Issues with new 2012 Ford Focus

[6769MOPARS]

Originally Posted by JohnH

I enjoyed my 1300 miles in the rental Focus except for the seat. Really want a new car that's auto although I'm fine with manuals. It may have to be the Mazda. Besides, my beloved 93 Escort wagon is really a Mazda anyway.

Drive both and choose the one you prefer.

[JohnH]

Yes , plan to. Same local Avis I got the Focus has a 3 as well. One of my fellow Kart racers gave me a walk through of his 3 Skyactiv and let me sit in it and I liked it. At the same place another one hated his Focus after 25,000 miles . When you drive an Escort, most modern cars are pretty awesome and a huge upgrade!

[Zambini]

I bought a 2012 Focas SE back in Jan 2012 and I have been unhappy with it ever since. I WOULD NOT BUY NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE to buy the Focus with the new transmission Ford has put in it. I have never been more nervous about driving a car than I am with this car.
I have had it into 2 different dealers more than once complaining about the transmission and am advised to "live with it".
I HATE THE FOCUS.

[mr_cassandra]

Originally Posted by Zambini

I bought a 2012 Focas SE back in Jan 2012 and I have been unhappy with it ever since. I WOULD NOT BUY NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE to buy the Focus with the new transmission Ford has put in it. I have never been more nervous about driving a car than I am with this car.
I have had it into 2 different dealers more than once complaining about the transmission and am advised to "live with it".
I HATE THE FOCUS.

What is your build date? There is a TSB (11-12-13) published on December 23, 2011 that states some cars might have transmission fluid leaking where the bell housing meets the engine. If you have this, get it fixed.

In a technical service bulletin dated Sept. 13, the automaker informed dealers that some 2012 Focuses “may exhibit various automatic transmission and engine driveability concerns.”

It went on to instruct the dealers how to reprogram the power train control module for “smoother accelerations, reduced hesitation, better low-speed driveability and improved shift scheduling.”

That bulletin addressed models built before Aug. 12. Richard Truett, a Ford spokesman, wrote in an e-mail that Ford had made the change to all new Focus models starting on that date, and that the alterations would not change the car’s Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings.

Another bulletin dated Sept. 2 advised dealers to reprogram the module on the 2011 Fiesta if consumers complained about “hesitation when accelerating from a low speed after coast down, harsh or late 1-2 upshift, harsh shifting during low-speed tip-in or tip-out maneuvers and/or engine r.p.m. flare when coasting to a stop.”

by searching here on this foum you can find every TSB and then take this info to your dealer. If your dealer will not help, go over his head to ford customer servce, see Crystal here at this board.

Unless all focus oners are pro-active and become ther own advocate, you will be stuck with no solution.

[thisisbenji]

It sucks that this seems to be as big of an issue as it is. Normally I'd buy the dealers line that it's just a quirk of the car. Yet, there are so many happy DCT owners on this website (myself included), that those who are complaining must have a serious problem. As much as I like Ford they really need to get their (and their dealers) act together on this transmission issue.

[mr_cassandra]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

It sucks that this seems to be as big of an issue as it is. Normally I'd buy the dealers line that it's just a quirk of the car. Yet, there are so many happy DCT owners on this website (myself included), that those who are complaining must have a serious problem. As much as I like Ford they really need to get their (and their dealers) act together on this transmission issue.

I'm in the process of putting together a fact sheet to help the people I see here and on the ford focus facebook page, it will review the following

1. what IS normal as compared to the VW's and Audis using the same style transmission
2. problems that CAN be resolved with the existing TSB's and recalls from Ford.
3. an overview of what I feel is the rare but quite real situations where the transmission needs to be pulled out and fixed.
4. order of proactive things the car owner can do
5. name and contact info of Crystal here at the board.

I agree with you this is a great car, my problems faded when n.e. cold weather hit the area. The car is very quick, gets great mileage and handles great as well.

I feel that Ford is a great company and does NOT want owners to have a bad running car BUT owners need to be their own advocate, not just take the party line from the dealer and go home in a huff.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by mr_cassandra

I'm in the process of putting together a fact sheet to help the people I see here and on the ford focus facebook page, it will review the following

1. what IS normal as compared to the VW's and Audis using the same style transmission
2. problems that CAN be resolved with the existing TSB's and recalls from Ford.
3. an overview of what I feel is the rare but quite real situations where the transmission needs to be pulled out and fixed.
4. order of proactive things the car owner can do
5. name and contact info of Crystal here at the board.

