Issues with new 2012 Ford Focus

[Armen]

Originally Posted by BigJay

It's times like this I'm glad i orderd a manual, lol, i dont figure it would have these problems

This is the first time I've went with an automatic in a compact car. Although I haven't experience the feeling of stalling, it does have some quirks. But I still don't regret the decision. 6 speeds and peppy as hell. I was very surprised with the way it pulled when I put my foot into it.

[FordIVTteam]

Originally Posted by rcadd1ct

Anyone else have the nav audio system lock up while driving.
It was still playing music, but the screen was locked up.
When I stopped and turned the car off the screen did not blank for several minutes.
When I drove to lunch it was OK.
On the way home it locked up and then said it was doing a system update.
Normal, abi-normal?
It is a little over a week old.
Thanks,
RCA

Originally Posted by beerbombs

Yep, I started mine one day and it didn't come on. Music played but I couldn't do anything. Natasha from Ford said that the engineers are aware and are working on an update, but I haven't seen anything since.

Hi everyone!

I'm Natasha's partner Jaclyn. I'm with the In-Vehicle Technology Team.

An update for the MyFord Touch system was released last week. Update 2.11 should help to improve the concerns quoted above.

I can help with SYNC, MyFord Touch, and Navigation related questions.
Let me know if you need anything.
~Jaclyn

[cappa]

Originally Posted by Offrddrver

cappa - Are you the kid that keeps poking at the chained up pitbull? Hopefully that pitbull doesn't break the chain and eat you for lunch. In this case I hope your transmission holds up and Ford doesn't take your $27k++ and laughs all the way to the bank as you sit on the side of the road after your warranty is up. Best of luck with your 2012 also. Just joking man!

cool.

[Monoblanco]

I see two issues here:
1 - Ford has either a design problem or a quality control problem, possibly a combination of both - as in a design that requires a level of precision in manufacture that is not being consistently met, thus a significant number of poorly shifting vehicles out the door. In either case, this product was not really ready for release for sale and, Ford's response should be much more pro-active.
2 - Inadequate technical skills and poor customer relations on the part of dealers - they are, after all, individually owned and of varying degrees of competence and honesty, as are their individual employees.

I think we should all apreciate Natasha's and her coworkers efforts to aid us. I have no criticism to make of them, but let's realize that their jobs would not be needed if dealers were honest and competent and cared about their customers. It is very very irritating to be condecended to by a service manager (salesman) whose knowledge of automobile mechanics is clearly less than my own.

As an aside, it's interesting to see the number of people who are having a problem with "shuttering" (possibly with their power windows?), rather than "shuddering".
Good luck to all,
Monoblanco

[FordCustomerService]

Offrddrver,

I know you are upset, and I am able to help. Visiting the dealer can be inconvenient, but they are best able to resolve your transmission issues. They may have a courtesy shuttle to take you somewhere more comfortable while they are diagnosing your Focus. I know you want to wait until your second visit, and the dealer may stop your shuddering right away, but I am here to assist when you choose.

Armen,

Glad you still love the way your Focus drives! The transmission does take some getting used to. If you develop concerns, please let me know.

sirhawkeye,

Thanks for your understanding. Please keep me updated on what your dealer says.

Monoblanco,

I'm sorry you have a negative opinion of your dealer's knowledge. We expect that all dealers would strive to provide a best-in-class automotive retail and service experience to our customers. If you have a poor experience, I encourage you to contact us, as that helps us identify areas of improvement.

~Natasha

[BigJay]

Originally Posted by Offrddrver

BigJay - Good for you on the manual trans, I wish I didn't live in the city as I would have bought a manual. Driving in the city stinks with a manual transmission. Especially if you hit rush hour traffic. That is why I bought the auto-trans as I often hit rush hour due to shift changes. Do you have a 2012 Focus, or just the Golf TDI that your profile lists?

I have a 2012 focus on order, i bought the golf in 02 now its close to 300,000km and its bene in 3 accidents,(which have just come off my record) and it has some rust issues :P im gonna take some pics and make a thread, regardless it's time to upgrade :)

[sirhawkeye]

For all we know, the shuttering problem could just simply be an issue with programming. I know a few people on here had to have their trannys reprogrammed. I sure hope so, because in my car (and even the rental Focus they loaned me) it seems to shift rather rapidly through all the gears before you can even hit 60-70 mph. Not that that is an indicator of anything, but I think that some PCM updates are going to be in order in the next few months, if it's not a quality issue/design issue.

I too am not for bashing people (at least, I try not to), but in this instance, I wanted to give people a chance. Then, if I wasn't satisfied with the results, then I'd go to people like Natasha and her crew and make it be known to more than just the dealer and myself.

[jsmichael]

The biggest problem I see with these new cars is the hesitation in the tranny / engine when starting from a stop. I can see where if left uncorrected by Ford, that this will lead to a NHTSA-mandated recall since it's a safety issue.

[Guimpy]

Originally Posted by Guimpy

I too joined this forum in hopes to find solution to what seems to be a problem to many new Focus owners. I am also experiencing shuddering at first displacement and when I come to a halt. My car also has no guts when I try to pass another. When I hit the gas pedal to accelerate, it feels as though the car is choking and the gas doesn’t give. Eventually it picks up. It is very scary because I’m changing lanes to pass only to slow down. I’m not sure I want to try and pass again. I’ve test driven a Focus Titanium a few months ago and that car was awesome! I wish mine was the same. I know I have to brake it in and that I’ve only had it for a few days but I’m not excited about mine like I was with the one I’ve test driven. Like some, I do not feel safe driving this car. My Focus already had 513km logged on when I got it and I know this is all highway driving as the car came from a different city. I’ve only put 200km myself of mostly city driving. I will give it time and keep on reading on here. I hope it does get better.

I decided to stop at the dealer and talk about what I am experiencing. They asked that I bring it in on Monday for them to look into. They think it may need to be reprogrammed or something. Also at the same time they will look/fix my rear wiper washer fluid problem. It's not dispensing any fluid. It may be a disconnect somewhere. I haven't had a car in three years. I've spent 35k on this one and it is already going in to be fixed one week after purchase. I cannot say that I am not disapointed in this car because I am. Once it'll work properly I know it'll be the bomb. I'm thankful that I'm getting a good experience with the dealership. We will see what Monday brings.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

I know it has to be annoying to have purchased a new car and have problems in the first few weeks. I count myself fortunate that my 05 didn't have any problems other than cosmetic when I picked it up. I didn't know it was a re-design and a new engine. There are a ton of new parts in your '12 Focis though. I'm sure Ford engineers will figure it out, and you'll all be thrilled with your cars for years to come.