7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,510
Average Mileage:
25,200 miles
Total Complaints:
137 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. recall on transmission (21 reports)
  3. no solution (18 reports)
  4. clutch replacement (11 reports)
  5. install new clutch shaft (7 reports)
  6. transmission control module recall (6 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #137

Aug 122020

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,378 miles

It's just getting worse - even when I'm just taking off from a stop light the jerking is getting worse and I've read that's there's a recall on them. What do I need to do so I can get it fixed without me having to pay for it, and where do I need to go?

- Robin S., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #136

Jul 212022

Focus 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

It's really disappointing that Ford let this car just out there - it's an embarrassment to the American car.

- jmv3435, San Diego, US

problem #135

Jan 122022

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

My Ford Focus has been causing problems for me for 6 months now all because of the powershift transmission. I have a dual-clutch automatic transmission that has been shuddering whenever I come out of a stopping position, and it won't reverse at all now, and it just grinds all the time. Taking it to a mechanic couldn't even solve the problem and I'm just tired of Ford and their annoying transmission problems they can't seem to ever fix. Ford needs to figure out their transmission issues because I'm sick and tired of these Ford vehicles.

- Dalia R., Lebanon, US

problem #134

Jun 152020

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

This is the 4th time this vehicle has been in the shop since purchase in December of 2018. The Focus has had 3 clutch replacements since day 3 of ownership. Probably why Ford dealer certified the car. The reality is Ford should have never resold this vehicle. Ron Norris in Titusville, FL is the dealership. Paid way too much but certified helped the sale, 12K in December, 2018. I still owe $9500.

FORD, PLEASE JUST BUY BACK THIS CAR AND I WILL WALK AWAY. I am not asking for anything in return other than a clear bill for a crud car. Anyhoo, today when driving, the check engine light comes on and all power is lost. Engine was still running, RPM runs high, but no power. Not a clutch issue but maybe the whole transmission finally went caput.

I was a huge FORD fanatic and was awaiting the new Bronco for my next purchase. My commitment to FORD dies with this car. It's dangerous to drive, even after the 3rd clutch replacement. The shudder never goes away. Loss of power in acceleration into highway traffic, stalling out at stop lights, etc. You know the problem FORD. If people want to keep their car, let them, I don't. You can have it back, free of charge, just don't make me pay the rest of the loan for a car that can't be used. This is trash.

- Nate M., Melbourne, FL, US

problem #133

Dec 172018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

When I purchased the car in August 2016, it was doing it from day 1, but I googled this problem and was convinced that that's how the transmission was supposed to be, and as long as I didn't take off too fast, it would be ok. I purchased the car for my 18 YO daughter who was leaving for college. She drove the car for two years until December 2018, when she returned it me after purchasing her first car. The taking off from a stop is horrible. It's very jerky and almost feels like the car wants to stall out on me.

- Vangie M., Natalia, US

problem #132

Aug 102018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I have been having issues with this car for the past year on the transmission. It is known that Ford admits to sending these cars out with bad transmissions and still have not done anything about this problem. I can't even drive my car right now because of this issue, so I am currently paying on a car I cannot drive. Ford needs to recall these cars and do something about this since it is their screw up in the first place. I honestly will not buy another Ford.

- kreese94, Bondurant, US

problem #131

Aug 032019

Focus ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,919 miles

THIS ISSUE ALONG WITH AN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWING "TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW" HAS COME ON. THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN VEHICLES. FEELS LIKE YOU'RE DRIVING A MOPED, AS MANY TIMES AS IT SHIFTS GEARS.

- Curtis L., Lake Charles, US

problem #130

Feb 012016

Focus Titanium 2.0L 4 cyl. Ffv

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Yeah bought my 2014 Ford Focus Titanium hatchback from Gaudin Ford in January of 2016 with roughly 146 miles. Asked the about the hesitation and they told me it's the way the transmission was designed. Worst car ever. Still love my car but ugh the transmission is getting worse lately.

- Tracy Z., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #129

May 042019

Focus SE 2.0L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 61,223 miles

I will never buy a Ford product again!!! My first car was a Ford and I've always had a fondness for Ford cars and trucks. I have owned a few Fords..Explorer, 3 Escapes, 2 Focus', Fiesta. Out of the 7 I think 6 have had transmission issues!! I can't believe that it took me so long to figure it out that these cars are junk!!! I want to support an American made company but unfortunately it seems Ford doesn't care about producing a good solid product that will last, so I'm done no more Fords.

- Ralph K., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #128

Oct 052015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

I bought a 2014 Ford Focus used on 10/05/2015. It is the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. It was a rental car when purchased from Manly Honda in Santa Rosa. I would like to have the fixed it under the California Lemon Law.

- Carrie Z., Petaluma, US

problem #127

Jan 012019

Focus SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

WORST CAR I'VE EVER HAD. GRINDS AND SHIFTS DUE TO A DUAL CLUTCH TRANS. IS WHAT THE DEALER SPECIFIED.

- jsparky, Colton, US

problem #126

Oct 082018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

2014 Ford Focus transmission problem. It hesitates, shudders, surges and jerks when attempting to go from a stop. Why isn't there a recall on this? This is a serious issue. There's is a class action settlement which amounts to basically nothing. I want to sell this vehicle and this is clearly a hindrance. Who will want this vehicle once they drive it? This amounts to a great financial loss. This car is clearly a lemon, being Ford can choose to not recall it and rectify the problem. I don't understand how they determine which issues deem a recall.

- Cindy H., Eagan, MN, US

problem #125

Aug 152016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

BOUGHT THIS CAR IN AUGUST OF 2016. IN SEPTEMBER 2016 THE SO CALLED DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PAPERWORK. CAR SHUTTERS, HESITATES, DRIFTS BACKWARDS. IT HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN GOING FROM A STOP TO START.

