About this problem
Automatic transmission complaints describe harsh or delayed shifts, jerking at low speed, hesitation when pulling away and flaring between gears. Newer transmissions with many gears rely heavily on software, and some problems are fixed by updates or by relearning shift patterns. Others come from worn valve bodies, torque converters or clutch packs and need a rebuild or replacement.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford Focus since 2012, 2,087 (16.5%) describe PowerShift transmission shudder and failure, making it the most reported problem we track on the Focus. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2014 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 542. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 18,000 and 80,000 miles. 25 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Ford has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
The 2012 to 2018 Focus with an automatic uses Ford's PowerShift dual-clutch gearbox, and it is the car's biggest problem by far. Owners describe shuddering when pulling away, jerky low-speed shifts, slipping, grinding and the car refusing to move or going into neutral. Many say the clutch pack and transmission control module were replaced several times. The 2012 to 2014 cars drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
Ford released many software updates and replaced clutches, seals and the transmission control module under extended warranties, and settled a class action. Updated parts help, but the design stays the same, so the problem can come back.
Typical cost: A clutch replacement costs about $1,200 to $2,000 and a transmission control module about $600 to $900. Ford's extended coverage (7 years or 100,000 miles on many cars) has expired on most of them by age.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Have had issues with this car since after purchasing it new on 12/31/11. 06/08/12, 7148k mi, car shifting at incorrect times, car would jerk when shifting, and roll back at times on flat surfaces and at traffic stops. Also car would shutter."
2012 Ford Focus, 7,148 miles
"May 1st: significant vibration, vehicle shutters when shifting 4th: no changes in performance. Shutter and vibration continues; no work performed. Advised all of this is a ?normal characteristic? Of a dual clutch transmission."
2013 Ford Focus, 536 miles
"Trouble with the dual clutch automatic transmission from the first day of ownership. The car now has 6k miles and the problems persist."
2014 Ford Focus, 100 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Ford has sent dealers 36 bulletins that mention this problem on the Focus. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Certain 2011 through 2015 model year fiesta and 2012 through 2016 model year Focus vehicles equipped with a dps6 automatic transmission - transmission control module extended warranty coverage
Certain 2014 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2014 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
Certain 2011 through 2014 model year fiesta and Focus vehicles equipped with a dps6 automatic transmission - transmission clutch shudder / transmission input shaft seal warranty extension.
Customer satisfaction Program 14M01 - Supplement #5 Certain 2011 thr ough 2014 Model Year Fies ta and Focus vehicles equipped with a DKPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Clautch Shudder/Transmission Input Shaft Seal warran...
Some 2015-2017 Focus vehicles equipped with a dual clutch power-shift transmission may exhibit excessive engine vibration.
Before you buy a Focus
- Drive in slow stop-and-go traffic and feel for shudder, judder or hesitation from a stop.
- Ask how many times the clutch and control module have been replaced and when.
- Consider a manual Focus, which avoids this gearbox.
Questions
Which Ford Focus years have PowerShift transmission shudder and failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2014 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 542 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 46,000 miles, and half reported it between 18,000 and 80,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A clutch replacement costs about $1,200 to $2,000 and a transmission control module about $600 to $900. Ford's extended coverage (7 years or 100,000 miles on many cars) has expired on most of them by age.