2012 Focus Transmission Shaking

[mr_cassandra]

Originally Posted by 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.........

This post makes several awesome points that I have tried to discuss here. Ford themselves suggested you get a second opinion and from my experience, I know the second dealer is right. Ford does not want unhappy customer but communication down thru the dealer level is, as we know, not uniform. I am going to post at the ford focus facebook page and refer them to you.
Please let everyone here know how you made out. IN a perfect world the first dealer should get you all squared away but this is NOT a perfect world. Instead you must be your own advocate and be pro-active. This means if you have a stutter=hesitation bad enough your passengers ask whats wrong, you don't just go home if the dealer says its normal.
Other owners, this posters solution is THE way to go, keep pushing until they FIX your transmission.
When it runs rght, you will not find a quicker, sporty car unless you spend another $7,000+.
and the awesome mileage.

[DQuinn]

So I just picked my car up from the dealer. They had to special order a clutch actuator. It took about a week to come in. The tech took two days to install the parts. There is still a very light shudder on take off, but not nearly as bad as before. The tech said that it was 'a normal characteristic of the car'.

While my car was in the shop I drove my 05 Tundra. I forgot how nice it is to have power when needed. Unfortunately my commute is too long for the V8 as I would love to drive that to work.

I'm selling this car as soon as I move back to San Diego. I bought this car as my commuter car. The titanium trim is nice, but with the MFT issues and the transmission problems I don't trust this car, even though its under warranty. I have had it for 14 months. Its been to the dealer 4 times now for repairs, in the 7 years I've owned my Tundra it's been back once. No more Fords for me.

Originally Posted by DQuinn

Hello everyone,

I am having the same issue that everyone is. I have a 2012 titanium hatchback with close to 38K miles (long commutes to San Diego). Last Friday I noticed the car would shutter when I stepped on the gas from a dead stop. It was looked at today by Rancho Ford in Temecula. They tech agreed that there is a problem, so they flashed the transmission module, that didn't help. The service advisor told me that Ford's next step is to replace some actuators in the transmission, those are on order right now. They should be in next week. I'll post to let you know if this helped after they replace the actuators.

[devvy]

Originally Posted by DQuinn

So I just picked my car up from the dealer. They had to special order a clutch actuator. It took about a week to come in. The tech took two days to install the parts. There is still a very light shudder on take off, but not nearly as bad as before. The tech said that it was 'a normal characteristic of the car'.

While my car was in the shop I drove my 05 Tundra. I forgot how nice it is to have power when needed. Unfortunately my commute is too long for the V8 as I would love to drive that to work.

I'm selling this car as soon as I move back to San Diego. I bought this car as my commuter car. The titanium trim is nice, but with the MFT issues and the transmission problems I don't trust this car, even though its under warranty. I have had it for 14 months. Its been to the dealer 4 times now for repairs, in the 7 years I've owned my Tundra it's been back once. No more Fords for me.

I have to agree with this sentiment. As soon as mine is paid off, it's gone.

The fix for my transmission issues has been to keep the car's gas tank at 1/2 full or more. If I let it get below that, the shuddering and shaking begins. Lower than 1/4 of a tank and it's doing it at every start.

I sent the Ford rep on here (Crystal at the time, replaced now by some other bloke) a note to say that Ford would do well to pay a lot more respect to the software in the cars they sell. In the meantime, I'm not up for being a beta tester for something my life depends on.

[hotleadsingerguy]

Originally Posted by devvy

I have to agree with this sentiment. As soon as mine is paid off, it's gone.

The fix for my transmission issues has been to keep the car's gas tank at 1/2 full or more. If I let it get below that, the shuddering and shaking begins. Lower than 1/4 of a tank and it's doing it at every start.

I sent the Ford rep on here (Crystal at the time, replaced now by some other bloke) a note to say that Ford would do well to pay a lot more respect to the software in the cars they sell. In the meantime, I'm not up for being a beta tester for something my life depends on.

Same here. As soon as the car is paid off I'll be trading it in. I've been looking at replacement cars for a few months already (I was close to trading it in even before finishing paying it off...I'm that fed up).

Right now looking at a 2013 Accord Sport (I've never owned a Honda, but the car looks *great* and is as reliable as they come), CX-5, or Subaru WRX.

[pozi240]

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

Right now looking at a 2013 Accord Sport (I've never owned a Honda, but the car looks *great* and is as reliable as they come), CX-5, or Subaru WRX.

LOL...... really? How can anyone even know that yet? Nothing against Honda (I've owned a few and nothing really to complain much about), but, you realize its all new for 2013, including changes to the drivetrain... it's a bit premature to comment on its reliability just yet....

