CarComplaints.com Notes: For the third year in a row, the 3rd generation Focus is experiencing massive transmission problems.
Most notably owners keep complaining about how there's bad hesitation and jerking when starting from a stop. This isn't the result of an old, worn out part. In fact, the average mileage it's reported to us is just over 15k miles.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
22 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,816 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My 2014 Ford Focus began lurching, shuddering and stalling a few months after I bought it in October 2014. I took it to the dealership and it was fixed. Ford even extended the warranty on certain transmission parts to 100,000 miles. The problems have come back, and for four months I've called my dealership to get this fixed. Every time they tell me that Ford will not send parts to dealers so they can't fix the problem. These transmission problems are rampant with the automatic dual clutch transmissions Ford installed in focuses and fiestas, and it's time for a recall. These are dangerous problems, and Ford has chosen to remain silent and refuse to provide solutions.
Please assist with investigating the Ford dsp6 automatic transmission installed in the Focus and fiesta. This transmission is unsafe for operation. Defects can cause lose of power while accelerating, delayed shifting with grinding and shuddering, slipping into neutral, and surging/ difficult to control at low speeds. Ford is well aware of this issue and has offered several "bandaids" none of which has permanently corrected the issue. The transmission suffers from poor driveability and electrical issues. I am afraid that the delay in acceleration/ shudder/ powertrain stumble will cause an accident one day. I had my clutch replaced under warranty however the symptoms have returned. Ford has been less than responsive to its customers, dealer can be difficult to work with as the issues are not always immediately reproducible. This is a major issue that will unfortunately cause someone to lose their life. Please hear the warnings from concerned dps6 owners and immediately open an investigation.
Shifting issues with the 6speed automatic transmission. Car shifting is erratic when starting from a stop, or traveling in a highway condition. Car revs, shutters and stutters. It is very unsafe. I contacted dealership and was told they know about it, but I cannot get my car serviced until 6 months from now. It seems that this issue is getting worse, and while I wait to address issue, I fear that more damage is happening to my vehicle. I may impact more parts on my new car that will cost me money, or worse it will result in a transmission failure which will leave me stranded where I am concerned for my safety, or the safety of a family member. This has been ongoing and increasing since August 2015
When the car accelerates from a stop, the car shudders and vibrates and has a rattling noise. I have taken this car three times for this problem. The Ford dealer has told me that there is a problem with the Focus. They told me that it's an automatic with a manual transmission.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
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When taking off from a stop, the car feels like its slipping, jumping and jerking. Making it scary to pull out when traffic is coming. Three service managers at three dealerships have all said its the transmission design and that Ford is aware of the problem but doesn't have a fix other than to replace the clutches in the automatic transmission approximately every 12,000 to 15,000 miles
Shudder in first to second gear losing power with engine or transmission; loss of speed and shaking and no accerlation from stop to start; loss of power and auto jumps up and down without going anywhere.
Purchased a 2014 Ford Focus in August 2015, for our daughter who is currently away to college. She states that the car "shudders" all the time when being driven. As a parent this is a huge concern, I investigated the Ford Focus and it didn't take long at all to determine that there are several thousand others in the same condition, as stated earlier our daughter is away at college so it is impossible for us to take care of this situation now. This is very dangerous as several complaints reports state the car loses excelleration and will stall when being driven. Please please help before something really bad happens !!!!!!!!! from what I'm reading Ford is refusing to take action, also reported this to simmons/rocwell where we purchased the car and they stated that other Ford Focus cars that were purchased had tests ran and "no issues" we're determined yet they all reported to have the exact same complaints!!!! I need help as to where do we go from here !!
Vehicle quit accelerating while trying to make a turn into oncoming traffic. Engine didn't die but coasted for 2-4 seconds. Severe transmission shudder and grinding in separate incidents. Has been to dealer 4 times and they can't determine the problem.
2014 Ford Focus SE with 6 speed automatic dual clutch (ddg) transmission, vehicle is 15 months old with approximately 16,600 miles on it. The transmission has developed severe shuddering hesitation and clunking especially in low gears at low speeds. Vehicle acceleration is unpredictable at low speeds and may pose a safety hazard due to loss of power or possible unintended acceleration. Vehicle has been serviced by the original selling dealership numerous times under warranty with no positive outcomes. Dealership has recommended that the transmission be removed from the vehicle and serviced internally, but they state they have not been able to furnish the appropriate replacement parts for over a month.
