2012 Focus Transmission Shaking

[YAPPYS2012FOCUSESE]

dan50,,Hi!!

[YAPPYS2012FOCUSESE]

dan50, Hi!!

Since the last reflash or since the last time I have My focus at the dealer, I must have put in close to 3-4 k miles on it. The shddering and grinding,vibration is still there. I have a 2012 Focus with 24k on it now. I never had problem when I had it and been driving and had 17k on it until I took it to get the Recall done that ford had sent.
Ms. Crystal had it already on the regional level but the funny thing is, I spoke to the regional Customer rep and he told me to bring it to the Dealer. As soon as I hang up from speking to him, I called the dealer and they told me not to bring it because they have done what they can do to my Focus. The dealer said that FORD motor has to tell them what needs to get done to my car before they will touch it. I can drop it off but it will just sit on their lot until they received an instructions from Ford on what fix they want to do to my FOCUS. I am still waiting for the phone call either from the Regional Customer service manager or from the dealer.

Go FIGURE!!!

Yappy

[Cormang]

I thought I'd post my experience.

I purchased a 2012 Focus SE in May 2011. The shudder started at about 1000KM. The dealership reprogrammed the PCM module and everything appeared to be resolved. But then my car started skipping first gear. What I mean is I would accelerate from a stop, and almost immediately the car would slam itself into second gear. As you can imagine, the car seemed gutless.

A couple days later I received a notice in the mail about a recall (but it's not a recall) to reprogram the PCM module, again. So I took it back and they reprogrammed it. This time the shifting was back to normal and the car didn't feel like a truck with a motorcycle engine in it.

A couple weeks later the shudder returned, even more ugly this time. The car would basically cut out when the shudder happened. I'd be trying to make a left hand turn in traffic and all of sudden the damn car would shudder and then cut completely out for about 2 seconds before all of a sudden kicking back in and jolting forward. I took it back to the dealership and they reprogrammed the PCM.

A few weeks later, the problem came back, but this time the car doesn't cut out as long anymore. It still cuts out during the shutter, but only for a second or so. The shutter isn't as long anymore either, but it's still there and it's still affecting me when I try to pull out in traffic. There's an improvement, but not by much.

But this is where it gets really ugly. I took my car back to the dealership in September and they said they would reprogram the PCM. I even had the shop foreman come out for a drive and he witnessed the issue. I left the car with them for the day and when I picked it up the corrected action said "Road Test OK". I almost lost it on the dealership but I decided to leave peacefully and return another day. I was too heated.

I returned to the dealership a month or so later and had another guy come out for a test drive. The car almost drove perfectly for him (of course) until we got back to the dealership. He was about to accelerate up the hill and it did it! He witnessed it. Then he told me a bit of a story about how Ford is trying to charge his dealership for the transmission reprogramming because Ford says, there is no problem. So apparently the dealerships are being rejected for the warranty work around reprogramming these damn transmissions. Eventually I convinced him to reprogram it anyway.

Today I took my car back to the dealership and asked for them to reprogram it. They agreed. When I picked my car up, the corrected action was "Road Tested Ok"... I nearly lost it. But I didn't feel like getting arrested...

All I can say is don't buy a new a Focus. I've heard the 2013 model has the exact same issues from the dealership. The dealership also told me they have about 30 others who are having the exact same problem.

I regret paying $25,000 for a car that every time someone gets into it says "what's wrong with your car man?". It's the worst feeling in the world. It's also hard to defend my choice of purchase when Ford actually states that there is no problem. Now I'm worried what will happen when my warranty runs out.

Maybe I should leave the keys in it overnight hoping I'll never see it again? Yep, the shudder bugs me that much...

[mr_cassandra]

Originally Posted by Cormang

I thought I'd post my experience.

I purchased a 2012 Focus SE in May 2011. The shudder started at about 1000KM. The dealership reprogrammed the PCM module and everything appeared to be resolved. But then my car started skipping first gear. What I mean is I would accelerate from a stop, and almost immediately the car would slam itself into second gear. As you can imagine, the car seemed gutless.

