8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,500
Average Mileage:
40,300 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
  2. replace internal clutch (2 reports)
  3. the car was repaired. ultimate solution a (2 reports)
  4. replace transmission (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #14

Sep 132019

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I was driving my car and the traction control light flashed then car stopped switching gear like it was in neutral. I pulled over and restarted engine - it worked for like 15 miles then transmission fault popped up in info box. This was after Ford did the recall on gas tank malfunction and they had to put in new code or something 2 days later transmission is broke. The warranty covered it but they should be at fault because it happened after they did recall... I barely made it up there because the car wouldn't go into 4th gear... Hey, they did give me loaner car that was nice.

- Travis H., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #13

Jul 282020

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Total transmission failure. Not covered under warranty. No help from dealer or from Ford customer service (who simply reads from a script).

- Timothy L., Vestal, US

problem #12

Oct 082019

Focus LS V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 76,669 miles

I purchased this car 7 months ago and on last week it would not go in reverse, nor would it even pull off. Fill like the entire engine was about to drop from underneath the car. Superior Protection is the worst warranty company to have a contract with. Thank God Ford dealer was able to help with and extended warranty that the dealer never told me I had. So I had to pay for towing because Aamco could not fix my type of transmission, however I would refer anyone to Aamco very nice people. For need to recall all Ford Focus and give clients a new car or pay off.

- Ashley M., New Orleans, US

problem #11

Aug 012019

Focus SE 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 82,000 miles

We had the transmission module reprogrammed as part of 14M02. It never fixed the juddering and poor shifting. My daughter went to drive her car last week and now the transmission has failed completely. Car will not go into gear. Had the car towed to the dealership. They diagnosed a complete transmission failure and said they would need to take it apart to find the issue. I was not willing to pay them as I just gave them $3,000 two weeks earlier to fix the rack and pinion! These cars are so bad and Ford knows it. I am having it towed to my local transmission shop to see what they say.

- raithrovers1, League City, US

problem #10

Mar 232018

Focus 4cly

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Two clutches replaced now transmission is shot. Bearing froze on shaft after dealer did transmission flush. Had a Ford Focus before great car this one has been a problem from beginning. Dealer has had my car for 8 weeks pathetic waiting for parts. Clutch problems were just as bad waited for months to get parts.

- large, Houston, US

problem #9

Mar 112018

Focus V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,687 miles

I PURCHASED THIS LEMON JANUARY 2015. I GOT THE NOTICE ABOUT THE TCM IN AUGUST 2016. IN OCTBER 2016 MY CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND SHAKING SO I BROUGHT IT IN. THE TCM AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. END OF DECEMBER 2017 IT STARTED SHUTTERING, SHAKING AND HESITATING AGAIN.

I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER IN JANUARY 2018. THEY SAID THE TCM WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY!! FORD MOTOR CORPORATION REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE CLUTCH KNOWING FULL WELL THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHEN THEY REPLACE THE TCM! I HAD TO PAY $1800 OUT OF POCKET!!!

MARCH 2018 I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HEAR A LOUD POP! THAN ANOTHER, I PULL OVER WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED. I LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND SEE NOTHING. I GET BACK IN AND RESTART THE CAR. SHIFT IT AND NOTHING! IT WILL NOT SHIFT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE TRANSMISSION IN COMPLETELY SHOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I'M WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM AS WELL AS THE LEMON LAW ATTORNEY. . .

Update from Mar 14, 2018: THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A BOLT BREAKING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE TO BREAK WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL!! NO EXPLANATION WHY THE BOLT BROKE. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE.

THEY DID REPAIR MY CAR AT NO CHARGE TO ME.

- Vivian N., Wilmington, US

problem #8

Jan 262017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,999 miles

This 2014 Focus has had transmission issues from the start - I was assured the shuddering would stop after 5000 miles of drive time. It did not, and it has been non stop repairs on this car. I had the transmission worked on last year, and a year later it developed a more serious transmission issue (internal clutch) that they claim is out of warranty. It is an over 2000 fix that I cannot afford, so I am both without a car and saddled with payments for the next two years.

