Issues with new 2012 Ford Focus

[pjbasid]

Hi all,
I purchased a used Focus SE about three weeks ago, with 31K miles on it. When I test drove it I noticed that shudder - the salesperson said it was just a really quick clutch and that's the way it feels. What?
Anyway I figured it just would take some getting used to. So I have tried easing on to the accelerator, stepping on it aggressively, and everything in between. Seems to me that the problem is getting worse. I have read a lot of posts from new owners that they hoped the problem would go away as the car "learned their driving habits." Did that work?? After 31K miles, is my car just learning the habits of a new driver, or is this a cronic issue with this vehicle? I love the car in every other way, but this is really annoying, and doesn't feel safe. I have an appointment at the dealer tomorrow...

[poole34]

Originally Posted by pjbasid

Hi all,
I purchased a used Focus SE about three weeks ago, with 31K miles on it. When I test drove it I noticed that shudder - the salesperson said it was just a really quick clutch and that's the way it feels. What?
Anyway I figured it just would take some getting used to. So I have tried easing on to the accelerator, stepping on it aggressively, and everything in between. Seems to me that the problem is getting worse. I have read a lot of posts from new owners that they hoped the problem would go away as the car "learned their driving habits." Did that work?? After 31K miles, is my car just learning the habits of a new driver, or is this a cronic issue with this vehicle? I love the car in every other way, but this is really annoying, and doesn't feel safe. I have an appointment at the dealer tomorrow...

I bought my car used and had the shuddering problem but after I pulled the negative battery cable for 10 minutes and followed the transmission reset procedure mine has been doing great. May not work for you but worth a shot. Also I gave it hell for a few days after doing the reset procedure.

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to Drive.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Shift to Reverse.
5. Wait 2 seconds.
6. Repeat (1-5) ten (10) times.
7. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle to 24.1 kmh (15 mph).
8. Brake gently to a complete stop (allow at least 6 seconds).
9. Repeat steps (7-8) five (5) times in dealership parking lot or similar setting.
10. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle performing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 shifts maintaining 1700-2000 rpm.
11. Accelerate to a speed between 80.5 kmh (50 mph) and 104.6 kmh (65 mph), achieve 6th gear, keep throttle steady with engine below 3000 rpm for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
12. Repeat step 11 two (2) times.
13. Test drive the vehicle.

[Linchpin]

Originally Posted by poole34

I bought my car used and had the shuddering problem but after I pulled the negative battery cable for 10 minutes and followed the transmission reset procedure mine has been doing great. May not work for you but worth a shot. Also I gave it hell for a few days after doing the reset procedure.

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to Drive.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Shift to Reverse.
5. Wait 2 seconds.
6. Repeat (1-5) ten (10) times.
7. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle to 24.1 kmh (15 mph).
8. Brake gently to a complete stop (allow at least 6 seconds).
9. Repeat steps (7-8) five (5) times in dealership parking lot or similar setting.
10. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle performing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 shifts maintaining 1700-2000 rpm.
11. Accelerate to a speed between 80.5 kmh (50 mph) and 104.6 kmh (65 mph), achieve 6th gear, keep throttle steady with engine below 3000 rpm for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
12. Repeat step 11 two (2) times.
13. Test drive the vehicle.

Thanks for that. I agree completely with the 'give it hell'. When I first took delivery of my new Ti the DCT was awful. One of my business associates has a turbo Audi with a 7 speed DCT and it is a rocket. After I got pissed off and started to give mine hell the DCT got a lot better. But it still wasn't on par with the Audi. So I took my Ti to my Ford dealer and told the service manager I wanted to climb out of the back seat after every DCT shift. Wow, he got the message and I got the DCT performance I wanted.

I am one of the lucky ones. I believe Ford is making great cars. But they have to get issues with the DCT solved sooner than later. I would like to see a number of software presets that dealers can program into the DCT that would match the customers performance criteria from smooth and gentle to Challenger liftoff.