A couple days later I received a notice in the mail about a recall (but it's not a recall) to reprogram the PCM module, again. So I took it back and they reprogrammed it. This time the shifting was back to normal and the car didn't feel like a truck with a motorcycle engine in it.

A couple weeks later the shudder returned, even more ugly this time. The car would basically cut out when the shudder happened. I'd be trying to make a left hand turn in traffic and all of sudden the damn car would shudder and then cut completely out for about 2 seconds before all of a sudden kicking back in and jolting forward. I took it back to the dealership and they reprogrammed the PCM.

A few weeks later, the problem came back, but this time the car doesn't cut out as long anymore. It still cuts out during the shutter, but only for a second or so. The shutter isn't as long anymore either, but it's still there and it's still affecting me when I try to pull out in traffic. There's an improvement, but not by much.

But this is where it gets really ugly. I took my car back to the dealership in September and they said they would reprogram the PCM. I even had the shop foreman come out for a drive and he witnessed the issue. I left the car with them for the day and when I picked it up the corrected action said "Road Test OK". I almost lost it on the dealership but I decided to leave peacefully and return another day. I was too heated.

I returned to the dealership a month or so later and had another guy come out for a test drive. The car almost drove perfectly for him (of course) until we got back to the dealership. He was about to accelerate up the hill and it did it! He witnessed it. Then he told me a bit of a story about how Ford is trying to charge his dealership for the transmission reprogramming because Ford says, there is no problem. So apparently the dealerships are being rejected for the warranty work around reprogramming these damn transmissions. Eventually I convinced him to reprogram it anyway.

Today I took my car back to the dealership and asked for them to reprogram it. They agreed. When I picked my car up, the corrected action was "Road Tested Ok"... I nearly lost it. But I didn't feel like getting arrested...

All I can say is don't buy a new a Focus. I've heard the 2013 model has the exact same issues from the dealership. The dealership also told me they have about 30 others who are having the exact same problem.

I regret paying $25,000 for a car that every time someone gets into it says "what's wrong with your car man?". It's the worst feeling in the world. It's also hard to defend my choice of purchase when Ford actually states that there is no problem. Now I'm worried what will happen when my warranty runs out.

Maybe I should leave the keys in it overnight hoping I'll never see it again? Yep, the shudder bugs me that much...

you should research the posts here where Ford had to remove the transmission and replace the seal and/or the throwout bearings as well as clutches. Alsdo see Cory here at this forum to get your case escalated.

I have read 100's of posts here and at the ford focus facebook page and I can tell you people ARE getting this fixed but you have to be pro-active and go around the dealer if you are not getting any help.

you can search this forum for the word throwout bearng and find posts.

[Cormang]

Thanks, mr_cassandra, I'll do that. 6 times in the shop and still not fixed is really an issue.

[Rockyherald]

3,400 miles now and no issues. One thing I have found is that when you start off in "S" and don't use the shifter button it acts like a conventional automatic. The car is a lot more zippy and shifts like a performance car. I have driven it several times in this mode and haven't noticed any detrimental effects. As soon as you touch the manual shifter button you can only manual shift until you come to a complete stop, put in drive then back to 'S'. I will provide updates as I drive in this mode more. Also several months ago before we bought our SEL my wife and I test drove a Titanium with and also had no issues with the Trans. I'm not discounting the issues that some owners have but I'd like to hear about any positive experiences any owners have had and maybe share some tips or tricks that may help those with issues pertaining to their transmissions.

[Kabigon]

Originally Posted by Rockyherald

As soon as you touch the manual shifter button you can only manual shift until you come to a complete stop, put in drive then back to 'S'.

Manual mode can be cancelled at anytime simply by selecting 'D' (you don't have to come to a stop first).

After that, you can leave it in 'D' or immediately switch back to 'S'.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by jmp_mydog

That's exactly the problem I've having...

jmp_mydog,

I see you spoke with Krystal; please don’t hesitate to PM me and I’ll set up a follow-up call.

