How to drive a 2012-18 automatic Ford Focus

[@phillyg2519]

Thanks bro. It makes a big difference knowing how the technology works! Now it's a fun little torque monster within that power band. Fun fun fun. Thank you Sir!

[@jamesborden4805]

WOW!!!!! Thanks L.K. I just now did this and no more slipstifting! Difference is like night and day. Wish I had done it several years and thousands of miles ago!

[@jonathanclark4650]

Thank you so much man I have a 2016 focus SE with the DCT and when I did exactly what you did in the video and listened while I drove it makes so much more sense finally somebody who can properly explain what’s going on. Almost every time I accelerated I’d get the most violent jerk felt like my tires were falling off until now thank you

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Watch some WRC vids now, especially M-Sport, in 2017. I drive a 2017 Fiesta SE DPS6 in blue candy. 😁

[@turbodaray6721]

Man bro you are the man I just bought one it was doing that shit and I do what you said and it’s a whole different car you have to learn how to drive that car if anybody out there having issues with the shuttering and shifting just watch this video this dude is amazing

[@lurk_e]

mine likes to be driven like an aggressive manual. i tell him he's got all wheel drive and new suspension and a nice exhaust to keep him happy.

[@watchfocus3660]

bought my 2016 focus brandnew in febuary of 2017. at 69k miles the car had transmission overheating warning and transmission had no reverse. ford dealer replaced the dual clutch assembly under warranty. im not sure if they replaced the tcm as well. car is now at 96k miles and it is november 2023. six plus years and i still love this car. im keeping my finger crossed that my car won’t have transmission problem again and the fix was permanent.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

You must live right up the street from me! (I'm at Auburn, and Rochester) I just recently got a 2017 Fiesta SE. (If you see a blue candy metallic SE 4 door hatch with 5 spoke silver wheels and a blue and yellow plate, around Rochester, it's probably me.) This is my first dual clutch system. The best way I can describe driving one of these: If you're not in sport mode, and shifting manually, pretend you are. Don't be too gentle.. Give her some gas from a stop, and back off briefly, exactly like you would, a stick. I love it. It's truly a drivers car.

[@Saxophone_King]

I have finally trained mine to drive like a decent car. It took a good reprogramming and a new clutch and actuator lever pack, but I only get some hesitation on low rev acceleration from time to time. I love my Focus.

[@thegentleman03]

How's it holding?

[@Saxophone_King]

@@thegentleman03 still alive and kicking.

[@thegentleman03]

@@Saxophone_King that's awesome! My girlfriend just got a 2012 auto. And I'm trying to learn how to drive it and make her learn it so it doesn't shutter but this video is kinda confusing

[@Saxophone_King]

@@thegentleman03 best thing you can do is make sure the transmission fluid gets changed regularly and that the TCM has been maintained. I change my fluid every other oil change at this point. It helps a lot.

[@codhnndn123]

Once you understand this transmission you can get a very affordable nice car that’s dependable. My 16 year old daughter drives the wheels off her 2014 and we keep the trans serviced and all is good.

[@MarieJesne]

Thanks Luke everyone says "Just get another car" but easier said than done. This vid is good for working w what you already have.

[@lukeyk94]

Glad I could help!

[@fergar0206]

As he's filming this he has a check engine light 😂 it's not worth it. Look I get it I was stuck with one for 6 years, but if you have the opportunity just get rid of it. I'm currently driving a Nissan with the infamous CVT and it's given me so much less trouble than my focus.

[@j.cesarbraga]

​@fergar0206 his car has more than 250 thousand kilometers. It has served more than enough for what it's worth. Besides, a engine light can mean various things, not all of them problems maybe a malfunction on some sensor. He mentioned the oxigen sensor and some problem with the catalitic converter. Maybe the technician didn't erased the error code after repair.

[@andreasmevold]

Do you do this for all upshifts ? For instance 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th?

