10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
38,602 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #393

Oct 292015

Focus

  • 51,700 miles
The transmission disengaged while going 60 mph on highway. The engine light and traction control light came on and the warning (hill start assist not available). I coasted to the side of the road and had it towed to the Ford garage, where they replace the tcm. This was after many transmission reprogrammings and a clutch replacement because of the shuddering and shifting problems.

- Topton, PA, USA

problem #392

Oct 222015

Focus

  • 59,936 miles
I purchased my Ford Focus 2013 titanium from royal oak Ford in Michigan, it was made to order. All of its regular maintenance was performed at a certified Ford dealership and I take very good care of it. I have had issues with the clutch from the start however and am very concerned about its reliability, and my safety. After multiple instances of my vehicle slipping out of gear during steady highway driving (RPM jump with loss of vehicle speed) I tried to explain the issue to russ milne Ford multiple times being told that if I can't replicate it for them then they can't fix it. Russ milne Ford finally believed me after I produced a video of it happening. After the video, in April 2014 russ milne Ford reprogramed the PCM/tcm, replaced both the inner input shaft seals, and cleaned the clutch. The odometer was at 29,209 during this service. In October 2015 I was leaving a meeting in detroit, mi where my car shut off mid-commute in the middle of a crowded intersection. I put it in park, and tried to restart my vehicle but the engine did not even turn. After a few more attempts I put it into neutral and was able to push it to the side of the road with the help of bystanders. I had my car towed to bob maxey Ford where after explaining the issue to a mechanic he was able to guess what the issue was and said it was common on the Ford Focus. They kept it over the weekend to reprogram the PCM/tcm, replaced both the inner input shaft seals, the clutch, and a leaking bearing. The odometer was at 59,936 during this service. My questions to Ford: Is the new clutch sitting in my car any different from the original" or will this clutch fail 30,000 miles from now like before? if so, when are you going to address this issue? what is your confidence in the Ford Focus transmission"

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #391

Jul 012014

Focus

  • 250 miles
When starting to accelerate, or driving and press hard on the accelerator, the engine may take off as expected, or may sputter, and hesitate, and have a jerky acceleration. I some intersection left turns, I have almost gotten into an accident due to this problem. I have learned to be careful, and assume the worst, and to allow plenty of time to make the turn. This is a very dangerous situation. I have owned this car for about 3 years, and this has happened many times through the 3 years. I have taken the car to a Ford dealer 3-4 times, and they tell me there is nothing wrong - the care is within the specs it is supposed to be within. Nothing they can do.

- Urbana, IL, USA

problem #390

Oct 222015

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
Purchased a new 13' Focus and within the first couple months it started making the grinding/shutter when shifting. Have taken the car in a total of 3 different times for same issue. Since the last time it was taken in (10/07/2015) the noise is still present and the gears now seem to be slipping when the car attempts to shift at anything over 3K RPM. Discovered the issue trying to merge on to the highway when the RPM's went above 6K but the car would not shift into any gear as if transmission was/is slipping in high RPM's.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #389

Mar 212013

Focus

  • miles
I purchased the car on 01/27/2013 with 25 miles on it. On 03/21/2013 I brought the car back to the dealership at 904 miles and told I thought there was an issue with the automatic transmission because it was noisy and shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. They checked it and said they "could not duplicate concern at this time." In September 2014 I received a letter about an extended warranty on the clutch #14M01. 09/22/14-09/29/14 at 10683 miles dealership drove and agreed there was transmission shudder and noise. "installed new clutch, seals and hardware." On 10/22/14 at 11311 miles I brought the car back because there was still transmission shudder and noise. They advised me to "drive between 2000 to 5000 miles for proper clutch break-in period." On 08/17/15 at 19158 miles I brought the car back with transmission shudder and noise. They verified my concern stating "raw failed event #2 333 event 12 504 no signs of trans leaks at this moment." Nothing was done to fix the problem. On 09/21/15 at 20143 miles "excessive shudder under acceleration...raw failed reading bottom left of no leaks at this time sop clutch." I was told the new clutch was back ordered and drove my car until 10/14/15 at 20709 miles they "removed transmission replaced both inner input shaft seals half shaft seals replaced clutch reinstalled transmission re programmed tcm test drove ok." Since then there has been some transmission shudder and some noise, but not nearly as loud as before. It has only been approximately two weeks since last clutch replacement.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #388

Mar 092013

Focus

  • 7,200 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle accelerated slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the automatic transmission control module needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but it continued to stall intermittently. The remedy did not resolve the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 7,200.

