10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 2
Average Mileage:
59,197 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

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

problem #323

Jul 282014

Focus

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated slowly on occasion. Other times, the rpms would race and the vehicle would jerk forward. The dealer stated that the body control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer was not able to reprogram the computer to install the new part and had to re-install the old part. The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was taken to the dealer a fourth time to have the new part installed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The sensors intermittently illuminated for the brake assist and parking aide. In addition, while making a right or left turn, the steering wheel locked intermittently more than once. The contact also stated that the clock intermittently shorted out and the time display was incorrect. The dealer provided an interim remedy and suggested that the contact turn off the gps. The interim fix remedied the failure as long as the contact used the feature to disable the gps auto clock manually each time. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #322

Oct 052014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
For several months I noticed significant shuttering of the transmission when accelerating from a stop into low gears. Took the car to dealership for repair, per warranty extension provided by Ford (field service action number 14M01). Several days after that completed service, the engine light turned on -- and was on and off over a period of approximately one week. The car also periodically jerked forward unexpectedly while accelerating in low gears, and the same unexpected movement happened occasionally when in reverse. I made a follow up service appointment during this time. Then two days before the service appointment, after filling the car with gas, the engine would not start. When turning the key in the ignition, the car shuttered violently with a great deal of noise. After calling a tow truck and resting the car for approximately one hour, the tow truck driver was able to get the engine started -- commenting that first and reverse gears felt unstable and unsafe. Car has since been towed to the dealership for a second round of service. Problem and solution are yet to be determined.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #321

Aug 072014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 29,550 miles
This was the first time my service engine soon came on. The transmission was slamming into every gear. I was stuck in 3rd gear revving at approximately 3500 RPM going 30 mph. I was able to drive the car home. The day after I took into spikes Ford where the problem was then fixed on 08-11-14. I picked up the car and drove home. 2 hours later as I'm entering a highway to go to wal-mart, the car lurched forward, RPM's flew way above 6000 and car sped up for a second then slowly declined down to 30 on the highway!! the check engine light came on again. I drove the car to the dealership and they felt the problem so they took the car yet again. Next day they called and said they fixed it. Another 3 hours later, check engine light came on and they reflashed it for the 3rd time in a 4 day period. Check engine light came on again so I decided to take it to boggus Ford. I took it to boggus Ford and within 3 days the car was out from the shop. All was well until later on in the night, the check engine light came on. I took it once last time furious already with the car and once again said it was fixed. I drove to school and as I was finding a parking spot, the check engine light came on. Right after, a message said, "transmission hot" pull over safely. Another message came on and said, "wait 7 minutes". embarrassed that my brand new Focus was doing this I let it cool off. A salesman we worked with, was kind enough to pick up my car and I from school. We took it back to the dealer where we then talked to a service manager. The service manager, laughed about our situation and said as long as we drive slowly the car will continue to heat up and said that Ford knows about this. I told him, I almost ran over other students, and he just continued to say as long as you drive slowly, it will keep doing that. The check engine light comes on and off now, but transmission still shifts hard.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #320

May 012012

Focus 4-cyl

  • 500 miles
Transmission shudder. Rebuilt 3 times. Software reset 5 times. Transmission computer replaced 1X. Still shudders, drifts back when on a hill, jerks into gear suddenly. Service station advised me when they replaced the computer (not under warranty) that the shudder and other characteristics were normal for the transmission and did not do anything about it. This began when I purchase the car in spring of 2012 and is still an issue now at about 82,0000 miles. Most of the work was done while under the normal warranty. The last service, when they replaced the computer was done in September 2014. The transmission is not operating normally and seems dangerous at times when it jerks into gear or rolls back when at a stop.

- Austin, TX, USA

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