I agree with you this is a great car, my problems faded when n.e. cold weather hit the area. The car is very quick, gets great mileage and handles great as well.

I feel that Ford is a great company and does NOT want owners to have a bad running car BUT owners need to be their own advocate, not just take the party line from the dealer and go home in a huff.

Hi mr_cassandra,

Thanks for volunteering to reach out to folks who are having issues and including me in the offer of assistance. As you know, I'm always happy to see what I can do to help. If you contact anyone, and for anyone else who is following this forum, please be advised that the fastest way to get in touch with me is via PM.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, and thanks again for your efforts!

Crystal

[SportyChick]

I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer about what Ford plans to do next with my car. The Ford mechanic took my car and me for a drive last Thursday at lunch and only had to take it down the road to experience the problem. Actually we didn't even have to go out the parking lot and he could feel the shudder.

Now I'm waiting to hear from my dealer on what Ford wants to do with my car.

I've bought many vehicles including motorcycles, never once have I ever had buyer's remorse till now. I had a 1998 Ford F150 that had nearly 400,000kms on it and never gave me this much problems, the truck was amazing. This Focus, it stresses me out and to be honest, I just want to get rid of it now and never buy anything with DCT.

[candycw]

I have the same issue with my 2012 Focus. I bought it back in August of 2011- It was made April 2011- It had 460 miles when I purchased it, and I noticed the "sputtering" right away. I brought it in at under 1k miles, and they said that it would get better. It kinda went away, but was always kinda there. They did the recall to adjust the transmission and my MPG went down 4 to 6 miles per gallon per tank. The "sputtering" got worse after the recall, and I brought it in 2 other times to have them look at it. They said that there wasn't a problem. I finally got a sales person to convince the service department to take a look at it, and they are in the process of changing the clutch. I love my focus, I just want it to drive right.
There are also cosmetic issues with the focus that I'm not sure if Ford will fix for me. The foam used for the trunk vents (behind the rear headrests) was not a good idea. Because it is by the window the sun has rotted the foam, and it has crumbled. I told my dealer, they took pictures, but never contacted me back on this. I also have the chrome on the steering wheel peeling off with sharp corners. I don't think that this is an area that gets messed with a lot, so it shouldn't have peeled like it did.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by SportyChick

I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer about what Ford plans to do next with my car. The Ford mechanic took my car and me for a drive last Thursday at lunch and only had to take it down the road to experience the problem. Actually we didn't even have to go out the parking lot and he could feel the shudder.

Now I'm waiting to hear from my dealer on what Ford wants to do with my car.

I've bought many vehicles including motorcycles, never once have I ever had buyer's remorse till now. I had a 1998 Ford F150 that had nearly 400,000kms on it and never gave me this much problems, the truck was amazing. This Focus, it stresses me out and to be honest, I just want to get rid of it now and never buy anything with DCT.

Hey SportyChick,

Have you been in touch with your CSM? I'm happy to give them a nudge if you'd like them to get involved. Just send me a PM and I'll get on the case!

Originally Posted by candycw

I have the same issue with my 2012 Focus. I bought it back in August of 2011- It was made April 2011- It had 460 miles when I purchased it, and I noticed the "sputtering" right away. I brought it in at under 1k miles, and they said that it would get better. It kinda went away, but was always kinda there. They did the recall to adjust the transmission and my MPG went down 4 to 6 miles per gallon per tank. The "sputtering" got worse after the recall, and I brought it in 2 other times to have them look at it. They said that there wasn't a problem. I finally got a sales person to convince the service department to take a look at it, and they are in the process of changing the clutch. I love my focus, I just want it to drive right.
There are also cosmetic issues with the focus that I'm not sure if Ford will fix for me. The foam used for the trunk vents (behind the rear headrests) was not a good idea. Because it is by the window the sun has rotted the foam, and it has crumbled. I told my dealer, they took pictures, but never contacted me back on this. I also have the chrome on the steering wheel peeling off with sharp corners. I don't think that this is an area that gets messed with a lot, so it shouldn't have peeled like it did.

Hi candycw,

I want to loop in your regional customer service manager so they can get involved. To do so, I'll need a PM from you with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name. I'll make sure your information gets into the right hands!

Thanks,
Crystal