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Oil Leak: Dealer said Ford stated This is NORMAL

74K views 179 replies 61 participants last post by  Remog 
#1 ·
I took my car in because there's oil seeping from between the Engine and The Transmission. Also a very metallic rattle when the car is in 6th gear and low RPM's. Like going up an incline at almost 40mph.

I just got a call and they said the tech couldn't reproduce the noise and the Oil leak is normal. Its not oil she said,. its some sort of factory fluid that they use during assembly and quite normal for it to leak.

I have officially HEARD THEM ALL now!. THank you FORD!.

I told her that It never did that before and she said that the Tech has had quite a few cases where they saw that same leak and contacted Ford and was told that was a Normal condition of this vehicle. [facepalm]
 
#106 ·
I just hope the dealer doesn't leave a nasty taste in my mouth. Pretty much the Focus was the vehicle that would make or break if I would continue to own and support Ford. Had a bad experience with my 05 Taurus that I traded for the Focus. Almost left the Ford brand all together, but I thought Ford changed things with the Focus. Right now I am not so convinced :(
 
#108 ·
It just has to do it on there short test drive...I was persistent I took the tech for a ride all over town just when we were about to give up .......it slipped like crazy it sounded like a machine gun.thats the problem they only do a five minute test drive and of course the day you bring it in ....it runs fine



Btw been a ford guy my whole life....trucks and cars loved them all
 
#109 ·
I used to be a big Ford guy. But with many issues with my old Taurus, issues with my work truck (07 E-250), My dad's truck, my mom's truck, all Fords, All newer things. Under the previous CEO. Older Fords, like my Escort, Contour, and my T-Bird - Solid tough cars. My issue is so rare with the trans, but it is leaking oil. I only have 4470 miles on it, so of course it isn't as common as it will become down the road, after time runs out. I have a work truck, so my Focus rarely gets driven.

Hopefully the dealer is proactive on it and fixes everything. I want everything to be perfect on my Focus though. For its size, the luxury items that come with no other competitor comes close to. Took it to get dinner a few minutes ago, and there is a noise coming from the heater, like paper is hitting the fan.
 
#110 ·
Well, They don't think anything is wrong with the clutch/trans. However, they do not deny the fact that it is leaking oil. So, they are keeping it for awhile. They said they need to separate the engine and bell housing to fix the leak. Right now I am in a very luxurious rental car, covered by Ford, though Enterprise.

Ah yes, buy the extended Ford Warranty, and they'll treat you right. 2012 Toyota Yaris. Base Model. Worst car I've ever driven... Car smells like an ash tray, my Focus smells brand new. My Focus has tons of luxury. The Yaris at least has an engine?

At least they did not try to say the seepage was normal at least! They said the jittering/slipping is addressed by a reprogram, addressed by a TSB... So. We'll see...
 
#113 ·
Haha. I just find it sad after about 5000 miles/1 year of ownership I am having these issues. Very well kept, I drive her to go shopping or friends or what have you, which isn't much, and then I have a company vehicle for work - that gets my miles.

Honestly, I do like the car... But I wish Ford would take it off my hands. Give me a partial refund. Dedicate my time and money toward my Thunderbird. Sad a 95 T-Bird that's been abused is more dependable :p

I was being sarcastic about the treating you right part though. Getting a very under loaded Toyota Yaris as a daily rental... Ford should rent out a car of my class. I bought a well loaded car, Ford should offer to pay more for a daily rental to keep me in the same class of car I bought :(
 
#114 ·
I was being sarcastic about the treating you right part though. Getting a very under loaded Toyota Yaris as a daily rental... Ford should rent out a car of my class. I bought a well loaded car, Ford should offer to pay more for a daily rental to keep me in the same class of car I bought :(
Ah, sorry, I need to have my sarcasm detector calibrated. It's a bit off from all the ambient sarcasm around here.

And hell, I'd be happy to have a stripped out Toyota Yaris for a couple of days... anything for a respite from my bouncy, clunky, vibrating, I used to love it but now I hate it Focus.
 
#115 ·
Sadly it's the only car that meets all my needs. I've driven the Cruze, the new Dart today (which I do like, but it has a few drawbacks), and a few others.

The Focus has a hatchback, which is useful for carrying stuff, good on fuel, and has nice luxury features like Heated seats, dual electronic climate control. But the downside is stuff isn't working right. MFT has been acting up, but I've been living with it... Well, figured since I gave them the car, they could hopefully address everything
 
#116 ·
Yeah... it would be a nice car if Ford would actually fix the problems instead of telling people that everything is just fine.