[@CrazyGuyTray]

@@andreasmevold i do, but i do it for most vehicles i drive too

[@randalcalvert270]

Thanks fof posting this video. Ford's dual-clutch may be one of the poorer designs, but I still love my lil' Focus 👌😁

[@damoncook8342]

Man! I have a 2018 Focus Titanium, I acquired it used in 2020. Always wondered what the heck is wrong. I just usually, took my foot off the accelerator to let the DCT catch up. I needed this. Now I know what's going on and not feel like the slow "turtle" at takeoffs from a stop. Cars would pass by just to get around me. I wish I had this info years ago. 👍🏾

[@JasonKing-m6m]

You used to get sand kicked into your face, now your kicking the sand... heh...

[@CrazyGuyTray]

@@JasonKing-m6m hell yeah, the way it was intended

[@bealornobeal5538]

Thank you so much for this vid! I just got this car and I’ve never driven anything other than an Automatic Transmission. I tried what you did and it worked great, reset the transmission and now no shutter at all in lower gears.

[@lukeyk94]

Glad I could help!

[@KingCheezy615]

I just bought this car and it shutters like crazy at low speeds I'm definitely doing this in the morning thanks bro

[@bealornobeal5538]

@@KingCheezy615 if you can, look up your cars manual and there is a section on the transmission and how it drives. Mine said that the shuttering is to be expected. I’ve learned to accelerate harder when I am at 0-15 mph, especially in traffic

[@KingCheezy615]

@@bealornobeal5538 thanks man I definitely will. You just saved me a lot of headache and money. I thought I bought a lemon plus I have really bad lunch with cars lol but I really love this car so I didn't wanna take it back and lose all of the money I put down on it. This is so awesome I'm so happy right now I can't wait to drive it tomorrow

[@confusedstar-cosmic5517]

​@@KingCheezy615 how has it been for you? 😊

[@chukshenry5134]

Thanks so much. After I reset the transmission like you advised in the video. The shudder at low speed stopped. It seriously helped the situation than it was before.

[@sweetcraft557]

This video helps I have gotten my transmission replaced 2 times now and I started driving it like this and the problems are gone thanks Luke for this tips now I get to keep this car

[@tullytime]

any updates one year later?

[@mashedpotato3]

This video goes in my essentials for my focus12, which have shutter every time.

[@billywalker8375]

Great little cars, We have a 14 Focus SE we just put 200k on it still runs like a champ! We did the recall years ago and never had a problem. The 2.0 L is a fantastic motor.

[@josephstephens416]

I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus two-and-a-half years ago and it's a great little car and I do love it oh, I just wanted to say thanks, this video has been a big help👍

[@dashboy4l]

how many miles is on yours?

[@josephstephens416]

89,000

[@loridowling8792]

I have had my 2012 since 2018 and I am just hearing this now!

[@Jasz_]

Just did a transmission reset! Looking forward to see how the gearbox behaves after

[@Jasz_]

Update: car feels so much smoother and I know how to drive it better

[@chukshenry5134]

@@Jasz_I had the same issue and after a reset of the transmission I tried driving for a few mins on a road that is not busy and it drove smoothly

[@dowhatisaylol]

What I've noticed, is from a stop, give it enough gas to get it going, but not to the point where you're speeding up normally, once you've hit almost "idle speed" and what I mean by that is if you were to in a normal car, take your foot off the gas and let it speed up by itself while idle, that "max speed" you're gonna wanna give it just enough throttle to watch the RPM's jump up, and soon as you're at that speed, speed up faster than normal if possible. You don't need to gun it/floor it, the problem is coming off the start, the low torque clutches.

[@johngrove8587]

Thank you Luke it’s my second focus very reliable car I figured out that but till now am sure I was doing it right How to reset transmission very help full thanks again

[@Flangobeast]

I never had stutter issues I had engagement issues but I just take off slow but once I’m in gear I drive normal. I had 2 clutches replaced the previous owner had the car brand new and had it replaced but I’m getting a new one next year

[@j.cesarbraga]

I really like driving dry clutch DCTs. They're so quick and smooth. The driving experience is superior overall than conventional torque converter and wet clutch DCTs, and vastly superior to CVTs. The problem lies in the execution. Ford used cheap materials to make this transmission, but after the recalls and the revised 2016 clutch pack, it has become considerably more reliable.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I love my CVT. In what transmission can you accelerate (slightly) whilst the revs go down? Haha. Love it for being unnoticable.

