Focus Transmission Issue

My daughter has a 2013 Ford Focus that appears to have a automatic transmission problem. Her local dealer in NJ told her it is an issue with the clutch and Ford is aware of the problem. They also told her it may take up to 3 weeks to repair. Is this one of those transmissions that uses a clutch to get better gas mileage? Also does anyone know if Ford is issuing a recall?

It is a strange transmission that uses clutches for improved mileage. It makes it harsh at low speeds. I don't think that it will ever be recalled and I am surprised by the estimated time for repair.

its a dual clutch gearbox. I don't know about a recall but do know that mine (2012) had a software update done soon after I bought it.

My wife's fiesta had a leaky seal between the engine and Trans that made it necessary to rebuild the Trans in her 2012. That's what the dealer said anyways. I didn't mind the transmission that much once you get used to it. I also don't think I would want to own one out of warranty though haha

I didn't readd the whole post sorry. It didn't take them to long to fix my wifes, so that is weird. I think officially it is called an automated manual transmission. When they were first coming out everyone thought there was something wrong and ford kept saying no it is supposed to be like that. And yes there have been lots of software updates and whatnot but problly will never be a recall. I think it is good technology Just should have waited to get all the bugs out first.

I don't know what ford calls it, but it really is a dual-clutch gearbox (called DCT sometimes), similar to what is used in new evo's, VW's, porsche's, etc. it is just tuned for economy and not performance like the others.

As I understand it, the transmission is basically two entirely separate 3-speed manual transmissions running on a concentric shaft. There are two clutches (two transmissions) that are both controlled by the computer and not a left foot. One trans will be gears 1,3,5 and the other will be 2,4,6. The idea is that while in any gear, the computer can select and engage the dogs of the next gear before the shift (the other gear is on the other trans, so it can be engaged). The shift is simply releasing one clutch and engaging the other.

Most problems come from slow speed driving where slipping of the clutch is necessary, and the computer does not predict what the driver wants next very well yet. This can cause harsh power delivery, and also increased wear on the clutches.

It may very well need new clutches, I have heard of this happening earlier on that you might expect. I can also see that this might be a complicated R&R, but the 3 weeks sounds a bit long. Maybe the dealership is accounting for other scheduling problems.

My wifes 2013 always was sort of jerky at low speeds, ESPECIALLY after driving in stop in go traffic for a while. I always had to take her word for it since I dont commute with her, but she said it was pretty bad sometimes. We knew we had an available transmission programming update that hadnt been applied yet (requires dropping off the car for a full day, who has time for that..)

One day it started acting REALLY bad, bad enough that she turned around and started heading toward the dealer. She had pulled in a parking lot then the car didnt want to go into gear.

She waited a while and finally it would shift again and she took it straight to the dealer. They ended up having to replace the Transmission Control Module. This happened earlier this year, ours has a little over 90k miles on it now. It drives A LOT better with the new TCM (with the most recent programming I presume) Also thank god we got an extended warranty that covers the powertrain to 100k miles. The repair was free.

But we are still really concerned about the long term effects of that transmission behavior. Sort of debating on trading the car for one with a "normal" automatic transmission.

FocusFanatics has what seem to be thousands of (horror?) stories about these transmissions. There seem to be just as many who've never had a problem, but, there have apparently been numerous TSBs and updates to them, and later models don't seem to suffer as much.

Several have reported trans' being replaced, and I think generally once the fixes are in, they do well.

I think a large share of it has to do with drivers who expect it to behave like a "traditional" slushbox, though some of the problems are definitely "real" (i.e. clutch pack replacements).

If it's a parts replacement issue, I wouldn't think 3-weeks is out of the ball park.

I'm a 5sp guy, so no issues at all with my Focus, very happy with it. I will warn you, it will make you a slower driver on the autocross course though.

Its a dual clutch with dry clutches, while this simplifies/cheapens the design and improves serviceability, it's also even more of an uphill battle than the wet clutch systems used by the Germans to make the thing run smoothly in 1st gear.

The problem here is that Ford has tuned them to behave like the torque converter autotradgics that fat lazy Muricans want.....Fat lazy Muricans can't comprehend why a car in gear shouldn't roll forward until the accelerator is pressed. I've been attempting to teach this to corvette owners for 6 years now, and only 3-4 have succeeded.......

Its a programming issue that can lead to premature wear.

Ford is extending the warranty on the transmission. 100K mile or 7 yrs. Owners will be receiving letters.

There have been numerous TSB's on the transmission, no recalls.

Apparently what happens that the clutch pack develops a shudder that takes out the main seal. an improved clutch and seal will take care of the problem, Ford says.

You only hear on these forums about the bad stuff.

As for me, I an on my second Fiesta and have had no problems.

That's great news about the Transmissions warranty. I'd like to pick up a focus or fiesta hatch used eventually.

The clutches went out on my wife's 2012 focus.

The repair to fix the seal and replace clutches only took a day. What took time was the tree month wait for the parts to arrive at the dealer. It made her so mad that she refused to drive the car and I ended up selling it and buying her a new car.

OldGray320i wrote: FocusFanatics has what seem to be thousands of (horror?) stories about these transmissions.

And 50% of them are from kids who have only ever driven an automatic transmission vehicle and don't understand that a DCT works differently than a torque converter transmission.

Been a member over there since 2001 and I have driven some of the cars being complained about. Nothing wrong with them as long as you understand it is a manual transmission being shifted by a computer instead of the driver.

In reply to Hal:

Focaljet and focus fanatics can both implode for all I care......although when our regional sho club crashed one of their meets in Chicago back in 2007.......they seemed kind of peeved that they were all slower than the old taurii that showed up.

Hal wrote:

OldGray320i wrote: FocusFanatics has what seem to be thousands of (horror?) stories about these transmissions.

And 50% of them are from kids who have only ever driven an automatic transmission vehicle and don't understand that a DCT works differently than a torque converter transmission. Been a member over there since 2001 and I have driven some of the cars being complained about. Nothing wrong with them as long as you understand it is a manual transmission being shifted by a computer instead of the driver.

Yep. I tried to note that in the post, probably poor formatting on my part. Just as many "never had a problem with mine" posts over there too.

I never drove the DCT cars, looked at the lever in the middle and thought "slushbox - no can do slushbox".

I'd like to give one a spin one of these days. Probably still would've picked my 5sp, I just like being able to rev-match my downshifts by myself (even if most of them are not "perfect"...).

yamaha wrote: In reply to Hal: Focaljet and focus fanatics can both implode for all I care......although when our regional sho club crashed one of their meets in Chicago back in 2007.......they seemed kind of peeved that they were all slower than the old taurii that showed up.

HA! See my original post. I KNEW these things made one a slower driver!!!

In reply to Mustang50:

I would have your daughter shop around other Ford dealership service departments. I can't think of any reason they should need to keep her car for that long.

.

OldGray320i wrote: I'd like to give one a spin one of these days. Probably still would've picked my 5sp, I just like being able to rev-match my downshifts by myself (even if most of them are not "perfect"...).

If you like manuals, don't even bother driving the Focus DCT...It wasn't even tuned to mimic a decent slushbox. If you want to see what a well executed DCT feels like in a compact car, head directly to your nearest VW dealership.

I think the wait period is for obtaining parts, not the repair. Ford seems to be behind on filling the pipeline for several parts.