When was your car built -- what date?


Brian

 

October 2011.
I have 16000 miles on it

 

There have been a few other people who have said similar things have happened. Take it to your dealership, contact ford customercare on here.

 

There was another thread which detailed similar occurrences.
Unfortunately, most people did not indicate if they had the 12B37 update.

 

I have already called the dealer and will be taking it in ASAP. Unfortunately they were closed already. I will have to call again in the morning.

 

File a report with the NHTSA.

 

You just don't understand DCT's and you don't know how to drive them .... LOL.

Just kidding ... but you're bound to hear that pretty soon ....

I agree with the above poster ... file a report with NHTSA ....


REV

 

You just don't understand DCT's and you don't know how to drive them .... LOL.

OK, now that is just funny right there!

 

Maybe they forgot the second clutch when they manufactured the car.....thanks for the humor...
On a serious note though, I dropped it off at the dealer this morning. I am now in a rental (Fofi SEL)....and it drives fine...no egg beater noise shifting from first to second and no red-lining rpms without acceleration

I hope the dealer knows how to drive them...and figures it out.

 

Hey jellybean,

Touch base with me and let me know how things go at the dealership. I'm happy to jump in here and see how I can help; just reach out to me via PM and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks!
Crystal [wave]

 

pm sent

 

Mine is currently at the dealership to attempt to get the tranny update re-flashed. Just got the call (it's been in the shop now for 6 hours...not in the parking lot, it was actually driven into the shop while I was there 6 hours ago), and the kid on the other end (seriously...he's like 19 *tops*) tells me the service manager couldn't find anything wrong.

His exact words? The manager said, "That's how these transmissions work". Interesting...of the 12-15 other dual-clutch systems I've driven, they've shifted perfectly and never had a shuddering problem. Ford should tell Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes that they've been designing their clutch systems incorrectly for the past 20+ years.

Doppelkupplungsgetriebe > DCT

 

The best part is that Ford has been employing the dual-clutch system in some of its cars for over 4 years now...and still has these basic issues and service techs that don't understand them.

 

Just got a call back after they did some more testing this morning. Apparently the only "testing" they did was plug in the computer and see no errors. They said that the software is up to date and the computer reports no errors. I said, "How about the way it drives?". They confirmed that it's the way Ford intends the car to operate.

Are you [][][][][][]*ing kidding me? Ford wants my car to drive like Helen Keller is behind the wheel? I bought a $30k car because it performed the way I wanted it to...and then Ford forced an updated on me a year later that screwed it all up. What kind of crappy Customer Care is that??

 

Yeah it is bad enough my car has messed up since the ride home from the dealer (funny how it was fine for the test drive...X2) but for you it was only after an "update"! So you had a nice shifting car and it was taken from you. It is petty clear that Ford is struggling with this transmission. I know people hate standard torque converter transmissions, but I would bet that Ford spent a lot less money on warranties with them and they did not sour their image with many customers.

 

I know people hate standard torque converter transmissions, but I would bet that Ford spent a lot less money on warranties with them and they did not sour their image with many customers.

Agreed. But this is how we make progress! (Not being sarcastic here, sometimes screwing up really is a great way to make progress...)

 

Well, I got my car back this morning. Nothing was done to it other than the dealer putting on about 100 miles. They could not fix it because they could not duplicate the issue. So I was sent on my merry way with a....if it happens again let us know.

So now I am driving a $30k car which may or may not slip into neutral while driving on the freeway in traffic and the only way I could correct it last time was to turn the car off. Lucky for me it was on a side street when it happened.

 

So now I am driving a $30k car

No offense, but to call the Focus a $30k car is a gross exaggeration. It may say $30k on the sticker, but at best it's a $20k economy car that in some instances has $10k, of electronic doo dads added on.

That's why the resale values of these 'supposed' $30k cars is $18k. I'd also be willing to bet that you paid nowhere near $30k, for the car you're referring to.

REV

Posted via FF Mobile

 

Sorry. That is pretty much the general response to this car. It has so many bugs that happen and then you do not see them again or it takes a while to see them again. Hopefully you do not have it happen anytime soon.

