10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,933 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #122

Jun 012019

Focus

  • 27,000 miles
I had the transmission clutch replaced one then took back because of the hesitation started again before warranty was up took back to len stoler dealer nd they told me that the hesitation was within the threshold. Now the hesitation is worse with grinding sound and they tell me the warranty is up nd I would have to pay.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #121

Feb 202019

Focus

  • 75,748 miles
The transmission of this vehicle has had a consistent problem of being erratic and requires constant very particular pressure on the gas pedal to avoid shuddering and shaking when accelerating which when it happens makes the car very difficult to safely control in any type of traffic since other drivers do not anticipate the lurching and staggering from the car unless they happen to note the Ford emblem and are aware of the safety problems facing all Focus drivers of the affected models. I have found the issues manageable by assertive manipulation of the gas pedal during acceleration and gentle and gradual application of the brakes when possible to offset the dangerously inconsistent acceleration and the tendency for car to misshift when slowing down. I'm absolutely appalled to discover that this is not an isolated situation but is typical of most if not all 2012-2016 it is inconceivable to me that Ford was aware of this life threatening malfunction in their products and instead of solving or addressing it sold cars to unsuspecting public on the basis of the their good name and reputation as a quality american manufacturer. I also had to have the car serviced at hertich Ford of milford Delaware for a separate issue involving fuel system sensors which caused the fuel gage to be inaccurate and caused my vehicle to stall several times due to a vacuum created in the gas tank, which was fixed by the recall work but again caused a potentially dangerous situation for myself and passengers. Apparently there is another recall for the fuel system error which I have not been able to schedule as yet. To whom it may concern and anyone reading this do yourself a favor and buy Chevrolet or Toyota two brands I can highly recommend. Thanks

- Milton, DE, USA

problem #120

Jul 312019

Focus

  • 0 miles
Automatic transmission shuddering while accelerating in 1st and 2nd gears. Transmission actually completely cuts out occasionally, forcing the car to lurch backward somewhat until the transmission engages again. High RPM levels at shift points between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. Definitely a safety issue, as there have been and will continue to be times that I try to accelerate to get up to appropriate speed, but the car takes too long to be able to get up to highway speeds. Articles are saying 2012 to 2016 Focus are affected, yet there is no transmission recall on my 2016? the issues did not go away!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #119

Jul 292019

Focus

  • miles
Car has shuddered and failed to properly accelerate which started within a few weeks of buying the vehicle new. The shuddering of the transmission sounds like rattling and that the car is going to stall when it is a automatic vehicle. The car is shuddering often from stops to accelerations, feels like the car is trying to grip into the next gear and is a safety concern. I have personally had my clutch replaced by Ford 2 times and I have only owned the vehicle for a little over 2 years. To get Ford to replace the clutch is a huge headache. For months when I would take the vehicle in due to this safety compliant they would say that the shuddering transmission is within normal limits and refuse to fix it under the warranty. I also tried to contact the corporate headquarters to get it fixed and no results there either. For the most recent repair I had to really fight the service center to drive it and get it replaced upon failing their diagnostic tests. Car also has a rough idle which has resulted in the motor mount being replaced. Car is low mileage and a 2016. It is truly a safety issue because when the shuddering occurs the car fails to accelerate to a safe speed timely.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #118

Mar 052019

Focus

  • miles
2016 Ford Focus titan automatic transmission: The transmission has caused the vehicle to lose acceleration and has slipped into neutral. At 1 point the display/monitor turned white with a small car in the center. The car was moving forward and on city streets when it slipped into neutral. This has happen at least 4 times since ownership.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #117

Jul 272019

Focus

  • 19,000 miles
When accelerating from a stop, the car shudders as it goes from first gear to second gear and there is a noise that sounds like gears are grinding.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #116

Jul 272019

Focus

  • 18,755 miles
I was driving on the I-5 South when my car suddenly loses acceleration and speed in between shifts nearly causing an accident. Luckily the car behind me swerved to the other lane. Very scary moment because my car couldn't find it's gear.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #115

Jul 062019

Focus

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle jerked, lunged forward, and lost power without warning while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to felix sabates Ford Lincoln (7601 South blvd, charlotte, nc 28273, (980) 224-5854) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: Cas-22244697. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Charlotte,, NC, USA

problem #114

Jul 262019

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
Car shudders and shakes when switched between low gears. Is an automatic transmission. Was promised by Ford dealer when buying that the transmission issue did not effect the 2016 models. After owning the car for less than a month the car needed to have its clutch replaced. Ford again promised this was a new part and would fix the issue permanently. Less than a year later and I am having the exact same issue.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #113

Jun 202018

Focus

  • 14,000 miles
Whenever I take off from a stop my car shakes and shudders so bad. It's done it ever since I I bought the car back in 2018. I was not made aware of this issue. If I would have known my car was going to have this many issues I wouldn't have bought it. The transmission shifts so rough even in high gears.

- Scurry, TX, USA

problem #112

Nov 132018

Focus

  • 36,000 miles
The transmission slips and makes noise - I've taken it to 2 different Ford dealers and they say there is no problem.