[hotleadsingerguy]

Originally Posted by pozi240

LOL...... really? How can anyone even know that yet? Nothing against Honda (I've owned a few and nothing really to complain much about), but, you realize its all new for 2013, including changes to the drivetrain... it's a bit premature to comment on its reliability just yet....

Put it this way, how many times has Honda come out with a new rendition of an existing base and it had big issues? In addition, when there *are* issues, what company would you trust to look into those issues with an open mind?

To be fair, the biggest problems I have with Ford are not the issues with the transmission and MFT...the biggest problem is Ford telling me there's nothing wrong and that everything is fine.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

To be fair, the biggest problems I have with Ford are not the issues with the transmission and MFT...the biggest problem is Ford telling me there's nothing wrong and that everything is fine.

Samesies. I would be okay taking my car in for 4 recalls by now – because that means Ford has my back.

Instead, I’ve taken it in probably over 8 times for the same issue to at least 3 dealerships and they all tell me that my clutch is acting “normal.”

I had my issues with MFT, but every time I took my car to the dealership for the newest version they always installed it - no questions asked.

EDIT: I really am sorry if I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. I love the car, I'm not selling it. I even bought an ST spoiler for it - I just want it to drive normal again. It'll have to wait until summer as the cold weather has suppressed the clutch slipping noises (for the most part). I still have the entire car shake once in a blue moon.

[pozi240]

Yeah, see, you guys getting the "runaround" from your dealers is unsatisfactory and I understand your anger and frustration. No one should have to put up with that. Sometimes I think its Ford causing this angst, but, other dealerships (thankfully, like mine) have been amazing and very easy to deal with (touches wood, LOL), which has kept my ownership experience very pleasant overall. (Yes, I've had my clutches/seals replaced, and had the steering gear recall performed), but, in both cases, my car was only off of the road a day or two at most and they fixed it correctly the first time. Another nice bonus was, I didn't have to "fight" or "prove" my issue, I simply told them the complaint, and they researched it, found the applicable FSA/TSB and applied it to my car, each and every time. To me, that is an amazing owernship experience, I can't tell you how many times my wife and I had to "fight" for warranty work on our VW and Audi's we owned over the years (which cost MUCH more than my Focus)..... so, I will still stand by Ford (and the Focus) for now. (Hence the reason our driveway went from all foriegn cars to Ford the last two years --a good dealership is hard to find..LOL)
I have to say though, PratoN and Hotleadsingerguy, I probably would be considering "jumping ship" given your issues with the dealership's you have been involved with thus far.... it shouldn't be happening, and Ford needs to provide better communication/support to all of its dealers.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by pozi240

I have to say though, PratoN and Hotleadsingerguy, I probably would be considering "jumping ship" given your issues with the dealership's you have been involved with thus far.... it shouldn't be happening, and Ford needs to provide better communication/support to all of its dealers.

Although I shouldn't have to deal with a bad clutch and seals, the cost to replace the components myself is still less than the loss of trading it in right now. I guess I'm just going to live with it?

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by YAPPYS2012FOCUSESE

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,

You got it! Please keep me in the loop.

Originally Posted by mr_cassandra

...When it runs rght, you will not find a quicker, sporty car unless you spend another $7,000+. and the awesome mileage.

Thanks for taking the time to help, mr_cassandra; it’s great to see the community support.

Originally Posted by DQuinn

So I just picked my car up from the dealer. They had to special order a clutch actuator. It took about a week to come in. The tech took two days to install the parts. There is still a very light shudder on take off, but not nearly as bad as before. The tech said that it was 'a normal characteristic of the car'...

DQuinn,

Welcome to the forum. I want to help restore confidence in your ride. Please PM me with your contact info (including your VIN, full name, best daytime phone number, mileage, and dealer details) so I can send this to your regional customer service manager.

Originally Posted by devvy

...I sent the Ford rep on here (Crystal at the time, replaced now by some other bloke) a note to say that Ford would do well to pay a lot more respect to the software in the cars they sell...

I’m the “bloke” on the boards now, devvy. I have your contact details from before, so shoot me a PM with your current mileage and I’ll lend a hand.

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

...the biggest problem is Ford telling me there's nothing wrong and that everything is fine.

hotleadsingerguy,

I can help by escalating this up the line. Please send me a PM with the information I mentioned above.

Originally Posted by 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...

Originally Posted by pozi240

...other dealerships (thankfully, like mine) have been amazing and very easy to deal with...

It makes me happy to see your dealer going above and beyond for you, hound & pozi240.

Originally Posted by PratoN

...EDIT: I really am sorry if I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. I love the car, I'm not selling it. I even bought an ST spoiler for it - I just want it to drive normal again...

PratoN,

I want to arrange a follow-up call from your CSM when you’re ready to take it in; drop me a line any time.

Cory