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ed11563


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What's Normal for New Ford Focus?
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What's Normal for New Ford Focus?

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Dear Car Talk

Jan 5, 2016 (Archives)

8 Comments

warranties, clutches, Ford, Focus, 2014
Dear Car Talk:

I have a 2014 Ford Focus with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shudders on takeoff and then smooths out past second gear. The dealer says this is normal, and we have put up with the shudder until recently. At 13,000 miles, it has become worse. I checked with a very reputable Ford dealer in our area, who has been in business since 1908. He describes it as a "soft flare," and claims it can be adjusted via computer analysis. What do you think?

-- John

I hope the dealer's slogan isn't "Telling People 'That's Normal' Since 1908!"

If you have a newish car, and a dealer tells you something is "normal" or "they all do that," ask him to go for a ride with you in another new car off his lot. If that other brand-new one does it, too, then he's right -- and you just made a bad purchase decision. But if the other new car doesn't do whatever yours is doing, then you've got a pretty strong case to insist that the dealer fix yours.

In this case, the software update is worth a try. Ford has had a lot of complaints about this problem. And it has a lot of customers who are unhappy with being told "it's normal." We'll add you to the list, John.

Ford did issue a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 14-0047) to try to address this. The "fix" involves reprogramming the car's power-control module and transmission-control module and then measuring the transmission outputs. That's the "computer analysis" your dealer is talking about.

And then, if that doesn't fix it, I think the next step in the TSB is to tell you it's normal, try to get rid of you and hope your car gets swallowed by a sinkhole while you're sleeping that night.

While we haven't seen a 2014 Focus with this problem in the shop yet (newer cars tend to go to the dealers while they're under warranty), we've heard that, in many cases, the real problem is the clutch.

The outer input shaft seal in the transmission apparently can pop out and cause a transmission-fluid leak, contaminating the dry clutch and causing the shudder. 

So you should let the dealership try the software fix. But if that doesn't solve it, go back and ask them to check the bell housing to see if there's any sign of transmission fluid that's leaked out. You even can have an independent mechanic check for you. 

If there is a leak, then the Ford dealer needs to remove the engine and transmission, fix the leak and replace your clutch. They won't like that, but Ford sold you a warranty with your car, and this is what it's for. Be very nice but firm about it, John, and good luck.


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8 comments:

 

  • Yamaha Grampa • 2 hours ago

    Based on the responses, the dealer's remark that "it's normal" and "they all do that" is close to being accurate. Too bad that one of the few times a dealer can be trusted is when he reaffirms bad news about his product !!

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    02grandcherokee • 4 hours ago

    I had a 2014 Focus SE with the DCT (at least I think that's what it was) for a rental and when I drove it several times it seemed like it wanted to stall out... I called the rental agency about it, and they said they'd "check into it"... I DEFINITELY was happy that I only had to do some local, casual driving while I had it for a few days, or else I would've had to trade it back for another rental car.

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    Suz • 8 hours ago

    Is this "shudder" anything akin to what my 2014 Fusion does on start-up as a VERY audible and sensual THUMP!!!!!!!!!! ?? No dash lights, no codes, nuthin'! My dealer thinks I'm crazy. Mostly because, of course, it happens only about once a month. The car has only about 22k miles and the THUMP is sometimes accompanied with a very fast idle until we take it out of Park.

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    marshsquared • 20 hours ago

    2014 Focus SE lease here.
    *6 transmission reboots,
    *2 clutch replacements,
    *ABS harness fell off on drivers side

    All under 18K miles, most before 15K.
    Keep track of it, look into your state's lemon law. Here in RI, it's 15K.
    I filed, I settled with them sending me enough to make the payments until the lease is up. And it's the last Ford that's going to darken my driveway.
    I heard "it's just the way the transmission is", "it will learn your driving habits" (Oh? so it's learned that I like stuttering and shambling my way through intersections and at traffic lights? Awesome.) "Sorry, we couldn't get it to slam itself into 2nd gear"
    It's not safe, they can't fix it, and Ford seems bent on making sure the service techs CAN'T do their job by setting the parameters for "acceptable chatter". Everything feels like a fluke with this, because surely a new car shouldn't have these sorts of issues, right?
    I can't tell you how glad I am that this is a lease, it goes back Dec. 2016, and I'll keep getting it fixed until then.

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    jplaaten • a day ago

    I have a 2012 Ford Focus and had similar transmission problems. The first reprogram may not cure the problem. It took me 3 times I believe. It will "learn" your driving habits over time. It is great now. On my most recent trip, loaded to the brim with camping and fishing gear, from NYS back to FL, I averaged 42.4 mpg.If it is a reputable dealership, they will work to cure this well known problem.

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    JG • a day ago

    I have the same problem with a 2016 Hyundai Tucson Sport. Only 3000 miles on it and it doesn't seem to be getting worse but the Focus experience doesn't look good.

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    cwatkin • a day ago

    I know a couple people with the same car and same problem. The transmission fluid leaks, contaminating the DRY clutches with oil. One guy is on his third set of clutches and one is on his second. You seem to get about 30,000 miles out of one before it goes out.

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    gkrone • a day ago

    Same exact car, same exact problem. I also have a problem where the transmission seems to stick in a gear and then the engine revs until the transmission decides to change gears. It was in for the re-programming 3 weeks ago and the paperwork said "shudder within parameters". I agree that there shouldn't be any discernible shudder at all. I haven't felt so much stuttering since I tried to start a manual transmission car in gear without releasing the clutch. I'm definitely going back to have them check for the leak.

    I hear this has been going on for years. We rented a Fiesta with the same transmission a few years ago (2013?) and it had the same stuttering problem. The rental company said they have taken them back to Ford several times and they weren't able to fix the problem.



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If the car wasn't so hard for me to get in and out of, I have one.

I totally LOVED my escort.

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