Vehicle shudders upon starting forward movement or when slowing or stopping and then restarting forward movement. Downshifting into lower gear and then accelerating produces a shudder, severe loss of power, must accelerate heavily or vehicle continues to shake and shimmy while not accelerating. Feels as if the engine/transmission is going to shake out of the automobile.

- Summerdale, AL, USA

I purchased a 2014 Focus SE with an "automatic" transmission in November, 2013. At 8,000 miles, the transmission began acting more strangely than usual: 1. when trying to accelerate from one slow speed to a slightly higher speed, car would lurch, hesitate & almost stall. 2. when trying to accelerate quickly from a slow speed, especially when going uphill after a turn, car would shudder & make a rattling, sometimes grinding, noise. 3. when accelerating moderately from a stop, car was slow to switch gears. Ford service reprogrammed some software & replaced the clutch. They said the transmission seals were leaky, but that Ford wouldn't have the redesigned replacements until December. A week after the service the car is running more smoothly.

- Washington, DC, USA

From dead stop on slight incline the car starts normally and then jerks and hesitates while attempted to shift into 2nd gear. This has caused numerous close calls with traffic. During the shift from 1st to 2nd the transmission makes a very distinct grinding sound (some people have compared it to the sound of aluminum cans crushing). The dealer claims this is normal operation of their powershift transmission. I guess the engineers designed it so it makes this grinding sound during normal driving conditions.

- Apex, NC, USA

I was entering an eight-car parking area and decided to park a few feet ahead by a high chain-link fence. The car was almost to a complete stop and I was about to shift into park when I heard a "revving" noise from the engine. The car bolted. Braking hard, I slammed into the fence and small tree. The airbags never deployed.I sat stunned. Never experienced anything like this in all my years as a driver. I believe the car malfunctioned and there was a "sudden unexplained acceleration".fix this problem or take the car off the market!

- Plainville, CT, USA

The transmission shifts abruptly and engine runs rough when stopped. The car will lunge forward after taking foot off brake without touching the accelerator. The car looses power at highway speeds causing to slow down at highway speeds. While backing up the car binds up and grinds as the car rolls backwards. Upon accelerating from at stop the car has loss of power then RPM go up before the transmission abruptly shifts causing the car to speed up too fast or almost to the point of being out of control. I have taken the car to the shop twice and had to have it towed to a third dealer shop.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

The transmission on this vehicle is faulty and the vehicle stalls out at low gears. When you stop at a stop sign or stop light, turn the steering wheel on acceleration, or back the vehicle it stalls out and then the vehicle jerks/ shakes to get back into gear. It is terribly dangerous. Ford has now attempted to fix the issue on my vehicle 3 times and has failed to do so. My vehicle has had the transmission re-sealed and on a separate occasion they have taken my transmission apart to replace the clutch at just over 6500 miles. My vehicle is in the shop for the 3 time, returning with the issues that were allegedly "repaired". the vehicle will not go on acceleration, often times - in traffic - I have been almost ran over or rear ended by other vehicles. I shouldn't have to die first, before this issue is taken care of. I bought what I thought was a nice, new, reliable and safe vehicle.. it has turned out to be a lemon that can very well end up costing my life. Many consumers have this very popular vehicle, Ford is not alerting anyone to the problems they are selling these vehicles with. The vehicle stalls out going down the road.. and to an unsuspecting driver following behind me, I could end up rear ended and seriously hurt or killed. The reviews from other Ford Focus drivers make it obvious that Ford has tried and failed over and again to fix this transmission problem. Some reviews mention how the transmission have caused them accidents, when the vehicle suddenly jerked into gear causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Something must be done about this. How can Ford corporate get away with this?

- Rockville, MD, USA

My 2014 Ford Focus has many transmission issues from grinding gears, hesitant transmission, non-working ac from time to time (more often it does not work then works). The vehicle tends to not shift or engage the transmission when turning corners and then applying the gas peddle to move forward, in stop and go traffic the vehicle shakes and makes grinding noises when shifting (automatic transmission), on days that are hot the ac tends to never work - when driving 30 miles back and forth from work to home it almost never becomes cool and only puts out hot air. I have taken my vehicle into Ford 5 or 6 times now, this last time I was just informed (about 20 minutes ago) that nothing is wrong with the vehicle that it operates under Ford guidelines and that the tech's found nothing wrong with the car. When I left fremont today before I took it into Ford it had the same issues, grinding, shaking when stop and go and the ac did not work. And now, less then 4 hours of being in the shop they called me saying nothing is wrong and I know for a fact that it is. I have all documentation on my vehicle from the dealer from the first time it went into the shop. Ford Corp who I have been dealing with (will not give her info until you request due to above disclosure) has told me that basically it operates under their guidelines so nothing is wrong. I am asking for help - something is wrong with this brand new car and Ford is failing to address any and all issues. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Stockton, CA, USA