 

Well, as I posted in this thread, and the other TCS/DCT thread started by hotleadsingerguy here: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298984, I had erratic shift behaviour happen and was told there was "no codes", and just reflashed the TCU (with 12B37) and told it's fine now. Then, I started having the "shuddering" at take off that I never had before (had the car over one year with 40k km's on it now), so, I tried the TCS trick (disabling), and it helped a LOT. So, my car went in this morning for an oil change, and I mentioned the shuddering and how disabling the TCS helped a lot, and they wrote that down in my work order for the tech, I also mentioned the TSB 11-12-13 about the transmission seals in the clutch housing, and they said they would check it out.
Well, I just got the car back, and they (my dealer) actually took me seriously this time, and low and behold, my clutch packs are "heavily" contaminated (their words, not mine, LOL) with transmission oil from the bad seals. One of the techs (who I was told was their "DCT guy"), said that a LOT of the earlier build Focus (mine was a May 2011 build) are driving around out there with bad seals and consequently, bad clutches and don't even know it yet.... I had to laugh when I heard that. He surmised that the reason my car shifted smoother with TCS disabled, was because my clutches were wet with oil and "chattering", causing the TCS system to engage to try and "smooth" it out, which of course, it can't.... causing the issues I was seeing. By disabling the TCS, the contaminated clutches could continue to "slip" and engage on thier own, making the vibration go away. I asked him how long did he think I could drive with damaged clutches that way, and he said it depended on how "harshly" I drove the car, but, most likely not too long, most likely within the warranty period anyway.... yeah right! [rolleyes]
Another interesting note from my dealer, they actually had a replacement clutch pack in stock (no seals though), but, Ford Canada has advised them NOT to use that "version" of the clutches anymore, apparently there is a "new" design (same as the 2013's I'm told) that they have to order to repair mine with. Not only that, the service writer said they just changed the part number for the DCT transmission oil as well.......... hmmmmm.... I think Ford knows very well that a lot of early build DCT's out there are prone to issues and has quietly changed out a few parts.... [dunno]
The take away (especially those that find the shudder goes away when disabling the TCS as per the other thread), you should get your dealer to check your transmission seals as per TSB 11-12-13 to make sure you don't have a leak, slowly ruining your clutches... if your car is an early build, there is a good chance it's your clutches..

 

That is a lot of good information, thanks.

How long ago did you have the 12B37 update?

 

^^ Sounds like my car...

 

Thx will ask them to check that

REV


Posted via FF Mobile

 

Hey folks,

Just a reminder that I'm here to help. Please reach out to me via PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, and daytime phone number; I'll investigate your concern and see how I can help.

Thanks!
Crystal [wave]

 

So where do we go from here. I have taken the car to the dealer. They could not replicate the issue. I have contacted Ford Customer Service and they told me to monitor the car. For what. The problem has occured. Am I supposed to wait until, heaven forbid, it happens again, on a busy freeway.

Again, here is the problem. The car went into neutral at 40mph. It would not go into "S" and was slipping when I tried to pull off. I could only solve the issue by turning off the car and back on again. What would have happened if this occured on the freeway? Does Ford think this is safe and a non-issue that they are not going to do anything until something bad happens. Of course they could not replicate the issue. It only happened once after 16000 miles.

The other issue is the egg beating sound when shifting from 1-2. The dealer gave me a piece of paper to read about green clutches. This clutch is no longer green and the document also states the noise is a clicking sound when the gears change. The grinding noise should diminish it says. Well it has not

I would honestly like to know how they can ignore ALL the DCT complaints that are going on with this car. The board is monitored by Ford Customer Service and yet all that happens is you get assigned a case number.

Ford Customer Service did contact me, but like I said: I was just told to monitor the car....

Bottom line.....Is it so hard for someone to go the extra mile...take these cars with all these issues and use your R&D to figure out what is going on instead of asking customers to just "deal with it"....and hopefully solve the issue with a better product and most importantly, HAPPY CUSTOMERS. After all, without us, you are out of business.....

 

...Bottom line.....Is it so hard for someone to go the extra mile...take these cars with all these issues and use your R&D to figure out what is going on instead of asking customers to just "deal with it"....and hopefully solve the issue with a better product and most importantly, HAPPY CUSTOMERS. After all, without us, you are out of business.....

