I'm at almost 88,000 miles and waiting until Monday to get mine in to be diagnosed for my clutches to be replaced for the third time. Gears 1, 2, and 3 are in the worst shape they've ever been in. It grinds and slips so bad I'm concerned my transmission is failing.

 

Best get that fixed ASAP. I think it can become a major safety issue. For example:

The first time I had my clutch replaced it was shuddering, hard starting, etc. But the worst was driving home from work on the highway at 70mph in the left lane. The transmission managed to lock itself out of gear and I lost all power. I was able to cross 4 lanes of heavy traffic and made it to the right shoulder (thank god). I let the car coast while tapping the gas hoping something would happen and it would go back in gear. I was down to a crawl before it finally went back into gear - then I took surface streets directly to the dealership. If I got stuck in the middle of the highway I don't want to know what would have happened.

The tech at the dealership said when he opened up the bellhousing the transmission was full of pieces of the clutch and metal shavings. I guess eventually something jammed and the car wouldn't go into gear.

After telling that story I can't believe I'm still driving this car.

 

Here's hoping that doesn't happen with me today. Dealer can't get me in until Monday. And I have 200 miles left to drive today:/

 

This thread gave me a chuckle. So just imagine:

Some unsuspecting soul just bought a brand new Ford Focus with the DCT. Enthused about his new purchase, he goes online and stumbles across FocusFanatics. He scrolls down to the MK3 section. The first thing he sees is:

So who has gone through the most DCT clutches?

Sigh.

 

bought the car 3 days ago.... saw this thread just now but your comment made me laugh cause you just described it perfectly... after reading a little bit around the forum i'm getting worried and happy my job pays legal fees LOL...... still love my new car tho!!!

 

In all honesty, that is part of the reason I started the thread. Hopefully someone stumbles onto this forum BEFORE they buy the car.

Previously I was of the mindset "Ford is working on it...they are doing their best...they'll fix it eventually". Since that clearly isn't the case, let's talk about how bad this really is. Mine will be for sale soon. Just not sure if I will do it now, or after the next clutch. I certainly couldn't have sold it prior to going into the dealer yesterday. Unless the buyer never test drove it...

So far it looks like I am winning. Consistently can't get 20 000km (12 000 miles) on a clutch. Can anyone beat that?

 

~3 weeks, < 1000 miles, problems returned.

 

I have 59,000km on the car and it is currently at the dealership getting its clutch replaced for the third time. I can't get more then 20,000km out of a clutch. This car has NEVER been driven hard.

I've voiced concerns at the dealership that this is ridiculous and something else must be wrong, but I've been told the clutch is the problem and the clutch will be replaced.

The clutch just fails on its own for some strange and unknown reason?

Have any seals ever been replaced?

 

Yes, the seals were replaced the first time. Along with the clutch, servos, actuators or something like that? The second time it might have just been the clutch, I'm not sure. When it is ready later today I'll ask what was changed.

 

I am almost at the 20 000 KM barrier (18 052 KM). I have a 2013 JOB 1 (probably rev B or C). No grind noise, no slip, nothing. I drive mostly (75%) highway and 50% of the that time in traffic.

I want to ask the dealer to check if it's leaking next time I go for an oil change but, since I do not have any problem, nobody is going to touch the transmission. If someone look at it, it's because it's broken...

 

If your car is driving properly right now, honestly i'd beg them to not touch it or update it in any way. The focus seems to be a really good candidate for the "if it ain't broke, dont fix it" rule. The video the ford tech that posts here sure makes it seem like another part of the problem is installation, if everything isn't done just right... problems can surface. If yours is setup correctly and working correctly, count your blessings and just enjoy the car.

 

I have the car back. It is much smoother. Upon testing it had a 261rpm variance, which barely qualified it for a new clutch (tolerable limit is 250rpm). It was getting worse as time when on so I'm sure a new clutch was inevitable anyway. Admittedly it wasn't nearly as bad as the last two times the clutch was changed. The last time they said the shudder was the worst they had ever tested. Leaving a stop light would result in spilling your coffee every time.