[@DavidJamesMoran]

Thanks Luke, did the reset and its made a huge difference, no more shudder. 👍

[@kiawnni]

this honestly made me feel so much better about the shudder my 2016 focus gives me every time i take off and now ill need to try this and actually drive my car correctly 😭

[@josephwright8752]

I have never had issues with mine, but someone who rebuilt mk3 focuses mentioned the transmission problems which has caused a ton of paranoia for me. Honestly I drive my Focus HARD with a lead foot, I don’t do example 1 at all, I drive purposefully to speed and let off when at speed and it shifts into proper gear. 2017 2.0 SE with 60k miles as the original owner, I’m thinking of putting together a turbo kit at this point, it would most likely gap stock ST’s with the available upgraded cams, and when I eventually blow the DCT I will swap in a built MTX-75!

[@jaychigaimisu9753]

How do you know the MTX-75 will work? I've been brainstorming the possibility of a trans swap in the future but have been unsure of how to even begin that thought process

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Eaton or Rotrex supercharger.... 😉

[@josephwright8752]

@@DetroitMicroSound 330hp from the C30-94 is actually wild, good call!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Just imagine how the sound alone would be.... 😉@@josephwright8752

[@Flangobeast]

@@jaychigaimisu9753did you look up the videos on that KZbin? There’s a guy who transformed his entire 2012 ford focus automatic and swapped it into manual

[@Marksin866]

I don't even notice a shudder really. I noticed a vibration like the traction control is trying to prevent tire squeal from a dead stop. My problem is even though the TCM has been replaced. It still at times either won't shift and basically goes from 2k to about 4k rpms cause I'm now going faster than the gear is designed for. Or it might pop into neutral but the display says drive.

[@ph3537]

Thanxs Buddy you know ya sh** it worked also on 2018 Hyundai Kona dct had jerk issue now gone. You the MAN!!

[@johnburden9109]

I had a 2015 that was totaled due to hail damage. I drove it like you say and it was a fine car. Never had problems with it. Just picked up a 18 focus and it started out with the same deal, but then it started doing something else. From first gear, it would rev up to 5500 to 6 thousand rpm before it would try to shift. Taking foot off gas didn't help. Would just start to slowly wind down. Then up again when I hit the gas. Then it would violently shift into 3rd or 4th, not sure which and RPM would drop to under 1k as I was trying to accelerate. Then would jerk and into lower gear and rev high and it was just trash all around. The only way to "fix" it was to shut the car off completely and restart. After 2 or 3 tries, it drove normally again. Only correct way to drive this car was straight back to the dealership where I bought it. Now it's sitting there while they attempt to diagnose it. Dude said they "replaced the transmission fluid and cleaned the screen" and they're hoping that fixes it. lol.....

[@topintro9986]

Huh go figure i had shuttering problems and realized taking my foot off the gas between the first and second gear help. Never knew this was a thing people did, and tbh i honestly thought it was damaging the car. Thanks for informing me.

[@Abthe101]

I recently got a 2014 SE model and I completely agree with you that you have to drive it like a manual. And that you can’t drive it slow or else it shudders. It basically asks you to drive quick lol . But it’s a fun car to drive

[@danielalexander2824]

I found it helps tremendously to let the car warm up (dial to at least 25% of engine heat gauge on dash) and you will experience significantly less shuttering

[@alanjm1234]

You shouldn't have to lift to change gear. If you're getting shuddering there's a problem with the clutch, most likely sticky actuators, which are easy to fix. Lifting to shift is just driving round the problem. A DCT working well is a fantastic transmission, and only a few slight changes in technique are needed to make the most of it. 1- don't move the shifter from drive to reverse or vice versa unless your foot is on the brake. 2- avoid slow creeping in traffic. Allow a little space in front then take your foot off the brake and let the car idle forward. 3- don't let the transmission hold the car on a hill. Use the brakes. That's about it.