I bought my Focus is late April of 2014. After only a month I started to notice that when I would accelerate after stopping for a light or sign, my car would do this "puttering" thing. Then I got caught in rush hour driving home and wow, anytime I would start to accelerate it felt like I was driving a manual for the first time. I called Ford and they said that my car was still "learning how to drive" and that once I reached 1500 miles the problem would go away. Well, here I am 4 months later and 4000 miles under the hood and the problem still happens on a daily basis. I've kind of learned to drive with it doing that, but it's extremely embarrassing when I have people in my car and it's jerking and jolting all over the place. Ford keeps telling me that it will go away, I even had one guy tell me it was just how the car drives and there's nothing they can do. Personally, I think that's bologna. Hopefully Ford does the right thing and fixes this problem before it becomes even worse.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

I have noticed while driving my vehicle that it stutter and makes a loud grinding sound when I am going up inclines and when I am braking. I noticed my car is will be jerking and feels like the transmission is bout to give away when I am in traffic. I took my car back to the dealership because it was still under warranty and explained to them the issues that are going on with my car. They proceeded to tell me that my issues was normal for my car. I asked how could this be normal that a brand new car stutter, grinds, shift gears on it own, jerks when applying brakes or acceleration, and feels like transmission is slipping. I spoke with the mechanic that looked at my car and he said that my model car is like it has a manual engine in and automatic car. He stated that this was normal as far as the manufactures states but actually this is not normal. Cars should not be shifting gear automatically. This issues that my car is having are very hazardous, especially in stop in go traffic and on inclines, just driving period, in the end I feel something needs to be done about this with this making model car especially being that this is a newer model car (2014).

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

Occasionally when backing up going forward or turning the wheel the car makes a suttle grinding noise.

- Fenton, MI, USA

While driving my car here and there it has hesitated to go and almost feels like it is out of gear. When it starts to go it stutters. Recently it has been getting worse. Two days ago I was in traffic going 35 and my car went from RPM raising as I hit gas pedal to my speed dropping. I had to quickly turn out of traffic shut my car off and restart it. It now has done this twice. I to have taken it and they said it is normal. I do not know of any vehicle that should be normal jerking the driver or hesitating in traffic when trying to go. This is a serious issue when transporting children. The dealer stated it was trying to get use to my driving so it can adjust to how I drive. Really!!! it is not normal to feel like your transmission is slipping and you are getting whip lash just driving a car normal. I was never told this when I bought the vehicle or god as my witness I would never of bought it. It is scary and can cause serious issues in heavy traffic flow. This needs to be resolved or a new vehicle issued!!!

- Youngstown , OH, USA

Every time I put the car in drive and start to go between 5-10 mph the car begins to stutter. Its getting progressively worse everytime I drive the vehicle. I've taken it to the shop 2-3 times already and they have only put a "bandaid" on the situation. They have only reset the transmission computer back to its default settings. I am wanting something to be repaired - actually replaced under my warranty.

- Severn, MD, USA

For a couple of months now, when I drive at slower speeds (usually 15-25 mph) the transmission appears to grind when changing gears. From what I've read, Ford is claiming this is slipping of the transmission and is "normal" for the car. Brand new cars should not make noises like this. Glad I purchased an extended warranty from my credit union. Also, the passenger side window does not close as quickly as the other windows.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

While vacationing in myrtle beach the week of July 4th, my car in heavy traffic started jumping and jerking like I had a clutch and was missing gears. This continued the whole trip. Going up hills the car stalls and jerks really bad. I carried the car to the dealership when we got back and they drove it and said it was a new transmission that Ford was using. The man explained to me that the break acts like a clutch and it would jump and jerk like this. They did a computer update and said that if this continued to bring it back. I have small grandbabies in my car all the time and my daughter drives back and forth to school. They drove it for about 10 minutes in a parking lot and said nothing was wrong. I wanted him to take it down town in traffic and he declined and said the parking lot was better. The transmission is messed up and a computer update is not working. A different guy at the dealership said that they (Ford) were trying the computer updates first and if it didn't fix it to bring it back. He spoke like mine wasn't the only one that had problems. I am scared to drive the car. Me and my daughter share the car and I am really concerned for our safety. It seems to be worse when you drive slow or start off. My son in law drove the car in myrtle beach and he said that the transmission was slipping and I needed to carry it back to where I bought it and demand they fix it. I bought the car new and thought it would be a good dependable car, now I am scared to go anywhere in it.

