This vehicle shudders when attempting to accelerate. It feels as though the transmission is slipping. Ford has said that this is a computer programming issue. They have reprogrammed the car, but there still has not been any fix. The car continues to shudder upon acceleration. This is truly concerning and I am worried that this will continue to cause issues in the future.

- Germantown, WI, USA

2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to ongoing transmission issues. The consumer stated each time visited the dealer, she was informed it was only a programming adjustment. The consumer has been to the dealer 10 times, for the same problem. The consumer stated the transmission was unpredictable. Not only did the clutch slip between first and second gears, the vehicle intermittently hesitated when taking off from a complete stop. Also, the engine would shake at 55 mph and continued to shake even at 70 mph.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

My husband and I purchased our 2012 Ford Focus back in June 2012. When we got the car there was 28,000 miles on it. The next day it was in their shop due to the transmission. It felt like it was not trying to switch gears causing our rpms to go real high. The mechanics said nothings wrong because no lights were on. So months pass it was right back in for the same thing. Well they said they put a fuel throttle box on it and it should fix the problem. So after they "fixed" the car, we still noticed something wasn't right, so we continued to drive the car. Our engine light kept popping up so we took it to the car lot once again and they said it could possibly be an emissions problem. Well just a few weeks ago, I noticed the car was acting real funny, it didn't want to go into drive, and kept stalling. So on my way home I got on the interstate, and the car lost all power (luckily I was on my exit ramp). It said transmission malfunction, so I pulled over, and turned the car off. When I got the car to start again when in drive it wanted to go in reverse. Had to turn it off then restart but the car wouldn't even turn over. This is a big issue that Ford needs to fix. If I wouldn't have been on my exit ramp I may not be here typing this right now. I refuse to drive this car. It is not safe !!! I have two small kids and they will not be back in that car !! we have had issues with this car every since we got it.

- Bluefield, WV, USA

Brake light came on, checked and fluid low in brake fluid container. This is just after I month oil and service done on the car. Filled it and tow days later come on again.took to Ford dealer in my town and they said it was a leak around the break pumping area. They wonted me to drive the car till the park came in. I insisted the give me a safe vehicle to drive... at the time I have also experienced a small jerking after I brake and take off again. I thought this was a break thin where related. But they where not. Called them and told them about the jumping has been going on almost within a mouth of purchasing the car. On March 24 they worked on it and said they had to reprogram the gearing in the trans mission. Picked the car up and it is better with the jerking but it is still doing it 5 days later now.so now I feel this is something that needs to be taken back to them again and fixed right or I should be given a different transmission, mjs. I also hand a weather striping repaired on rear passenger window at the same time they worked on the transmission. And I November 2013 the cruse stopped working and had to be fixed. I have had this car 6 months and have had all this trouble.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

Car was purchased in November 2013 with 38000 miles on it. One previous owner prior to myself. The car began jerking backwards when parking on an incline. By the time I had 40000 miles on the car, I began noticing that the car would not change gears when driving, this was especially a concern when pulling onto a highway and the car would not go. Then by the time the car hit 42000 the transmission would make a grinding noise when going uphill from a stop. The car went into the garage and the transmission was reprogrammed and clutch replaced. I never had a car with these kind of problems so early. Ford should have a recall on the transmission with all the complaints/ concerns.

- Nanticoke, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, a metal to metal rattling noise emitted outside of the vehicle. The transmission slipped gears and the vehicle began to vibrate with hesitation. The failure occurred sporadically when shifting into second gear. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed when driving on an incline the vehicle would roll. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice where each time the computer module was reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Exiting freeway transmission made loud clunk and warning screen popped up saying "transmission malfunction - service now". pulled into nearby shop center parking lot. Afraid to drive car. What would have happened if transmission failed at freeway speed" could I have controlled the car??"

- Morro Bay, CA, USA

Transmission shudder. Car acts like it is going to stall. Ford, the dealer are all aware of the problem with the transmission. Since it is a intermittent problem on this car nobody wants to fix it. Am being told nothing wrong. The part exists to fix just will not do. Without recall.

- Akron, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle stalled without warning while entering an intersection. The check engine light illuminated after the failure occurred. The failure was recurring. The dealer performed a diagnostic and advised that the transmission control module was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 7,758.