Vehicle transmission shakes, shudders, or pulses on initial acceleration within city traffic. Misses shifts causing car to surge or hesitate in traffic. Two software updates and replacement of clutch assembly reduced but did not eliminate the issue. Drivability is extremely poor and unpredictable particularly in stop and go traffic.
Takata recall. I have a 2014 Ford Focus bought may of 14, today I was driving down road my check engine light came on & my transmission stopped pulling. Put it on computer at auto zone it says clutch sensor. Won't even go in gear now. I have 73,000 miles 13,000 past warranty. I am not happy. Also my drivers seatbelt sometimes won't latch.
I purchased this vehicle from a reputable dealership in town as a used vehicle but with only 20K miles on it. The dealership refused to let me test drive it on the highway citing dealership rules. Everything seemed to work fine. One week after getting car home it began shuddering and failing to accelerate only to rapidly shift gears once it figured out what it wanted to do. When trying to enter highway the car would run through 4 gears before hitting mph causing horrible and sluggish performance. When finally get up to 55 mph or more, the car shutters so bad it is making other parts fall apart and come loose...like the steering and A/C not working properly...I have to go 80 just to get it to reduce slightly. I called up dealer and demanded they repair. Dealer reset transmission to factory defaults which fixed nothing. Took car in 3 more times when finally they admitted it was a clutch issue and put me on a back order list. I waiting 3 months while having to drive an unsafe vehicle but it finally was replaced. To no ones surprise the car performs worse now then it did. Took back to dealer 2 more times, to which I was told the clutch has a 1000 mile break in period. I asked then why didn't anyone say that when I picked it up. Spoke with service manager who keeps trying to tell me they can duplicate the problem...I asked why is it I have the problem 100% of the time I drive it but it never seems to happen when you have it.... I even tried demonstrating but they literally just ignored me and said they didn't hear anything or feel anything...I have reached out to class action lawyers for details on how to sue and get car paid for taken back so I can get a safe car....otherwise I have to drive a known safety hazard.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle began to jerk and make an abnormal noise. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I bought a 2014 Ford Focus last month with 27K miles and it shudders in lower gears upon take off and then vibrates. The longer the car runs the worse it gets. I am afraid to drive the car long distances or long periods of time for fear of mechanical failure. The dealership reset the transmission control module to "learn my driving habits" but that did not work. I was told to drive it for 500-1000 miles before it would fix itself. It is still doing it after the tcm reset. I am taking it back again because it is not safe or reliable to drive.
Car has under 9000 miles and bought brand new with 12 miles from dealership 9 months ago. Dealership said nothing was found wrong during several test drives. Experienced crunching/grinding sound, and slipping during acceleration from standstill, jumping/jittering effect until speed was obtained. Made trip to dealership on personal time with the significant other. Met up with service dept. General manager, took a little drive and too one's surprise, was able to fully replicated the original issues without fail. It is currently being fixed as of writing this. Did further research and come to find out thousands of complaints being filed against Ford Motor Company about this very issue. Some have raised concerns about unexpected acceleration issues and fears of driving according to documented, readable online complaints. How many have to die before Ford is held accountable. This is a proactive concern not a reactive what happen issue! will not be losing our family due to corporate cover up.
I purchased the car brand new. It started bogging out dying in slow traffic and in the middle of turns. I have had it in the shop 5 times for same issue nothing was resolved. I have almost gotten in a couple accidents when turning the car dies in the middle of street and I have almost been T boned. I sounds like the engine is going to fall out at times. Sometimes when it starts to die it excelerates and send the car forward at a fast speed. I have only had car 18 month. I am terrified to drive this car!
Transmission is hesitant to engage and jerks between first and second gears. Feels like car is going to stall out when moving- extremely dangerous. Dealership has reprogrammed car with faulty factory parts/settings.
The car shudders or hesitates when accelerating from a stopped position. So far the dealership has stated that "some shuddering is normal". I just don't see how that is normal. Now not only is the car shuddering but it also make a grinding noise when it shudders. Car has 12,000 miles on
Bought this vehicle brand new and every time I accelerate their is a shutter with the transmission. It feels like it cannot determine what gear is next or what gear it is going to shift too. Happens when I accelerate and also when I slow down and then try to accelerate again. I was hoping that this wasn't serious but reading all the other complaints, it seems like it can be the same or similar issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Denton, TX, USA