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Ford Focus Transmission Problems

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Comments

  • melm1melm1 Member Posts: 6
    Yes, that did it. I had really noticed NO shifting problems at all, just the rollback issue on an incline the instant you take your foot off of the brake. This update also reprograms the ABS module such that the brakes will hold on their own for a few seconds, until you get your foot on the throttle.
    My wife had no problem because she drives an automatic with two feet. And once I discovered the rollback (or roll forward if you are pointing downhill), using the handbrake worked fine, particularly since it is so accessible on the Focus.
    I pretty much love the car.
  • kam327kam327 Member Posts: 115
    Well the Focus always had Hill Start Assist (rollback preventer). I don't have the 12B37 update yet and my brakes will hold on inclines. I don't know what this update does but I'm guessing it just makes it a little more agressive or refines it so it's more consistent or something.

    One thing to consider, it seems some owners are saying you have to drive the DCT aggressively for the first 500 miles or so in order to break in the clutches. After I started doing this my shudder issue eventually disappeared and now it's smooth even without the latest update.
  • melm1melm1 Member Posts: 6
    I had no choice in that breakin. My dealer, Keith Hawthorne Ford of Charlotte, NC, really went out of their way to find the Focus model we wanted. They sent some guys several hundred miles to get our car from another dealer, so it had over 500 miles on it when we got it.
    I seem to have heard several versions of the Hill Start Assist, including that the SEL and Titanium did not have it. That may only be because maybe the tranny and ABS controls were programmed differently, perhaps not intentionally!. I presume that if you do not have a rollback problem, you probably don't need the recalibration of the control systems.
    In any case, we LOVE the car more and more. I was able to get 41 mpg on the highway if I took it easy and have been averaging over 25 mpg in town. It has phenomenal handling, steering, etc.
    This is changing the subject slightly, but I was totally frosted by the fact that it appeared that our SEL had Sirius XM radio, all we had to do was activate it. There were Sirius manuals and program guides in the glovebox and "Sirius" would show up on the Synch screen when I hit the right buttons, albeit greyed out. The deal was to retrieve the SN of the radio and call Sirius and give them that so they could activate it for a free six months. I simply could not retrieve the number per the instructions. I spent MANY hours trying to get this from the dealer and even Sirius using the VIN, etc. I finally found out that despite the manuals, etc. THE SEL WITHOUT THE MY TOUCH IS NOT CAPABLE OF GETTING SIRIUS IN THE FIRST PLACE!
  • badtran64badtran64 Member Posts: 4
    I am also having shifting problems. The car seems to "leap" from 1st gear into 2nd. Like it is going to jump out from under me. It makes a grinding/moaning noise when it shifts. Yesterday, while stuck in a traffic jam from h-ll, it did it everytime I was able to accelerate. I took it back to the dealer after a beach trip, they kept 2 days and said it was fixed and up to date. This was before the traffic jam yesterday. Dealer said give it the 1k mile break-in period. I have 978 miles now. I have never heard of a car that has to learn how I drive. I do not want to show the car off until this is fixed. The dealer has been very nice, but the problem is still there. Taking it back Monday.
  • rlc001rlc001 Member Posts: 9
    Just curious if you know when your car was built. I heard that all new Focus built after ~May 3rd, 2012 would have the latest 12B37 built-into the car. We just picked up our new Focus from the dealer and our car was built on 5/27/12 and so far the transmission seems to be working fine. If your car was built earlier, have you had the latest SB 12B37 update loaded onto your car by your dealer?
  • badtran64badtran64 Member Posts: 4
    I pulled up the build date on my car and it reads 09.05.2012. I must assume that means the 9th day of May. No clue 12B37 being on my car, but will inquire.
    Thanks!
  • rlc001rlc001 Member Posts: 9
    So you should have the latest fixes on your car. My saleman said 12B37 was built-in starting May 3rd, but I read else where it was started on May 5th. Since yours was built on May 9th, you should have the latest fixes but I'm surprised and sorry to hear you are having transmission issues but I hope that it will be resolved shortly by your dealer.

