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Ford Focus Transmission Problems

670 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 10:56 AM

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Messages Page 17 of 67

#160 of 670 2002 Ford Focus by carolr94

May 13, 2009 (9:15 am)

I had another person look at my car this is continued from #156 & 159 - because the car was still acting up pretty bad and the engine light came on so the mechanic could diagnose things............He found that when the OD is off the car runs fine.............I am hoping it is not the transmission and that the OD can be fixed from inside the car without taking out the transmission.............I am praying that is is the issue............( not even sure where the OD button is) but he put me in contact with a Dealership in Laconia NH where he knows the General Manager so I am hoping this is the repair needed and not the transmission after all........will keep you updated...........................

#161 of 670 add to #156 & 159 by carolr94

May 13, 2009 (10:42 am)

so I was referred to Irwin in Laconia and basically they say it could be the Aervo which they quoted at $460.00 I am really hesitant because if they do that and it still doesn't worl then it would mean a new transmission anyway.........and they quoted $2500 +/-.and it would be 3 years or 100k whichever comes first..........I already found a transmission dealer that will do it for $1500.00 with a lifetime warranty...........I guess I will take it to him and see what he says.........I still think what Ford is doing is criminal they know there is an issue and they just are not standing behind their products...........I will never, ever buy another Ford product again.......................

#162 of 670 2003 Ford Focus Transmission Problems by danica1958

May 19, 2009 (10:58 am)

Bought 2003 Ford Focus in 2004...car had 33K on it.....I also bought an extended warranty. In 2006, I had the transmission fixed under warranty. In 2007, the steering wheel locked and that was also fixed under warranty. All warranties expired about 6 months ago. During the last month I occasionally noticed hesitation and some hiccuping. Last Monday, the car sounded much worse...took it to the dealer's service dept....they tell me it's something to do with the transmission but in order for them to find the exact problem it will cost around $3K to dismantle....car was only worth $3900 in decent condition. They didn't recommend fixing it....I was upset to say the least....it only had 57K on it....only put on 24K in 5 years!!!!! I was then referred to someone in sales to help me find a another car..... This car had a history of transmission problems and now I was the one that had to suffer the consequences of their defective transmission!!!! I voiced my opinion to the dealership and they refused to fix the car, but would give me an additional $750 toward a new Ford Fusion.....no other options given. I picked up the vehicle and traded it in on a brand new 2009 Honda Civic....I believe I'm done with Ford...also owned a Contour that was a piece of dirt as well. We have always bought American-made cars, however, our entire family has changed to foreign in the last year and cannot believe the difference in quality/workmanship. If you are having transmission problems with a car, get rid of it and put your good money into a newer car...it is not worth the aggravation!!! Will never buy a Ford again!!!! They don't even stand behind their own product!!!!

#163 of 670 Re: 2003 Ford Focus Transmission Problems [danica1958] by bird54

May 19, 2009 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: danica1958 (May 19, 2009 10:58 am)
I feel your pain and feel EXACTLY the same way you do. We bought a Honda Odessey. I still have my piece of crap Ford Focus-we would not even offer it for a trade in-it's that worthless. Ford Customer service is a joke, and a sad one at best. Ford does not stand behind there products. They build them to BARELY last as long as the warrenty-then after that it's so long sucker. Well I may be just one sucker on this vast planet-but I am one less sucker that has bought a Ford and we have always bought Ford's. Good luck with your Honda-I love my Odessey!

#164 of 670 Re: 2003 Ford Focus Transmission Problems [bird54] by ffford101

May 21, 2009 (7:22 am)

Replying to: bird54 (May 19, 2009 12:00 pm)
I guess our Ford Focus is an anomaly after reading the posts on this thread. We bought a bare-bones 2001 Ford Focus new and now has 156K miles on it and have not had any problems save for an issue with "aggressive" break pads in the first year. Also, after a few tire rotations the mechanic said Ford Focus' are notorious for "eating" tires. Balance and rotate your tires 'til the cows come home and they will still wear abnormally. We have always bought Fords for two reasons: my father-in-law is retired from Ford, and, more importantly, they are the quintessential American car with great design and afFORDability. heh. Sorry about that... Anyway, my point is that any car company, including Ford, will have some form of mechanical issue from new to a million miles on the odometer on any model. Ford, or any other car company, does not maliciously or intentionally manufacture flawed automobiles; some will fall through the proverbial cracks of quality control, hence the occasional recall. And actually now that I am thinking about it we did have a recall regarding the read door locking mechanisms, prone to rust. I know once a consumer has had a bad experience with a company that they automatically assume the worst for the entire company and that is wrong. I'm not trying to defend Ford or any other car manufacturer I'm just saying we have more than gotten our money's worth from our base model Focus, all 156K+ miles and counting.