Hi jellybean,

Each time a vehicle is escalated, more information goes into the hands of our engineers. I can assure you that they are hard at work on a solution to this concern.

Please reach out to me via PM if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Crystal

 

I dropped mine off at the the dealer tonight for the same neutral rev in drive. I also noticed mine did seem to drive better when traction control was set to off...hmmm I'll mention that when they call me tomorrow.

 

Please let me know what happens. All I got was the usual..."can't replicate" answer...

 

The dealer had the car for 2 days. They said they couldn't replicate any issues I had mentioned. They than said the was normal and provided me with a 2 page document on how the car / dct is supposed to drive and how it is supposed to sound. Now that they convinced me that everything is "normal" I will just drive it till its not "normal" anymore LOL

On another note, Crystal and Angela were great throughout the 2 day process. With the case # and the start of documentation only time will tell what will happen with this situation.

I am still convinced it has something to do with the abs update

 

Yep...sounds like you took your car to my dealer too....LOL
I was driving home tonight with wife and kid in car. I pulled off from a stop and decided to pull off quicker than usual, instead of easing into the pull off. My wife turned to me and asked why the car shuddered...I handed her a 2 page piece of paper...LOL.

While driving to the next light I turned off the traction control. I repeated the same pull off...no shudder.

This is definitely related and part of the problem.

Also, I was told that I would be receiving a followup call from Ford Customer Service today.
I am still waiting.....It is now 9pm...

I have been driving with the Traction Control off for a week now to test this and it diminishes the shudder to almost nothing. When I turn it on, the problems begin to creep back.

 

Update:
My wife is driving to work the other day, and calls me while exiting the freeway. She says it feels like the car has slipped into neutral. She said it seemed like it took excessive time to get back into gear. After that it seemed fine again. While I had her on the phone we tried to reproduce the error when she was in an empty road. We could not.

This is simply ridiculous....I am at a complete loss. Taking it back to the dealer is going to get me nowhere as they won't do anything unless there is a code or visible issue.

I am at the end of the line with Ford. I guess that "is normal too."

Paid premium for all the goodies...and nothing works correctly....slipping tranny, MFT that should be called something else (leave it to your imagination), rattling headliner, trim paneling not put on correctly, strut mount issue....etc...etc...etc...

I am very patient, and have not even brought up the other issues, besides the tranny and strut(which they fixed), but how can a car company put out product like this.

If this was my business, I shudder to think how many customers I would lose.

Thanks for letting me vent.....

 

Thankfully my car has been problem and drama free for 4k miles. That said, if that were my car I'd invest in a small camera (or mount your phone) and DOCUMENT IRREFUTABLE video evidence of the issues. I know you have issues, but when you take your car to the dealer and it works fine for them, and there are no codes what exactly are they supposed to do??

Anyways, I'd document multiple instances of the car displaying those issues and then promptly trade it in. Then, I'd compute my losses and sue Ford in small claims court for those damages. I'd also be filing NHTSA complaints each time this happens. There's no way I'd jeopardize the safety of my family while Ford tries to sort this out.

 

Experienced the same issue just this afternoon:
Cruising down the highway at speed, attempt to pass another vehicle and the rev’s climb to 5k without any acceleration. Massive clutch slippage in any gear at any speed until the vehicle is shut off and restarted (at which point normal operation resumes).
No CEL, nor codes stored in memory (checked via ScanGaugeII).

Spoke to dealer’s service department via telephone & should the issue arise again, I will limp the car to the dealer (without shutting off) where they will have their tranny expert meet me in the parking lot and accompany me on a test drive to verify the condition.

 

My car is currently at the dealer for the second time for this issue. The first time I took it in for the issue described in the first post. The second time, it happened while coasting on the freeway and then when the accelerator was applied to keep up with traffic, it revved up to 5k, with no acceleration.

Ford Customer Service and the dealer have told me there is nothing they can do until they can reproduce the issue....I call BS on this. Does someone have to get hurt before they decide to take action?

Can you tell me how many miles you have on your car and the other info below:
Mine has 18000 miles.
Titanium
Build Date: 10/11
Software: 12B37

Something definitely needs to be done about this