10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 2
Average Mileage:
59,238 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #343

Nov 182014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
To whom it may concern, I am a very unhappy customer with a car that I had purchased from your company. The car is not reliable what so ever and I can't trust it with anything! I have always wanted the newer model Focus and when I finally have the money to afford one I am extremely disappointed. I have never had this many issues with a car and this is one of the newest cars I have yet bought. I have missed 8 days of work this year just because the car has its own games to play.the car has almost cost me my life a few times due to the jerking on the engine that you guys feel is normal. When I go to make a turn the car jerks so much sometimes that it's just makes it before I get smashed. This car is horrible and I think that it is so wrong that there is so much wrong with this car yet you still keep it on the market. One day this car is not going to go when I push the gas and I will get seriously injured. I have complained to service many times about this issue and they simply say" ?well just push the gas a little harder" I'm sorry maybe the car should simply go considering its main function is to drive!!! this is one of the most disappointing, nonfunctional, and depreciative vehicle I have ever bought in my life. I will never buy a Ford again if something cannot be done. So thank you so much, instead of me saving for college I now get to save up to buy another car because I was wrong about this car being dependable. Thank you so much for all the hardship your poor manufacturing has caused me and my wallet. I really so hope someone can be of assistance and correct this issue because if not you will surely be losing a customer along with me posting this to social media in the months to come if something is not resolved. I figured if you guys don't care enough about my well being then the world must know.

- Northlake, IL, USA

problem #342

Nov 042014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
When drive the transmission jumps and sputters been in Ford auto centers many times and when I call all I am told us this is normal.

- Northfield, MN, USA

problem #341

May 132013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Vehicle shudders/jerks when accelerating from stop at slow to moderate speed. This occurred multiple times. It continues to occur after multiple repairs.

- Brookshire, TX, USA

problem #340

Jun 152012

Focus 4WD 4-cyl

  • 15,576 miles
I in June 2012 I took the car in to complain that it was stalling, jerking and shuddering. It appeared that the problem was fixed until several months later when it began to stall, jerk and shudder again. I have since taken the car in 2013 and 2014 complaining that the car continued to act the same way. I received a letter from Ford in May 2012 advising that we may experience rough or jerky automatic transmission shifts and that they had a "fix." I again received a letter in August 2014 advising that they are aware that it may be possible for the powershift 6-speed automatic transmission to exhibit excessive transmission clutch shudder during light acceleration and it may be caused by fluid contamination of the clutch due to leaking transmission seals. The letter states that if the vehicle's clutch, transmission input shaft seals, or transmission software calibration require service or replacement they will service the transmission as necessary free of charge. When I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealership I was advised that it may be a simple update to the computer software. This problem has been ongoing since a year after I bought the car and I feel very unsafe, as it tries to stall when parked at a light or when I'm driving at low speeds, such as when I am moving through a four way stop sign. I feel that one day I may have an accident because the car will not take off and the car behind me will rear end me; or, worse, it may accelerate too quickly causing me to hit the car in front of me or a barrier.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #339

Jul 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 8,850 miles
Issue 1: the vehicle is on its third clutch in the 2 years since purchase and continues to have transmission issues. When applying gas it stutters, lurches, or responds as if not taking gas. This week: Three times turning from stop sign left, right from stop sign, and right from parking lot. Apply gas to accelerate and vehicles stutters, pauses, and stalls for a moment. Two of the three, particularly one came close to resulting in an accident. This also occurred on a busy highway turning right at a stop sign on Oct 27. It has occurred dozens of times prior to the transmission repair events and now is starting to recur, with more ng a stalling/lurching than a stuttering. Ford is fully aware of these issues. I am taking it in for repairs again but feel it is unsafe and want the car returned. Issue 2: the vehicle achieves far below the advertised mpg. They advertise 27 and it gains 22.5 at best. Currently less than 22. Ford is fully aware of this issue and states that they cannot do anything. I have been complaining for 18 months or more.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #338

May 092012

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
In may of 2012 my car had the transmission completely replaced after being in the shop for 6 weeks. The cruise control would stick on and not shut off. The power windows and air conditioner both decided not work at the same time. I have had the struts replaces before 10,000 miles. The gas mileage goes from 14 mpg to 33mpg randomly. The car likes to roll back and not go into gear when driving. I replace tires every 6 months because the car eats my tires up. My favorite problem is loosing power when driving. I have kept all papers regarding the car in the shop. My first year of owning the Focus Ford paid for my rental car to be driven 17,000 miles due to my car being in the shop. I have asked for help with this car for 2 years with Ford to be told I need to learn to drive. I am driving a car know that completely looses power all the time and the transmission sticks. I have had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment on Nov 3 to get these issues looked at. My car is far from safe and I have expressed to Ford I feel this car is going to kill me. I spent 30,000 miles driving this car when in fact I shouldn't had. The dealership can never find a problem on my car. The gas also can only put 10 cents of gas at a time in or gas likes to pour out from the bottom. Sometimes the gas knozzle can't fit in the gas tank because it closes up. Once again Ford couldn't find a problem. I call the dealership and Ford customer care each time there is a problem.