#165 of 670 Ford Focus SE4 EX by Timdrivesaford

May 21, 2009 (10:59 pm)

I purchased this 2005 Focus used in 2007. Was great for the first year-plus and I put about 55K miles on the car. Then I started having auto-electric issues (which are chronicled in another thread on this site: battery died mysteriously, anti-theft fuse blew and shut the car down, alternator went up).
 
A couple weeks ago, the transmission acted up. Shifted rough, and didn't feel like it was getting out of second. The O/D OFF light started flashing. Took it to a reputable garage who said tranny was shot.. I gulped and put down 3K for a new Jarvis transmission.
 
It ran great for about three days. Then it started shifting rough again. Check Engine light came on and the O/D light flashed again. Went back to the garage and they ran the diagnostic codes. Two things came up. One was a possible bad ground in a tail light that will cause the tranny to malfunction. The other was a heat sensor in the transmission that would do the same thing if bad. The garage narrowed it down to the sensor and replaced it (it was under the Jarvis warranty).
 
I picked the car up this morning and drove it today with no problem. Tonight? Same thing again. Rough shifts, O/D light is flashing. So, I'm taking it back in the AM. I wonder if the electric problems - which were never really explained - aren't related to the same source as this problem. If there is a bad ground in the tail light, could it have caused all these issues? Anyone have an experience/opinion???

#166 of 670 Re: 2004 Ford Focus Z3 Transmission From HELL [carolr94] by mweber

Jun 04, 2009 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: carolr94 (May 12, 2009 5:07 am)
I have a Ford Focus with nearly 150k miles - I have had absolutely no problems with it. I bought it new and would buy one again. I serviced the transmission like the owners manual said and everything is great - did you have all maintenance done? Consumer reports rates Focus as one of the most reliable cars out there.

#167 of 670 Re: 2004 Ford Focus Z3 Transmission From HELL [mweber] by bird54

Jun 05, 2009 (7:03 am)

Replying to: mweber (Jun 04, 2009 8:02 pm)
I am glad that you have had such great "luck" with your car. I had the Focus serviced as recommended by the owners manual. That car was babied! I have since sold the 2003 Focus and purchased a Toytota Camry. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD!!

#168 of 670 Re: add to #156 & 159 [carolr94] by ih8ford

Jun 11, 2009 (11:16 pm)

Replying to: carolr94 (May 13, 2009 10:42 am)
Hi Carol the transmission on my Ford just went out tonight completely out of the blue. I am also from Laconia. Can you please tell me the dealer that will replace it for $1500? Thanks.

#169 of 670 Ranting about my Focus experience... by radioempty

Jun 17, 2009 (11:44 am)

I bought a 2005 Ford Focus hatchback in May 2008 to replace my gas guzzler of an SUV. I loved the car, it had power, pep and looked great. However, I ended up disliking the lack of power options (no AC in the summer was a bummer). So I went to Bay Ford in Port Orchard, Washington and traded it in for a 2007 Ford Focus SE sedan.
 
Almost right out the door, my trunk refused to latch shut, so I had to give it up for a few days so they could replace the latch. After that, it was smooth sailing until winter, when my power steering pump burned out. I've driven without steering before, so I learned to live without it so I wouldn't have to pay for a new pump.
 
Then my transmission started messing up. Thankfully it was still under warranty so I took it in and they replaced some stuff dealing with the overdrive (which was the main problem), at no cost to me. This was at about 53,000 miles.
 
Less than a month later, my overdrive light on my cluster came on and my overdrive shut off. I went back to the dealership and had them take a look at it (this time I was at 56,000 miles). They told me nothing was wrong, and sent me on my way.
 
Two months later and with an expired warranty, my transmission started slipping. Within a week, my car was struggling to get uphill. I made an appointment with the manager at the dealership to discuss my problem.
 
I told the manager that this issue was so severe that my transmission was most likely failing when they first looked at it, and how they missed it was beyond me when they had my transmission lying in pieces in their shop. He told me essentially there was nothing he could do since I *poorly* maintained my car (mind you, it was beyond my control). Words were exchanged and now my car is sitting in the shop, and thousands of dollars are about to go out the door.
 
Has anyone had this kind of experience with their transmission failing?

Messages Page 17 of 67

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