- Colleen E., Altoona, US

problem #124

Dec 012013

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Leaky transmission seals that allowed fluid to pass to the clutch, presented jerking and lagging acceleration. Contacted Ford and they rejected my claim for a seal replacement stating my car VIN was unaffected. (Verified by Ford Dealership)

Solution: Upgraded to a better brand.

- Ernest V., Houston, US

problem #123

Aug 102018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The blasted thing is worth only 5,000 dollars, and the repair bill is already at 3,000. I am told that this only gets it running again, and may not fix all the issues. This car sucks and I think Ford should buy it back! I have been online and found that transmission issues are a known problem for this particular car, but I can not get any help from a real person with it. All I am getting are robots and having to leave messages, meanwhile, the collections calls on the loan continue. I am stuck in a position where I either have to fix it or let it get repossessed. Please help!!

- Matthew C., Copperas Cove, TX, US

problem #122

Apr 092014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,592 miles

Do not buy a Focus or Fiesta. Both have the same transmission and same issues.

I thankfully leased this piece of garbage only for three years in 2014. Even during the test drive I noticed the hesitating. I was assured "The car will adapt to your driving." and felt it made sense. I am pretty mechanically savvy when it comes to cars and with it being new, I figured there was a "break in" period.

For the next three years, the car was in almost every oil change for a transmission issue. To "reprogram" the transmission, to "reset the computer" to what ever other patch they could do to get me out of there.

Finally after two years I was told "we have authorization from Ford to replace the dry clutch if it meets a certain threshold." The transmission specialist came with me. During the test drive he told me he has worked as a transmission specialist for over 25 years and has never seen such a mess of a transmission (the duel clutch) and problems.

He told me, the problem is a leak in the transmission that is landing on the clutch and causing the dry clutch to slip. Instead of resealing the transmission or fixing the leaks, they are band-aiding it with a new dry clutch to prolong it until the warranty is up. He told me he was actually disgusted with Ford and how they are dealing with this issue.

He told me that it would happen again, once the clutch got wet, as it is a dry clutch.

This is also the same transmission that is in the Fiesta.

This year, Ford announced that they were no longer going to sell sedans and focus on SUV's.

This transmission was part of the reason that Mazda created their Skyactive technology, as they refused to continue to use Ford's transmissions in their cars.

Ford should be ashamed of themselves. I will never buy another Ford again, I would have it scrapped and watch it be crushed if I we even given a new one for free.

- T G., Na, ON, Canada

problem #121

Mar 052018

Focus ES 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,931 miles

click to see larger images

bad hesitation/jerking when starting from a stop position

This transmission problem started like before, with loss of trans engagement, lack of power and check engine light. This time the dealer won't honor the warranty.... this is a well known problem with the Focus and I complained about it from the first service.

Is this problem part of the class action suit against Ford? Do I need a lawyer?

- Gerardo O., Redwood City, US

problem #120

May 092017

Focus ES 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,060 miles

The problem started like before with lost of transmission engagement while driving, slipping and a transmission fault message

the dealer replaced the TCM under warranty but recommend a clutch job of $2000

- Gerardo O., Redwood City, US

problem #119

Dec 012015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,835 miles

Took 4 times bringing it in, each time was worse than before. Had the problem for 6 months before they finally fixed it. First two times they said this was normal, third time re-calibrated TCM and the 4th I told them I was leaving it until a new clutch was put in. A week later they had a clutch when originally they said it would be 3 months.

What also happened during this 6 month fiasco was the gas mileage kept on getting worse from averaging 7.8 to 9.1 litres per 100 kms. It was good for 6 months and then started to act up a bit and ever since then (now March 2018) it has gotten to the point as to where it was the 3rd time I brought it in the first time. It is worse when it is driven for a while and it usually is my wife who drives with me a bit on the weekend. Two weekends ago I drove the Focus for approximately 100 kms and as the day went on (shopping at different malls) the shuttering got worse to the point when we left a corner it would shutter convulsively for 50 yards or more. My wife tells me this so I get to see first hand what she is talking about.

Brought it into the dealership today (March 16, 2018) and they tell me they cannot get it to act up. It is within its 250 whatever. This is the same thing they told me the first three times the first go around. What was the last straw the first time around was my wife was telling me that she would merge and the revs would go up but no gas. I said you got to be fooling me. Anyways I drove it to visit my son and daughter in law in Toronto and tried to pass and there was nothing. Just a crazy high rev but no action. That was when I said enough and demanded a new clutch. My wife is stressed with this car and for 3/4 's of our ownership (bought as a demo and was told by the salesman Howell that the problem was fixed for 2014) she has driven a nerve racking car. Excellent otherwise.

My question is how much wear and tear does this car receive (e.g. motor mounts, other tranny parts, etc) with all this shuttering and stuttering? Not good. So I was sent home with a car that was re-calibrated and now shifts at a higher rev. I was told by Matt, the service rep that these cars are European designed and really are made to shift at higher rev points. I guess I will wait until it gets worse and see my wife's blood pressure go up. That is what we did the first round and it is starting again.

- Randall Q., Windsor, ON, Canada

problem #118

Dec 222017

Focus SE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

was on recall list when i bought the car in 2016. had to wait a couple months for part to get fixed. was "fixed" jan 2017 now problem has come back as of late 2017 less than a year after being fixed. had it checked last oil change in July 2017 beach ford service didnt feel anything. 2/3/18 had my car in for oil change let them know the shuddering acceleration is back. They said would have to schedule an appointment during the week mon - fri 8am - 5pm for their tech to diagnose but i would probably be charged for the diagnostic test.

- Jennifer M., Virginia Beach, US

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