Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Problems of Ford Focus

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine started to shake violently; occasionally, causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The transmission warning light then became illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tcm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tcm and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,247.

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Car shudders upon taking off whether fast or slow; okay after in motion but is getting worse. Took to dealer they said had recall for shuddering on 2015, not on 2016. Had 2009 Focus previously so opted to upgrade. Sorry we did, embarrassed to take anyone with us as it does not ride smooth on starting from a stop. Jerks like someone trying to learn to shift and not doing clutch right. Love the looks of the car, but never take anyone with and leery to take it on a lengthy trip as I am not sure if something will happen. The dealer said they had many complaints but nothing they could do it was within range. Took to another dealer and mechanic confirmed they too had complaints about it. Something about not having a torque converter or something. Took back to where I bought it and have another appointment next week, they are going to hook something up and drive a while and said it may need new clutch. I say if there are ongoing complaints and many others have same issue, they need to fix it when it is in for service; not wait for a recall. I would like it resolved soon or will trade it in for another brand; I. E. Toyota. It is a shame to have a pretty car sit in the garage and make hefty payments on it while it continues to depreciate. I wish I had my old car back. Note: this has been ongoing since we purchased vehicle but below it asks when and wants a specific date so I just entered 05/01/2017.

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While driving 40 mph behind a pickup truck, I came over the top of a hill and down to bottom where road is flat and was able to pass the truck. I slowed down to 30 mph when attempting to make the pass (I had my foot off gas and brake both). I could start the pass without pushing on gas at this time. I was beside the truck when I started pushing on gas to speed up then instead of up shifting, the rpms went up and acted like I was in neutral. I kept letting off gas and slowly pushing on gas. The truck ended up stopping in the road behind me. I almost had to stop with foot off gas till the transmission caught and I was fine the rest of the way home. This was not the first time it happened but this was the first time that it affected another driver and could have caused an accident. Luckily for me, the driver stopped and gave me the room to slow way down. Reading in the book from car says when foot of gas it shuts gas flow of for fuel economy. Saving money on gas is not worth getting in an accident. It looks like the torque converter clutch did not unlock to allow fuel to flow. I have only got 28,643 miles on this Ford Focus and I am not happy with this problem.

After purchasing this vehicle in 2013 we found out the transmission does not have a torque converter. Therefore, the transmission shakes, makes noises, and seems to grab, feeling like the vehicle might stall although it never has. We have had it in to the local Ford dealer two times and both times we were told that the transmission is "within specs". The vehicle seems to be better when the vehicle is cool. Once it warms up the issues seem to occur regularly when driven on city streets. We were told at the car dealership that one half of these models for this year vehicle have transmissions like this. The other half of vehicles have regular transmission that have torque converters.

My performance concern started within the first week of ownership. I had reported what I perceived as a performance issue to the dealer but opted to give a new car time to "break in". 4 weeks into my owner experience, the service department held and drove the car for 5 days and had determined that a transmission component was the cause of the issue I was experiencing. I now have over 10k miles on the vehicle and have had the same experience. The service department has since told me that the rough idle in park or in gear with brake applied is the result of the "direct injection" technology used in this vehicle. The hesitation experienced during 0 to >0 acceleration (gradual or hard) is also the result of the "direct injection" technology coupled with electronic clutch technology used in place of a torque converter. This combination has yielded numerous "almost stalled" conditions during normal driving manuvers including acceleration during the completion of a left turn crossing oncoming lanes of traffic. I raise this concern as I understand there is an investigation of f150 vehicles with "direct injection" technology as a potential cause for the loss of power. My experience with the Ford Focus has not resulted in an accident. My goal is to raise awareness to a similar condition from the same manufacturer utilizing the same technology. I also have a second vehicle (1fadp3f20dl206792) that is leased and has the same performance issue described above.

Ford dealership in woodruff, WI replaced front right drive axle and seal 4 times before they got it right and the leak stopped. This initial leak was found by the owner after the car was taken in for a full check upon purchasing indicating the dealership did not inspect the car as they stated and were paid to do. The same day after getting the car back for the last time shifting problems began to occur and I had to replace the overdrive solenoid because the car would not shift into overdrive. This solved that problem but now the car shudders between 40-50 mph as if it is shifting back and forth between gears. Nothing shows up on a diagnostic check, may be expensive torque converter problem. A large number of posts on the inernet show transmission problems and solenoids are a common problem with Ford Focus cars and unfortunately some people are led to believe they need a new transmission which they have replaced probably due to misdiagnosis and at a huge unnecessary expense.

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This car was purchased new by grandma. She sold it to her grandson this year. It is "like new" and was always kept in an enclosed garage. It has had dealer servicing. The last 10,000 miles it has intermittently failed to maintain an idle. When coming to a stop the car will often die. We took it to the dealer twice and an independent shop once - everyone thought it was the fueling/emission system but there were no error codes and it was difficult to diagnose but because it only happened on occasion. Then the overdrive solenoid failed and gave an error code. By replacing the solenoid the idle problems stopped. My mechanic has a theory - the overdrive solenoid will start to fail without giving an error code, during this period the torque converter will occasionally stay locked-up in overdrive, thus the car when just idling can't overcome the transmission resistance and not idle properly or stop running, which ours did. Many dollars were wasted on fuel system checks and cleanings. Before we found the answer - it was also very dangerous. This part is very small and appears to be poorly made. Ford forums show it will fail again and again.

This vehicle has some scary and sometimes dangerous transmission issues. It's not like a normal automatic with a torque converter, so some roughness is expected. But, this car often grinds gears, slips, grabs and lunges, and also rolls back on inclines. I have nearly been in several accidents when I have tried to accelerate into an intersection and the vehicle doesn't respond to the accelerator being depressed completely to the floor. It sometimes acts as if you are trying to start from a stop in 3rd or 4th gear. Ford motors has continually said these problems are normal and the vehicle needs some break-in time. Well, this vehicle now has over 6,000 miles. I don't think it's going to get better. If I get into an accident because of this, there are going to be some serious problems to handle with Ford. I know I'm not alone in these problems. I have been on forums with many people having the same issues.

Excessive gear chattering has necessitated the replacement of the final drive gear. Was told by dealership that final drive gear was defective and a redesign was placed in vehicle. Because of redesign I needed new drive axles. Torque converter was also shot and a new differential was put into vehicle. New bearings had to be ordered but was told by dealership they are on national backorder untill December of 2004. Yes if you can believe it, 20 months from now. Dealership is ordering bearings that are close to the backordered parts, and measuring for fit. Total time in shop: 32 days and counting. Costs associated with car being on lift for 21 days is $13,860 excluding parts and labor of the master mechanic.