- Gadsden , AL, USA

Accelerating from a stop light on a slight incline, first time I noticed a lurch or jerk. About that time I began noticing that the transmission is not operating as it had been in the past. The lower speed shifts are not smooth and sometimes when de-accelerating if feels as if the brakes are being applied quickly, 'trailer hitching'. the transmission also seems to shift to a higher gear at the incorrect time, causing loss of power and poor performance. The transmission problems do not occur all of the time, but it seems to be getting worse. I am concerned that the problems with the transmission will cause a failure. I have taken the car to the dealership and they said there is nothing they can do. The service manage actually said they could replace the clutches but it will just do it again in a few thousand miles. I contacted Ford customer care and spoke to a regional service manger who also said nothing will be done.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

My issue which I consider a safety issue is with the transmission, just a few days after purchasing the car I happened to be driving in stop & go traffic on the baltimore beltway and that is when I first experienced the transmission issue. The issue is that when you slow the car down to almost a complete stop (but do not come to a complete stop) and you try to accelerate the cars transmission starts making a clanging/grinding noise for a second or two as if the car did not know whether to go into first or second gear. When the car finally selected the gear it wanted to be in the car would lurch forward rapidly. I consider the lurching forward in stop and go traffic a safety issue, however my biggest safety concern is (hesitation) the second or two it takes for the car to start forward. Since you have removed your foot from the brake and have attempted to start forward I am concerned about being rear ended by the car/truck behind me. I have experienced this condition on several occasions in stop & go traffic and when slowing down to make a sharp turn. The car should be smart enough to have a smooth shifting transmission in all instances. I am also concerned that the transmission will fail because of all the clanging/grinding and cause additional issues and cost additional money there is another issue that may be a problem, the electronic assist power steering at highway speeds does not respond as any other car I have driven, the steering seems very loose and constantly needs to be controlled (more than normal), also when changing lanes it takes more effort on the drivers part to maintain control of the vehicle. Also, if you encounter a road with indented pavement (like something a heavy truck would leave) it takes more effort to control the vehicle then it does with a hydraulic steering system.

- Red Lion, PA, USA

Entire car will jerk in and out of first and second gear at low speeds. There is a delay in shifting when accelerating, almost like the transmission is "slipping." Driving in traffic the car jumps forward and slips back into first and second gear.this car only has 12, xxx miles on it and it is already having powertrain problems. We also own a 2013 Focus and the dealer replaced the transmission seals and clutch after it began to leak - car had same symptoms as described above.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The transmission in the vehicle jolts, jerks, shudders, slips and becomes very hesitant in stop and go traffic and in normal driving conditions. The jolting and slipping almost caused me to rear end another vehicle while in stop and go traffic. The vehicle was at the servicing dealership one week ago regarding the transmission, which found a leak of fluid to the "dry clutch." I believe the design flaw that causes the leak of fluid to be serious enough to possibly cause great bodily harm and/or death. The vehicle does not have consistent or predictable acceleration due to shuddering and slipping, rendering the vehicle uncontrollable at times. The known symptoms, cited in tsb #14-0047, raise substantial concerns for operating the vehicle in a safe manner on public roadways.

- Belleville, IL, USA

Transmission jerks and grinds at 2200rpm in first gear, grinding noise while going up hills, transmission shakes and jerks when shifting from first to second, very rough and unpredictable shifts, shifts into higher gears way to soon then will downshift or go into neutral, hesitation and vibration from launch, transmission slips at random and will not downshift, transmission surges under acceleration....steering seems to have a mind of it's own when turning on to street the steering wheel wants to stay in whatever position you have it turned and is very hard to keep straight on highway..rattling noise like something is loose coming from front passenger area when going over bumps or while sitting at idle it can be heard has been to the shop three time S for rattling noise and it is still not fixed and has been in the shop for the transmission four times and every time they tell me the don't experience it or it's just the way it is or that I am driving the car wrong...I have a wife and a three year old and I am terrified for then to be in the car.

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

When making turns, driving uphill or accelerating, the car makes a grinding noise. I also noticed my car jolting forward at times or making a sound like I'm stuck in gear while driving. I called the dealership and they said it was the clutches slipping. After the fix, my ( I believe my transmission) car is still jumping. This has serious repercussions, especially in traffic when it is stop and go. When in traffic, my car has jolted forward causing me to stop at far distances from the car in front of me in case it happens.

- Alexandria , VA, USA