CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2016 Ford Focus & its "Powershift" transmission has a defect trend where the car shudders when accelerating, especially when starting uphill.
Most owners have reported their Ford Focus remains driveable while the vehicle is still at low mileage, but the shuddering is annoying & unpleasant & may reduce the resale value of the vehicle.
However, owners of higher-mileage vehicles from earlier 3rd generation Focus model years report transmission failure & a host of other major & expensive transmission-related problems. Potential buyers beware.
As soon as I bought this ford it was a problem, it would not climb hills without dying out in 3rd gear. took it in 4 times once was a week. I missed my granddaughters track meet because it could not climb. now it has no power to glimpse any hill safely, it's a lemon.
The day after we bought the car from the Mall of Georgia Ford dealer the transmission started surging between the first and second gear shifts. When we took it back they said they tested it and it fell within the Ford limits of their testing. We were also told it was a common problem with the earlier Ford Focus models but it was the first 2016 they had see the problem. They re-flashed the computer hoping it would cure the problem but it didn't change. We have had to deal with the problem ever since several Ford dealers told us that it is considered normal. It is very annoying and frankly embarrassing when there are others in the car with us. It doesn't surge all the time but very frequently. Always on the 1st to 2nd shift. No idea how Ford can consider this normal. This problem should have been address and not cost anything since the car is still under warranty. Unfortunately for us it won't be under warranty much longer.
Bought this car new with only 8 miles on it when I left the lot back in August. Today, I turned out of my Subdivision onto a local road (40 MPH speed limit) Gradually accelerating like normal, as I do not run my car rough, and my car decided to not accelerate, but to rev above a 5 almost to the 6 mark before getting into gear. Will be taking to the shop to see if they can replicate and figure out the issue.
While driving on 2 separate occasions, once with the cruise on (67mph) & the other on a city road at low speed (20 mph) the car seemed to put itself in Neutral while in DRIVE & the RPM's jumped for about 3 seconds. Then the RPM's returned to normal. The first time I thought I accidently hit the gas while the cruise was set/engaged. Then it happened again on a city street. I have to get it into the dealer & see if they can duplicate the issue. I bought this car as a FORD certified pre-owned with 7800 miles on it.
- Kirk P.,
Foristell, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
As soon as I bought this ford it was a problem, it would not climb hills without dying out in 3rd gear. took it in 4 times once was a week. I missed my granddaughters track meet because it could not climb. now it has no power to glimpse any hill safely, it's a lemon.
- David C., Bullhead City, US