10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 30 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 15 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 59,417 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My vehicle is showing symptoms of a clutch issue that has been acknowledged by Ford. Dealer said this is exactly the issue but cant cover it under the warranty because its past 7 year. The car is under 100K miles so I feel this should still be addressed.
- Enterprise, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact bought the vehicle brand new and the transmission clutch was replaced twice under warranty since it was purchased. During the most recent failure, the vehicle hesitated to move. Hagerstown Ford (1714 massey blvd, hagerstown, md 21740, (301) 733-3673) confirmed that the transmission clutch failed again for the third time in three years. For this failure, the contact stated that they would not cover the repair cost since the warranties were expired for both the vehicle and the parts. The manufacturer, after being informed of a class action lawsuit about the transmission failures, stated that nothing could be done and transferred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.
- Keedysville, MD, USA
It is my understanding that Ford willingly and knowingly sold cars with faulty transmissions. After multiple complaints and a class action, Ford extended the warranties under 14M01 (7years/100,000 miles) and 14M02(10 years/ 150,000) miles. My car, along with multiple other complaints that can be found online, is experiencing same shuddering issues at low speeds that are covered under the 14M01 extended warranty. However, my car is at 110,000 miles and per Ford and dealer are not covered. The issues are clearly related to a design flaw from Ford, and not as a result of a vehicle milage/age. I am requesting that Ford extend the warranty to same as 14M02 as it is clearly a design flaw from the factory. The shaft seal leaks fluid in the clutch, and Ford has admitted this flaw, and it doesn't matter of this happened under 100,000 miles or over 100,000 miles, the issue lies with the design.
- Revere, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While attempting to drive, the clutch slipped out of gear. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to bob ferrando Ford Lincoln (8868 w ridge rd, girard, pa 16417), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 82,000.
- Pittfield, PA, USA
Shuddering shaking from take off through 1st and 2nd gear and also takes a while to shift from 1st to 2nd gear.
- Luling, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact's son was driving 60 mph, the vehicle began to shudder, seize, and the power train assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact's son managed to veer to the shoulder of the road. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to asheville Ford Lincoln (611 brevard rd, asheville, nc 28806, (828) 276-1075) where it was diagnosed that the power control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Biltmore Forest, NC, USA
While making a turn the vehicle began to move then the engine revved up to 7000 RPM then slammed into gear the next shift did the same thing. I was almost hit by on coming traffic because the vehicle failed to move. After pulling over the vehicle had no reverse and could only be driven at very low speeds without feeling like it was going into neutral before shifting. The vehicle is now at the dealer who has stated it has a transmission concern. This is a serious safety issue!
- South Lyon, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine and transmission warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to wyatt johnson Ford (646 thompson ln, nashville, tn 37204, (615) 244-3615) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 192,758.
- Clarkesville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving on the highway, the vehicle started to shudder and decelerate; however, the rpms revved at a very high rate. The contact exited the highway and parked. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who test drive the vehicle and performed a diagnostic test. The mechanic called keystone Ford (301 walker rd, chambersburg, pa 17201, (717) 264-5104). The vehicle was initially covered under the warranty, but was later not approved after the correct vehicle mileage was provided. The dealer quoted a cost to repair the vehicle, which involved replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the new part for safe operation on the roads. An appointment was scheduled and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was currently being repaired. The manufacturer rechecked the warranty information to confirm that the vehicle was no longer covered and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 158,900.
- Shippensburg, PA, USA
My car has had transmission problems since I purchased the vehicle. The transmission shudders, jerks, and loses power while driving. I have lost power while driving on the highway at 65+ mph numerous times and almost caused crashes. The car jerks when accelerating from a stop and changing gears which causes safety hazards to other drivers. My car doesn't start (randomly) and my engine shuts down when decelerating. The dealership has continuously blamed the transmission issues on my driving abilities (although they've known about the faulty transmissions before mass production).
- Raymore, MO, USA
My 2012 Focus has had shudder problems and some scary close calls with the clutch since I bought it three years ago. Every time I took it to be checked the dealership told me it didn't meet the criteria to get fixed. Well guess what...my extended warranty just ran out and now they tell me I need the clutch! the service guy said he has to contact Ford and hopefully they 'will be in a good mood' so they will help! I'm putting in this complaint because I should not have to pay for their mistakes, nor can I financially! from everything I've read they won't be helping!
- Dickson City, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. Upon starting the vehicle, it shuddered without warning. The contact took the vehicle to phil long Ford of motor city (1212 motor city dr, Colorado springs, co 80905, (866) 947-5647) and was informed that the vehicle was included in an unknown technical service bulletin that had not yet become a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 152,000.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
On my 2012 Ford Focus fuel consumption has decreased also once the car gets passed a half tank the fuel volume gauge is not correct the car actually runs out of fuel what's the last quarter of a mark which appears to still have fuel, also front end drivetrain makes loud noise when turning corners, engine will not crank at times and makes funny sounds under the hood electrical sounds. Battery positive lead wiring gets hot. Car will not start, blower fan doesn't work and car runs hot, after being replaced 12/05/2019.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The biggest complaint I have is the annoying shuddering. It's noticeable on light accelerating. Sometimes the shuddering is so bad that you can't hardly accelerate when pulling out into traffic or after pulling off after you have stop at a stop sign or stop light. This has been going on since I got the car in October of 2017 I've taken it to the dealership for this issue & they told me that's how the car is supposed to drive.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
Driving Ford Focus on highway at roughly 70 mph. Car dash gave error saying transmission malfunction while driving. After error came up while driving, when I hit the gas pedal, nothing happened and I lost all acceleration control of vehicle. I had to coast to side of highway. Turned off car let it sit on highway shoulder. When restarted, the car moved but did not accelerate when I hit the gas. Took car to Ford service center where they said issue was with tcm and clutch which caused the car to go into a neutral state while driving.
- Henderson, KY, USA
When I accelerate it sounds like the car is in "neutral" and the left front tire/wheel is make a skidding sound. Random and unexpected when it happens. Has been doing this since summer and I thought one of the recalls might fix the problem. Taking it to three places since it sounds like it might be the design of the dps6 transmission. It only happens when I am accelerating from a dead stop such as a stop light or when pulling out onto a road. Has happened 5 or 6 times since summer.
- Columbus, OH, USA
When driving on the interstate the vehicles transmission malfunctions. It displays a warning stating the transmission is overheating and must be serviced. The vehicle looses all power and when going 65 mph (if it ever reaches that) all of a sudden cars have to swerve around me because the car has no power to continue. Twice I almost got hit from behind being stuck in the middle of the interstate.
- El Paso, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the gear failed to engage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. A mechanic came to the contact's home and diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to another independent mechanic and, while driving, the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The failure indicated that the transmission was overheating. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to autonation Chevrolet valencia (23649 valencia blvd, santa clarita, ca 91355) where it was diagnosed that the tcm code and the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while on the way to the dealer, the vehicle stalled and was pushed over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted, but hesitated to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and provided case number: Cas17998196-C0F7C0. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
- Mission Hills, CA, USA
My wife was turning at a intersection and the car lost power and motor just revved like it was in neutral. My granddaughter was and her car seat in back and I was in passenger seat. We almost got T boned by another car. Luckily we were not.. after looking up this happening to others. How have you not let the public know how unsafe these cars are"?"
- Chattanooga, TN, USA
- El Cajon, CA, USA