I asked to speak with the service manager hoping to go over the car's history and have him identify the root cause of why I can't get a clutch to last 20 000km (12 000 miles). I just got the typical "Ford is working on it and has released an updated clutch, problem should be fixed, etc. etc. ". I pressed further and was able to speak with the tech that changed the clutch. He explained that oil did not leak and foul the clutch. He isn't sure why they start shuddering / hard start / etc, but suspected either the friction plates themselves warp, or???? He also said I should not expect any safety issues and if the problem returns it would just be a comfort issue (shouldn't get stranded, etc.). Of course I immediately mentioned the major failure I had on the highway 18 months ago. He said he has seen that when the clutch was contaminated by oil. Since releasing the updated seal, he said they have not seen any leaking. I hope he is right. It's not fun when your car tries to kill you.

 

re safety issues, keep an eye out for bogging. many, including mine, would occasionally bog down hard at highway speeds when attempting to pass another car. That IS a safety hazard.

 

It's mainly the 2012s that have problems right?

The '13s and '14s not so much?

 

It's the same setup so not so much. The 13's and 14's may have had revisions but these are the same revisions and updates that are put into current fixes. And these current fixes continue to fail. You may hear of more problems with the 12's due to these are the vehicles with more miles. I'd be curious if anyone has made 100,000 miles with no clutch replacement.

 

How hard is it to change the clutches yourself?

 

I would think very difficult if not near impossible without the tools as shown in the Makuloco (sp?) video. But after installation I believe there is a Ford service calibration that needs performed.

Don't know what happens if that calibration is skipped.

 

Well surprise, surprise, my car has issues again. The car started making horrible grinding / rattling noises from the drive train. The sound occurs when turning and is louder during transmission shifts (though is always present while turning). I do not believe this car is safe to drive and will be taking it to the dealer immediately. It was "repaired" on Friday (5 days ago).

I will be starting a CAMVAP case on this car (arbitration for consumers who believe they were sold a damaged/defective vehicle that the dealer / manufacturer refuses or is incapable of fixing).

I would like to also mention that I am not and have never been the type of person that complains about small issues...cars will never be 100% perfect. But this is just outrageous!

 

Dealership has declared the car 100% normal and will not fix anything. Apparently a sound like two metal garbage can lids being rubbed together is considered "normal". This description came from the shop foreman when we went out for a test drive together.

The car feels and sounds unsafe. I've experienced the 2-3 shift grind / rattle sound before, but this is worse and happens during all shifts, turns or going up hills. Also comes with a slight loss in power.

I have a case open with Ford and CAMVAP for arbitration. Unfortunately due to the CAMVAP rules, I will have to park the car until a hearing can be arranged (2 months approx) because for the arbitration hearing I want it can't be over 60 000km. I am at 59 750km. Guess I buy a new car this weekend. Not that I would feel safe driving this one....

 

I had my clutches replaced at 31000, grinding sound was there in the first maybe thousand miles after replacement but hasn't returned in the past couple thousand miles. At least no shaking anymore in the low gears.

 

I'm going in for my third one next week this last one....new updated one lasted 5 months..what a piece of junk

 

Theres a lot of talk the latest TSB, with a brown seal I think, is more successful. Keep us posted on what TSB they do and how you make out.

 

I think I'll join the "replaced clutch" soon. 2014 titanium with less than 4000 miles. I feel occasional shuddering that seems to happen more often with passengers (more weight) i the car. Last week the clutch slipped for over a second when trying to accelerate around a stopped car on way highway. The dealer said they find nothing wrong after a thorough inspection. At least my issue is documented. I'm glad I opted for the extended warranty.

 

You can find a wealth of info here about various TSB's and fixes, including a thread about fords recently released extension of the DCT warranty on certain parts.
If you get no satisfaction from the dealer, please seek out Meagan the Ford rep here at this board.
Be aware that many dealers try to pass off as "normal" many symptoms which have been proved to go away after parts are replaced.

