2012 Focus Transmission Shaking

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by jfn239

When I come to a stop in my 2012 Ford Focus SEL (automatic) ad let off the brake but not push the gas peddle, the transmission makes a squeaky noise and shudders until I give it some gas and then it goes thru the gears fine and smoothly but this slow speed shuddering between braking and accelerating is very annoying and I'm wondering if there are any service bulletins regarding this? Also, when I park the car and shut it off, it lurches a bit.
What is going on here. Does anyone know of any recalls or service bulletins? Need to know ASAP as it is going to dealership on Wed., March 13th. Thanks so much.

Hi jfn239,

Your dealership will be able to tell you if there are any applicable service bulletins for your concern. I can assist by escalating your case to your regional customer service manager; send me a PM with your info (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) and I'll get your case into the right hands.

Thanks!

Crystal

[jfn239]

2012 Ford Focus SEL hatchback 40100 miles (auto)

VIN: 1FAHP3M26CL184431

Dealer: Kerns Ford, St. Mary's, OH

John F. Neal 567-644-5049
Celina, OH

[jfn239]

Originally Posted by FordCustomerService

Hi jfn239,

Your dealership will be able to tell you if there are any applicable service bulletins for your concern. I can assist by escalating your case to your regional customer service manager; send me a PM with your info (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) and I'll get your case into the right hands.

Thanks!

Crystal

2012 FORD FOCUS SEL HATCHBACK 40100 miles (auto)
VIN: 1FAHP3M26CL184431

Dealer: Kerns Ford, St. Mary's, OH

John F. Neal
567-644-5049

[HornedFrog05]

Picking up the car tonight... they told me the transmission was fine and that Ford wouldn't authorize taking the transmission apart and inspecting the clutches. Bummer.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by jfn239

2012 FORD FOCUS SEL HATCHBACK...

Hi John,

I've sent you a private message (PM) with your case escalation information. I recommend deleting or editing your prior public messages that contain your private messages, just to be safe.

Thanks!

Crystal

[chinombre]

My 2012 Focus SE has experienced the same DCT transmission induced shake/shudder/stall documented ad nauseam on this forum.

The dealership ran tests and apparently there's no technical issue with the transmission (other than inherent design flaws).

My only satisfaction is that I was able to get the kind service rep to admit that it's an engineering/design flaw by Ford. The countdown until my lease is up stands at 14 months. Can't wait 'til it's over!

[cuozc]

Haven't come back for a while since my auto transmission replacement a couple of months ago.
Really hope all the owners find a nice dealer as I did. I simply took my car in and describe the problem, which was merely vibrating upshifting 1-2. The dealer replaced the whole transmission for me, which took over a week due to back order parts.

Now, after >1000 miles, it's time to report back.
Overall, it has become a smooth drive, with a tiny little shaking taking a fast go steep uphill from stop, not bad at all. I consider it normal for a DCT, given previous experience form driving a manual. Occasionally very slight grinding noise, barely audible with windows rolled down.
No change in MPG, around 26/38.

Good luck to you all! And hope this transmission lasts.

[CamoChck]

I purchased my 2012 focus SE with flex fuel 7 months ago. From day one the car would shudder, and studder into gears. I was told by the dealer ship that my engine and transmission would be fully broken in by 3000 miles. My car is at almost 10,000 miles today, and right now it is at the dealership for servicing. Couple days ago i pulled out of a driveway, put the car in drive, and the car went to 5000 rpm's and didnt do anything, almost like it was stuck in neutral. I double checked to make sure i just didnt have it in the right gear, but it was in drive. The car finally switched into first gear, went about 10 miles an hour, went in and out of gears, and was not right. Pulled over into a driveway, put the car in park, backed out a minute later, put it in drive, but this time it just didnt do anything.. attempted one more time, after i put it in drive i started down the road, shifted funny going into second i think, and then rpms went through the roof again at 20 mph. Had to put my hazards on to attempt to make it to a gas station. After i turned my car off and on it worked okay. I am very upset with this situation.. the dealership tried to tell me i had it in low gear all of the four times i tried to put the car in drive. I didn't. I had two other people in the car with me and they all checked to make sure i wasnt missing anything. It was just the car. I refuse to spend twenty thousand dollars on a faulty car that i feel unsafe in.

As of now i am driving a relatives 2012 f150, and i have noticed a tremendous difference in the driving of this truck vs. the car. I understand they are completely different transmissions and engines, but this is the way that a ford is suppossed to run. Not like the jallopy focus that i purchased.

[chinombre]

Originally Posted by chinombre

My 2012 Focus SE has experienced the same DCT transmission induced shake/shudder/stall documented ad nauseam on this forum.

The dealership ran tests and apparently there's no technical issue with the transmission (other than inherent design flaws).

My only satisfaction is that I was able to get the kind service rep to admit that it's an engineering/design flaw by Ford. The countdown until my lease is up stands at 14 months. Can't wait 'til it's over!

UPDATE: While driving my car in to work this morning I've noticed that the problematic shudder is less pronounced. This means some kind maintenance was done when I dropped off the car yesterday, even though the service manager assured me that the transmission was operating "normally" and that I just wasn't accustomed to driving with it (absurd).

So I checked the maintenance form to pinpoint what action had been taken:

"Tech inspected the vehicle for the concern and found SSM 32052 as a possible cause for the concern. Tech found no evidence of any trans or engine fluid fleaks.

To correct the concern the tech cleaned G106 and performed SSM 32052 by reprogramming the PCM and TCM to the latest calibration and checked the vehicle from the underside, no signs of any leaks present at this time. Tech then performed an adaptive learning strategy for the transmission, drum, and clutch. Tech then performed a drive cycle and test drove the vehicle 9 miles. Tech found the vehicle operating as designed at this time."

Well son of a gun! I guess if I would've had the technical know-how to recalibrate my transmission (which by the way was "normal") then I could've saved the 3 hours it took driving to/from the dealership yesterday.

What a joke.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by cuozc

Haven't come back for a while since my auto transmission replacement a couple of months ago.
Really hope all the owners find a nice dealer as I did. I simply took my car in and describe the problem, which was merely vibrating upshifting 1-2. The dealer replaced the whole transmission for me...

Great news, cuozc!

Originally Posted by CamoChck

I purchased my 2012 focus SE with flex fuel 7 months ago. From day one the car would shudder, and studder into gears. I was told by the dealer ship that my engine and transmission would be fully broken in by 3000 miles. My car is at almost 10,000 miles today, and right now it is at the dealership for servicing...

Hi CamoChick,

I want to get your regional customer service manager involved so they can assist. Send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll get to work.

Originally Posted by chinombre

UPDATE: While driving my car in to work this morning I've noticed that the problematic shudder is less pronounced. This means some kind maintenance was done when I dropped off the car yesterday, even though the service manager assured me that the transmission was operating "normally" and that I just wasn't accustomed to driving with it (absurd)...

Thanks for the update, chinombre. I would mention your experience to your regional customer service manager so they can address your concerns.

Crystal