[@ng220775]

Hi I'm from the UK I tried exactly what you've showed at it worked brilliant, my car now changes gear so much better and no shuddering , brilliant video any more tips please

[@PedroJoséNogueraGuédez]

I will not recommend performing the actions in this video, if your dual clutch focus is shuddering it means that the clutch forks are dirty with clutch dust and that makes the get stuck, or that the clutches are worn out and that needs to be taken care of or the issue will keep escalating till a point you get no reverse, or forward, or neither because the clutches get stuck engaged! Once you replace the clutch kit, the clutch forks, clean very thoroughly the clutch housing and perform the relearn process for the TCM to adapt the new clutches, that car starts behaving like brand new guaranteed!

[@jordandrumming694]

Ya i figured that out in my grandmas fiesta, never have issues till i drive it after her. The looks you get accelerating like this in a puke green fiesta are priceless 🤣

[@CrazyGuyTray]

as a 2013 ford focus owner with 192k miles on it... if you want advice, crash it lol but i still got mine goin. ford dealership told me, "if you drive like a bitch, this car will not last" greatest thing ive ever been told

[@mitchwheeler1081]

Thank you for this video! I am looking at buying a 2015 ford focus with 23k miles on it. But can’t help but see all the negative reviews about faulty transmissions. Are you under the impression that most of those problems arise because people are driving them wrong or is it also a bad design? Thank you!

[@Vibrant_waterbox]

They had bad transmission issues in the past. They aren’t so much of an issue now with newer parts and warranties

[@user-cl1ls5yg2q]

THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT !

[@melissawalker1426]

Thank you very helpful bc my car definitely does shutter. I just bought it too

[@uscgtrucker]

It's going to shift "perfectly" after you reset the trans until it relearns everything, I have yet to drive my 14 se aggressively and don't have shudder issues, every car is different, learn your individual car and drive accordingly, this is just what happened to work for the OP

[@DetroitMicroSound]

You honestly have to pretend you're a rally car driver at least a few times a week, or you will eventually suffer from excess clutch dust jamming stuff, and causing failures. Ya gotta shake the clutch dust out. How many miles on the clock? That's key.

[@buff.berserker]

When it comes to resetting oil life and transmission, it’s like putting in cheat codes with a controller

[@james102377]

I just bought a used 12 at 140k. It shuddered on test drive. I had them take off the servos and use brake clean and work them in and out and the shudder was gone so I bought it. It doesn't shudder whatsoever now and shifts smooth so most likely you need your fork screws cleaned and lubed. I also did a relearn on the clutch and basket a couple days later with my Autel scan tool and it's even better than after the fork screws were cleaned. Can't remember clutch measurements exactly but one was 11 something and the other 12 something. I don't like how it shifts at high speeds when you put it to the floor though. To me it feels like a slipping tranny but then catches and goes but it's also red lining too when I floor it at those speeds. I don't smell clutch burning so it's probably something I'm just not used to.

[@CBABradenton]

This worked Great! Well done

[@brianward3977]

Not the check engine light though lol

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I think he said the money light was on because of catalytic converter effectiveness.

[@kwametotoboss]

I hear a grinding noise in 2nd gear on my 2016 focus SE . It’s much more noticeable driving with the A/C on. Car has done 75k miles . Drives perfectly but only concern is the grinding noice

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Search Big Ben's Cars & Cycles here on YT. Ben's a transmission specialist at a Ford dealer, and is an expert with the DPS6.

[@Flangobeast]

Make sure it wasn’t a wheel bearing, CV AXLE, or for me it was my motor mounts

[@72grantorino]

I'm in a 2017 Escape and tried the transmission reset. Didn't work. Which surprised me because I was told that the escape and the focus have the same engine and transmission.

[@eduardoperalta441]

It's not the same transmision

[@oscarmarquez7295]

Would this help for actuator B being stuck? An slipping gears ?

[@LCARS359]

make sure you do a drain and fill for the trans fluid every 25-30k, this type of low viscosity fluid is prone to break down with extended intervals or like in most cases, skipping fluid changes. Its more of an issue with the fluid, not how you drive.