- Iola, TX, USA

problem #337

Sep 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 9,562 miles
I own a 2012 Ford Focus sel that has had multiple transmission issues along with an electrical problem relating to the steering wheel and a battery failure. The vehicle has had issues accelerating through 1st gear which was evident by extreme shuddering and shaking of the vehicle. This had put me into dangerous situations numerous times when trying to merge onto freeways as the vehicle hesitated to get up to speed in time. My transmission was replaced at 9,562 miles in Sept. 2013. The shuttering and acceleration problems recurred at 21,904 miles in Sept. 2014 and Ford ran a system update to 'fix' the problem. They also replaced the steering wheel for electrical problems at this time. The acceleration issues continued for the next month and the clutch was finally replaced in Oct. 2014. A couple weeks later the battery was dead 3 sundays in a row and was also replaced. Ford has not been able to reassure me that these transmission issues will not be on-going. I continuously read others accounts online stating they are having the same issues I am having, and in many cases their dealerships are ignoring the issues and making excuses. Please look into this matter.

- Farmington, MN, USA

problem #336

Oct 142014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
While driving, vehicle engine temperature climbed drastically and immediately. Upon closer inspection, coolant level in engine was dangerously low. 2 weeks later, coolant level low again. No visible leaks in system.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #335

Mar 142014

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
While merging onto the freeway my car would not accelerate. I pushed the gas pedal to the floor and the rpms shot up but car would not accelerate. Finally after almost being hit by other cars it shot off like a rocket. After multiple incidents of jerking and not able to accelerate randomly I took it to Ford and the clutch was replaced in April 2014. Not long after, it started doing the same thing except worse. I took it back to Ford and was told the tranny test results came back normal and that a motor mount was missing or loose. They kept it for 3 days to fix the motor mount. The car is now worse and today the check engine light came on and car had very little power. Going to take it back to Ford and hopefully they will fix it this time. My gas mileage is only 20.1 mpg. Another problem was that my entire sync system went out and had to be replaced in August 2014, costing me $1093. It started messing up by having a very loud popping/crackling noise that would start randomly even when car was off. It was very scary when it would suddenly start making the loud noise while I was driving and almost caused me to wreck at one point.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #334

Oct 232014

Focus

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral. The contact also stated that the traction control and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on five occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the power train automatic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Walnut Hill, IL, USA

problem #333

Oct 272014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
Transmission shakes and grinds. Car rolls backwards on hills. Ford says this is normal behavior but having a car roll backwards on hills with an automatic transmission is a safety concern.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #332

Oct 232014

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
It has been happening ever since I got this car. I have taken it to the dealership four times and they 'can never duplicate it' or tell me that it is normal. My car shudders and makes a loud grinding noise when it shifts from 1st-2nd gear. It is very annoying and stalls when I try to take off. If I would have known this was going to happen I would have not purchased this car. What the real kicker is I took it in last month same song and dance. 'it's normal' then I receive a letter in the mail saying that I get an extended warranty on my transmission... well if they think/know that is the problem why has no one no one ever checked this?

- Logan, UT, USA

problem #331

Oct 182014

Focus

  • 85,500 miles
Engine stalled and shutdown while driving with loss of control. Engine also rev'ed up down without acceleration and deceleration while driving and traction warning control light came on. Car was driven to nearby parking lot where it completely shutdown. Car needed to be towed to dealer, as it could not be driven safely. Ford dealer identified the problem as a dtc code U0101 or simply a bad tcm(transmission control module). Tcm was replaced on the transmission and paid by owner, despite this part being recalled by Ford on other Ford Focus models, as follows: Focus power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, PCM) recall number: 13V523000 recall date: 10/30/2013 problem summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition. Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash. Corrective action: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by late November 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall affects vehicles manufactured between 09/15/2011 and 08/23/2013.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #330

Oct 012013

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
The transmission in our Focus stutters and grinds when shifting from 1st gear to 2nd.

- Beech Grove, IN, USA

problem #329

Mar 122014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 19,146 miles
While driving my car, it often hesitates when shifting, turning, accelerating, or decelerating. I had it "repaired" at a Ford dealership, which including replacing the entire clutch, in March 2014. The problem continued with added loud noises and grinding/shuddering. I returned it to a dealership, where the clutch was replaced again in July 2014. The car was fine for awhile, but after 200 miles, started having the same issues as before. The dealership replaced the clutch again in September 2014. On my 4th clutch, and it continues to have the same problems. I lack confidence in Ford that they can fix the problem and I am continuously concerned that my car may have unexpected problems causing serious safety concerns.

