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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.

7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,440
Average Mileage:
35,300 miles
Total Complaints:
111 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (54 reports)
  2. replace clutch (19 reports)
  3. software update (9 reports)
  4. waiting for ford to figure out what it takes to repair it (8 reports)
  5. replaced clutch mechanism (7 reports)
  6. get a lemon law attorney! (4 reports)
2013 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Jun 012014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

I bought my Ford Focus and about 6 months later I began having transmission problems. I had a serious jerking and grinding problem. I was told that Ford was aware of the problem and a part was ordered. 2 months went by before it arrived and car was fixed. Several months have past and the problem is returning. This time the dealer states that there is no problem.

I then get a letter from Ford stating that they are extending the warranty on the transmission but I can't get the dealer to acknowledge the problem. I can't recommend this car, find another car if considering a Focus.

- Michele S., Seneca, SC, US

problem #10

Sep 102014

Focus ST 2000

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,962 miles

Purchased the car brand new from a Dealer in Duncan, BC. I thought at first it was me 'having to get used to driving it' - after a while I said to my husband there is defo something wrong with the way this car shifts. He said nah its just you. Then when I tried to overtake it would shift down from what felt like 4 to 1 and the resultant surge forward would give you a panic. Then it would wildly accelerate over 4/5 revs. Hubby still thought it was my lead foot. Then one night he took it out and bam - he actually had to stop and pull over. He went to overtake and it red lined. He had to pull over (limped) and then turn the car off and restart it. It started and drove but a light was on the dash for the engine. We put it in the next day and I refused to drive it. (Hire car blah blah) (I had googled issues and found the Tech Service Bulletin for what seemed to be the problem). Sure enough they put the TSB fix on it and called me a few hours later to say it was fixed (I thought hmmm really that was quick - did you look for anything else?) We took it home and things seemed ok for a bit (we service it very regularly because we do over 100k a day). Then we started to have the wild acceleration again and this time lagging when pushing the throttle......like 'come on what you doing - i want to ........ah there it is' kinda lag. Then the jerking forward on changes (what seem like wrong changes) and quite quickly after that juddering like a wheel spin (a day or so) a rattling noise. Previous to the juddering - I literally one morning had had enough so stopped by the local Ford where I work (I commute) and said 'excuse me, could you please come out with me and tell me whether I am imagining this? He did and noted that the car was not changing at 3.5 revs (which it should do) it was going way over 4 and he said thats not right. So I booked it in and a service as it was close. When my hub went to pick it up, they didn't get time to look at the trans so just did the service. I wasn't happy. Then the above noises/juddering et al started. We took it back to the dealer we bought it from - as we work out of town I have to rely on the phone. So I drop off in the dark and pick up in the dark kinda thing. I outlined the TSB / issues and now this is going on and the letter in the post we just got saying 160k warranty now on the 6 speed manual clutch. Service confirms that my manual 6 speed clutch is broken and they need new parts. So I left the vehicle there and today pick up a rental until its fixed. When I get to see them i'll ask for a full report of what they have done and to note on my file that I am not a happy bunny. Also that when you get the survey (I just did one for the last service) I noted in there I will not be left with a dodgy transmission after 100k! Its now a mission of mine to make sure everything is noted. We are paying a lot of money for a car with known issues - if I had known the issues were as bad as they are - i'd have walked on by. I only got this small car for the commute - its great on gas compared to my GMC Envoy - but gees - c'mon Ford sort it out! I hope this fixes it and I have many years of joyful driving (or whomever has this car after me - maybe one of the kids). It does make me weary of buy brand new. (Especially as we purchased new to have 'trouble free motoring' whilst we commuted!!). I'll update you when its fixed!

- fedupford, Victoria, BC, Canada

problem #9

Jun 032013

Focus LE 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 13,567 miles

I have owned Fords for the past 15 years. My 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback has a bad transmission. Upon acceleration the transmission hesitates, shudders, makes a sound that sounds like ball bearings on a cookie tin, loses power and basically doesn't seem to know if it should be in second or third gear.

I have a dry clutch, 6 speed automatic that is truly a piece of garbage. I've had it into two different dealers on four separate occasions and they upgraded the software to no avail. I pray there's a recall or a class action suit against Ford. I'm gonna get ride of this mechanical nightmare and buy a Subaru. Never again Ford. Boooooo on Ford.

- John M., Eastchester, NY, US

problem #8

May 012014

Focus 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,500 miles

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

Upon acceleration my car is typically sluggish and you can hear grinding. I took it to the dealer again 2 weeks ago and they said that was normal and the transmission was a modified stick version bla bla bla... funny they did not mention that to me when purchasing but they said nothing was wrong and I went on my way.