- Germantown, TN, USA

problem #387

Jul 132015

Focus

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle started to shudder and made an abnormal noise. The failure happened without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #386

Oct 202013

Focus

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated excessively intermittently and hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V495000 (electrical system). The dealer stated that the wiring harness would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure previously occurred in 2014 and the vehicle was taken to be repaired. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #385

Nov 052014

Focus

  • miles
Purchased from Ford dealer in late October 2014. Car had 29,530 miles. Transmission problems. Clutch replaced tcm reprogrammed. Continued to experience transmission problems. Jerking, shuddering, lurching and sometimes failure to move unless accelerator pressed several times. Tcm reprogrammed again at 37,200 miles. Problems still continue. Car is back in shop again two weeks later (10/15/2015). Problem diagnosed again as clutch issue. Recommended fix is clutch replacement again. Clutch is on back order and will take 4 to 6 weeks. Ford does not want to provide loaner or rental car. Reason they say is it is safe to drive" clearly with how the transmission is performing, it is a safety risk. Someone is likely to get seriously hurt or killed. Looking up this problem on the internet, I was overwhelmed with the number of complaints, lemon law filings and class action suits. When is the government going to act before someone is seriously hurt or killed" I do have all the attempted repair documents except for current. Car is still at the dealer....updated 10/27/15 updated 4/20/18

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #384

Sep 012013

Focus

  • 9,600 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle would not shift into the next gear without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shaft sealer fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on three other occasions where the shaft sealer was replaced each time. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle would not shift into the next gear after the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,600.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #383

Oct 132015

Focus

  • 46,000 miles
Vehicle no longer moves forward or reverse. Was parked in a rest stop. Restarted vehicle to leave and it did not move. Check engine light came on.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #382

Oct 072015

Focus

  • miles
I have a 2013 Focus with about 48,500 miles. When I accelerate the transmission rattles and sometimes stutters. It has been in the shop three times in the past year for the same problem. First time the technician reprogrammed the computer, second time replaced parts, third time reprogrammed the computer. Within a week the problem resurfaced. The service manager states that I must wait 1,000 miles before I can take it in for repair.

- Kennebunk, ME, USA

problem #381

Aug 022015

Focus

  • 36,000 miles
The vehicle was in motion on the highway when the cars transmission failed causing the car to jerk violently while momentarily losing control of the car and running off the road.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #380

Oct 312013

Focus

  • 4,000 miles
Vehicle shutters on acceleration. Transmission slips and car loses power. Dealer has reprogrammed the transmission software numerous times but vehcile continues to exhibit same problems. Dealer replaced clutches in transmission a few months ago. Vehicle worked properly but has now been in the dealers shop twice in the last two weeks with the same transmission problems. This car is dangerous to drive.. routinely loses power when turning into traffic or merging into traffice!

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #379

Sep 012015

Focus

  • 66,000 miles
The vehicle lost transmission engagement (shifted into neutral on its own) while trying to accelerate/cross through a busy intersection. This left me without any power to the wheels and no way to move out of the path of on-coming traffic. Fortunately quickly shifting the car into neutral and then back into drive fixed the problem and I was able to make it through the intersection safely. This problem has happened several times so I do not dare let my teenage daughter drive the car. The vehicle also shakes and shudders while accelerating at low speeds. Ford is offering two "customer satisfaction programs" to fix the problem. One is 14M01 which replaces faulty transmission seals which leak causing fluid contamination to the clutch. The second is 14M02 which replaces/reprograms their faulty tcm (transmission control module). My complaint is that I have a salvage title vehicle due to cosmetic damage to body panels. As such, even though Ford is acknowledging their transmission system is faulty, they won't cover the cost to repair their faulty transmission seals and clutch (program 14M01). They did cover the cost for the second program (14M02) and replaced/reprogrammed the faulty tcm at no cost to me. But this is a safety issue. I personally have been in very dangerous situations several times now because of this issue. This should be a safety recall (not a "customer satisfaction program"). Ford has a faulty transmission system which is causing dangerous and potentially deadly situations for drivers. Ford has acknowledged this. So, to keep Ford from saving a few bucks at the expense of someone's life, both of these "customer satisfaction programs" should be converted to what they really are, a safety recall, so that Ford can not exclude branded title vehicles.

