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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,593 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.
Vehicle engine hesitates, runs rough and stalls at low speeds between 1st and 2nd gear. The passenger door latch isn't working properly and the door sticks and is unable to be properly opened from the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected (diagnosed) by Virginia Tire and Auto who found no codes and that the transmission is not the issue and advised during the call that there was an "open recalls" on the vehicle for these issues and to take it to Ford. I received a letter in the mail from Ford for this exact issue prior to me even setting up an appointment since I am the vehicles new owner. The vehicle is now with Ford and once driven (I was told that they did test drive the vehicle although its not stated on the receipt) are able to replicate the issue since you only need to push the gas pedal (every time you press the gas) to discover these issues but have refused to fix the issue because there are no codes/indicator lights on the dashboard even though the issue is easily replicated and IS the exact recall issue. I was told that the door latch was working (its not) despite the open recall on NHTSA for the latch and I was told that their SSSC (Special Service Support Center) was called for approval however my understanding from Ford Customer support is that when you call the SSSC its a simple yes or no question. If the issue is able to be replicated when driven the answer should be YES there is a problem, so that they can get approval to proceed. However my ticket/receipt from Ford does not state any of the above. They want me to pay for another diagnosis, $200 because there is no code/indicator light. If the issues are able to be replicated and are on Fords Customer Satisfaction Program 24N07 they should be fixing the issue. This is a major safety issue and the vehicle should not be driven in this condition as well as I should NOT have to pay Ford to fix a recall (multiple recalls) which they have refused to fix, stating no repair per recall.
I purchased a ford focus 2014 in 2018 and was told everything was OK with my car. Fast forward to 2024, my transmission is now slipping and making noise & shuddering when I drive. Ford refuses to fix my car because the extended warranty to fix the faulty transmission of the ford focus expired. I am now responsible to pay $4,000 if I want to replace it. I was not told that the car had any recalls when I purchased it. I don-??t believe that I should be held responsible to fix it when the dual clutch transmission was a known problem with 2011-2017 ford focuses before I bought it. Please HELP to fix my issue. I feel as if I was scammed and no one can help me.
Previous owner & myself have continually experienced transmission/clutch shudder and hard shifting from a stop. Have had clutch and/or clutch assembly replaced twice since 2015. The dealer wants to replace the clutch AGAIN! This is not correcting the faulty DPS6 transmission which I believe is faulty. Now am afraid to drive car and have been told by dealer that Ford will not do anything unless shudder reaches certain limit. They have now informed me there is a problem with the Fuel EVAP system, according to the latest error code which had a recall back in 2019, so that is expired. And the clutch Customer Satisfaction Program 19N08 has also, expired, leaving me with a car unsafe to drive for both issues. I contacted Ford Motor Co today, and was told there is no Conflict Resolution Dpt., that they only deal directly with the dealer.
The general information I have is my transmission is not working, and it causes the car to stall and jerk unexpectedly, it will be driving fine then aggressively slow down almost to a stop, then launch forward, which could cause an accident to the person in front of me or behind. When these events happen it-??s on and off, and the stalling will follow multiple times during a driving period. The engine light will come on, and many mechanics we have talked to have said to either replace the transition or sell the car, and the transmission is the same price I paid for the car. It-??s ultimately unfortunate because it is a great car, low miles, in great condition, and I am young into college with big loans and can-??t afford to fix this car.
issues with (i'm guessing transmission) vehicle lurching forward when applying brakes, as if brakes aren't being applied at all. I was in traffic and trying to stop, and multiple times while my car tried to switch gears it lurched me forward and almost into the car in front of me. I'm now having to double following space between me and vehicles because I can't predict when the lurching will overpower my brakes. Unknown what is actually causing it as dealers are booked a bit far out and I'm waiting for my appointment to bring it in.
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I believe the defective TCM cause all kinds of havoc on the other systems. And Ford KNOWS they can not fix this issue. Cause car to accelerate an come to a stop in the street! No way safe
We had a nail that needed to be removed from a tire. Tire Discounters said that the lug nuts have swollen and they cannot tighten the lug nuts without us replacing them. They cannot tighten the lug nuts due to the nuts swelling and not fitting into the lug wrenches anymore. How can Ford sell a product that is inherently unsafe?
