Transmission Not Engage Problems of Ford Focus - part 1

Car runs hot while in motion on highway or city streets, due to gears sticking causing transmission to malfunction and I must turn off car to disengage for 25 minutes.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Focus 🔎.

Car stalls while driving on highway. Within my 10 miles to work and back the transmission disengages about 6 times and need to hit the button on side of shift knob. Radio shorted out makes a horrible sound even when not turned on or car not started. Had to remove fuses.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Focus 🔎.

Car will lurch and shutter from takeoff proceeding throughout 1st to 2nd gear and from 2nd into 3rd, also while accelerating after slowdown while either in traffic or while accelerating out of corners. When shifting into reverse from a complete stop the car will sometimes not engage reverse and seem to catch neutral and just rev and roll backward or forward depending on incline. The car will sometimes catch reverse after a few seconds of revving, other times I have to shift into neutral and back into reverse for it to engage the gear.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Focus 🔎.

The vehicle's transmission disengages while making a left turn from a stop. When starting the turn, it moves forward then the transmission disengages and the car rolls forward with the engine still running. We have to put it in park, put the wheels straight, shut the engine off and restart it. . . . In the middle of the oncoming traffic!!. It has done this 4 times since we got the car. When we brought the car in (twice) for another related transmission problem (dry clutch) we informed the service advisors and thier techs could not replicate the issue or offer any idea as to why this happens. The car also has a jerking motion when accelerating. The car has been in twice for the this same repair, clutch replacement on an automatic, within 1 year. Ford has only extended the warranty for this problem only up to the 2016 model year even though the 2017 model has the same transmission and problem as previous years.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Focus 🔎.

While driving on the interstate the vehicles transmission disengages and you are unable to accelerate or control the vehicle. You must safely remove yourself from the roadway. This has happened multiple times and Ford refuses to help because we have had all of the recalls fixed. This is part of the transmission issue with the computer. We are also experiencing the jerking of the transmission as it tries to shift into the correct gears due to the clutch. Ford refuses to fix this problem as well because we have already had it recalled. These issues are serious and could cause a major accident or fatality. These vehicles are not safe and unreliable. Ford needs to stand behind their products and make things right with the customers who own these vehicles.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Focus 🔎.

My car has extreme stuttering when it shifts, as though the clutch is slipping or not engaging properly. It also does not shift when going up a hill unless the throttle is released and the rev counter is allowed to drop very low. According to news reports, Ford set a deadline of 7/19/19 for warranty repairs of this issue. My local dealer confirmed this deadline and told me to call Ford for information. Ford refused to confirm anything and said that I needed to schedule an appointment with the dealer to do anything. The fact that they hid a deadline for repair coverage for a known issue and that the public was only made aware when that information was leaked and reported one day before its expiration is incredibly anti-consumer and dangerous. There can be no reasonable expectation that anyone would be able to have a problem diagnosed and fixed in one day at a dealer, and Ford is clearly acting in bad faith.

Vehicle transmission disengaged, causing the engine to rev up without speeding as if it was in neutral, immediately losing speed causing a safety hazard. Check engine light turned on. Transmission re-engaged abruptly and car would not shift properly so had to be driven in lower gears, again posing a safety hazard. Dealership advised issue was related to the clutch and was covered under manufacturer's program 14tm01, yet this extended warranty was not applicable to the 2014 model, even though it was the same issue.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Focus 🔎.

My daughter has been stranded twice by the vehicle either going into neutral or the transmission disengaging. Both times she was on a highway in traffic. She was fortunate to not be rear ended. Multiple attempts to fix the issue & finally being told the transmission needs to be replaced at a value of what the car is worth functioning. If the new transmission is of the same design; failure appears to be a guarantee. A Ford dealership told use to let the car rest in peace.

At unpredictable times, accelerator pressure results only in engine revving. This occurs regardless of current speed, when turning at any speed or when moving forward. The transmission will not engage for several seconds. When it does finally engage, it will do so in a burst of acceleration. These conditions create problems in which routine traffic maneuvers become unsafe.