I called Ford complaints and they could not help, and I am attempting to get assistance from the service manager at the dealership, but cannot do so until they are back from vacation. This has impacted my ability to get to work, and the dealership would not assist with a loaner, or even a service ride back home. The ford Motor company knows about these defects, and they are not offering any real assistance to the folks who purchased the makes/models impacted by these flaws.

- Greta C., Seattle, WA, US

problem #7

Jul 272015

Focus ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,588 miles

Finally bought a new car since I was tired of being stranded on side of road with older cars. Have had this NEW car for 7 months and was of course on a dark road by myself in middle of night and suddenly rpm monitor flies all over and car loses power. no cell service, no power. Great, I bought a brand new piece of sh*t.

Got it to dealer next day, dropped off at 11;00am, have not heard a word since also they do not provide loaner car, took me home at least. Will have to pull out my old car that Ford would only give me $300.00 trade in for. Guess this $300.00 car works better than a $16,000.00 car. Will never by a Ford again

- dbird, Marysville, WA, US

problem #6

Mar 032015

Focus LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,500 miles

Needs new clutch assembly. Will take 2 months to get one because of all the problems Ford is having

- mriccio, Stoughton, MA, US

problem #5

Mar 232015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 17,398 miles

Yesterday I was driving and as I shift into second gear, there was nothing. It was like I was in neutral. After that car wouldn't drive. When I came to a complete stop I stopped the engine and looked under. There was a mass of transmission fluid and it was not red but black. I drove standard all my life never had any transmission issues or anything. At 28000km I know this should not have happened. I did not abuse the car or anything. Still waiting for a answer from the dealer. They can't provide me with a rent a car until they diagnose what happened,

- yvesg, Cap Pele, New Brunswick, canada

problem #4

Sep 012014

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Dealer confirmed problem, adjusted the learning mode, but problem persists. have appointment oct 20 to pull transmission out of car and replace parts. Dealer claims this focus transmission is a problem.

- Ed K., Folly Beach, SC, US

problem #3

Sep 012014

Focus Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

I DONT UNDERSTAND A DEALERSHIP THAT SELLS A CAR THAT HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THEY KNEW THAT THESE CARS HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT CONTINUE TO SELL THEM. THERE IS NO INTEGRITY. THE SALESPERSON SAID HOW ALL THE OTHER CARS HAD PROBLEMS BUT THEIRS DID NOT. A BUNCH OF LIES. DON'T BUY HIS CAR. BUYER BEWARE...

- Pam W., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #2

Aug 132014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

I just got my car back from getting the clutch replaced and I tried to put my car in reverse and it wouldn't reverse. It almost seemed like it was trying to move forward but couldn't. The transmission alert came on and I turned off my car, waited a second, and then turn the car on again and tried to put it in reverse again. Same thing happened. I then turned off my car and waited longer before turning it back on and finally it would go into reverse.

- notmynewcar!, Inwood, WV, US

problem #1

Jul 272014

Focus SE I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

Okay, this is a new 2014 Ford Focus SE with automatic transmission. Everything ran well for a time, but after the first 3K service visit the transmission began to act weird, sometimes not downshifting when the gas pedal was pressed fairly hard for moderate acceleration and then going ballistic when pressed a bit more. It was as if the transmission couldn't find the right gear for the driving situation. Then, on a recent short Sunday drive the RPMs went up and down by about 300 to 500 RPMs, the oil light came on (but there was plenty of oil in the motor) then the engine quit while we were still moving at about 30 to 40 MPH and then the BATT light came on. We managed to get the car off the road but it would not restart. We called the 1-800 number for roadside assistance and had the car towed to our local Athens, Ga Ford dealer where it now sits awaiting repair.

Update from Jun 20, 2015: Athens Ford fixed this problem. It turn out to be a bent pin in a multi pin connector that was bent in assembly. It took them a long time to find it but I applaud them for finally solving this dangerous issue!

- John H., Athens, GA, US