    Interestingly, you can find some interesting details on your specific car at this website: http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

    Select "Vehicle" then input your car's VIN and then select more minor details to get the built details and installed items in your car.

    Have fun looking and good luck with your car.
  • badtran64badtran64 Member Posts: 4
    ">Thanks for the info. I have decided to just drive it and see if what if what they say about the car needs to learn how I want to drive it is true. When I back out of my garage in the morning, put car in drive, press the gas, it goes and then "lurches" into 2nd gear. I always thought when a person buys a new car it is one of the great events in life. But this car is messing with my mind. Surely, all Focuses are not like this one.
  • cannon3cannon3 Member Posts: 296
    I have an Oxford white SE hatch loaded with all kinds of options. About 2 weeks ago I tried the "hill assist" and it failed. I took the car in for the re-program and LOVE IT! This is like a different car. The car is more responsive from the stop and downshifts quicker when freeway passing. I am a technician of 25 years in the robotics field so I know a bit about mechanics. This re-program was a bulls eye and a kudos to the engineers who figured this one out. I am trying to spread the word to other Focus owners to have this done asap. You will enjoy your vehicle a whole lot more!
  • cannon3cannon3 Member Posts: 296
    I have an Oxford white SE hatch loaded with all kinds of options. About 2 weeks ago I tried the "hill assist" and it failed. I took the car in for the re-program and LOVE IT! This is like a different car. The car is more responsive from the stop and downshifts quicker when freeway passing. I am a technician of 25 years in the robotics field so I know a bit about mechanics. This re-program was a bullseye and a kudos to the engineers who figured this one out. I am trying to spread the word to other Focus owners to have this done asap. You will enjoy your vehicle a whole lot more!
  • rlc001rlc001 Member Posts: 9
    Just curious what you meant by the "hill assist failed"? I think it is supposed to only hold the car for about 2 sec then it will release if you are stopped at an incline of ~6% grade.

    Also, is the "re-program" referring to the 12B37 transmission software upgrade or did you already have that on your Focus but the "re-program" was on some other transmission adjustments? We could all learn from that if we adjustments as well.

    In any case, it's great to hear that your issues had been taken care of. Best of luck!
  • badtran64badtran64 Member Posts: 4
    After reading well over 200 posts on two websites regarding shifting problems with the DCT, my opinion is that Ford should be required to put a warning label on their cars equipped with the DCT. The label would point out that the car has a learning curve. That it must learn how it’s purchaser is going to drive it. It’s buyer must learn how to drive it. Until car and driver are educated, driver may experience shuddering and lunges when gears shift. The car may require 2k miles or more and then it may smooth out.

    Sales persons should be required to tell customers that purchase a car with the DCT that they could have shifting problems. They should have to explain that the engine may shake and seem like it is going to stall and that shifts from 1st to 2nd might include a big lunge.