I bought my Ford Focus hatchback se starting at 24k miles. At around 50k I began having transmission troubles. The stuttering, while accelerating or coming to a stop, was (and still is) horrible. I have taken this vehicle in on two separate occasions to get the transmission �fixed�, to no avail. I'm still dealing with these problems 80k miles later. The first two winters that I had owned the vehicle my door locks would not engage, in dry, 40 degree temperatures. So I would have to drive and hold my door closed until the car heated up and the locks engaged. I tried wd-40 and sprays meant specifically to unfreeze locks. Neither worked. And the locks would occasionally disengage while driving my morning commute on the highway. No recall until two years later, after complaining countless times. But back to the transmission, I was driving home after a long day at work and ended up stuck in cincinnati, OH. A message popped up on my dash reading �transmission fault� advising me to take my car to a dealer. Turning off the engine didn't help, and I couldn't drive over 20 miles per hour because the car wouldn't shift over 1st or 2nd gear. Luckily I'm an experienced driver and was able to Dodge multiple cars that almost slammed into me on the street, due to my sudden braking. When contacting Ford it took them 5 hours of going back and forth between dealers to finally send me a tow truck. I get the car back, same problems. Over and over. A mechanic at the dealership told me that they don't actually have a fix for the problem (which it's becoming ever more clear that they still don�t, nor will they ever). Ford's compensation for this problem was a terrible deal. Offering a replacement transmission with the exact same trans that gave me problems I'm the first place. I'm glad to see the government is getting involved and hope to see resolve soon.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the manual transmission failed to properly engage while shifting gears. Additionally, a grinding sound was present coming from the transmission and the vehicle would suddenly slow down when driving from a standing start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer red mccombs Ford located at 7111 northwest loop 410, san antonio, TX 78238 who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

I purchased a 2016 Ford Focus with 7 miles on it in March 2017. In may 2017, at roughly 4,000 miles, the cars transmission went out, stranding me in missouri on a road trip. A warning light came on and said "stop car now, transmission overheating". Since that time, the car has had 2 new transmissions, and 5-6 new clutches. Each time, it is replaced because the car studders and does not want to engage the transmission. This usually happens at slow speeds, but on a handful of occasions it has done it at highway speed. It has also failed to engage when stopped at lights or stop signs, and then randomly engages and sends my car (and me) flying into an intersection with no warning. I have been told that the new clutch has to "warm up" to the way I drive when it shudders immediately after replacing the clutch, and have been told that it was just the way the car drives, etc. The attached file is from the first repair. I have several more.

Vehicle disengages and leaves you stranded right where you set, no matter if the gear shift is in drive, park, reverse, or sport it disengages without warning. This has happened to me numerous times. Once, pulled into gas station to get gas and put vehicle into park, got out, filled tank then got back into car and put into drive and, nothing. Transmission would not engage. Another time, driving on interstate and same thing, disengages then would lunge then disengage completely, stranded on the highway. Another time, and this has happen so much that now I try to time myself while approaching traffic signals as to prepare myself as if it where going to lose power every time. These times you will be setting in traffic at a light or just rush hour bumper to bumper and the light changes or traffic starts to move and without warning transmission, disengages. Stranded, in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic. I am surprised with all the problems that I see everyone is having with these vehicles pertaining to the transmissions, someone hasn't been killed. This problem isn't a secret anymore. Just google Ford Focus transmission problems! the NHTSA needs to "(as a federal agency, NHTSA regulates the safety of motor vehicles and related equipment)" do what is right for the consumer. Call Ford motor out on this issue and make them stand behind their product that are selling. . Read more...

While driving around 35mph, the vehicle began to slow down by its self. I had to pull pull off the road and coast to a stop. The engine was still running, the car was still in drive, the engines rpm's would go up, but the vehicle would not move. Like the transmission was disengaged with the engine. I had to have it towed.

Transmission stutters thru first and second gears from a stop or slow roll. Will lose power when accelerating to freeway speeds as though it was going to stall out in the lower gears. Clutches rattle as if not engaging. Have had the transmission seal replaced for oil on clutches. Did not fix the stuttering through the gears or the rattling clutches. The transmission updates are current. None of the updates fixed the problem or improved acceleration through the lower gears. I purchased this car new-has only 10k miles.

The 6-speed auto transmission, when accelerating the vehicle from a complete stop, the transmission components that the car is equipped with causes hesitation and shutter on take off. The electronic control module and the electronic clutch have both been replaced on recalls. The electronic clutch engages erratically, causing the car to shutter and larch forward as it engages. When changing oil in this car, the owner tried to drive the car up a ramp in l range on the gear shift , the engine would increase in rpm's but the clutch would not engage fully to allow the vehicle to go up the ramps, like it was in neutral. I had to check the the gear shift, thought it might have been in neutral, in wrong shift position. When explaining this to the service manager at our local dealership, we were told that the car can not go up a ramp, the transmission is designed for high speed take off. We were told that it is only intended to be lifted, never in my 58 years have I ever seen a car that would not go up a ramp, the ramp to me would only simulate going up a steep incline, which causes more concern with my 19 year old daughter driving this vehicle to and from college. Ford keeps telling us that this car is operating like it is intended to, they acually gave us a print out how the car should feel and react. One comment read that the car feels like it is pulling a trailer, who wants a car that feels like it is constantly pulling a trailer? this vehicle has been in the shop eight to ten times, we get the same explanation each and every time now. It is working the way it is intended to, they say it does not shutter or larch on take off. Numerous times my daughter has had someone with her that has experience the shutter and recently the car not going up the ramp without the cars engine racing and the clutch not engaging allowing the car to move forward. This car was purchased new,.