[@Tbone3471]

I’m going through this now. 14 SE sedan. It hesitated and jerked very hard a few days ago on the side streets, from a stop position. Was fine once I got on the highway. Took it to Ford dealership to see if the extended service warranty would apply and they did it wasn’t the transmission but the clutch actuator B and clutch need replaced, that the clutch warranty expired, and it would 3500 to repair lol. I took it home a day later and it drove perfect on the way back. No hesitation , no jerking , nothing. However the check engine light was on and it wasn’t on the night of the hesitation. So I’m wondering if they reset the transmission and that’s why the check engine light came on? I noticed yours was on here as well. That’s worrisome to me. I watched a few other vids on how to replace the actuators and clutch . How to clean the groundings etc, but could it really be just a reset was needed?

[@andrer.mallet2410]

The Ford dealerships charge $250/hr....your local mechanic can probably do for it close to half or if you're like me you bought the $300 in tools you can have the whole transmission out of the car in about an hour.

[@Tbone3471]

@@andrer.mallet2410 so you did it yourself? Did you take out the whole transmission or just the clutch? I’m guessing the transmission HAS to be removed then..is that so? I’m sorry I’m not a mechanic and also my local mechanics all use aftermarket stuff and I’m wary of that due to things like fit etc.

[@Tbone3471]

@@andrer.mallet2410 I’d love to be able to do it alone but I’m afraid I’d mess it up

[@569521406]

Ur cltuch Fork is sticking or the actuators is wearing out. If is the fork, u can spray some brake clean (just abit) to free it. Actuators is about 140 ish it's plug and play. U will have to eventually replace ur clutch and fork and clean the clutch housing

[@AnimaDweller]

Huh, I've owned this car for a while and realized that I actually gotten used to driving it "aggresively" when I drove my father's truck and felt I needed to be way smoother on it. The car has flaws, of course. But once you get used to it, it becomes such a fun car to drive. It kinds helps if you pretend its a small sporty/rally car lol.

[@scoutwoodhouse3399]

thanks for posting! why is your engine light on? i tried the feathering of the gas pedal before takeoff technique & my engine light came on as well..

[@MarcosCodas]

What a legend. Thank you.

[@julianchee2894]

Does your transmission start slipping when accelerating hard ?

[@davidbabkoff2985]

It's shuttering from trans fluid leaking onto the clutches

[@nelsonparmar4701]

I just checked your engine light is on , Mine has same when i start the car the engine lights stays on for quite few minutes and after turns off, any idea about this sir ?

[@briantii]

Amazing how much better the Germans got this technology sorted out.

[@HyusKays]

So how many times need to let go and press the peddle? Just once ? Or through all 6 gears?

[@MCAmEv]

Nobody will probably see this. But resetting it won't prevent the transmission from self destructing. And yes it was properly taken care of and had about 56,000 miles on the odometer when it went.

[@kennethhoyt2726]

Lol

[@GigaBit-i2j]

Great video.

[@dtwistrewind7361]

How do you do this with a keyless start system.

[@wahiduzzamansm6952]

You have a engine light for the transmission… this is a workaround.. this is not how you’re supposed to drive it.. it’s just a bad dct. You have to change clutch set periodically like a manual car, but this is a big job opening up the transmission completely…

[@andreasmevold]

Do you do this for all upshifts, for instance from 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th? Thanks for your reply

[@Mr30301]

Is this compatible with UK Cmax?

[@jacobrzeszewski6527]

I actually owned both a manual 5 speed and the 6 speed DCT. Fords biggest problem with shuder is that they never gave the transmission authority to override throttle input. Dry cluch vehicles take off slowly. That's the nature of a dry clutch. But Ford programed the PCM like it has a traditional automatic. And you just can't do that. Tom from Focus Power has a tune for the transmission that apparently helps. But it won't fix physical damage already done. And I don't know exactly what Ford was doing, but the transition between idle, idle load, and acceleration is also terribly programmed. It's disappointing because GM got this right with the Chevy Spark.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Another disappointing transmission was Citroën's first computerized self learning automatic gearbox from the ninteties. It drove like a novice manual transmission driver in city driving. It also had the audacity to try to help with braking by downshifts. You know, to limit wear on your brakes (was the plan). But you never knew exactly when they would occur. I had a few near misses, in front, and in my back because of that.

