2012 Focus Transmission Shaking

[rick3478]

I might as well take a run at the transmission thing, it
looks like everyone else has. I do not own a Focus (yet).
I was thinking about buying a hatchback, but am still
sitting on the fence and the transmission is one of the
reasons. I did take one for a test drive and here is a
clip transcribed from my notes;

"Transmission ratios workable, but shifting a bit erratic.
Torque converter seems very loose, rolls back on hills,
2-3 seemed to bog engine like trying to engage both gears,
5-6 sometimes oversped engine, needs refinement."

That was before I knew that it has no torque converter and
is not a conventional hydraulic planetary automatic. Since
then, I have done quite a bit of reading and looking at
whatever pictures and drawings I could find, and now those
notes shed a lot more light.

So Ford thought they could do a stop-and-go dry clutch in
software. I have reservations. Wouldn't a centrifugal
clutch be simpler and more reliable? And a silent roller
ratchet on the 1-3-5 input shaft could prevent rollback.
Shift timing is probably fixable in software.

For those complaining about shudder when creeping:
Don't do that. Creeping is probably the worst thing you
can do to the 1-3-5 clutch, especially when new. It will
generate lots of heat which has nowhere to go. Torque
converters are good at this, friction clutches are not.
If it's shuddering, the clutch plates may be warped, and
if so they will not get better with time. Yeah, I know,
city traffic forces you to do that. Keep it to a minimum,
and feel justified in complaining if it doesn't hold up
to the real world.

For Ford engineering:
What was your backup plan in case this experiment didn't
work out? My suggestions may be workable, feel free to
use them, no charge. In any case, do the right thing for
your loyal customers.

For me:
Hang onto money. Wait to see what develops.

[Beepster]

Originally Posted by rick3478

For Ford engineering:
What was your backup plan in case this experiment didn't
work out? My suggestions may be workable, feel free to
use them, no charge. In any case, do the right thing for
your loyal customers.

For me:
Hang onto money. Wait to see what develops.

To answer your question,there are 2 options.The first one is already in progress and it's called the 8 speed transmission.Ford denies that this transmission will replace the dreaded and unpopular powershift,but they are not suicidal enough to keep it on the market after all the problems and the last Consumer Reports rating.Another option would be to buy the Mazda "Skyactiv" transmission.Mazda went with an hybrid type transmission that combine a torque converter and a dry clutch for smoother start and shifts.And if you still don't trust this technology,Mazda made the old,reliable and trusted powertrains available for 2012.

[lyonsroar]

Has anyone noticed that ALL of "Beepster's" posts are in 2012 issue threads? 99% of those posts are in this specific thread. I literally just searched for all posts by "Beepster" and none of them are outside of the 2012 issue threads.

So much for contributing to the community.

[Beepster]

Originally Posted by lyonsroar

Has anyone noticed that ALL of "Beepster's" posts are in 2012 issue threads? 99% of those posts are in this specific thread. I literally just searched for all posts by "Beepster" and none of them are outside of the 2012 issue threads.

So much for contributing to the community.

First of all I own a 2012 Focus and got serious issues with the car.The last "Consumer Reports" confirm that the problems on the cars are far from isolated cases.And after spending 125 000$ in Ford vehicles in the past 22 years,I think I got the right to comment on what I think about "The New Ford".To be honest,I prefered by far the old one.

If it can make you feel better.I was told that my car should be fixed in the next two weeks.But considering I was told the same BS 18 weeks ago ,well I take it with a grain of salt.But if it get fixed ,my last post will be to say what car I bought to replace it and I'll be out of there.

No problems,no Focus ,no Ford,no reasons to be here.But until that day ,I will be here.I will be far more relevant,than you'll ever be.

[lyonsroar]

I highly doubt that last statement but whatever you say.

I'll be the first to say:

Bub-eye.

[Beepster]

Originally Posted by lyonsroar

I highly doubt that last statement but whatever you say.

I'll be the first to say:

Bub-eye.