    There should also be a second warning label regarding “roll back”. There are airbag warnings in place now, and there needs to be one to let drivers know their car will roll backward on a hill and could create an accident.
  • melm1melm1 Member Posts: 6
    Yes, I was unpleasantly surprised when our 2012 Ford Focus suddenly started to roll back on me when I started up from a stop on a hill! However, my normal movement of my right foot to the gas pedal was fast enough to catch it; and, knowing this, it never happened again! But "again" was not very long as the recall to reprogram the tranny and ABS control system took care of it all! So if the recall takes care of this, I see no reason for a warning label, as long Ford addresses this on all the "Foci" as soon as possible!
    As far as shifting is concerned, the behavior seems little different from a regular automatic transmission. If you are really hard on the accelerator, the shift can really be notably harder, but, again, no more so than some automatics I've driven. Maybe we're just fortunate?
  • melm1melm1 Member Posts: 6
    The 6 speed dual clutch transmission is really a manual transmission that's automatically controlled. The only difference that you might notice is that it does not have a torque converter! With a regular automatic tranny, the drag of the torque converter pretty much keeps your car from rolling backwards on a hill when you take you foot off the brake. The downside is that this drag loads the engine and consumes more fuel than, for example, a manual tranny in neutral or with the clutch disengaged!
    We complain when the Focus rolls back when we take our foot off the brake. But, think about it, that's NO LESS than what would happen with any manual transmission if you still have the clutch disengaged! The real problem is that it takes is by surprise the first time it happens!
    Ford addresses this, and pretty cleverly in my opinion, is to program the controls of the transmission and brakes (via the ABS control) is to detect the hill and keep the brakes applied for a few seconds after you take your foot off the brake pedal and until you get it on the accelerator! When you hit the gas, it releases the brakes.
    I just don't know yet why this did not work on many Foci when they were delivered and required a recall. Was this "fix" a late idea at Ford after people complained, or we're the cars supposed to have this hill assist all along but cars came off the Assy line with the system not working??
  • drjjjjdrjjjj Member Posts: 25
    I'm I big fan of nearly everything on the new focus except thedumb auto tranny! I'm not sure ford has ever built a decent/robust FW drive tranny! I'm buyng a prius instead after researching the heck out of it- it's the real smart car folks, can't find any faults and even kinda like the looks-slick watts! Picky Engineer
  • jshirejshire Member Posts: 1
    I have completed all service bulletins for this issue. The Transmission PCM reboot made the issue worse. Between gear 1-2 now the vibration/hesitation is more noticeable. I am stationed in Germany and getting knowledgeable answers is difficult. Please help.
  • chrislindsychrislindsy Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2012
    my 08 focus se has the 2.0L automatic tranny. i took a 500 mile trip which put total mileage at 62,000 miles. when i got off the hwy and stopped in town to drop my buddy off i left the car idling in park when i left it started shifting hard into 2nd and 3rd gear and would not shift into overdrive even at 65 mph while i was driving i turned the car off and back on and it fixed the problem. later i drove it and the check engine light was on i hooked my code reader up and it gave P0171 (system to lean bank one) i reset the code. the next morning i had it idling in park for a few minutes and it had the same problem as before. i went home and parked it and left a half hour later and no problems. i called a tranny shop and they told me to bring it in and they would hook their computer up to it but it needed to be acting up when i brought it in. i left it idling for a few minutes while i put gas in it and sure enough it shifted hard and would not go into overdrive. they hooked their computer to it and it only had the P0171 code nothing else. i shut the car off and restarted it and the car ran fine for a few miles and then slipped out of OD and started shifting hard i left it parked for 3 hours and when i drove it it started out fine at first then after 2 miles it slipped out of OD and only after i turned the car off and back on did it act right.