[@Cooldude23809]

Does the resetting like he did work for ford mondeo 2011?

[@mouhsinebenazzouz9962]

Thanks Luke , quick question : will I lose any TCM software update if I reset the transmission using this method ?

[@callkman2626]

No, the reset pretty much puts the TCM back into learning mode.

[@victorchurch6831]

Thanks a lot big help 😊

[@plove7289]

I glad I clicked on hear at least some people have good to say 😊I just bought a 2012 ford focus automotive any words?😊

[@jake20479]

the manual transmission version of this vehicle is problem free. highly sought after in europe.

[@HuyQuang-ds7cj]

Why the hell would they sell it and not tell people what it is and how to use it properly?

[@MultiSuperguy101]

Scam that’s why

[@luburan1973]

is it the same with diesel engine focus?

[@davidbarter303]

there is a easer way to reset the transmission in these cars. start from park and cycle through the gears and end back in neutral. Transmission reset

[@MegaJakob7]

Mines a manual never had a problem 😮

[@bobdeyoung7261]

My 2014 is also a manual but after 5 years I'm having issues with my left foot.

[@robbheinz6633]

what you need to do is RESET your DTC using a DIAG tool. and do it ASAP! it will properly reset your transmission and TCM

[@83goobmoonlight]

What year is this car

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

your check engine light is on

[@frankmontez6853]

I’m smelling a burnt plastic smell and got way too much slippage. Not shifting good at all. Just ordered clutch actuators 2 of them for $83 . Saw another video this guy showed how he put it on so easy takes just a lil while Easy inexpensive to save the clutch. Might be too late for me . I’m going to try it. Hell , I would’ve done before this happened.

[@tommyhoneycutt-ei2ic]

Do you recommend this car

[@BobDinners1771]

Do not buy this car. Get an older Toyota.

[@fitapresh6786]

Thanks 🙏

[@notone9314]

Do you still have this car? Just bought a 2016 Focus SE off of a family friend with 26k miles.

[@lukeyk94]

Yes! I'm at 200K miles and she's in great shape! Just get used to driving it like I do in the video and don't forget Ford has an extended 150K mile warranty on the transmission, so if you do ever experience issues keep that in mind. Most of the time they replace the TCM or clutch fork actuators.

[@danielgreen6547]

@@lukeyk94 So you haven't had to have a clutch replaced or anything yet? That is excellent news.

[@Refrn]

@@danielgreen6547the more like a manual you drive it the longer the clutches are gonna last, mine were already very worn when I got the car but I was lucky I did my research and learned to drive it properly. It’s at the point now where if I try to drive it in automatic mode they slip like hell but if I shift manually and lift off the throttle between gears it never has any problems catching and holding down the 200+ whp I’m getting out of it now.

[@sjonuzi]

Thank you

[@jonathanclark4650]

Do you recommend tran fluid flush ? Or is that worthless

[@Refrn]

@@tullytimethe trans itself has fluid just like any other manual trans but it’s usually never worth flushing the fluid because the gearing itself rarely ever fails before some other part of the trans on these.

[@jothain]

Makes no sense at all changing normal gear oil, unless you're noticing leaks or something obviously. It's very rare to change manual transmissions oils. It doesn't hurt, but generally speaking useless.

[@jonathanclark4650]

My b should have clarified Automatic DCT. Ford replaced TCM about a week ago due to me losing drive on side of road. Got it towed to nearest ford dealer Apple Valley MN who determined TCM and replaced it from someone who “had just traded their focus in so we’ll see if it works” under the new ext warranty. The next day same thing happened but this time I knew ford won’t reimburse me for the tow so I left it on the side of the road over night next day I come back to read codes and boom it started (which this time it wouldn’t turn over for me) it randomly started and I was able to drive it to dealer about 2.5 miles away to shakopee Apple ford in mn and told them “hey I just got TCM replaced under warranty yesterday and now it’s doing the same thing” it was a whole bunch of he said she said from there on. First Apple ford shakopee told me now it’s shift forks which is solid 850 and I mean hey they told me it would fix my issue. Next they call me saying it needs a new battery to run diagnostics which is another 190. 2 days later calling me saying they can’t figure it out and it’s throwing all new codes and idk I need opinions am I supposed to pay for something that all stemmed from this TCM which is under warranty they said it would fix the vehicle and now all the sudden I’m stuck paying them a grand plus tow fees and what not to me it’s ridiculous but I’m not sure how to approach it. I know I’ll never go to another ford dealer but they probably got me stuck now w a refinance or whatever for 7 years.. need answers!!! And tell ya friends ford blows (besides the crown Vic)