Well you don't have a Focus and you don't have problems but you are here.I would love to do like you and upgrade the look and performance of my car,upgrade the sound system and say how great life is.But the reality is that it's not sure if Ford will find a fix for my problem,if I'm gonna keep the car or not and if I'll ever enjoy driving another Ford again.I'm not gonna post in other threads just to "blend in".If it wasn't for Ford poor quality,I wouldn't even be here in the first place.So ,you can thank Ford for that.

[Chapter_one]

First off, I'm new to this forum and want to thank the many members who posted in the Tips thread elsewhere on Fanatics. It was a big help in learning some of the stuff that doesn't jump out at you in the manual.

Second, I would like to commend Natasha for her efforts in coping with the problems that seem to be expressed within this particular thread. I was helped by one of her counterparts on another Forum for Mustangs.

Relative to the Mustang situation I learned that there was a feature (I guess you would call it that) within the computer structure referred to as "BOA". This is Brake Over Accelerator. I don't really understand what purpose this "feature" was for, however, what occurred was, if you happened to rest or inadvertently apply any pressure on the brake while accelerating at the same time, the computer would kick in and cause a hesitation or stutter that would seemingly appear to cause a near stall. The car that I first noticed this on is my 2012 GT 5.0 with the 6-speed Auto. It was my own fault since I drive with both feet and would rest my left foot against the brake pedal with no pressure (at least seeming that way to me) but it was sufficient to cause the BOA to kick in. After visiting the dealer thinking I had a engine or transmission problem, they found the bulletin on the Ford engineering site. Guess it was just to let dummies like me know to keep my foot off the brake pedal unless necessary.

Now, to why I mention all this . . . Since my wife didn't want to drive the Mustang (why I can't figure), I convinced her to get the 2012 Focus Titanium. I had seen comments from Consumer Reports about the low speed stutter or whatever they called it. The first few times I drove the Focus, I was inadvertently doing the same thing I did with the Mustang and it would buck, shudder and stutter when starting out or even while driving. I then made sure to keep my left foot away from the brake pedal and haven't experienced any of that since. I'm sorry to hear that so many people are having problems so I guess we lucked out. We've only got around 1,000 miles on the TI so far, highway and city, and really like it. I use the manual shifting occasionally but the 4-cylinder rpm winds up so rapidly that I get back onto full auto quickly. I guess basically, I interject these thoughts in this thread to say that we really do like the new Focus and the 33 mpg so far isn't too hard to take. I hope you all get your problems ironed out and should we develop any ourselves, this will be the first place I turn.

Ron

[grizz]

My wife has had her 2012 Focus just over a month and we have already taken it back to the dealer for the same symptons you have described. There was just over 1000 miles on the car at the time of service and we were told to keep driving it, the transmission needs to get "broken in"!! I have worked on vehicles for years, there is no way that this problem will correct itself. From what I've read, Ford is well aware of this issue. To much of a coincedence that all these people are experiencing the same type of problems.

[Beepster]

Car critics don't seem to be immune to the Powershift problems.Here's an article I found where a car critic get the same issues discribed by many of us here:

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/...um-hatchback-2

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by Chapter_one

Second, I would like to commend Natasha for her efforts in coping with the problems that seem to be expressed within this particular thread. I was helped by one of her counterparts on another Forum for Mustangs.

I guess basically, I interject these thoughts in this thread to say that we really do like the new Focus and the 33 mpg so far isn't too hard to take. I hope you all get your problems ironed out and should we develop any ourselves, this will be the first place I turn.

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the kind words about our presence. I will share it with Deysha as well. Keep me in mind if you have any questions!

Originally Posted by grizz

My wife has had her 2012 Focus just over a month and we have already taken it back to the dealer for the same symptons you have described. There was just over 1000 miles on the car at the time of service and we were told to keep driving it, the transmission needs to get "broken in"!!

Hey grizz,

The PowerShift transmission has different sensations than a basic automatic, and the clutches have a break-in period before shifting smooths out. Many initial worries have resolved themselves as they are driven. since you are concerned, please PM me your VIN, contact information, mileage, & servicing dealer name/state so I can help.

Talk to you soon!

~Natasha