- Ft. Thomas, KY, USA

problem #328

Oct 132014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 59,500 miles
Driving during very heavy morning rush hour traffic (at approx 25 mph). Car began to shudder/hesitate very bad and would not accelerate - I was about to get onto the interstate. The check engine light came on and I was able to limp the car the remaining few miles to the office. The check engine light stayed on in the afternoon on the drive home. Was able to plug in my own obd computer and received the code P0902 (clutch actuator control circuit low). Next day, started car and the check engine light is off and car drove fine. Have appointment for 10/15 to take car to dealership but fear that because the check engine light is no longer on they will be unable to "recreate the issue" and will not fix it. I have already had this car in multiple times for transmission reset, but this occurrence was by far the worst. Had I been trying to pull out into traffic, there would have been an accident because the car stopped accelerating. I have printed the code description along with the sync vehicle health report I ran proving that the check engine light was on. Hopefully, this (along with the code information I pulled myself) will be enough for the dealer to take this seriously and fix the problem.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #327

Oct 142014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 71,754 miles
Clutch chatter at low speed, start off and shifting from 1st to 2nd, only seems to do it after its warm or under a load.

- Harrison, MI, USA

problem #326

Oct 062013

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
On-going issues with the transmission shudder, jerk, choking at lower speeds especially at about 15 mpg to 40 mpg. There has not been an accident yet but many close calls. During stop and go traffic, or making a turn from a stoplight, or in a construction zone where speeds are slower - driving this vehicle becomes an issue. There are time when the car will not move even with the gas pedal pushed, it jerks and chugs until the transmission kicks in causing a delay in acceleration, or it chokes as if it will die on the spot. These are all opportunities to cause an accident or to be hit because you cannot get your car to move. In detroit traffic is brutal - they do not stop for anything. I purchased the vehicle in may of 2012 - I only have 21,000 miles on the vehicle ( currently 10/15/14). I cannot trade it in since the vehicle valued so low. I cannot sell it since no one will buy a vehicle that drives the way it does. Ford has provided a 7 yr. 100,000 mile warranty for the transmission but that is of no satisfaction to me. No one knows what the wear and tear will be as the car ages and someone dies because of it. These vehicles need to be seriously addressed. I don't drive the vehicle much because I do not feel safe - you cannot predict how much worse it is going to drive on any given day. Dealer repairs do not fix the problem, it never goes ways and the car behaves badly every day - throw in a major meltdown for the really bad days.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #325

Sep 022014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 22,100 miles
Purchased vehicle new from golden circle Ford, jackson tn. I have made complaints to Ford corporate about the transmission and tremendous shudder, loosing power and not shifting into lower gears. Area rep advised for me to get another opinion from dealer 100 miles from me and he would call back but he never did. Local service department says shudder is normal and service manager has same vehicle that does the same. Tells me this is the way transmission is made to get good gas mileage. I was recently rear-ended B/C my vehicle stalled and would not accelerate. I took it in again, after body repairs made, they told me, "normal, just the way it is". while sitting at intersection stopped, light turned green, I accelerated, vehicle stalled, was hit. Other party assumed liability but asked why I did not go ahead and move. My car did what it does constantly. RPM's rev up to 3500 once vehicle decides to take off. Retired on fixed income, this was to be last vehicle. Afraid to pick up grandchildren and Transport them. Where do I go from here" using husbands big truck to go places which is very hard for me to do. We have been doing business with gc since 1984 and extremely disappointed in response. This car should not be on the road. In the event I have a more serious accident, please look into why Ford would not recall this vehicle. If they rode in it, they would not want their family members using it. This issue has changed my way of travel and dependency. I say a prayer every time I get in it. I ask for protection and safe return to my spouse, 5 children and 11 grandchildren. Please help!!! what do I do?"

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #324

Sep 222014

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
I purchased this Ford on Sept 22, 12... it had 83 miles on it.. I am the only owner. Since then its been in the dealer for service over 10 times. I am on my (3)third clutch system to stop the shutter and loud noises it makes. The last clutch was installed on Sept 23, 14. And after a week its back to its same jerking/shutters and the noise is loud when you make turns. Its really nice when I try to get a buyer to test drive it. I pray it does not make a noise during the test drive. And, the front shock suspension made crunching noises at low speeds on un-even road surface. (like driving in and out of drive way and in parking lots). And, the way to fix the front suspension.... the Ford service tighten the front end down. And. Believe me you feel every impact of the bumps. Ford put out a paper that the service people gave us the 1st time we when it. The car needs to learn your driving patterns. And the most resent one is the car might drive like a manual/standard car- with jerks.. and make noise. This is the transmission. This would be nice to have this info. Handed to me before I purchased the auto and then I could make a good choice is this purchase. But the information was given to me when I had issues with the Ford. Any, buyer read other drivers comments. And, if you really like to buy the Ford Focus. Get the manual one. It has no.... issues because you shifting manual transmission. And not have the issues with this auto clutch. And, the 2013 to 2014 have the same issues as the 2012. Ford just can't get the problems fixed or they don't want to correct the issues on the Focus..

- Powell, OH, USA

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