Transmission programming recall, clutch recall, fuel cap recall and many more recalls were not performed at ford dealership! Had to pay out of pocket at dealer for -??labor-?? task was never performed at dealer for all recalls!
My car has Direct Clutch Transmission that I am told has a design flaw so even after a $3,000 transmission repair the problem will re-occur. The car revs like crazy & doesn-??t move forward. It is so dangerous when I am transporting my grandchildren to & from school crossing 4-lanes if traffic in town to get to the other side & the transmission does this in front of oncoming traffic! And no - no fatalities yet!
I am writing to express that ford issued an extended customer satisfaction program (19N08) to get transmission issued fixed within a specific window or time and mileage. Unfortunately that time has passed and the opportunity for smoother, safer driving has been missed by many people including me. Ford is unwilling to extend the warranty and fix the transmission issues which I feel is a concern. The car rattles and shakes when I go at a slower speed which I imagine could be dangerous. This fix is over $3,000 and not attainable for the average American to pay out of pocket. Ford needs to extend the warranty for the transmission clutch shift motor to keep the roads safe.
as I am not 100% sure where the problem comes from. And I know that this car and other Ford vehicles are infamous for these issues. My Ford focus-??s transmission will spontaneously without warning completely shut off while driving which has caused me to almost get into crashes multiple times. I have brought my car to a ford dealership to get inspected in hopes of being included in a program which makes ford pay for a rental car while the part that causes the issues is delivered (there is large back order on the TCM) but when my car was done being diagnosed they claim my clutch needs to be replaced for 3200 which is ridiculous first of all but the main problem with this is that the broken TCM is what is causing the clutch to break creating a never ending cycle of replacements I have to pay for and even if i get a clutch replacement it won-??t fix my overheating issue. These problems that are caused by ford have caused me to almost get into mulitple crashes and is restricting me from getting to work and I am getting no help from ford customer service and the individual dealerships try and scam me any chance I get so this is my last resort at getting any help
tHIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING. SO OBVIOUSLY NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND FORD HAS CLOSED THIS RECALL ON IT. I CALLED OVER THE CONCERN THAT IT IS STILL NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY OFFER NO HELP OR SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN, TOO BAD IT ISN'T REPAIRED PROPERSLY BUT IF I WANT IT REPAIRED IT WILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT PROPERLY AND STILL CLOSE THE RECALL.
This car had transmission problems from the day I bought it. Then with less than 50,000 miles on it, it quit on the highway. I had it towed to the local Ford dealership where they charged me $150. to tell me the antifreeze had leaked into the engine and ruined the engine and it would cost me $9,000 to have it fixed.
There was a recall several years ago on my 2014 Ford Focus in regard to the dual-clutch system. The system has been replaced once already. The vehicle is now showing the same symptoms. I feel that Ford should be replacing the system again at no cost to me. I am afraid to drive the vehicle. I am a cancer survivor and also work full-time. I need access to a functional vehicle that is safe to drive. The contact stated Ford replaced the clutch once and the car is doing the same thing again.
2014 Ford Focus transmission has been giving me problems for years, It shudders badly. I am afraid to drive the car, It has been diagnosed.with needing a transmission. Ford has told me that that is how it supposed to run, Please take a look at all the transmission problems of the ford focus that people continue to have today. This is truly a safety issue. The cars are still on the highway. Having zero recalls doesnt make the road safe if someone doesnt listen and solve the problem of ford focus transmission.
Car just stopped on a 5 lane highway while waiting at traffic light. Car just stopped and would not go forward. All lights came on. Police officer helped get car off of highway and pulled Into a business parking lot. Mechanic looked at vehicle, police officer also looked as well as a few others. Noone could get car started. Friend ended up having to take my 16 yr old son home. This is holiday weekend so dealership not open until next year. Car will need to be towed to dealership for repairs. Car is not recognizing any drive reverse etc...is not safe to drive. All lights came on on the dashboard. Check engine oil light etc...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gainesville, VA, USA