    Does any one know what the problem is with this tranny please help My e-mail is christopherlindsy@yahoo.com thanks :mad:
  • chrislindsychrislindsy Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2012
    hey im having tranny problems in my 08 focus se and im wondering if it may be a solenoid problem i dont think its solenoid A but it still may be one of them i posted my problem its #535 if you would take a look the tranny shop said it may be a solenoid manually sticking since its not throwing computer codes or maybe a valve in the valve-body. what do you think.
  • chrislindsychrislindsy Member Posts: 4
    just because the cable connections are fine doesn't mean that the cable inside its plastic is not broken that may be why when you pushed the arm to change gears it worked see if you can do that again with out some one in the care moving the shifter. it does sound like its broke try puting the shifter all the way back to 1 then go out and move the arm i bet you can move it to all gears.
  • chrislindsychrislindsy Member Posts: 4
    hey every on i fixed my problem it was the mass air flow senser i took it out hit it with some electronics cleaner and no more transmission problems dont ask me how that is connected with the transmission as of right now i have no ideal but i will do some research and find out. :D
  • jackthehackjackthehack Member Posts: 2
    I feel your pain. In the UK the ford dealer did not even know what parts to order so I called back to the states and ordered all six of the solenoids. I will know if the $800 is work it in a few weeks when I get time to change them.
  • puffin1puffin1 Member Posts: 276
    Should one buy a six speed ? I don't see it offered, :confuse:
  • jackthehackjackthehack Member Posts: 2
    Good news. My German made 2001 Ford Focus was slipping out of gear and I ordered all six solenoids from the US and all the parts matched. Replacing the solenoids fixed my problem of the transmission dropping out of gear when it shifted from second to third and sometimes other gears. I could not find any way to recognize which solenoid was causing the problem so replacing all of them is probably the only solution. The cost for all six was $800 and I had to get someone to ship them since the parts had to be picked up on person.
  • dtrtfocusdtrtfocus Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2012
    So last summer my 04 zts focus wldnt go faster than 35mph ( bought used from local Chevy dealer) took car to selling dealer whr warranty was, they said was a sticking caliper n brakeline & fluid issue. After reading posting now believe it ws a solenoid issue. Either way car ws fixed no further issues. Last week got 2 blocks from home n car just stopped accellerating. Engine was fine but Trans just stopped working with no "signs" of trouble. :confuse: No o/d light on, no CEL, no hard shift or slipping. Just stopped engaging! Any help or recommendations as to problem? Just solenoid, Tcm or do I need new Trans? If so is it better to rebuild or replace w/another used Trans? Help! :sick:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,759
    This may be overly simplistic, but did you check the fluid level? If it is too low, it will reach that point where it simply doesn't have the fluid pressure to engage.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • dtrtfocusdtrtfocus Member Posts: 2
    Have to be honest w/you..... No I haven't checked fluid levels!!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,759
    Do that before anything else at this point. If it is low, top it off with the appropriate fluid type, then test again.

    If that is the problem, the next thing is to determine why the level was low (e.g., leak, but how severe and where?).
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • mattarmattar Member Posts: 1
    Please please tell me where is that wire is !!! I have exactly the same problem in my car as u described by word, your advise is really appreciated.
    The agency requires 1500 $ from me !!! and I don't have this money to waste on the car.
  • socal19socal19 Member Posts: 2
    Just trade it in. Dont waste your time with a Ford, and besides they are not reliable.
  • socal19socal19 Member Posts: 2
    My boyfriend and I Bought a slightly used ( we found out later it was a rental car) 2012 Ford Focus SE Hatchback on 09-01-12. After driving the car for a couple of days my boyfriend mentioned that that the transmission was not right but he thought it was just because we were new to the car. Then, when driving to work, I noticed that when I stopped on any incline street between taking the foot off the brake and placing it on the accelerator, the car rolled back quite quickly to the point that I almost hit the car behind me. Days later, I started to feel that the steering required both hands at all times. It was constantly wandering and shaky specially during turns. To top it off, on 09-27-12 something unexpected happened. I was in the drive way, I shifted from reverse to drive and the car took off at a lurch. The car accelerated so rapidly even with my foot on the brake pedal. I lost complete control of the vehicle. The car failed to slow down hitting two other cars and tearing down a fence. I could finally stopped the car when I quickly shifted to park. To my surprise I was researching and I found out in many different sites hundreds of complaints from customers who have addressed the same issue. I do not understand how Ford sells this car with all these problems risking people's lives. This is a serious issue. How many fatalities are they waiting for? Are they going to do something ever about these malfunctions? This is ridiculous if I have know all these issues with this car, I would have never bought it for sure. This is what you get for supporting a national product.
  • kingcarzkingcarz Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 with 180,000 miles, I have put over 50,000 miles on it since we bought it in 2008 and with no problems, Just maintenance, I drive this car everywhere & anywhere, I will buy another Ford Product when this one is done,
  • kam327kam327 Member Posts: 115
    Socal19, you need to take the car to the dealer to get the appropriate software and hardware updates that are available. There is a transmission software update that will minimize the hill rollback (although this is a common behavior of dual clutch automated manuals and indeed all true manual transmissions). It may very well also address the lurch you had. There is also a fix for the wandering steering. Since you bought a rental, it was probably a very early build (in the 1st model year of a complete redesign no less) and may very well not have received all of the available updates. Take it in and get it thoroughly worked over. There are also many owners who have reported no problems whatsoever and love their Focus. The Focus routinely make the top of the list in compact car comparison reviews. My DCT was a little quirky in the beginning but it's running great now and the car drives very well and gets great gas mileage. Good luck.
  • averagejoe5averagejoe5 Member Posts: 1
    I just wanted to thank aokrongly for posting this and everyone else who participated in this thread and gave their experiences and tips.