[@jothain]

@@jonathanclark4650 I haven't owned PowerShift Ford Automatics, only the more traditional turbine automatics. But what I've researched it seems that they mostly have problems due to dust ingress in clutch bellhousing that'll prevent shifters from moving and causing shifting issues. There seem to be quite many who have simply managed to clean parts and re-assemble and tech transmission again. Though apparently some module problems aren't fully unheard of. But still the transmission fluid (=oil) change is useless imo, cause PowerShift is essentially manual gearbox and haven't heard issues being inside the gear casing, but clutch and its engaging/disengaging seems to be the true issue.

[@connor6585]

Has nothing to do with how you drive the car its already a well known fact this is a issue with the gearbox....design floors that landed them in lawsuits lol, you shouldn't have to rag a car around to make it drive properly and you're right my Focus 2013 is smooth when ragged but also gets poor MPG because of it but even if you drive it like this it still doesn't change the fact the clutch packs and the control unit can go at any time, my car has only done 79k miles and its on its second clutch pack. - Clutch packs are very common to fail quickly and can fail with less than 10,000 miles and considering a clutch is meant to last atleast 60,000 it shows the poor design floors - TCM transmission control module or transmission control unit can fail at any time Gearbox will lunge and sometimes judder, even when working how it should the gearbox isn't great mine will sometimes drop down a gear then lunge forward or try to corner in 3rd.

[@jothain]

If you need actual clutch replacement it only tells one thing. You're driving car like old turbine automatics inching it constantly.

[@connor6585]

⁠@@jothainthis just tells me you’ve never even drove a powershift focus! yes everyone must be driving it wrong even though ford got sued 🤣 I know 3 people with a focus and all have had issues with the gearbox, my mates garage who specialises in automatic gearboxes says it’s the most common gearbox needing fixing some with not even 50k miles. Nothing to do with how you drive it, sure driving it hard etc speeds up the wear but even when driving this normally it’s a terrible gearbox.

[@jothain]

@@connor6585 issue with gearbox and burning it's clutch pack is very different thing on those transmissions.

[@connor6585]

@@jothain The issue with the gearbox is the poor design of the clutches that makes them wear very fast…nothing to do with how one drives it, loads of issues with this gearbox.

[@jeffreyscifres4541]

Accurate! I bought a 2017 Focus SEL with 50K on it for a steal. (I later learned why) but I did buy a bumper to bumper warranty. 3 months after I got it the shudder was so bad I took it to ford, they replaced the clutch. Well, 9,000 miles later (roughly a year) it’s back to shuddering again and will be going back for another clutch. The only reason I keep the car is because it’s paid for, and I have a warranty that will cover these excessive clutches for the next 3 years. Once the warranty is over, this car is LONG gone.

[@jonathanmacinnis4251]

p0420 code ?

[@billmelater655]

Anybody else notice his check engine light is on? I mean, how can you miss it???

[@Howiex-is8gq]

Oxygen sensors ..po4 code

[@drgnfire4]

And remember. If the check engine light is not on. its probably not a 2012-2018 ford focus.

[@lukeyk94]

Lolol

[@Tbone3471]

So seriously. Should I be worried the check engine light is still on?

[@Tbone3471]

@@lukeyk94 Luke , should I be concerned the check engine light is on then? I feel like this cat might be a death trap

[@haoye2413]

@@Tbone3471 if you are that worry, my suggestion is buy a BlueDriver ODB2 scanner, have it plug in 247. I can collect live data for you and you get read it off your phone thru bluetooth every night before bed. 😁

[@codeineslatt7045]

This part!!!