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #111

Jul 222019

Focus

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. On several occasions, while attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the rpms dropped below 500 and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vacuum assist for the brakes was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to don franklin Ford (located at 388 ky-192, london, ky 40741, (888) 461-0896) on two separate occasions to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the dual clutch in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V845000 (power train). The contact was informed by the dealer that the recall campaign would not be honored because the vehicle had a rebuilt title. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Manchester, KY, USA

problem #110

Jul 232019

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
The transmission on my car will commonly shudder when shifting in lower gears, frequently creating an unsafe lag in moments where quick acceleration is required. The problem becomes more pronounced as the period of continuous or near-continuous use increases. It is my understanding that, at present, the transmission is not shuddering enough to warrant a repair under the terms of my warrantee, however I believe that is due to my continual adjustment to driving style to accommodate this unsafe situation. I don't believe it's prudent for me to exacerbate the situation at the risk of my family's safety in order to qualify for repair at the manufacturer's expense. The shuddering itself can range from a light flutter to a complete disengagement of the clutch for a second or two. At highway speeds, that amount of time is unacceptable. To me, it feels as though the software is attempting to decide and actuate a desired gear ratio, but doing so in a timeframe that is far longer than what it would take me to do so in a manual transmission. Additionally, some engagement mechanism or program frequently misjudges the engagement of the clutch, resulting in mechanical abnormality ranging from a flutter to a shudder to a loud and forceful knocking as it attempts to engage. The odd behavior is most pronounced when shifting between first, second, or third gear. Occasional but very alarming disengagement of the clutch can occur at highway speeds. Turning can seem to exacerbate the problem.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #109

Apr 042019

Focus

  • 100 miles
The transmission shudders when trying to accelerate. The car jerks and sputters so bad that for fear of getting in a collision we have to wait for all traffic to clear when making a left turn at an intersection. Very unsafe for my family! I was not this bad on the test drive and the sales man told it the clutch plates needed to be broken in!

- Moody, AL, USA

problem #108

Jul 172019

Focus

  • 23,529 miles
Vehicle stutters and has trouble accelerating/staying in gear after coming to a stop or slowing down and starting movement again multiple times a day. Sounds like transmission is grinding daily when accelerating after being at a stop, or slowing down. Vehicle drops gears randomly while maintaining speed highway speeds. Made right hand turn out and even with the accelerator floored vehicle did not accelerate until almost rear ended when care just took off almost uncontrollably, was like it was in neutral gear and was just rolling for just under a quarter mile on city streets. Even felt like the vehicle might of been slowing down.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #107

Jul 182019

Focus

  • miles
My car has extreme stuttering when it shifts, as though the clutch is slipping or not engaging properly. It also does not shift when going up a hill unless the throttle is released and the rev counter is allowed to drop very low. According to news reports, Ford set a deadline of 7/19/19 for warranty repairs of this issue. My local dealer confirmed this deadline and told me to call Ford for information. Ford refused to confirm anything and said that I needed to schedule an appointment with the dealer to do anything. The fact that they hid a deadline for repair coverage for a known issue and that the public was only made aware when that information was leaked and reported one day before its expiration is incredibly anti-consumer and dangerous. There can be no reasonable expectation that anyone would be able to have a problem diagnosed and fixed in one day at a dealer, and Ford is clearly acting in bad faith.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #106

Jul 192019

Focus

  • 45,522 miles
The transmission seems like it is slipping and not going into gear. When I try to put I put the car into reverse and push gas peddle it does not go, but when I put in drive it moves. The car only has 45, xxx miles. When I start the car a bunch of clicking sounds come from the motor, and when I turn the car off it makes a bunch of weird clicking sounds also

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #105

Jan 252019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 13,803 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving at any speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle made a rattling noise and shuddered. The contact also stated that the vehicle lunged forward when it was shifted into reverse. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to uptown Ford Lincoln (414-771-9000, located at 2111 N mayfair rd, milwaukee, wi 53226) to be diagnosed, but the failures could not be duplicated. The clutch was replaced, but the failure recurred several times. The clutch was replaced again. The contact was informed that the transmission could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 13,803.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #104

Mar 012019

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
At about 20,000 miles, the dps6 transmission started shuddering and vibrating during acceleration. It got progressively worse, and at 21,988 miles, on 6/12/2019, I took it to the dealer from whom I had purchased the car new on 6/20/2016. A technician performed labor code #160109A. He then noted, "found some clutch shudder still present but fewer than 250 RPM, ok per Ford." After I complained, the service manager sent me a letter offering me a free oil change (which I declined). Today, 7/17/2019, at 21,988 miles, the transmission is still shuddering. I am waiting to see what happens on the Ford Focus/fiesta transmission settlement. My claim id no. On this settlement is 10612086.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #103

Oct 042016

Focus

  • 200 miles
We bought this car new, from the very beginning my husband complained that the transmission was slipping, and losing power, we have had numerous close calls with the car, while trying to advance from a stop sign pull out and the car loses power, also pulling on the highway on the on ramp, the car will just lose power, and shudder, we have taken to it to the dealer we purchased it from three separate times only to be told that the shudder is within normal limits, that's hard to understand with a brand new car, it should not have any problems, the last and final incidents was when we took our grandchildren to a attraction where you stay in your vehicle and you ride through it, the car started to shudder, and buck, and then the whole vehicle shut down, we kept trying to start it, it would start but when you would put it in gear it would not move, we are so thankful that the car behind us was paying attention, and saw we were stranded in the road, we had to sit in the middle of the road for about a half hour so the transmission could cool off, we knew that it had overheated because of the oder, my son who is a machanic drove it and told us the car is unsafe, and now my husband has forbidden anyone from driving it but him, we can't afford to replace it because we owe more on it then the car is worth, something needs to be done before someone does get killed,

- Mckenzie, AL, USA

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