 

I named my car "Lurchy McGrindallday", or sometimes "Bucky". After a full year of dealing with Lurch's early-20th-century driving experience (and being told it was normal) Ford finally acknowledged a problem and will replace my clutches next Tuesday.

Apparently Ford is no longer expecting all clutch assemblies be shipped to their Engineering team, so I have some small hope of getting my old clutches. I look forward to drilling out the rivets holding it together, fully getting my head around the interesting coaxial normally-open design, and then cutting it into tiny little pieces with a plasma torch and burying it in cow dung.

 

[clap] AWESOME! Great signature block too!

Please post pictures of the internal workings of the clutch pack after you cut it up. I've seen one of my old clutch packs at the dealership, but it is a sealed unit.

 

I had my clutch replaced twice then the third time it was ssmoked so bad it melted the clutch actuators and tore apart the inside of the trans. Since then they put in a brand new unit and knock on wood it has been great!

 

Can we get vehicle mileage from those of you with multiple clutch replacements?

Also, I think puffingonj's post makes a good point. If your car is eating up clutches, the problem is probably not the clutch itself.

 

Mine had 28k at the time of last clutch replacement that lasted about 700 miles and now I have a little over 50k on the brand new trans and clutch (came together)

 

Your profile says you drive a 2010 Focus. Just to confirm, this issue was on your 2012 - 2014 Focus with the DCT automatic?

If so, you are the new leader with 3 wrecked clutches in 28k miles (45,000km).

Congrats on getting your problems resolved with a new tranny.

 

I also have a 2012 with a dct the 2010 is my turbo toy lol

 

At 64k
I just joined the messed up transmission club....just about undrivable.
the dealer pulled some error codes, and next thurs I go back to get reprogramming. If that doesn't work, I will have to do the clutch and/ or xmission work. :-(

very lousy , considering I have 250k on a honda civic...this has been my first American car in a long time..and depending on the outcome maybe my last again. I will be dipped in "sugar" if I have to pay a dime for repairs, for something that should not break, after nothing but easy highway miles

 

You shouldn't have to pay for any of the clutch and seal replacement repair with the exception of maybe a rental car if your dealer doesn't provide one. The warranty on those components has been extended.

 

2 times for me now.

 

I will be going in in two weeks for the third time with my 2014 Focus. Why am I waiting two weeks? It took over a month to get an appointment with the dealer's transmission guy. Guess they have a lot of problems.

First problems at 10K. They reprogrammed and did some other stuff. Next problems at 12K. Reprogrammed and replaced the clutch. It has only been a few months and the grinding and shuddering are back. Almost got hit by a semi last week because it slipped out of gear on the entrance ramp to the expressway.

My daughter's 2009 Focus has 100K miles and has never had a problem. Totally unacceptable.

 

I just had the latest tsb and that's when it got even worse.i don't have the invoice in front of me but I think it's tsb 14-0131.
I found out if you put it in manual mode and select the gear it shudders in you can make it slip almost every time you hit the gas pedal.like mine was bad in 3rd they of course couldn't find anything wrong with it.so on a whim I thought let's try it manually in that gear and bam I showed them.but after that I tried it all the way home and now it slips every gear.going in Thursday I'm trying to make it fail before then.i hope I break the case apart so they can put in a whole new setup.

 

I just had the latest tsb and that's when it got even worse..

Was the clutch assembly replaced?

 

Ford service.....
My car is having the transmission reprogrammed today.
According to the dealer, this is the second step (for a repair)
( the first is diagnosis- done last week- they pulled error code s)
third step is clutch plate replacement
I just want it repaired.

 

Seems Dodge is having similar issues in the Dart..

http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/dod.../forum/dodge-dart-transmission/11248-dual-dry-clutch-transmission-problems.html

Anyway mine was built on 7/9/2014. Other than the seals is there anything different about the DCT in mine? Its been pretty good so far, fairly peppy and just 2 or 3 hard shifts in crappy Maryland traffic. But I only have 238 miles so far. I just bought it last week. Go figure the other car I was looking at was the Dart. haha.