[@markevansangling]

I have a 2014 focus zetec s 2.0 TDCI and it’s horrid. Huge bump/clunk from the gearbox when trying to pull away, changes smooth once driving though. Ford will charge you over £500 for the powerbox oil change here in the Uk and independent garages around £3K for a gearbox repair. Don’t even get me started on all the water leaks in the boot and all the other issues. Avoid these cars.

[@connor6585]

I have a 2013 Focus with 79k miles and its on its second clutchpack already, oil change is a waste of time as it doesn't fix the clutch pack issue or the transmission control unit that can go on it too, mine had gearbox services and it still needed new clutches and i don't even drive that far.

[@markevansangling]

@@connor6585 I’ve just been quoted £3-4K for a new clutch with springs and the little plastic pieces and then a strip and clean of the gearbox. My car is only valued £4K, I can’t afford it so I’ll have to drive it until it dies then scrap it. Wish I never bought this car, only had it 2 months.

[@phasmomancer]

Still breaks.

[@defeatedhusband1593]

I just got a used 2017 Titanium edition with push start but have no shuddering at low speeds/accelerations. But if it starts, how would I remedy this with the transmission reset on a push start?

[@569521406]

With car on go N. Turn it off. Wait 10 sec. Shift to P. Push the start button without pressing brake. Shift to N. Walah. I have the titanium.

[@georgelustow5187]

why engine light was on ??

[@evanbremner65]

not suppose to be driven that way, just fords trans is shit lmao

[@jasonashley9853]

You gonna tell that to someone who can't buy another car? And also, it's not "Ford's" transmission, it's Getrag's. Finally, yes, they are supposed to be driven a certain way. People can and have adapted to driving them.

[@evanbremner65]

@@jasonashley9853 lmao bro never said get another car. never said any of that. just said it isnt suppose to be driven like that. the trans is just garbage. the car is a lemon. ford should have been forced to buy those pieces of shit back.

[@boredfatdude]

thanks @evanbremner65 you really helped everyone out with that comment. let me just pull 3 grand out of my ass and buy a new car but i will agree the transmission on a ford is dog water.

[@brandonhooker4498]

@@jasonashley9853 yep. I tell folks all the time and as long as there is no other part failure it’ll be a great car. Most will say it has to be driven hard, but you can actually drive them very easy and it’ll be smooth as butter. But that’s the thing, it’s either super easy or hard, no in-between (at least from 1st to 2nd)😂

[@jasonashley9853]

@@brandonhooker4498 idk. Mine only ever shuddered if I drove it easy. So I tend to drive it rather hard. Out of first gear anyway. But mine has been a good car overall.

[@ro25988]

So glad I got out of this POS

[@schmick63]

Its shuddering as its full of clutch dust. You shouldn't have to drive it like you're describing

[@zapa1pnt]

This is not, actually, the "correct" way to drive this car, you are just compensating for a F'd up clutch works.

[@GigaBit-i2j]

Keep driving your Focus the wrong way then.

[@shaunmccusker8175]

I had to trade in a 2014 Focus at 22,000 mi. It was on the 4th set of clutches and they were telling me that it was already going to need a new transmission. I had had two Focuses before this, a 2005 and a 2010, so I didn't think I needed to test drive the 2014, thought I knew what to expect. Had I test drove it, I would have noticed immediately that something was really ODD about the tranny. They said, "It has to 'learn how you drive'". And I go, "Whaa?? It has to LEARN how I DRIVE?" I had never heard that before. Had I known, that would have been a red flag and a deal breaker right there. I have since traded in on a Honda Civic ... should have done that years ago.

[@johngrove8587]

Same here it was very frustraiting to deal with that “issue” never heard about I need to learn how to drive my focus after put 100k in it , but my bad didn’t search about this double clutch never heard before

[@patcorkindale4346]

I had one of these cars it was a nightmare got rid of it ASP and brought a Toyota with a normal auto-box never by a ford again after. that car

[@brl7251]

You should not be nursing the transmission. Stop making excuses for the bad design. Statements such as "drive it right" are bullshit, shame on you.

[@GigaBit-i2j]

Just learn to drive it wright dude. It is not rocket science. 😊