probably the sport package. stiffer suspension, any little bump you'll feel,, and the big bumps and potholes it won't be ridiculous. i have a pretty lowered SVT focus where bigger bumps really only get a certain bumpness to it before they are all the same, and then super flat roads i feel everything, like the highway. a lowered suspension on the highway makes the highway feel super bumpy, even tho its the flattest roads around. its just part of the driving experience with the sport package

 

Hi all,
The one problem: On generally smooth roads, it produces a bouncy ride, presumably over mild rises in the road. It's odd because it seems to soak up any real potholes or ridges, but I think it's more the gradual and small little humps in the road producing these strange bounces -- to the point where my head bounces off the headrest. - Mark

I have something of a similar issue. My 2012 Manual tranny sport SE does the same thing once in awhile. It is totally dependent on the road.
The worst was a really bouncing wierd ride.. as soon as the road surface changed, it went away.

I would guess it is a function of the shock valving in the rear end shocks.
Some resonance occurs under a particular combination of road and speed.
I doubt Ford will fix it in our cars. You could ASK to replace the rear shocks...
One way to get them to do so, is find the worst road for the issues, note the speed and such. Then TAKE THE FORD rep on that exact road/ride. They HAVE to experience the issue to do anything. (the flex may be outside of the shock, so some resonance is being activated?)

The one (maybe) possible solution is to buy quality aftermarket shocks... for the rear end.

If you were to carefully feel it, I think the rear is what is bouncing.
Try also to stick some weight in the back end. (At least 100lbs in hatch back) It may alter the system enough to change the way the shocks respond.

Also changing the tire pressure could alter the bounce. (higher or lower)

 

I get a pronounced pitching front to back on a stretch of local interstate. It is odd because the ride is otherwise great. The road in question is concrete and I guess the expansion joints I go over must be just the right (wrong?) distance apart to create this phenomenon. I suspect this is just the way the car is and there's not a lot that can be done.

 

Try the Tappan Zee bridge in a "Big Truck"...

The NEW concrete sections they installed (especially northbound) have a curved pitch between joints that sends a truck into BIG bounces at normal speeds....

Talk about "bouncing off the ceiling"....

 

Thanks for the replies -- very helpful ideas and thoughts. Strange about the pitching, dan50...I'm sure a physicist could figure it out!

Elizabeth, I actually did take a Ford service rep on a test drive, and he immediately noticed what I noticed. In fact, he said we didn't need to go any farther than just that short stretch right outside the dealership. Then they had the mechanics take a look, and later they reported that everything looked fine and that it was a question of the springs and struts of the sport package. I explained that I drove another hatch with the sport package and didn't experience that bouncing, so he said he'd ask "his engineer" when he returned in a week.

Frankly they didn't seem terribly knowledgeable or concerned. The guy who rode with me immediately agreed that it was bouncing strangely, but it was only after the mechanics looked at the car that he decided it was normal. But I'm certain I would have noticed it while test driving that other hatch with sport (unfortunately, I had them pull another car from an out-of-town dealer because I wanted SYNC and they didn't have one in town with that feature. So I was committed to buy a car I didn't drive, assuming it would handle the same as the one I drove).
I might look into aftermarket shocks, as you suggested, but at the same time I feel like I shouldn't have to for a car that's two weeks old! But we'll see...

I did think of lower the pressure in the tires, but I know that's not good for the tires or the mileage...

 

Hi all,
I'm new here, but hopefully will be a long-time focus owner -- just got a 5-speed hatchback this month and I love the driving dynamics. The one problem: On generally smooth roads, it produces a bouncy ride, presumably over mild rises in the road. It's odd because it seems to soak up any real potholes or ridges, but I think it's more the gradual and small little humps in the road producing these strange bounces -- to the point where my head bounces off the headrest.

I have something of a similar issue. My 2012 Manual tranny sport SE does the same thing once in awhile. It is totally dependent on the road.

Hey ROCHatch & Elizabeth,

Send me a PM with the VIN, current mileage as well as personal and dealer contact info. I'll be more than happy to escalate your concern to the Customer Service Manager in your area.

Noemi

 

I own a 2012 Focus sedan and also have this problem on certain stretches of road at particular speeds. I was wondering if anybody ever got this issue resolved.

 

Welcome to the forum, Sioux Focus! []

Shoot me a PM with your contact info and I’ll send it up the line. Please be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, approximate mileage, dealer name/state, and VIN.

Cory

 

Did anybody ever find a solution to this problem? I have noticed my car doing it and it has gotten worse. I have a 2012 that was used with aftermarket rims and tires and thought that was the issue. Bought new tires which are the cooper r2, same the factory puts on my model, and have noticed the bouncy ride hadn't gone away. Took it back to the place I got my tires and asked for a re balance and had them check for any bent rims. Everything was fine was rims and tires. Car had 43k miles and wouldn't think I would need to do work on the suspension already but have seriously thought about changing spring and shocks out. Any information on the problem would be great.

 

I have a 2013 Ti with 18s and stiffer suspension, I haven't noticed anything but smooth ride on smooth roads and even rough roads the ride is smooth.....it seems that you might have a suspension issue....IMO! Maybe check tire pressure or maybe it's in the rear suspension is causing the issue....could it be a rear alignment issue? Check for cutting on the inside of the tires....IMO!