I have had 5 transmission failures since I bought the car. The last 3 failures occurred in less than 3 weeks (and less than 30 miles on the road!) and, when the last one happened, my wife and I have almost crashed. We were driving downhill on a very steep road and suddenly the clutch disengaged and went to neutral right before a curve. I think this is a very dangerous problem, not taken seriously by Ford.

While driving on the freeway at 65 mph the automatic transmission completely disengaged with a loss of control causing immediate slowdown. Unable to re-engage the transmission. Barely avoiding multiple car accident. There has been several recalls by the manufacturer regarding transmission problems.

This is a continuing problem with the dps6 clutch/transmission. Vehicle will launch in and out of gear while standing or moving. Clutch will engage and disengage at will. Vehicle will have complete loss of power starting out from a stop resulting in several near misses. Clutch will shudder at pull out and between gears and you never know if it will engage or not. This is by far the most dangerous car I have ever owned. You never feel safe and every trip could be your last. Ford has been sued over this(and lost) and still will not issue a recall on these cars. Every vehicle with this clutch/transmission can be fixed. . . Ford has the new clutch/transmission, we just need them to step up and do the right thing and recall/repurchase these death traps.

After several attempted repairs, there is still hesitation and loss of power on highway. Also shuddering and hesitation on take off. I had a incident at a stand still where the transmission would not engage and hit the back of a truck. The dealer said just keep driving after complaining numerous of time. Since June 2016 it has been in the dealership for repairs and can't correct the issue. It is a safety hazard for the driver and passengers.

When the car is at a stop, while the vehicle is warm, when you start to take off the vehicle jerks and does not properly engage the transmission. At an intersection or when merging into traffic the vehicle does not respond properly and cause a danger to passengers and all other vehicles on the road.

While driving my 2013 Ford Focus st my manual transmission's fourth gear failed after I heard a clunking sound coming from the transmission during light acceleration. Then three days later my third gear failed to engage as well. Currently I am on my second getrag six-speed transmission after my first one's second gear failed at 19k miles in a similar fashion.

Vehicle moving transmission disengages gear vehicle needs to be restarted to reset transmission,veh stopped at traffic control device light, stop sign,railroad crossing transmission disengages gear. Veh needs to be shut off and restarted to be able to move. Veh in said situation refuses to actknowledge park signal so. That it can be restarted. Veh has been in motion and had this happen veh has been stopped and this has happened this is on going.

Accelerating up a shallow hill the transmission began to stutter and jerk and grind as it changed gears. In the middle of the jerking the car shifted into neutral and revved up. Complete loss of power at speed. Pulled over to the side of the road (on a hill) put the car in park and shut the car off. When I released the brake the car rolled backwards down the hill - clearly the car was not engaged in park. I applied the brake to stop the car and engaged the e brake. I tried to restart the car it would not start. Error kept flashing 'parking aid malfunction - service required'. The failure left us stranded on the side of the road on a 95 degree day without the ability to start the car. I am currently waiting for Ford dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The jerking and stuttering of the transmission is a very regular occurrence for my car. It happens at almost every startup, especially when hot. The jerking and stuttering has in the past resulted in loss of power to the point that I have almost been hit by oncoming cars when I tried to pull out into the street. I had also brought my car to the dealer previously complaining of severe jerking and stuttering and was told this was normal for the transmission.

The traction control in the vehicle operates in an unsafe manner in snowy road conditions. When climbing a slight grade in snow, the traction control continually reduces engine power to the point that the vehicle will no longer move forward. As the vehicle slows to a stop while modulating the accelerator, the engine will not rev above 1500rpm without the traction control cutting off power. Controlled and sustained forward momentum is required for safe driving in snowy conditions. That is not possible when traversing typical roadway inclines in snowy weather with the traction control engaged. Additionally, it takes no fewer than seven inputs from the driver to engage or disengage the traction control system; something that must be done frequently in this vehicle to keep it moving safely in snow. This creates undue driver distraction in already demanding driving conditions. A manufacturer retrofit of a simple on/off switch for the traction control system, as installed in most contemporary vehicles, should be the minimum remedy.

I'm not sure of the exact date of the incident, but I started the car and shifted it into d (drive), and the vehicle revved, jerked, and the "check engine" light came on. I drove the car home carefully, pulled it in the garage, and went to adjust it by putting the car in r (reverse), and the transmission would not engage. I did call Ford up, and the problem was "fixed" but since I have had this car the transmission has always jerked some, and I have heard some rattling in the transmission/power train often. I do not consider these good signs as to the reliability of the 2013 Ford Focus.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving at 15 mph, the clutch slipped to different gears and the transmission failed to engage properly. The contact mentioned that the vehicle shook and made a grinding noise when accelerating. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,500.