Webster's needs to add a new entry under 'normal'.

normal: adjective, (ˈnȯr-məl) we don't want to fix your car, now shut up and go away
 
#117 ·
Ford called me today.

The oil leak is normal. That's oil from assembly, to help slide everything into place.

The transmission acting up is covered by a TSB that reprograms my PCM/ABS/Traction Control. That'll fix the issues I described and others described here. They did not open the trans/engine up.

They updated MyFord Touch/Sync, rotated my tires, and changed my oil. Apparently the oil stain on the lower engine shield wasn't oil either. I'm just full of it... Guess I got nothing else I can do except deal with it, and wait 2 more times, then they can lemon it out?
 
#124 ·
...When I brought it in. A service rep did tell me it was oil, and it was a big job...
ThunderKev,

I apologize for not seeing the updates on this thread sooner. It’s very important to me that this is reviewed for you. I want to arrange a call from the customer service manager for your area. Please send me a PM with your VIN, full name, phone number, current mileage, and dealer name/state.

...The Transmission Input Seals and Clutch were replaced. Car drives great now. [:D]
...4) On my way home from work where I travel up and down different hills, the car did not seem to have difficulty with them - it seemed to be in the apprporiate gear and the transmission did not cause a shudder as it would have before the replacement...
Mine was the exact same way in every detail. This was a couple months ago and to this day my transmission shifts PERFECTLY!...
Just had the same part changed in my car and all is well so far.no bucking no jerking no slipping.hope it lasts
These posts are making my Friday even better, guys! [:)]

Cory
 
#125 ·
Well, I changed my oil last in September at 20k mi and noticed oil weeping from between the crankcase and bell housing. :( Hoping that it was a freak occurrence, I took a picture and then wiped the oil.

The other week, I changed the oil again and the leak is much worse. :(



I am going to be absolutely livid if my dealer gives me the same answer some of you have received.

FordCustomerService, you should have just received a PM from me. Thank you for your assistance in escalating this matter.
 
#127 ·
Well, I changed my oil last in September at 20k mi and noticed oil weeping from between the crankcase and bell housing. :( Hoping that it was a freak occurrence, I took a picture and then wiped the oil.

The other week, I changed the oil again and the leak is much worse. :(

I am going to be absolutely livid if my dealer gives me the same answer some of you have received.
According to the TSB, a "genuine" oil leak (the fluid is slick and not sticky) gets you a new clutch assembly and new seals, no questions asked.

Judging from your picture, you clearly seem to have an oil leak.

Please let us know what happens.
 
#128 ·
Yep. Thats exactly what mine looked like and when they had me take the tech for a ride to hear the noise my trans was making he seemed like he wasn't completely convinced until I said it was leaking oil. Once I said that it was like I told him the passcode and he immediately dropped any further need of convincing and told the Service manager to order the parts. After the clutches. I've never had any issue with shifting quirks, early / late upshifts, bogging, etc.
 
#130 ·
My girlfriend's 2012 Focus has been experiencing the exact issues noted in this thread for several months now- a pretty awful grinding noise between shifts, clunky upshifts, vibration, etc. Probably started within the last 5,000 miles or so. She was off work today and took it into the dealer. I armed her with a lot of the knowledge from this thread, as well as the TSB describing the oil leak issue.

They did try to feed her some BS about any clunkiness and noise in the transmission being normal and due to the efficient nature of the DCT. Not sure my eyes ever rolled so hard. They told her they would reprogram the TCM and see if that helped. Based on what I'm seeing here, it seems the answer is no. I had her tell them to check for the fluid leak between the engine and bell housing, so I'm hoping they find something.

Crystal, if the dealer ends up uncooperative in getting this issue resolved, can I go ahead and shoot you a PM? These problems are totally unacceptable for a 2012 car with only ~20,000 miles that has been utterly babied.
 
#131 ·
...Crystal, if the dealer ends up uncooperative in getting this issue resolved, can I go ahead and shoot you a PM? These problems are totally unacceptable for a 2012 car with only ~20,000 miles that has been utterly babied.
Sure thing, kpblasko. Include your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name so I can research your case.

Thanks!

Crystal
 
#135 ·
I took my car in because there's oil seeping from between the Engine and The Transmission. Also a very metallic rattle when the car is in 6th gear and low RPM's. Like going up an incline at almost 40mph.

