What Ford Doesn't Want You to Know About the Focus DCT Transmission

What Ford Doesn't Want You to Know About the Focus DCT Transmission...
Part 1 My Major Focus Problem - 0:05
Part 2 Focused On The Journey - 0:48
Part 3 Shifting The Focus - 2:17
Part 4 Ford V California - 3:33
Part 5 Tom The Focus Whisperer - 4:16
So, I bought this ford focus and quickly went down a deep rabbit hole...
I thought I had bought a lemon but quickly learned the long and complicated history of the DCT focus platform.
Turns out it can be a fun car if you're patient with it, don't spend thousands of dollars at Ford, that generally doesn't fix the problems of this car.

[@Cfchild1]

I inherited my grandfather's 2012 Focus SE with only 27K miles back in early 2020, beautiful silver car with just about every option and leather seating. I immediately noticed the wonky transmission operation. Fast forward to last summer 2023, I receive a letter from Ford Motor Co. with my car's VIN informing me that the warranty for TCM replacement had been extended and my car was still eligible. I just had to take it to a dealership for evaluation, but the bastards would charge me ~$180 if it was determined that the TCM was not at fault. So strange, two or three days after receiving this warranty extension notice, the transmission completely malfunctioned and barely got me home. Took it to the dealer and left it with them, they call me a week later saying that the TCM indeed had completely failed and I was eligible for the warranty replacement. It took about 2.5 months for them to get the in demand upgraded replacement TCM, but was totally delighted when they finally called and said it was ready to pick up. The car actually shifts much better now and what I thought was slipping clutch discs doesn't seem to be apparent now. Also nearly eliminated the shuddering when starting from a stop.

[@dandookie1738]

Really loved the production of this video! Nice to see you excited for the Focus, can’t wait to see you put your spin on it

[@Jordancraigmiller]

Hoping to help people. Not too sure if anyone is interested though.

[@chancedennis6979]

I’m excited to see Part 2, I’m also from NC, 2015 Focus Hatch sport appearance package, I’ve been debating getting Tom’s tune but I’ve heard mixed reviews.

[@69LP69]

Great video, love to see the second part

[@Jordancraigmiller]

It has been a while! Good to see you guys! Had to take a step back from youtube and rethink content! I really want my videos to be more like stories moving forward, instead of vloggs.

[@spacevetor1615]

I really like these types of videos, I think you should keep going with it.

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

@@spacevetor1615same i agree. He has good value to his videos

[@MikesGarageRoute66]

Looking forward to the update

[@Vaxzuv]

Can’t wait to see

[@mikeh.6843]

There's another youtuber that works on tons of these and he has discovered that the clutch arms that operate the clutches get somewhat jammed. Definitely some software issues here and there, but when those arms get clutch dust in them they jam up. The arms are moved by actuators and are only 4 bolts each to pull, then you can spay some brake clean up into where the actuator plugs into the transmition. I'll find the name but the man is a genius.

[@mikeh.6843]

#L8R-HP I believe. It's a video from about a year ago.

[@markevansangling]

It’s not just software. The clutches fail, I think the spacers in the clutch springs wear out cause they are plastic, so trying to move off you will get quite a clunk/bang as the transmission comes in. Here in the uk it’s a £3-4k repair job for a new clutch and gearbox strip and clean. If you change the clutch yourself you need the forscan softeare to reprogram the clutch to gearbox once it’s all back together. Oil change needs doing every 30k too, Ford charge £500 over here but it’s a relatively simple job although 7L of the oil is around £90. Basically just totally avoid these gearboxes.

[@schmick63]

The gearbox takes 1.6 litres of oil. What box are you talking about ?

[@audiencebigg6302]

As a Ford Focus owner, I feel you. My transmission started slipping and vibrating again a couple of years after warranty claim, not to mention it currently being serviced at a Ford service repair for a flywheel seal leak. One thing I always do when the transmission starts to become like a learner driver is I'd put it into sports mode and change gears myself; especially after it's gone through heavy torque pulls (hills etc.).

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

Any update video? Did you ever get the tune or what

[@TM86880]

So Jordan, where's part 2 with the tune? I currently own the Estate Wagon in this model (European model), spoke with Tom, and I'm still wondering if to go ahead with a custom tune or turbocharge the thing! Anyways I look forward to your update, keep well.

[@CheesusSVT]

Yessss! Another Jordan Miller video. 😍🙌

[@CheesusSVT]

Also really cool they way it is filmed and edited. 👍😄

[@Jordancraigmiller]

Unfortunately it was a video nobody wanted to see. Thanks for the support!

[@fernandohiguera6972]

@@Jordancraigmiller what’s a tune?

[@michaelhawkins82]

I wouldn't say it's a video that nobody wanted to see, I think it just needs to be shared more places. I'm in Canada have the 2013 of this model and the DCT is nothing but a damn headache, however the TCM was the starting point for the issues with this one I think. Another part that Ford had to put an extended warranty in place for following all their class action suits that were filed here as well. Took mine in for TCM resets a handful of times but they never did actually replace the part itself, and now have been told I need the dual clutch replaced. Plus another TCM "reset" $6200 quote later my head is going "WTF" The general idea Ford had with this car is great...but the person that built it was obviously new. @@Jordancraigmiller

[@cccEngineer]

I'm surprised to see a newer video on this topic

[@NOSE-em2xb]

I want an update. Just to let you know, there are a couple of ford Dps6 transmission-servicing videos techs have posted that have tuned and fixed the supposed flaws this transmission has. One such fix a tech performed was making sure the main transmission ground wire was actually making contact with car’s bare metal body. According to the tech, it was paint that was interfering with the proper electrical signals to the transmission main controller. I’m a fan of the DCT transmission and would love to see it deployed in trucks.