Transmission makes a metal type noise consistently and surges when warm. There is a random clicking noise under hood. Transmission disengages intermittently while driving.

Loses power during acceleration from dead stop or onto freeway, transmission bucks and does not engage from first gear to second gear in alleged automatic transmission. Slips into neutral while the car is in motion. Dealership said that Ford is aware of the problem, but has no plans for a long term fix.

After driving about 50 miles and come to a stop the transmission disengages and car rolls backwards. This happened 3 times in 2 days. The dealer says it the way I drive.

Transmission dangerously erratic, underpowered, bucking, lurching,fading out on acceleration from stand still. Worse when temperatures are above 70 degrees f. Ambient temp. Have had all the service done as per customer satisfaction programs from Ford. Have had it services for transmission chatter issues at 46k, 54k, 59k, 77k. At 59k Ford service replaced clutch with "f asy". Clutch was supposedly replaced at 30k. Dangerous when trying to speed up to enter traffic, traffic circles, or avoid contact with other vehicles. Turning causes a great deal of shifting vibrations. Regular automatic transmission mode is lagging and unresponsive in normal driving and lagging in city traffic conditions. From standstill I have had the car lurch and buck forward. Also the car rolls backward in drive on a hill. This Ford had marketed as a feature to not happen. Ford announced the powershift transmission as " powershift will deliver the fuel efficiency of a manual gearbox with the convenience and ease of a premium automatic transmission ¿ the announcement goes on to say "powershift provides the full comfort of an automatic with a more sophisticated driving dynamic, thanks to uninterrupted torque from the dual-clutch technology, which consists essentially of two manual transmissions working in parallel, each with its own independent clutch unit. One clutch carries the uneven gears ¿ 1, 3 and 5 ¿ while the other the even gears ¿ 2, 4 and 6. Subsequent gear changes are coordinated between both clutches as they engage and disengage for a seamless delivery of torque to the wheels. " the product is the furthest from the description and dangerous on top of the rhetoric. . Read more...

My vehicle had difficulty starting, and once I did get it started, I could not put the car in reverse. The reverse gear would not engage on the automatic transmission. The car could operate in the forward direction, however, issues were noted when the car changed gears (from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd) even though it's an automatic. Rattling sounds we're heard as the car lurched into the next gear. After 80 miles or so, the display said to turn the car off and wait 9 minutes for transmission to cool. After waiting, car had issues starting, and same problems persisted. Car was towed to dealership.

Traveling at 40 mph when suddenly transmission disengaged and car slowed and only revved. Stop at stop signed, tried to aclerate engine only revved then transmission engaged and car jerked. This continued the 3 miles left to my house.

I drove approximately 1/8 of mile this morning and I stopped at a blinker light. When I proceeded to make a right hand turn, the vehicle lunged, clunked and the gears disengaged. None of the gears worked. I could not move forward, backward or even put the vehicle into "park" because it would roll backward down a slight incline. I had to engage the parking brake in order to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards down the hill. There was not a warning light, engine message or anything. The vehicle quit working and would not move in any of the gears. I had to coast the vehicle backward to a safe location, out of traffic. After turning off the car and waiting and restarting the problem has persisted. It was towed and is currently at the dealership awaiting repair. I have also experienced the "drift back" that other consumers have experienced and I am not sure if this is related, but this is still a relatively new car that should not be experiencing these types of problems.

- while in drive and moving forward at 55 mph the transmission disengaged and no power was transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle for about 2 seconds in heavy traffic. This also happened at 15 mph going around a turn for 4 seconds before power to the wheels resumed. During these two occurrences the engine was still running and behaving as if the car was in neutral. - after backing out of a parking spot I put the car in drive and it moved forward as expected about 2 feet and then the transmission disengaged and the vehicle began rolling backwards. The transmissions would not engage until 4 attempts of putting the vehicle in park and stopping and restarting the vehicle. - on several occasions the transmission would rapidly shift up and down while moving forward between 5 and 40 miles per hour. By rapidly, I mean it was shifting in and out of gears at a rate of about 4 shifts per second. This resulted in erratic speed at congested intersections as well as in heavy traffic on the highway and regular roads. - on 2 occasions the vehicle failed to start at all. This is most likely related to the before mentioned issues because the car was confused and thought it was in gear. - shifting from 1st to 2nd gear would cause the car to lag and then lurch. - 1st gear was mushy when taking off then would suddenly lurch. These are serious safety concerns. The dealership found fluid on the clutch pads and most likely also caused damage to the sensors in the clutch assembly. Full clutch assembly and shaft seal replacement is being performed by dealer. Vehicle is only 4 months old with about 4k miles.