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CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.

The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$100
Average Mileage:
41,450 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. new clutch, tcm, seals, update software (1 reports)
2013 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 162016

Focus LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had the computer upgraded and transmission serviced. It fixed part of the problem as best I can explain it. The transmission stutters when shifting. I am told there is no fix for the problem and that it shows no codes.

- jbiagioli, Gerald, US

problem #6

Jan 192016

Focus SE 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I have taken my vehicle to the Ford dealer, yet they tell me the 'shudder test' indicates no issue. On a subsequent visit, the customer service representative informed me the vehicle failed the 'shudder test' and that the 'transmission module' was reset. The vehicle still exhibits the same issues.

For example, at random the transmission will disengage at varying speeds. The transmission has disengaged at highways speeds of 70 mph and at normal traffic speeds of 25 to 45 mph.

Sometimes, the transmission will not engage during the engine start. After the engine starts and the transmission is shifted into either rear or drive, the vehicle will simple stay still or drift according to the slope of the current parking surface. Then I usually do the following:

1) I turn off the vehicle. 2) During an immediate attempt to restart the engine, the engine will not start. The key is in the ignition and turned, but nothing happens. The only sound is the fuel pump humming while it enters standby mode. 3) I wait anywhere for five to ten minutes approximately and then restart the vehicle. 4) At this point the transmission does not engage but the engine is now running. 5) I then turn off the engine and wait for another five to ten minutes. If I wait until I hear some mechanical noise occurs and then re-attempt to start the vehicle, the engine starts and the transmission works correctly. Please note, on occasion the mechanical noise may occur when turning the key in the ignition switch. The mechanical noise may occur before I attempt ignition or during.

My opinion is the mechanical noise, which occurs immediately before the successful engine start and transmission engagement, is coming directly from the transmission housing underneath the vehicle carriage. Otherwise, the vehicle does not operate as expected.

I am at a loss. It appears the Ford trained service technician's are at a loss also. I do not know what to do other than explore the electrical system which engages the transmission. Any thoughts?

- mikegman, Leesburg, OH, US

problem #5

Sep 132014

Focus ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,600 miles

Bought new in June 2013,at alittle over a year in one afternoon all the clutches went out,my dealer told me it was the worst they had seen come in! so it was down for about a week, in getting it back not long after I returned back to my dealer something still wasn't right,took a mechanic on a drive with me, he said its all fine. So now in the end of Jan 2016 back in for a Ford recall on one of the clutches that had been replaced already. All seemed really smooth till yesterday (2/7/16) come to a stop ready to take off and a big jerk to go,YOUR KIDDING ME!!! really! So things are still not right with this Ford transmission yet. I'm really concerned with this this car wasn't cheap bought it with all the trimmings.

Update from Feb 18, 2016: so thought maybe all was great to go,called ford motor co customer service & a rep got back with me for me to watch a video & that the newest clutch was of new material & sounds are normal,so he wanted to call me back for a ckup in a week that all was fine,well he did call back & all had been ok so now 2 days later (02/18/16) I go to start me car & service trans comes on,the little red i come on & the engine light,so back to the dealer/garage it goes. now its the trans module & it on emer order,they did tell me when asked if theres been othershaving it happen & they said yes we've seen some! thats what they told me clear back the first time the all the clutches went! I again know something still wasn't right yet but ford said its normal.

Update from Jun 27, 2017: So here I go again 4th time on transmission,kept telling them it still never was right but lies lies lies, UPDATE AGAIN; one of the clutches needs replaced again! waiting to find out on the class action law suit on the trans issue.Dealership just called to update me to another issue! rear seal oil leak onto the clutches... This Is So Unbelievable...

- Marsha C., Bettendorf, IA, US

problem #4

Apr 172015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car would not move, just started rolling backwards. Could not get it to go into gear. Had to have it towed to the ford dealer. They told me it was the clutch in the automatic transmission. They said that the parts have been back ordered for months, and there isn't much they can do. However, the car is not drivable, so you have to leave it at the dealer. They gave me a rent a car, that I have to pay the tax on of $15 a day. This is a bunch of crap!

- hdgramy, Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #3

Nov 012013

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Since I have bought this car I had the clutch replaced at 7,000 miles and this is an automatic and it still drives bad. I am not happy with this car at all. I bought an automatic and they say it has a clutch. I also was in my driveway and it is on an incline, the car was in drive and I took my foot off the brake and the car rolled all the way back down the driveway. The dealership said that is normal due to it being a clutch, when you put your foot on the brake that puts it in neutral. That just doesn't seem right.

- juliannen, Eastpointe, MI, US

problem #2

Mar 012013

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

6 times in the service dept for the transmission and Ford has the nerve to offer me a free oil change for this matter? Really a free oil change! Wow. Then the Ford Rep said I can give you the X Plan to buy another Ford. Wanting to get rid of the Focus I went to the deal who doesn't want my Focus also said the X Plan will give me 1400 off a 31,930.00 car. I can do a better deal without the X Plan. And why would I buy another Ford knowing they won't take care of me on my Focus. Sorry but you can keep your free oil change and you can keep your X Plan (joke). Why would I put my money in your pocket when you don't stand behind your products? Why? Oh and 4 other times to try and fix the steering electrical problems. Can you say safety issue?

- Shawn K., Saint Augustine, FL, US

problem #1

Feb 002013

Focus 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

this problem has not been resolved. dealership says it cannot recreate problem. reprogramming was done to computer which did not help problem but did drop the mileage over 10%. At slow speeds and when bumps are encountered or especially speed bumps this happens.

- yogibero, Jacksonville, FL, US

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