    Like many others I too had the same experience with a Ford Focus transmission. In my case, it was my girlfriend's 2006 Focus ZXW station wagon. We were on the highway returning from a trip when we felt the transmission slipping. We made it home but the next day it would not go into third gear without revving really high and shifting in and out. We took it to the dealership where my girlfriend had been getting the car serviced faithfully and regularly ever since she bought the car (about 3 years I believe) and they said it needed a new transmission - which would be at least $4500 Canadian. They said this was indicated because "there were metal bits in the fluid." My gf was quite upset and I was skeptical of the dealership, so I googled "ford focus transmission problems" and luckily came across this forum and the posting. With just this thread and a Haynes manual, I convinced her we could do it. We went to the dealership and bought the "A" solenoid, which they were able to order in within one day - which led me to think they must replace them regularly or it wouldn't have been so easily obtained. Next we went to Canadian Tire and bought the silicone and a drain tub.

    I'm somewhat handy but I've never worked on a transmission before, but by following this post I was able to replace the solenoid and put the transmssion pan back on. We let the silicone set for 24 hours and the next day took it for a test drive. It worked perfectly. I wanted to wait a bit to make sure it lasted, and it's been over a month since we did the repair, and the car is working just like nothing ever happened. Clearly the transmssion did not have to be replaced, and we paid about $90 for the part and another $40 for the fluid, gasket silicone, and the drain pan. Significant savings! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
  • strongjon60strongjon60 Member Posts: 1
    I noticed a couple days ago that when i sped up from 0-20 it was revving really loud over 20 mph it would sound just fine. I took it to the shop and they took a look at it said i had no 2nd gear. They said it would be 2400 to get a rebuilt transmission. The car has 49000 miles on it and im not that much of an aggressive driver anyone else have tranny problems with a low amount of mileage?
  • jig_sawjig_saw Member Posts: 1
    Mine shifts so fast - 4th gear before 20mph LOL with light acceleration. The main issue I've been experiencing - going in reverse, come to a stop, put in drive - and rpms just go up - no movement. It has also happened at several lights - hit the gas and only rpms go up. Any advice for a fix??
  • kam327kam327 Member Posts: 115
    Easy - take it to the dealer. Sounds like the computer is not telling the 1-3-5 clutch to engage properly. Only the dealer can address that. There may be updated software applicable to your car that will improve the DCT performance.
  • irohiroh Member Posts: 1
    I bought my 2012 Focus hatchback brand new. It too rolls backwards on a hill pulls out very choppy at times and in slow traffic the tranny slips then bangs into gear. Don't worry Ford and my dealer Gilboy Ford of Whitehall PA tell me this is perfectly normal and I shouldn't worry about it. As much as I like the car I don't trust it as you have discovered. I hate to do it but I guess my next step is the better business bureau. Should've bought the Chevy...
  • jgdarlingjgdarling Member Posts: 11
    Bought my 2012 new, has had issue from beginning, been back to dealer 4 times, they keep telling me nothing is wrong, shudders, shakes, doesn't accelerate as it should, every time i bring it back they tell me nothing is wrong, but they adjust something and now I only get 27mpg on the hwy!! doesnt need to brake in! I have almost 10,000 miles on it and have never had a car behave as this one has. This car sucks have never had more problems, next Sat we meet with GM at our dealer, we will see what they actually do, hell I would even take an even trade if I get one that doesnt have all these problems, I would take it!
  • puffin1puffin1 Member Posts: 276
    Don't you have a lemon law in your state. :lemon:
  • nofordforme754nofordforme754 Member Posts: 9
    my 2012 focus has been in shop two times for hill assist not working at all, even with 12b37 upgrade and i do not blame the dealership for this. i blame ford motor company for not being able to fix problem as of right now. the service department has their hands tied and probably are getting information slowly about fix. since this could be a safety issue, you should call ford motor company as we did and are awaiting return call and call NHTSA and report the hill assist failure as a safety issue.
  • kam327kam327 Member Posts: 115
    Hill start assist not working is your biggest complaint? Really? Somehow every manual transmission owner in history has managed to handle rolling back on hills, I really think you guys can too. Simply move your foot from brake to gas more quickly in the future. Or if you really want to get fancy, keep your left foot on the brake while you press the gas with the right foot before you release the brake. You won't roll back at all. This is pretty simple stuff folks.