- Placitas, NM, USA

Vehicle shutters shakes and lacks acceleration when starting from a stop. This has been an on going issue that has almost caused several accidents. In February 2014, I was driving down my street to drive my daughter to school and we heard a loud grinding noise and the car lost power. I was able to coast to the side of the road. I called road side assistance and the vehicle was towed to the skagit Ford dealership. I was told the front axle snapped where it goes into the transmission. I was also told that this was a Ford defect by the service a adviser and he had never seen this happen in his 30 years. I notified Ford several times regarding the shifting issues and brought it in for service updates and new clutch. They are also aware of the metal axle snapping and are not willing to do anything regarding this unsafe vehicle that I am now afraid to drive. I have filed complaints with Ford and the attorney generals office and have not received any written confirmation that Ford is taking this incident seriously. If I had been on a freeway when the last incident occurred I would probably not be writing this letter. Thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mount Vernon, WA, USA

This transmission sucks! it started with a lot of shuddering during acceleration. I took it to me dealer where they claimed to fix it but I have photos proving otherwise. Took it to the next dealer two days before christmas and it seemed to be fixed. Now it's doing T again, 6K miles later. And now it tends to roll back on even slight hills. Today I was at a red light with traffic behind me. I took my foot off the brake anticipating the light to change. It rolled back about 3-4 when I then reapplied the brakes. I was literally a couple inches from hitting someone because it wouldn't stay still even in drive. So I pressed the gas before I let go of the brake to ensure I wouldn't roll back more. When I let off the brake, there was a pop and the car jumped. Not safe and I'm now trying to find out if any laws would require them to buy it back.

- Jamestown, OH, USA

While traveling on a roadway while still mildly accelerating a vehicle crossed the center line as I decelerated and turned to avoid a collision the vehicle would not engage the transmission at approximately 25 mph after the on coming vehicle had changed its path. After trying to accelerate the engine revved. The transmission appeared to be in an upshift position prior to the incident and would not re engage until the vehicle was almost fully stopped. No one was injured but this could pose a potential problem had I needed to accelerate to change lanes to avoid a collision. The transmission seems to shudder at times and has had other issues with acceleration and deceleration. I did not yet contact the Ford dealership. This is a 2.0 L engine with automatic transmission in drive and not in sport mode.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

Transmission shutters, jumps, makes rattling noise. Dealer reprogrammed it in Oct. 2013. Did better for a while. Now it is worse, and makes a rattling noise upon acceleration. Took in on March 15th, and was told there is nothing they can do. They said it is normal. It performed ok the first year. Now it is getting worse.

- Royse City, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, the vehicle independently down shifted and vibrated abnormally. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle regained speed as the contact coasted along the highway. In addition, the vehicle would roll backward whenever stopped on an incline and would begin shaking, causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 30,685. Updated 4/22/14 updated 04/25/2014

- Niland , CA, USA

Driving on freeway. Loss power on "speed" it felt as though I was on neutral, so pulled over becuz I didn't want to cause an accident. Would not start after I turned off engine, and I noticed although vehicle was in the park position. My menu kept stating it was in "drive" position.

- San Diego , CA, USA

2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission issues. On September 5, 2013, the consumer stated she started hearing loud grated sounds, when she turned corners. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the sound. He stated the sound he did hear, was normal for that type of vehicle, because of the type of transmission that was in new cars. The vehicle continued to make the sound, until November 12th, when it became worse the consumer went to another dealer, who found a faulty clutch. The dealer informed the consumer it was not safe to drive the vehicle, so they provided her with a loaner, and informed her it would be several weeks before the part arrived. The parts arrived two months after the vehicle was left at the dealer.

- Chetek, WI, USA

Jerking and hesitation on acceleration, surging, drifting, grinding noises, rattling noise, contacted selling dealer and they reset the computer 2 times, and another Ford dealer reset it once. Each time it seemed to work better for less than 20 miles.

- St. Petersburg, PA, USA

Stopped at stoplight on hill in columbia SC. Went to move and vehicle would not move forward, was in drive. Turned off to see if that would work, then it wouldn't start. This was on busy road at night. Dangerous situation. This vehicle has had the same complaints already listed on the NHTSA website with transmission stutters and loss of power on acceleration. Towed to Ford dealership and it was found that the transmission control module had shorted and had to be replaced. The Ford Focus electric version has already recalled the powertrain control module for similar problems as a possible safety issue. This needs to be recalled also.

- Rockwell City, IA, USA

Shuttering and stalling upon acceleration.car tends to roll backwards for no apparent reason on slight incline. Speed acceleration and speed deceleration at random times. Car hesitates badly when accelerating on to on ramp to merge with interstate traffic or to pass a vehicle on the highway. It's luck of the day if you accelerate and actually live or get hit when car shutters and hesitates. Good luck Focus owners.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

The transmission "skips, flutters or just not kick in" when moving from a stopped position to an accelerated speed. Seems like the transmission stalls out and then grabs. It does it quite often and I was almost rear-ended on several occasions so far by this hick-up in the transmission. I am going to take it back to baxter Ford in omaha and see if the problem can be fixed or not. They may get the car back.

- Milford, NE, USA