Ford Focus Transmission Problems

689 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus SVT, Ford Focus, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

    
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#220 of 689 2009 Ford Focus 7000+ Miles by r1derbike

Sep 23, 2009 (8:10 pm)

Transmission bearing failure on my above Focus SE, loaded (4 speed auto). Developed "grunching", whining, and momentary locks-up, and strange shifting behavior last 1000 miles. I say last 1000 miles because this is the 2nd time I've had it in for transmission problems.
 
The dealer couldn't duplicate the problem the first time, so I had to drive the vehicle until issues were prevalent to troubleshoot.
 
Not happy with this vehicle on all fronts. First new vehicle I have purchased since 1992, and will be my first and last Ford.
 
I put nearly a quarter million miles on my Jeep Cherokee before it was totalled by an Ford F250, so I don't abuse vehicles.
 
I should have gone with my gut and purchased the Honda Civic.
 
Hindsight.
 
Charles

#221 of 689 Update on Focus Problem Above... by r1derbike

Sep 25, 2009 (7:33 pm)

Dealer got tranny back together/mounted. Mechanic test drove it; STILL TRANNY PROBLEMS!
 
Another tear-down and more parts ordered. Service Manager said it is a good thing that the mechanic test drove it. I smell a Lemon Law claim brewing.
 
Has anyone else had issues with their 2009 Focus Auto tranny?
 
I can't believe I'm the only one...
 
Charles

#222 of 689 Re: 03 focus zx3 manual transmission problems [Mr_Shiftright] by rocko8507

Sep 26, 2009 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 22, 2009 9:17 am)
Just replaced the clutch master cylinder. bled the thing about 20 times. still no dice. Still will not shift into any gear while the car is on, but off it shifts just fine. Ordered a new CPP due to the fact that the car threw a check engine light for it about 2 years ago, hoping this might be the final fix. if that doesn't work i'm completely lost. i'm about ready to just douse the car in gasoline and torch it. words cannot express how frustrated i am with this car. has anyone else had this problem? i've seen numerous posts that sound identical, but nobody has posted a fix to it.

#223 of 689 Re: 03 focus zx3 manual transmission problems [rocko8507] by carvaz4611

Sep 26, 2009 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: rocko8507 (Sep 26, 2009 7:38 pm)
The only other thing i can think of would be the slave cylinder located by the trans.

#224 of 689 Re: 03 focus zx3 manual transmission problems [rocko8507] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 26, 2009 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: rocko8507 (Sep 26, 2009 7:38 pm)
Well can you observe if the clutch fork is moving when you press the pedal---does the clutch slave cylinder actually push the rod to work the clutch fork in and out?
 
If there's little or no motion, then it's your clutch hydraulics.
 
Bleeding clutch hydraulics on some cars can be a devil of a job---sometimes you just need pressure bleeding tools.
 

#225 of 689 2004 ford forcus by cinnful

Sep 26, 2009 (2:44 pm)

I have a 2004 ford focus(auto), i had to a new transmission put in about a year and a half ago. (POS FORD)
 
about 2 days ago, i put my car in gear, turned my wheel right and started to back up, it felt like my right wheel was shaking.
 
i called my dad he took it to the shop, they said it was the transmission, something about worn clutch plates.
 
i don't think it could be that
 
i can't find anything about this, what are common problems do worn clutch plates cause?
 
thanks.

#226 of 689 Re: 2004 ford forcus [cinnful] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 27, 2009 (8:34 am)

Replying to: cinnful (Sep 26, 2009 2:44 pm)
Well if it were worn clutch plates, the transmission would slip badly. Is this what happened? How exactly did they come to this diagnosis I wonder? X-ray vision?
 
Anyway, if they've guessed right, worn clutch plates are something that happens eventually to all transmissions, the result of wear and tear, miles, and heat. The clutch plates are what "grab" the power generated by the torque converter, and these plates are applied or released depending on what gear you are in. They can be controlled by electronics, or hydraulic pressure, or both. Usually they slip and start to burn off their friction material.

#227 of 689 Re: 2004 ford forcus [Mr_Shiftright] by buffee

Sep 27, 2009 (11:12 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 27, 2009 8:34 am)
Judging from all the focus tranny complaints, we should all get together & do a class action lawsuit. Ford should be held responsible! 3500$ for a automatic transmission at 26,000...ford sucks!

#228 of 689 Focus Transmission slipping. by azcrew

Oct 01, 2009 (4:13 pm)

My daughter has an 01Focus. I replaced the engine two weeks ago and it ran like a
new car. Two days ago she said it was "acting funny". I drove it and noticed that the
transmission seemed to be slipping and not shifting correctly. I drained the pan and replaced the filter. As I was about to put new fluid in it I noticed that there is
way more oil in the drain pan than the 3.1qts that the book says should take to
refill after filter service. My question is. Is it possible for the fluid in the torque
converter to pump/leak back into the transaxle and over filling it ? I know the
fluid level was correct before the engine change.

#229 of 689 Thank you aokrongly and dno36!!! by ifontaine

Oct 06, 2009 (9:40 am)

You two have saved me THOUSANDS of dollars!!!!!
 
Car started shifting into neutral on the freeway, and I freaked out. 2002 ZTW with 131,000 miles on it. Took it to our garage (new to the shop, hadn't been going there long). Mechanic told me the tranny was done and quoted me $1700 for a used one, and $3200 for a rebuilt jasper.
 
Came home over the weekend, found this thread, read the entire thing....printed out posts 76 & 110, and we showed it to the mechanic, who all of a sudden was, "Oh yeah, well, that could be it, but it could also be the tranny, and we didn't want you to be mad at us if we did the solenoid and didn't fix the issue." Pure BS. So then, they wanted $600 for a tranny flush, new filter and the solenoid. We said no thank you, please put it back to together. Paid them for their time and drove off.
 
My buddy and I spent about 2 hours last night doing this and it worked like a charm. My only issue is a small leak that I need to locate and check.
 
Thanks to aokrongly and dno36 for you knowledge and compassion to share with this thread.
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