I just got a call and they said the tech couldn't reproduce the noise and the Oil leak is normal. Its not oil she said,. its some sort of factory fluid that they use during assembly and quite normal for it to leak.

I have officially HEARD THEM ALL now!. THank you FORD!.

I told her that It never did that before and she said that the Tech has had quite a few cases where they saw that same leak and contacted Ford and was told that was a Normal condition of this vehicle.
[facepalm]
Yes, all leaks and rattles are perfectly normal on the Ford Focus.

Next...............
 
#137 ·
There is an anti rust coating they use, it is thick sticky and honey colored. If your leak is thin slippery and oil colored, it's oil, take it back and make them look again.

Does anyone have the TSB that describes the difference that they can show to the dealer?
 
#144 ·
Add another to the list. 2012 SEL with a leak. It's no longer on the free oil change program so I found it when I did my own oil change. The dealer says its assembly lube. I also have a rattle like its lugging in too high a gear and a little extra slip than I think it should have when taking off from a stop.

Crystal, any help you can provide is appreciated. PM sent.
 
#146 ·
...Crystal, any help you can provide is appreciated. PM sent.
Hi Pumbadog,

I received your PM and responded; check out your inbox for my message. [thumb]

...When I do my oil changes I am not losing any significant amount of oil (I get a little over 4.75 quarts out of my used oil) and the car operates as well as I expect it too (which isn't saying much).
Hi socalrider66,

I want to look into this and see how I can help. Send me a PM with your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealership; I'll get to work.

Crystal
 
#145 ·
When I initially took my car in for an oil leak around the bell housing at 6K miles, they told me it was assembly lube as well. I knew they were wrong, but I just said I would keep an eye on it and when I did the next oil change would re-evaluate. Took the car back in for the second time as it was still leaking oil, and that time they supposedly replaced the seals around the bell housing. Turns out they either didn't replace the seals or they were bad ones as well as it was still leaking oil around the bell housing. Took it back in for a third time to have them fix the oil leak, and that time they said they could not replicate the leak. Which I found humorous that they couldn't just look at the bell housing and see the oil leaking, just means that the technician got lazy and wiped the oil off. At that point I decided to say screw it and just live with the leak. When I do my oil changes I am not losing any significant amount of oil (I get a little over 4.75 quarts out of my used oil) and the car operates as well as I expect it too (which isn't saying much).
 
#147 ·
Took the car back in for the second time as it was still leaking oil, and that time they supposedly replaced the seals around the bell housing. Turns out they either didn't replace the seals or they were bad ones as well as it was still leaking oil around the bell housing.
Well, that wouldn't have done any good anyway. There should be nothing in the bellhousing to leak out.
 
#149 ·
Crystal, I have already talked with you about this issue in the past, see messages from back in November 2012.

At this point, I am simply over it and don't care. I have given Ford three attempts to try and fix their problems with no success(I have all paperwork to back me up). I have 55K miles on my car at this point and am just hoping nothing major happens before I can trade it in for something else and not lose to much money. It is simply not worth my time or energy to have them attempt to fix it again, especially since I have zero faith in the service department.
 
#151 ·
Transmission Leak

I'm not a happy camper . MY wife's 2013 focus , about 15,000 miles is leaking transmission fluid (auto hybrid two 3 speeds with clutches and computer). Dealer will repair but ford parts are on back order. What do you think the damage will be by running on low fluid.
 
#153 ·
I'm not a happy camper . MY wife's 2013 focus , about 15,000 miles is leaking transmission fluid (auto hybrid two 3 speeds with clutches and computer). Dealer will repair but ford parts are on back order. What do you think the damage will be by running on low fluid.
I merged your thread with the appropriate thread. Please use the search function before making threads.
 
#152 ·
This has been discussed extensively in other threads. Use the search function or click here and see for yourself.

The DCT isn't like a traditional automatic that is filled with fluid and constantly being pumped through the entire transmission; there is a small amount of fluid to lubricate essential contact points and electric servos and motors to operate the rest.

I wouldn't take a cross-country road trip with it right now, but until it's able to get repaired, you should be fine.
 
#159 ·
Just joined the site after finding my girlfriends 2012 w/ 32k on it has the leak from the input shaft while doing an oil change yesterday. I noticed it having a small shutter during light accel from a stop and it gets better when its warm so I figured it was normal since I don't drive it to often. Hopefully the dealership does the right thing. I am a ford diesel tech at a ford truck dealership so I understand the game that warranty is, but we still suck it up and do the right thing.
 
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