- South Weber, UT, USA

problem #378

Sep 012015

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
I have had my car in a Ford dealership to be repaired five times. Two involving recalls on my transmission, due to shuttering and hesitation to shift while driving. I believe this vehicle is highly unsafe since I never know if my car will be able to accelerate properly while changing lanes. This happens mainly in the city streets when being in first or second gear.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #377

May 132013

Focus

  • miles
Transmission surges during acceleration and deceleration. Almost like insufficient fuel being received by engine. Dealer stated that this is due to Ford "powershift" transmission and not fuel line. Causes concern for safety and future performance after more mileage. This has existed since purchas of vehicle in May 2013 and still exists now after 11000 miles.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #376

Jul 182013

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
On July 17, 2013, I bought a 2013 Ford Focus from the Ford dealer in my area. On July 18, 2013, I took the car into the Ford dealer, because as I accelerated from every stop, and from some left and right turns, the transmission produced very loud grinding noises as the gears shifted and the car would jerk or shudder. At this time the transmission was reprogrammed per tsb 14 0047. Having owned the car for one day, it was a shocking revelation to be told that the cars behavior was typical for my particular make and model. I was told it was not a safety issue and that I could bring it back whenever I felt it necessary. On September 16, 2014, I took the car back to the Ford dealer with the same complaints. The work done at this time as written on the invoice was as follows: Programmed PCM and tcm road tested reset transmission strategy. I was reassured, yet again, that these car behaviors were characteristic of the 2013 Focus and that I need not worry about safety for myself and others. Although the reprogramming made a positive difference, my car has never been without some gear grinding, skipping, and shuddering on acceleration and during slow L and R turns. I have not returned for service because I was assured it was not a safety issue. Essentially, I learned to live with it. On September 22, 2015, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company notifying me they were providing a software update program 15B22 for the transmission control module and customer satisfaction program14M02. The language in this letter is, quite frankly, alarming, leading me to believe that the transmission in the 2013 Focus is, in fact, a serious safety issue. I have already scheduled an appointment for the update. Please advise me of further action that can be taken.

- Pawleys Island, SC, USA

problem #375

Jun 042013

Focus

  • 616 miles
The car makes horrible noises when in low a low speed. It hesitates. It makes horrible crunching noises. It has been to the dealer many times. They always say that they hear it, but that it is not a problem. The vehicle has stopped in the middle of the road. Now, in September 2015, I have received a software update program 15B22 which is extending my warranty. Ford already agreed to extend my warranty in 2013 because of my complaints. However, that documentation does not show up in the Ford oasis system, but Mr. Ford's office assures me that if I show them the letter, it will honored. I have all of the back up material from 2013 including phone logs. I believe this is a safety hazard that can only be corrected with replacing the entire transmission at no cost to the customer. I am very afraid the vehicle will stall in the middle of rushing traffic. It has stalled in the middle of the road already. I made Mr. Ford's office aware of this, also. I would never pass this car onto my child or a relative, and I will feel guilty when I am able to finally trade it in an buy a new vehicle. The car should not be on the road.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #374

Aug 122015

Focus

  • 34,000 miles
I have a 2013 Ford Focus and twice within the last 30 days the transmission has malfunctioned at highway speeds almost causing an accident both times. The clutch will engage which will disconnect the engine from the drive-shaft. You have no power to move forward and the car starts to slow down rapidly. I had to maneuver the car to the far right hand side of the road both times. Once I had stop, the Focus would work in only first and second gear. If you tried to get the car to go into a higher gear the clutch would engage preventing you to move forward. The first time I had the Focus repaired, the dealership stated that it was a defect in the software program and replaced the original with a new software program. Upon picking up my Focus after the first repairs, I asked the Ford service representative, will this fix the problem? he would not tell me the car was fixed, only that the repairs were made to Ford specifications. Less than 30 days later while traveling home on the interstate at highway speeds, my Focus transmission once again malfunctioned with the clutch engaging causing the car to slow down. Once again I had to pull over to the right side of the road through three lanes of rush hour traffic. The second time the dealer ship repaired the Focus; they stated that they replaced the computer and the software. When I asked for the second time is the car is fixed, they would not say that the cars transmission will not malfunction again. We I took the car back for the second time the service rep informed me that their dealership had three other focuses that had transmission failures and had the same repairs that my Ford had the first time. These cars are death traps and Ford should have a total recall on them.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

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