New Owner (2012 Hatchback SEL): Engine Noise, Parcel Shelf/Cargo Shade Questions

[GhiaFan]

Your car should have came with this hatch cover

[AZfocus2012]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

Some of the low frequency rumble is the fact it is a hatch. All hatches are more susceptible to make a deep rumbling sound due to the shape of the interior.
The fact your car is missing that hatch bit which goes from seat to rear covering the cargo space probably makes things worse.
that piece really IS a part of the car. and no way should it be missing.

You are probably right on this, the OP needs to get the hatch cover. With the muffler, rear wheel wells, and exhaust exit underneath or in the hatch area, I can see some low frequency sound making it to the front without the cover in place.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by GhiaFan

Your car should have came with this hatch cover

Yes. that comes with the car. if yours was missing, the dealer OWES you.

[kevinxb]

Did you buy your car used or new? If you bought it used maybe the previous owner removed it and didn't put it back before they sold or traded in their vehicle.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by mister_eff

Hello,

I'm a new Ford Focus 2012 Hactchback SEL owner. It offered the best combination of price, fuel economy, quietness, and hatchback-ness out there and drove quite nicely...

Hi mister_eff,

Congratulations on your new Focus! I recommend spending some time checking out the goodies available at http://owner.ford.com. You can download free copies of your Owner's Manual, get valuable coupons, and schedule future maintenance appointments.

You should also check out the accessories available for your vehicle here: http://accessories.ford.com/. Just enter your vehicle's information and you'll find the perfect accessories for your Focus.

Crystal

[silenthill]

As others have said, the parcel shelf is standard equipment on the SEL hatch trim.

[mister_eff]

Thanks for the replies. My dealer is insisting that the parcel shade is considered optional equipment on the car (which is certified pre-owned). The cost of the shade from the dealer is nearly $200, which seems insane to me. I may end up going ebay if I still want it, or else I don't know. Maybe try to just fashion one myself out of wood and some tarp-like material.

The low frequency noise I hear at low speeds seems to be DCT-related, and it seems to be a characteristic thing rather than a problem thing. I've only read a couple pages of the 75 page thread on the DCT. My car is limited to minor shaking/jitteryness at very low speeds, but otherwise the car drives smoothly. I checked the etis.ford.com website and it said "no campaign messages found", so that's supposed to mean that it has the 12B37 update, correct? Would that mean that everything in the car is up-to-date?

I do wonder if adding sound deadening material would reduce the shaking/jiteryness, just because of the extra weight.

Thanks.

[silenthill]

I don't know how it works with a used car, but the parcel shelf IS a standard feature on the SEL trim.

In fact, it's on page 8 of the 2012 Focus source book, right column, under 5-door only equipment: "rear spoiler, rear wiper, removable package tray."

[AZfocus2012]

If you bought the car as certified pre owned, then I would think it should come with all the standard equipment. I would not take any crap from the dealer. Show them where it is standard equipment and demand they make it right. Possibly Crystal might could help you, I don't know where she would stand on this, but I would have to throw the BS flag on this one. If that doesn't work, you could always open a complaint with the local BBB. That will usually get their attention.

[2kwik4u]

My SE Hatchback came with the cargo cover and 16 miles on it. No indication on the window sticker that it was an option either. I would call shenanigans on the dealer and keep pushing to get them to provide you with one (or the name of the previous owner to call adn harass to get it back).

With that said, you did buy a used car. Which might or might not come with everything the factory installed. Such is the beast.