[pozi240]

Originally Posted by poole34

I bought my car used and had the shuddering problem but after I pulled the negative battery cable for 10 minutes and followed the transmission reset procedure mine has been doing great. May not work for you but worth a shot. Also I gave it hell for a few days after doing the reset procedure.

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to Drive.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Shift to Reverse.
5. Wait 2 seconds.
6. Repeat (1-5) ten (10) times.
7. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle to 24.1 kmh (15 mph).
8. Brake gently to a complete stop (allow at least 6 seconds).
9. Repeat steps (7-8) five (5) times in dealership parking lot or similar setting.
10. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle performing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 shifts maintaining 1700-2000 rpm.
11. Accelerate to a speed between 80.5 kmh (50 mph) and 104.6 kmh (65 mph), achieve 6th gear, keep throttle steady with engine below 3000 rpm for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
12. Repeat step 11 two (2) times.
13. Test drive the vehicle.

Someone should "sticky" this post, I believe someone else has mentioned this exact routine (for the drivetime sequence when reprogramming a DCT) quite a few months ago, but, I'm sure its buried deep in the ether somewhere now, LOL. Thanks for posting it up. Rep to you good sir.

[Linchpin]

Originally Posted by pozi240

Someone should "sticky" this post, I believe someone else has mentioned this exact routine (for the drivetime sequence when reprogramming a DCT) quite a few months ago, but, I'm sure its buried deep in the ether somewhere now, LOL. Thanks for posting it up. Rep to you good sir.

Better yet, finish Ford's job and put it in the Manual. Ford manuals are available online as downloadable PDFs. I downloaded the generic Focus manual then deleted all the things that don't apply to my Ti. I am going to insert the DCT reset protocol into the manual then put the manual on my iPad and iPhone. I am also going to try and see if I can display it on MFT screen. Gee, why hasn't Ford thought of that??

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by Linchpin

I am also going to try and see if I can display it on MFT screen. Gee, why hasn't Ford thought of that??

Good idea!

(But I guess if you're having issues, a hard copy would be nice... especially if you're troubleshooting MFT or don't know that the manual is virtual.)

[RKienhofer]

yes have same problem with 13,000 miles on it and its in shop for the 2nd time today.
still waiting for there excuse. I believe my break in time is well past due.I also have a vibration at 40mph they are also looking at.

[armoore]

Originally Posted by poole34

I bought my car used and had the shuddering problem but after I pulled the negative battery cable for 10 minutes and followed the transmission reset procedure mine has been doing great. May not work for you but worth a shot. Also I gave it hell for a few days after doing the reset procedure.

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to Drive.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Shift to Reverse.
5. Wait 2 seconds.
6. Repeat (1-5) ten (10) times.
7. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle to 24.1 kmh (15 mph).
8. Brake gently to a complete stop (allow at least 6 seconds).
9. Repeat steps (7-8) five (5) times in dealership parking lot or similar setting.
10. Accelerate from a stop with light throttle performing 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 shifts maintaining 1700-2000 rpm.
11. Accelerate to a speed between 80.5 kmh (50 mph) and 104.6 kmh (65 mph), achieve 6th gear, keep throttle steady with engine below 3000 rpm for a minimum of two (2) minutes.
12. Repeat step 11 two (2) times.
13. Test drive the vehicle.

Curious if this has solved your problems completely of if you are still having issues. Mine has been in multiple times and it's "all up on updates" Still is having shifting problems and wondering if I need to go in and demand the my clutches and seals be replaced. I am well over my "break in point" of 24000 miles. Because of some of the shifting issues it has almost cause me about 10 accidents because of poor acceleration on the highway.

[ElGatto]

I read all these posts, breaking in period, bad clutches, resetting the transmission, etc.
I've had no breaking in period, bad clutches or any need to reset my transmission, yet I have no problems. Shifting is smooth, no shuttering, no hesitations, and no grinding.
I actually like my Focus far more than my previous car, an Acura RSX.

[kjl2012]

ok and the point is.