55 mph, the contacts son noticed smoke rising from under the hood, followed by flames. Approximately one minute later, there was an explosion. The fire investigator stated that the fire may have been caused by the transmission. The fire destroyed the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 70,000. Updated 09/12/07

- Camden, DE, USA

My transmission in my 2001 Ford Focus blew up before that I went and checked my fluid in it and there was nothing in it its a 5 speed and I never tampered with it so I put fluid in it that Ford recommended after telling me its not Ford fault there was no fluid in my car and after I put the fluid in it it blew up no gears nothin just grinding

- Sharpsburg, MD, USA

I had my car in the shop five times for transmission problems. The fourth time they replaced the transmission. When I got it home the fluid was all over the place. So I took it back the mechanic, and now I have to wait for another transmission.

- Corning, CA, USA

Have there been any reported problems with rack/pinion, transmission and alternators on this vehicle since mileage has been so low yet so many problems with the car.

- Evansville, IN, USA

The gear box cracked. The consumer could not drive the vehicle in reverse, and could barely drive the vehicle forward.

- Joshua, TX, USA

The reverse gear takes effort to put it into its component.

- Moreno Valley , CA, USA

Started to notice that the transimission would clatter at any speed. Clatter became pronounced and took the car in and it had a bad bearing. This problem seems to be a common one. While the car has 60K on it all the miles are highway as I drive it 100 miles round trip per day.

- Middletown, MD, USA

Whenever the manual transmission is engaged (clutch pedal not depressed), and the gear selection is in neutral, a loud, vibrating, and metalic sound is audible coming from the manual transmission housing. Occasionally, the noise continues while in gear, through approximately 30-40 M.P.H. of speed.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

Manual transmission makes clattering noise at idle speed. Transmission difficult to shift and grinds gears. When coming to a stop, engine sputters as if it is going to stall. Instrument lights flicker due to low alternator RPM. Idle then increases.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Transmission is slipping.

- Pomona, NY, USA

Manual transmission is loud and coarse. Gear clatter prominant at all speeds. Occasionally difficult to shift into gear.

- Fraser, MI, USA