    I rented a Nissan Maxima with their ubiquitous CVT and it rolled back on inclines as well. And was generally dreadful to drive. Of the new transmission technologies I'd much rather have the DCT than a CVT, even given the DCT's teething problems.
  • nofordforme754nofordforme754 Member Posts: 9
    I would have bought a manual if that is what I wanted to deal with , but since I paid approx 1,000 dollars more for what I was thought was an automatic tranny, I think they should of made me aware of the different driving characteristics of this car on inclines . Our test drive was on a 6 mile course on very flat terrain. I would be OK with the hill assist if it worked consistantly on our car, plus it feels like a different car each time I drive it.Because of the sparatic gear changes and lurches this car makes, the transmission draws attention to itself.Others riding with me even ask me whats wrong with my car.
    My senior Mother also drives and depends on this car and I think this justifies the extra concern.
  • starluck3000starluck3000 Member Posts: 14
    Well.... I am glad that I am not going CRAZY!!!! I have been telling my husband about the shaking & shuddering for just about a few weeks...it has actually gotten worse! I have a 2012 focus se that we bought in March & have about 4800 miles on it...now don't get me wrong...I love this little car, but when the transmission mechanic tells my husband that this is normal for this "type" of transmission....SORRY!!! but I don't believe it...I used to have a manual stick vw bug and it never drove like this. So..what are you going to do?? I am just beginning on my mission to either get it fixed, or get a different car from Ford and I am sure that will take some doing!! Most aggravated....that should be my screen name!!
  • jgdarlingjgdarling Member Posts: 11
    IM with ya on that, tired of being told its normal! Mine has almost stalled out and it only gets 27mpg! I bought it for the gas mileage I could live with the rest, for th 40mpg I was promised, but they tell me then can do nothing about the gas mileage either, then yesterday my air stopped working, I have over 10,000 on my car and each time I take it back it gets worse. Not sure what to do, think Im going to trade it on a toyota!
  • kam327kam327 Member Posts: 115
    For you guys being told "it's normal", you're going to get that excuse from most dealers for any number of problems. It's up to you to raise a stink and make sure the dealer knows you're not accepting that answer. A few things you can do:

    1) Tell them you want the absolute latest software update installed regardless of whether they think it needs it
    2) Insist on going for a ride in another Focus on their lot to demonstrate to them this is what you expect your car to drive like
    3) Go to a different dealer (yes, there can be vast differences in service between dealers)
    4) Get the regional Ford reps involved
  • bobanandabobananda Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2012Focus sedan with handling package, 6speed automatic. For the first 3000 miles there was a small amount of shudder which lessened quickly after that. With 1 year and 15000 miles there is never a shudder, car creeps ahead when stopped like any other automatic. It runs flawlessly. Has not needed service except oil change that came out very clean at 8500 miles. mpg for my partial country road, partial interstate, partial in town driving is 42 to 43 mpg. Cruzing on interstate at 80mph -- 38mpg. 75mph ---40 mpg. 70mph----42mpg. 60 to 65 mph ----43 plus mpg.

