Unhappy With Transmission

[neverfocus]

Well I've been snooping around on these forums for a while and decided I wanted to share my story. So, I took my focus in because it was making the noise every other 2012 focus makes when the transmission shifts (the "rocks" rattling round.) So the guy wrote up a report and he said he'd call me when it was ready. A few hours passed and I called and the receptionist said it was ready, (the guy never called me) and when i looked at the invoice it stated "We test drove it for 3 miles and no noises were heard and it shifted as intended."

Their ears must be clogged because the noise is loud and clear. The company knows that if they recall the transmission on this car, they would lose a serious amount of money.

Another note, I have no problem with the way it shifts. The only time its a pain is in low speed situations like a parking garage, which i go through 4 times a week. The only thing that bothers me is the sound the transmission makes when shifting/giving it gas when in a high gear......My rant

[Sponsor]

[misfire]

in slow speeds put the shifter down into "S" or "L" (depending on what yours says). you should be good.

[dan50]

First, not "every" Focus makes noise when shifting. I've driven several and none had that problem. Second, you don't say how many miles your Focus has, but they do get better with age.

Noises and other transmission weirdness seem to have two main causes: out-of-date software (has your car received FSA 12b37?) or an internal oil leak that contaminates the clutch plates. The software issue is easily addressed by your dealer. The clutch issue may be a struggle if there isn't a visible fluid leak.

Try it again with the dealer. See if you can take a mechanic on a drive with your car and then one off the lot. Or see if a mechanic will take your car home overnight. Be as specific as possible about the behavior you're experiencing and when it occurs. Look over this board for some success stories dealing with oil-contaminated clutches, print and give to the technician. If this doesn't work, look for Crystal or one of the Fords reps that monitor this board: they can get extra attention from the dealer network.

I don't think the difficulty getting things fixed is because Ford is trying to avoid the issue. The real problem seems to be a dealer network unprepared to deal with a new technology.

[cbdallas]

My clutches work perfectly, but I still get the rattling / grinding while driving slowly through a parking garage or a drive-thru. I think the rattling is something that doesn't show up until you've put some miles on, and doesn't necessarily have a connection to a clutch issue.

[neverfocus]

My car does have the 12b37 update (got recalled) and the car has roughly 2500 miles on it. Bought in Apr 12. (I know low mileage.) When I pulled into my driveway when I first got the car home, I heard the noise. I said to my father that we should bring it back but then I told myself it was the clutches probably wearing in.

But that's what I was going to do was bring the mechanic on a test drive to show him the noise.

And I didn't really mean every focus, I was just mad at the time. And what I want to know is, if the noise is "normal",THEN what makes the noise AND why? But by the way you're (dan50) describing the oil leak with the clutch, it's not normal.

[tigertiger]

Originally Posted by dan50

First, not "every" Focus makes noise when shifting. I've driven several and none had that problem. Second, you don't say how many miles your Focus has, but they do get better with age.

Noises and other transmission weirdness seem to have two main causes: out-of-date software (has your car received FSA 12b37?) or an internal oil leak that contaminates the clutch plates. The software issue is easily addressed by your dealer. The clutch issue may be a struggle if there isn't a visible fluid leak.

Try it again with the dealer. See if you can take a mechanic on a drive with your car and then one off the lot. Or see if a mechanic will take your car home overnight. Be as specific as possible about the behavior you're experiencing and when it occurs. Look over this board for some success stories dealing with oil-contaminated clutches, print and give to the technician. If this doesn't work, look for Crystal or one of the Fords reps that monitor this board: they can get extra attention from the dealer network.

I don't think the difficulty getting things fixed is because Ford is trying to avoid the issue. The real problem seems to be a dealer network unprepared to deal with a new technology.

This is all good advice and accurate, I think. My wife's had the transmission seals and clutch assembly replaced. It's like a new car now. It had the grinding noise, shuddering and rough shifting.

I especially agree with the last statement about the dealer network, though I know some may disagree with your assessment of Ford corporate.

When I first took the car in and mentioned the grinding noise and shuddering at low speeds when it had only around 1k miles, the service advisor did not even know the car had a clutch. First, it was, "It's an automatic, it doesn't have a clutch." Then it was, "That's normal for these cars." That last one was even after a tech drove with me, heard the grinding noise and acknowledged it was not supposed to do it, but then after contacting Ford, reverted to the "it's normal" line.

Very slowly, my dealer seems to have become aware of the technology and problems with the car and has been (mostly) good at dealing with them.

One thing I would advise anyone is DO NOT let anyone tell you the grinding noise and the shuddering are normal.

[Seriously Focused]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

My clutches work perfectly, but I still get the rattling / grinding while driving slowly through a parking garage or a drive-thru. I think the rattling is something that doesn't show up until you've put some miles on, and doesn't necessarily have a connection to a clutch issue.

^^Exactly^^- slow speed noises only and they have NOT gotten worse only better. I have a little over 6000 miles now.

I have "learned" to drive it quietly by the amount of pressure on the gas pedal.

It's almost a fun morning game to see how quiet I can drive it.

^^ I make small joke^^

[kiveysc]

I love the tranny ,and its response. I have 15k and it's smooth.

[JesseE1981]

THIS just started in my car this morning

YouTube Video

Is THIS the grinding others are hearing???

[Kabigon]

No one in their right mind can tell you that the noise is normal.

BTW, in your video, you say "So I'm out driving in my 2012 Ford Escape...".