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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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Messages Page 56 of 69

#551 of 689 Re: 2002 Ford Focus Transmission Repair Instructions [aokrongly] by averagejoe5

Oct 02, 2012 (11:58 am)

Replying to: aokrongly (Jul 26, 2008 12:06 pm)
I just wanted to thank aokrongly for posting this and everyone else who participated in this thread and gave their experiences and tips.
 
Like many others I too had the same experience with a Ford Focus transmission. In my case, it was my girlfriend's 2006 Focus ZXW station wagon. We were on the highway returning from a trip when we felt the transmission slipping. We made it home but the next day it would not go into third gear without revving really high and shifting in and out. We took it to the dealership where my girlfriend had been getting the car serviced faithfully and regularly ever since she bought the car (about 3 years I believe) and they said it needed a new transmission - which would be at least $4500 Canadian. They said this was indicated because "there were metal bits in the fluid." My gf was quite upset and I was skeptical of the dealership, so I googled "ford focus transmission problems" and luckily came across this forum and the posting. With just this thread and a Haynes manual, I convinced her we could do it. We went to the dealership and bought the "A" solenoid, which they were able to order in within one day - which led me to think they must replace them regularly or it wouldn't have been so easily obtained. Next we went to Canadian Tire and bought the silicone and a drain tub.
 
I'm somewhat handy but I've never worked on a transmission before, but by following this post I was able to replace the solenoid and put the transmssion pan back on. We let the silicone set for 24 hours and the next day took it for a test drive. It worked perfectly. I wanted to wait a bit to make sure it lasted, and it's been over a month since we did the repair, and the car is working just like nothing ever happened. Clearly the transmssion did not have to be replaced, and we paid about $90 for the part and another $40 for the fluid, gasket silicone, and the drain pan. Significant savings! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

#552 of 689 '05 focus zx4 transmission rebuilt $2400!! by strongjon60

Oct 08, 2012 (7:39 am)

I noticed a couple days ago that when i sped up from 0-20 it was revving really loud over 20 mph it would sound just fine. I took it to the shop and they took a look at it said i had no 2nd gear. They said it would be 2400 to get a rebuilt transmission. The car has 49000 miles on it and im not that much of an aggressive driver anyone else have tranny problems with a low amount of mileage?

#553 of 689 2012 Ford Focus DCT by jig_saw

Oct 09, 2012 (4:31 pm)

Mine shifts so fast - 4th gear before 20mph LOL with light acceleration. The main issue I've been experiencing - going in reverse, come to a stop, put in drive - and rpms just go up - no movement. It has also happened at several lights - hit the gas and only rpms go up. Any advice for a fix??

#554 of 689 Re: 2012 Ford Focus DCT [jig_saw] by kam327

Oct 10, 2012 (6:38 am)

Replying to: jig_saw (Oct 09, 2012 4:31 pm)
Easy - take it to the dealer. Sounds like the computer is not telling the 1-3-5 clutch to engage properly. Only the dealer can address that. There may be updated software applicable to your car that will improve the DCT performance.

#555 of 689 Re: Ford is the worst ever!!!!! [socal19] by iroh

Oct 10, 2012 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: socal19 (Sep 30, 2012 3:10 pm)
I bought my 2012 Focus hatchback brand new. It too rolls backwards on a hill pulls out very choppy at times and in slow traffic the tranny slips then bangs into gear. Don't worry Ford and my dealer Gilboy Ford of Whitehall PA tell me this is perfectly normal and I shouldn't worry about it. As much as I like the car I don't trust it as you have discovered. I hate to do it but I guess my next step is the better business bureau. Should've bought the Chevy...

#556 of 689 2012 ford focus sucks! by jgdarling

Nov 04, 2012 (1:52 pm)

Bought my 2012 new, has had issue from beginning, been back to dealer 4 times, they keep telling me nothing is wrong, shudders, shakes, doesn't accelerate as it should, every time i bring it back they tell me nothing is wrong, but they adjust something and now I only get 27mpg on the hwy!! doesnt need to brake in! I have almost 10,000 miles on it and have never had a car behave as this one has. This car sucks have never had more problems, next Sat we meet with GM at our dealer, we will see what they actually do, hell I would even take an even trade if I get one that doesnt have all these problems, I would take it!

#557 of 689 Re: 2012 ford focus sucks! [jgdarling] by puffin1

Nov 07, 2012 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: jgdarling (Nov 04, 2012 1:52 pm)
Don't you have a lemon law in your state.

#558 of 689 Re: 2012 ford focus sucks! [jgdarling] by nofordforme754

Nov 08, 2012 (9:08 pm)

Replying to: jgdarling (Nov 04, 2012 1:52 pm)
my 2012 focus has been in shop two times for hill assist not working at all, even with 12b37 upgrade and i do not blame the dealership for this. i blame ford motor company for not being able to fix problem as of right now. the service department has their hands tied and probably are getting information slowly about fix. since this could be a safety issue, you should call ford motor company as we did and are awaiting return call and call NHTSA and report the hill assist failure as a safety issue.

#559 of 689 Hill Start Assist by kam327

Nov 09, 2012 (6:33 am)

Hill start assist not working is your biggest complaint? Really? Somehow every manual transmission owner in history has managed to handle rolling back on hills, I really think you guys can too. Simply move your foot from brake to gas more quickly in the future. Or if you really want to get fancy, keep your left foot on the brake while you press the gas with the right foot before you release the brake. You won't roll back at all. This is pretty simple stuff folks.
 
I rented a Nissan Maxima with their ubiquitous CVT and it rolled back on inclines as well. And was generally dreadful to drive. Of the new transmission technologies I'd much rather have the DCT than a CVT, even given the DCT's teething problems.

#560 of 689 Re: Hill Start Assist [kam327] by nofordforme754

Nov 09, 2012 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: kam327 (Nov 09, 2012 6:33 am)
I would have bought a manual if that is what I wanted to deal with , but since I paid approx 1,000 dollars more for what I was thought was an automatic tranny, I think they should of made me aware of the different driving characteristics of this car on inclines . Our test drive was on a 6 mile course on very flat terrain. I would be OK with the hill assist if it worked consistantly on our car, plus it feels like a different car each time I drive it.Because of the sparatic gear changes and lurches this car makes, the transmission draws attention to itself.Others riding with me even ask me whats wrong with my car.
My senior Mother also drives and depends on this car and I think this justifies the extra concern.

Messages Page 56 of 69

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