    It handles beautifully and the brakes are impressive.

    Don't understand this stuff about rolling backward when starting on a hill. Standard shifts do that all the time---sounds like driving 101 to me.
  • carburetor1carburetor1 Member Posts: 3
    The initial post was titled something like “ transmission or electrical problem”. Its been a while since my last post, maybe because the Focus has been working relatively well (2001, ZX3 , with automatic transaxle, with 40,000 miles) . Several months ago, we took a 500 mile trip and the car experienced some jerking phenomena. Actually we couldn’t tell if it was the engine burping or the transmission shifting because it was very intermittent / short lived. Hoping that the problem was a result of some bad gasoline, we added some water remover and hoped for the best. The problem just kept getting worse and during a typical bad drive the car would do the following: shift hard (jerk) going up a hill, shift hard pulling away from a stop, shift hard when the cruse control was activated, or the windshield wipers were turned on, or when the high beam head lights were turned on, or when the turn signal was activated, or when we ran over a bump in the road. The headlights , dash lights, would flicker during a bump in the road. At this point, I was thinking the primary problem must be electrical and the transmission problem was a spin-off. I Googled using phrases like “Focus electrical problems” and found some leads, the majority of which said that check that the battery ground was good. I looked at the battery ground and it had one large wire, one medium size wire and one very skinny wire attached. Although they all looked clean and seemed to make good contact, I cleaned them anyway. I figured that the large wire was for the starter, the medium wire was for other stuff and had no Idea what the skinny wire was for. Although it made no since to me, I decided to add a forth wire and route it from the negative battery terminal to a handy bolt on the fender brace. I used some scrap wire I had, probably a # 12 or #14 wire size. I had a few crimp wire lugs and used them. I am holding my breath and the car has not had any of the bad thing happen since, and its been about one week. I have ordered some #10 flexible ground cable and some new crimp wire lugs and I plan on running a new ground to the chassis and to some place on the engine block, it can't hurt and maybe it will prevent the reoccurrence of bad things...Bottom line of this post---WHAT CAN IT HURT TO ADD ANOTHER GROUND WIRE-- and it might help.
  • focusowner1focusowner1 Member Posts: 1
    I completely understand the issue you are talking about. I am not sure if you have since received a recall notice from Ford but the issues you are talking about have since been resolved. If you haven't done so yet, take your Focus back to the dealership and they will reprogram the Transmission, Engine, and ABS controls to make these problems disappear. I agree that it is odd that cars were delivered to customers with these problems, but at least Ford has come up with a resolution. Since the software updates my Focus does not roll back on hills, the shifting is smooth, and it is one of the best cars I have owned. Call your dealership because these issues are well documented.
  • dickhurtsdickhurts Member Posts: 3
    Im surprised to read this, That should have been repaired months ago. there was a letter sent out by fomoco explaining what you are experiencing.To all owners of the power shift tranny.
    it was a semi recall and it worked great!. I had the same problems but after the update to the computer its a blast to drive!. cant remember the TSA though. I think it 12 b 37. but cant recall. get it done and you will like that dct!.
    I :D did.
  • dickhurtsdickhurts Member Posts: 3
    Yup and it works great. I had mine done in august and havent looked back.

    aint nothing wrong with that tranny. one might suppose it hasnt been updated.

    Its a cool tranny for sure!
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