I got a letter from Ford a week ago and now they are acknowledging the problem and extending the warranty so it looks like I will take another trip to the dealership in which I am sure they will not be able to fix. Today I got a letter from an attorney notifying me of various problems with the roll reverse and transmission and several other issues. All I can say is sorry to the folks who purchased and thank God mine is a lease. Dropping this POS like a hot potato in 18 months with the early bird release program.

- Christie O., North Ridgeville, OH, US

problem #7

Mar 142013

Focus ES V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,500 miles

This 2013 Focus is the worst brand new car that I’ve ever had. When I test drove it before I brought it everything seemed fine. It actually drove OK for the first 5,000 miles.. but then it started making the shudders, hesitations are much worse and the clanking has started. It’s unfathomable that FORD, where Quality is supposed job #1, would keep putting these transmissions in these cars.

The shuddering after it shifts into 2nd gear shakes the entire car and then it usually hesitates before going on. This is an unsafe characteristic when pulling into moving traffic and expecting the car to go. My Focus has been at the dealer twice for the transmission problem, first time they replaced some clutch thing, got the car back after 3 weeks and it was good for a few thousand miles and the problem returned. I took it back and they said it was all fixed; supposedly they reprogrammed the computer for the transmission. It’s pretty clear that they cannot fix this problem, which is that the transmission shudders ridiculously after it shifts into 2nd gear, especially after it heats up (like in stop and go traffic). I've told the service guys that it does this intermittently, but especially after the car has been driven on the highway for about 30 miles or so. It’s clear they know of a design flaw.. and that there is nothing they are willing or able to do to fix it.

- pringleca, San Leandro, CA, US

problem #6

Apr 012013

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

My car is a leased automobile. From the date of purchase (practically) the vehicle did and still to this day lurches as though running out of fuel, when accelerating from a stop. The dealership where the vehicle was obtained had an explanation of the problem, generally it goes likes this " your are experiencing this problem because the car's transmission was engineered to do what is occurring for fuel economy...it will settle down in the next 1,000 miles". Well, it has never settled down and creates an extremely dangerous condition for me and other motorist when I am attempting to accelerate from a stop to enter a very busy intersection.

My car is going back to the shop for a 3rd time for a complete analysis of the problem. If nothing is resolved I am considering filing under North Carolina' "Lemon-Law". What they don't know is that my husband is a lawyer, so it won't cost me any money to pull out out of the Lease.

- Leanah J., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #5

Apr 122013

Focus LE 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 2,016 miles

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

My 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback Transmission Really Sucks! It shakes, shudders, rattles, thinks it's in the correct gear when it's not, and sometimes sounds like marbles rolling around on a cookie tray, plus it hesitates upon acceleration. I've had it in the shop four times at two different dealers. They have told me that the computers have to learn my "learning style." The best is, "This is an inherent problem. That's just how the transmission is supposed to work." Holy S__T! Does anybody believe this crap?

I actually love the car except for the retarded glove compartment(everything falls out if you open it and the microscopic a/c light that doesn't let you see if the a/c is on or off. The Transmission is the worst I've ever encountered in my 42 years of driving. Ford should be ashamed of the BS. I will NEVER buy a Ford again. I'm selling this piece of junk.

- John M., Eastchester, NY, US

problem #4

Jul 012014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,777 miles

Bought my car in March of 2013 with 3 whole miles on it! Should have read the reviews beforehand... I had minor problems from the get-go (Bluetooth system had a "virus" that cause the system to malfunction which needed complete replacing about a week after purchase). At about 8,000 or so and much complaining from family about the noises my car made (sounding as though something under the hood was barely holding on) and the jerking it does (at take off usually) I took it in to be looked at. they assured me all was ok, it was quite normal actually. They test drove it and decided to keep it. Called me back later and said the clutch was faulty and definitely needed replacing however parts were on backorder and they would have my car a week or so.

Fast forward to May 2014 about 7-8 months after the last replacement all the same issues began again. The noises, jerking, etc... took it in at the same time as my scheduled oil change. brought it up to the serviceman, they decided to just keep the car. Called me this morning to let me know that it was another "faulty" clutch that would need replacing, it is again on back order and after they will take a look at my headlights as those decided when they will turn on and off themselves on "auto" setting.

Ugh, so frustrating!

- nonya, Encinitas, CA, US

problem #3

Jun 132014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,091 miles

This is just my first complaint, I will be adding 5 more of the same sh*t!!! FORD needs to fix this or give me a new car My car is only a year old and brought it new.

- Barbara R., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #2

Jan 102014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,463 miles

This is a recurring issues and they need to fix my car that is only a year old.

- Barbara R., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #1

Oct 072013

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,182 miles

This is getting on my nerves. Ford fix my car the right way.

- Barbara R., Raleigh, NC, US

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