Issues with new 2012 Ford Focus

[chum567]

I'm not feeling good about my tranmission issues being fixed. I have a feeling they will say oh its normal because when I dropped the car off I asked if he wanted to see my paper I brough which had the TSB on there and he said no, then when he asked what was wrong I said everything thats on the sheet of paper and he wouldn't even look at it :/ He said just tell me your problems and I in detail told him everything and on his sheet all he wrote back rough idle/vibrations. He didn't write anything down about my hesitation with accelerating, low speed shuddering. I told him in detail and had my sheet but he didnt acknowledge it. Maybe they will maybe they wont. I have a feeling they will say normal just to get it out of their shop. He won't even start on it until tomorrow he said even though 3 months ago they told me they would work on immediately and first thing when my part was in. Oh well. He said I'll get it back Sat. maybe.:(.

[flingwing1969]

When my wife was in town yesterday, I had her put mid-grade fuel in our SEL just to see if the higher octane might improve the acceleration from stop condition (shudder). She reported that she experienced the shudder for a time after she refueled. Today I took the car to a meeting and put about 30 miles on it, with several stop and go opportunities and I can report that it did not shudder once when pulling away in "D". I'm not excited about putting more expensive fuel in the car, but I will do so to get smooth performance. It make sense because the TCU is programed to up-shift ASAP to improve fuel economy and the shudder might be due to the engine actually lugging, as it would if you were driving a fully manual transmission car and you shifted from first to third at 15 mph. I'm still hopeful!

[JPopNC]

I totally agree with you FlingWing...did the exact same with the exact same results.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by chum567

I'm not feeling good about my tranmission issues being fixed. I have a feeling they will say oh its normal because when I dropped the car off I asked if he wanted to see my paper I brough which had the TSB on there and he said no, then when he asked what was wrong I said everything thats on the sheet of paper and he wouldn't even look at it

I'm sorry you didn't get the best first impression from the dealership. Your CSM will follow up Monday by the end of the day.

Originally Posted by flingwing1969

When my wife was in town yesterday, I had her put mid-grade fuel in our SEL just to see if the higher octane might improve the acceleration from stop condition (shudder).

Originally Posted by JPopNC

I totally agree with you FlingWing...did the exact same with the exact same results.

The Focus is designed to use regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), but premium fuel does improve performance, so that may be why you've noticed a change.

~Natasha

[flingwing1969]

Originally Posted by FordCustomerService

I'm sorry you didn't get the best first impression from the dealership. Your CSM will follow up Monday by the end of the day.

The Focus is designed to use regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), but premium fuel does improve performance, so that may be why you've noticed a change.

~Natasha

I understand the mantra, Natasha, but I do believe that, with the current programing on the DCT, it's not designed to run well on 87 octane.

[bluefcsfan2011]

Very interesting to read this... I bought mine may 29, it had 150 miles on it. I have a 100 mile daily commute, so I'm at about 16,000 miles... drove home from work tonight, all is fine. I too, ws told to wear the car in........... so, 16,000 miles later still having same issues, anway, drive home from work, pull out of parking space at target, check engine light comes on and the car keeps slipping out of drive...needless say, my brand new 2012 focus is sitting on the dealer lot waiting for them to look at it... i loved my car, but very disappointed :(

[Zillon]

Just got off the phone with my local dealership - they've gotten the OK from Ford to repair the blemish on the hood and replace the chipped headlight.

Thanks for the help, Natasha!

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by bluefcsfan2011

...so, 16,000 miles later still having same issues, anway, drive home from work, pull out of parking space at target, check engine light comes on and the car keeps slipping out of drive...needless say, my brand new 2012 focus is sitting on the dealer lot waiting for them to look at it... i loved my car, but very disappointed :(

Hi Bluefcsfan2011,

Welcome to the board!

Sorry to hear about your Focus. Please PM your VIN, contact info, mileage, dealer location and name, so I can help you with this issue. We don't want your car sitting at the dealership too long.

Originally Posted by Zillon

Just got off the phone with my local dealership - they've gotten the OK from Ford to repair the blemish on the hood and replace the chipped headlight.

Thanks for the help, Natasha!

Zillon,

I will pass the info on to Natasha. She'll be pleased to hear this!

Noemi

Just saw this and had to jump in! Thanks for the update, Zillon!!

~Natasha

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread...

[goseejoe]

Hello All,
This is my 3rd post. Car now has 2600 miles on it and still this transmission has not 'broke in'.
Latest issue is this trans not going into 3rd gear and the engine freewheeling.
When it did after a few seconds we were treated to a burnt clutch smell for the next 1/2 hour. I mean this thing really stunk!
At this point my wife(its her car) is telling me to drive this thing over to the Ford store and drop it off. Resort Ford-Hot Springs National Park.
"Well Honey its been there twice already and theres nothing wrong" is my answer.
So Ford if you are reading this please come up with a fix for this transmission before we get killed in this thing pulling out into traffic.
I have absolutely no confidence in this car.

[serathe]

YouTube Video

Just found this gem posted on the ford blog Nov 28 2011 (on youtube since oct)

Anyways. I'm so appreciative to have found this thread & the car was seriously acting up before we purchased it. I'm glad. I'd be more than frustrated and feel bad for those having issues with it.

I've had my Versa for a month and couldn't be happier. May not be as lux, but it's decent and simple more importantly I'm confident in it.

I do wish Ford would back up their product instead of brushing their customers off.