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I will give an update soon, when I made this video it did not get any attention. I am just now seeing that it did. These cars have so many different transmission related issues that I think solving them will always come down to trouble shooting. I am going to get a few more tune revisions and then make another video. I thinkt the DCT tech is really cool, seems like Ford was basically still in the testing faze on this model Focus/Fiesta.

[@fernandohiguera6972]

What’s a tune?

[@edwardstanley8375]

Are you okay, Jordan? It's been a while since you posted a video.

[@Lukemarlowe]

This is a really old issue my friend. Considering you worked on the focus platform before, I’m surprised you were unaware. Smarter to get a later model with Apple car play and more tech. If the car is driven at all hard at slow speeds, the act will go out. Sold mine at 100k. Will never go back to an automatic focus. The ST’s and RS are the only way

[@vidaiautomation]

Damn! Looking for part 2?

[@jcpancho2378]

Just watch ur video. Wer is the next video sir? I think that u dump d for focus haha. Mine slips too. But it's true tune can fix the problem. And also drive ur ford like a manual.. it helps.

[@jeremieschultz]

Did the Tune fix it permanently? Link to tuner?

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I am still in the process of having it tuned! It is getting better but taking a bit of trouble shooting with zune revisions.

[@beadestroyz]

And if u have a manual ?

[@davonervin]

How are you doing man? are you coming back to KZbin?

[@sweetcraft557]

Mine shutters and cluncks 😂 the hesitation is normal at this time

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I have gotten rid of a good bit of the shutter!

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

I actually like these transmissions. Once you know how to work on em they are nice & easy to fix

[@Shine28]

how though

[@ahmetbilgin571]

I am really wondering what happened the focus. Everything u said in the video I am experiencing 100% same :D

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I am going to do my best to make a follow-up video in November!

[@brianfarmer5580]

He met up with Tom and things went south quickly. Tom now keeps Jordan chained up in his shed and feeds him dog food and autotrader magazine to keep him alive 😞 I heard they got into an argument over the powershift and Tom got the best of him. Guess we won't be getting a part 2 😢 #FreeJordan

[@neoknight14215]

Software issue hmm. Ya makes sense.

[@ardumus]

If you actually made a follow up video this might gain some traction. Lots of DCT owners still out there.

[@bloodykills7509]

You still active?

[@matth1389]

Do a transmission reset. Takes like a minute. Look it up on KZbin. It works!

[@youknowwho4862]

Takes ten dang seconds. You just turn the key on, shift to neutral, hear a click, start it and go

[@javysvtcars9915]

What happen with Jordan Miller?? No more Terminator vídeos?? Car is been sold, please give us an update on your channel, retirement or so?

[@HarleysRnarleys]

Did he pass?

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I fixed it, then sold it for an SUV. The moral of the story is that a tune will help but these things will have quirky transmissions regardless of what you do. I needed more space so I sold it.

[@charliestepp1057]

Not seen any new videos in a while u ok

[@Jordancraigmiller]

Has been a difficult year in terms of car content. My house was flooded, and then business started slowing down a lot for me. Instagram stopped paying me and KZbin cut pay by about 75%. Have unfortunately had to put car content on the backburner since it's very time-consuming and makes me little to no income. Still doing revisions on focus tuning, cobra is just chillin' for now. Unfortunately, I have just had to take a step back from car content to make sure my income-generating businesses survived this recession. Maybe I could make some update YT short just to keep you guys in the loop? I haven't given up on car content but I did have to take a step back.

[@CattyWompus.]

Sooooo, what happened?!?

[@ViperX260]

where the next video?

[@Jordancraigmiller]

I had to take a break from KZbin this year unfortunately. Hopefully will have time to make one in November!

[@ViperX260]

@@Jordancraigmiller Thanks for the quick reply. My focus was doing the same stuff. Replace the tcm and got a tune from tom. It made a world of difference.

[@Jordancraigmiller]

@@ViperX260 how many revisions did you do with Tom? I had the tune and 2 revision so far. It is doing better but it still seems to forget and need to relearn every time I drive it. Every time I drive it now, the first 1 to 2 shifts suck and then it starts shifting a lot better. Does your shift perfect from the start now or do you need to go through 1-2 sloppy shifts before it tightens up?

[@ViperX260]

@@Jordancraigmiller I sent my data log to Tom he sent me 1 tune and I've never had an issue since. It shifts perfect through all gears no lag or hesitation. I do have 24lb injectors with a high pressure fuel pump. full 3" exhaust obx header some other suspension and motor goodies. but the tune really did wonders on it. For being an auto it chirps the tires in 2nd.

[@truth959]

That it sucks?

[@la-Kenzoe9x]

Bro what is this ? Get bacc to the cobra content