Originally Posted by skramblr

My latest issue - there is a pretty odd rattling of the valves sound when it shifts from 1st to 2nd...

I can help with getting this resolved, skramblr. Please send me your contact info via PM and I’ll escalate it up to the regional CSM. Be sure to include your best daytime phone number, full name, mileage, dealer name/state, and VIN.

Originally Posted by montreal

...Anyways now its in for the fourth time. Sad thing is that I'm 22 and have been a Ford guy my entire life...

Originally Posted by Cormang

Thanks, mr_cassandra, I'll do that. 6 times in the shop and still not fixed is really an issue.

montreal & Cormang,

I recommend calling Ford Canada @ 1-800-565-3673. If you’ve already done so, please send me a PM with what they said (along with your contact details).

Originally Posted by Ysteven

I have a same issue for a while now...

Has this improved since your conversation with Corey, Ysteven? Send me a PM with your current mileage and I’ll arrange for you to be called again.

Originally Posted by YAPPYS2012FOCUSESE

...I am still waiting for the phone call either from the Regional Customer service manager or from the dealer...

Yappy,

I made sure Jacqueline will call you before the end of the day today.

Originally Posted by mr_cassandra

...Alsdo see Cory here at this forum to get your case escalated...

I really appreciate the recommendation, mr_cassandra.

Originally Posted by Rockyherald

3,400 miles now and no issues. One thing I have found is that when you start off in "S" and don't use the shifter button it acts like a conventional automatic...

Originally Posted by Kabigon

Manual mode can be cancelled at anytime simply by selecting 'D' (you don't have to come to a stop first). After that, you can leave it in 'D' or immediately switch back to 'S'.

Rockyherald & Kabigon,

It’s great to see the community support; thanks for sharing.

Cory

[YAPPYS2012FOCUSESE]

HI , Ms. CRYSTAL, Cory and All,

After my last encounter with the dealership close to where I live andthe only thing they can do was to reflash twice and the 3rd timeI took it back I still insisted that there's a problem. The Technician rode with me for about 20minutes or so and he experienced shruddering, the slight vibration on the upshift and down shift. While all of this going on he keeps saying its normal, its normal,that's how this new transmissions are. I was getting thick-off and
and did not want to waste my gas and were not getting any where. We head back to the dealers ship. The Final solution after the test drive , The technician told the service manager ." Can not replicate and they told the regional Customer Service manager that they have done what they can.

Stick me with a fork I was done here.......

Two or three days later.. A customer Service rep. from the Ford Regional office called me at work and gave me the spill on what the dealership has told him. I told him that I was not really satisfied on the dealerships findings and there's a problem with the transmission on my 2012 Focus.

Here's the best thing that ever happen while I was speaking with the regional Customer Service Rep from FORD.. He asked me and offered me if
I would like to have and get a second opinion. He explain it more like going to a one doctor for an ailment and just to make sure you go to another doctor for a 2nd opinion on what the first doctors diagnosis. I took him up on it.

He sets up the whole thing with a Ford Dealership took the car the following day to that dealership, they test drove it, after the test drive took it at the
their working bay and twenty minutes later, The Service Writter,service manager and the Their transmissions specialist explained to me why my car was doing what it is doing. They told me I had a blown transmission seal for sure and they will know more if there's anything else when they get in to it.
I was also told that they have done quite a bit replacing those seals on focus. I am really hoping that their finding and their fix will solve the problem I have with my 2012 FORD FOCUS...

Will Find out comes Monday afternoon after work when I pick-up my FORD FOCUS..

Will let you guys know!!!


For the FORD Customer REP on this site: Ms. Crystal, Cory...

Thank You for all your Help and your assistance . I will let you guys know if my problem with my FOCUS has been resolved.

YAPPY.........

[hound]

So now after being reflashed many times.i took the tech for the ride of his life and it shuddered like crazy.the fix you ask? New updated clutch.for mine was areal early build and he said they upgraded the part # since then....hope this fixes it.....btw the part is on a u.s. back order should be in the beginning of February