Issues with new 2012 Ford Focus

[cbdallas]

I have no way to know if this is accurate, but that God awful sound makes me think that the clutch that's "next up" in the gear change process is engaging before the gears are ready, causing them to grind against one- another instead of allowing them to mesh. That just doesn't make sense because by the time you're ready for a gear change, the next set of gears should already be set to go. This is just the only scenario I can come up with that involves a software mistake during shifting....bad clutch timing, or a failure to completely disengage it. Clearly the people who have had their transmissions replaced and are still experiencing this issue have a software issue. Finding and exorcising that demon may be Ford's the biggest challenge yet..

[JimsFocus]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

I have no way to know if this is accurate, but that God awful sound makes me think that the clutch that's "next up" in the gear change process is engaging before the gears are ready, causing them to grind against one- another instead of allowing them to mesh. That just doesn't make sense because by the time you're ready for a gear change, the next set of gears should already be set to go. This is just the only scenario I can come up with that involves a software mistake during shifting....bad clutch timing, or a failure to completely disengage it. Clearly the people who have had their transmissions replaced and are still experiencing this issue have a software issue. Finding and exorcising that demon may be Ford's the biggest challenge yet..

I agree. I've worked on cars and machinery all my life and that's exactly how this noise sounds to me. These clutches , I believe, are controlled by 4 solenoids and it sounds like they are fighting each other or not operating correctly. I've heard the same type of chatter when solenoids or relays experience a voltage drop, contacts are dirty or corroded.

I don't agree with anyone who says this noise is normal. If it was normal, I would have heard it in first 1500 miles, (I didn't) and all Ford cars with the DCT would be experiencing the same noises (I know this isn't true). Also, if normal, the noise would be there from start up, mine takes at least 20 to 25 minutes of driving before the noise appears. Sounds heat related to me.

Thanks for your input, cbdallas. From some of the other repies here I was beginning to think I have been imagining noises and sloppy shifting.

[whitehatch]

Yeah this is a reported problem by many and you clearly aren't the only one. Give it some time for the computer to recognize your driving habits and hopefully it will be reasonable. I have a SEL with dual- clutch automatic so I understand exactly what you mean.

[JimsFocus]

Well I solved my transmission problem. I hate bulls**t, and that's all I was getting from Ford. I bought a Chevy Cruze. I couldn't be happier!

[ElGatto]

Originally Posted by JimsFocus

Well I solved my transmission problem. I hate bulls**t, and that's all I was getting from Ford. I bought a Chevy Cruze. I couldn't be happier!

Good for you! Now you can start posting here! :)

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-service-issues/

[mysticowner96]

I went to the local Ford dealership as I've done about 19 times before. I went to buy a new Focus or Fusion the plan was to drive them both and pick one. I drove the SE models. I was after a car that gave decent gas milage this time. I have a Cobra, Exporer and a Ford F250 none of which make me smile at the gas pump!
Long story short I drove 3 Focus and 2 Fusions and told the salesman I wasn't going to buy either of them! Yes, transmission issue in each one.
They also sold KIA's at the dealership. The salesman suggested I look at the Optima. Smoother ride, more power, better handling, quieter ride, more equipment, lower price and much better warrenty.
I left with the KIA. I can't believe for the first time in 40 years I bought a new vehicle other than a Ford. They better get their act together or the next vehicle I buy may not be a Ford either. I'm not stupid enough to buy a Ford just because its a Ford. They have to earn my money just like I do.
The Ford was a sorry sorry second that day.

[Red Jay 918]

Originally Posted by mysticowner96

I went to the local Ford dealership as I've done about 19 times before. I went to buy a new Focus or Fusion the plan was to drive them both and pick one. I drove the SE models. I was after a car that gave decent gas milage this time. I have a Cobra, Exporer and an Ford F250 none of which make me smile at the gas pump!
Long story short I drove 3 Focus and 2 Fusions and told the salesman I wasn't going to buy either of them! Yes, transmission issue in each one.
They also sold KIA's at the dealership. The slaesman suggested I look at the Optima. Smoother ride, more power, better handling, quieter ride, more equipment, lower price and much better warrenty.
I left with the KIA. I can't believe for the first time in 40 years I bought a new vehicle other than a Ford. They better get their act together or the next vehicle I buy may not be a Ford either. I'm not stupid enough to buy a Ford just because its a Ford. They have to earn my money just like I do.
The Ford was a sorry sorry second that day.

what was the transmission problem with the Fusion?

[ElGatto]

Originally Posted by mysticowner96

I went to the local Ford dealership as I've done about 19 times before. I went to buy a new Focus or Fusion the plan was to drive them both and pick one. I drove the SE models. I was after a car that gave decent gas milage this time. I have a Cobra, Exporer and a Ford F250 none of which make me smile at the gas pump!
Long story short I drove 3 Focus and 2 Fusions and told the salesman I wasn't going to buy either of them! Yes, transmission issue in each one.
They also sold KIA's at the dealership. The salesman suggested I look at the Optima. Smoother ride, more power, better handling, quieter ride, more equipment, lower price and much better warrenty.
I left with the KIA. I can't believe for the first time in 40 years I bought a new vehicle other than a Ford. They better get their act together or the next vehicle I buy may not be a Ford either. I'm not stupid enough to buy a Ford just because its a Ford. They have to earn my money just like I do.
The Ford was a sorry sorry second that day.

The question should be---Why are you posting here?

[mysticowner96]

Originally Posted by ElGatto

The question should be---Why are you posting here?

I guess just that I feel your frustration. Being Ford Blue I felt that I let them down. In reality they let me down. I wish you all the luck in the world in resolving the issues.
Sorry I didn't mean to bother anyone I was just frustrated along with the rest of you
as I too was Ford Blue through and through.

[theoldguard]

Took a few minutes to sightsee the problem page on Chevy Cruze. No one thing keeps coming up, unlike the Focus page. Cruze transmission complaints are that it shifts too hard. Might not be a bad idea to send some of those Chevy guys to Ford. Focus has very slow upshifts. Thought DCM was supposed to be right now, like VW. One guy did have total transmission failure. Cruze transmission is conventional. Might also be interesting to see whats going on with new Mazda 3 Skyactiv transmission.