Trading in 2013 Focus

[Hellotalkie]

Seems to be the month of car problems for my family.

Mom has a 2013 Focus titanium auto, bought new at $21,673.82; MSRP was 25,285.

Transmission is having issues, and it's been like this for a while. Car will shudder when in Drive in first gear. Transmission is very hesitant, which I think is causing the combined mpg of 24.

Brought to dealer, they said they didn't notice anything. It's clearly noticeable though.

Now we are worried for the longevity of the car, being with only 5,000 miles and reading online, many are getting their clutch replaced already. Seems to be a huge problem and Ford isn't acknowledging the issue.

Suggestions?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I guess sell it?

Sorry to hear you're having problems with it. Kind of makes me glad I didn't buy one because I was seriously considering it about a year ago. I was looking at the same exact car too, a 2013 Focus Titanium hatch. Stupid Ford dealers put me off though.

 

[heymrdj]

Go on some ford forums (focus fanatics I recommend) and contact the regional manager on there. They will bark of the food chain and get you the revised clutch pack. Sounds like your clutches got contaminated by oil by a faulty seal. There are many late build 2013's with the revised unit already over 60K miles with no issues with their transmissions.

 

[Ferzerp]

Are you sure it isn't just the differences between a DCT and traditional automatic making you think it's broken?

That happens far too often.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Go to another dealer?

Sounds like you are not used to the DCT and the noises it makes. Sure, a few people have had their clutches replaced but those were mainly early 2012 models manufactured in 2011.

DCT's are meant to be driven a bit more spirited, so give it a bit more gas in 1st and the clutch should engage and makes less noise. The shudder & noise is normal.

39,700 miles - 25-months of ownership. Aside from a few rattles, car has been problem free. Also, averaging 32.6mpg over the life. 80% Highway. All I've done is routine oil changes at the dealer. Can't go wrong with $39.995 Syn bend filter & tire rotations every 5-6K miles.

Check out Focus Fanatics message board.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Go to another dealer?

Sounds like you are not used to the DCT and the noises it makes. Sure, a few people have had their clutches replaced but those were mainly early 2012 models manufactured in 2011.

DCT's are meant to be driven a bit more spirited, so give it a bit more gas in 1st and the clutch should engage and makes less noise. The shudder & noise is normal.

39,700 miles - 25-months of ownership. Aside from a few rattles, car has been problem free. Also, averaging 32.6mpg over the life. 80% Highway. All I've done is routine oil changes at the dealer. Can't go wrong with $39.995 Syn bend filter & tire rotations every 5-6K miles.

Check out Focus Fanatics message board.

The entire car vibrates every stop and go event. I don't think that's normal, and if it is, a serious 'wtf.' We like the car, don't even want to trade it in, but it's already been the dealer more times than the 08' focus we own.

Also I don't get why we have 24mpg combined, mom drives it like any other typical driver. Majority of commute is highway. I've driven it with a light touch, and can achieve about 32mpg highway if we stay under 65.

 

[vi edit]

I'll be curious to see what kind of lowball you'll get. I wouldn't expect much more than $13k sadly. Resale on these is horrible.

If I couldn't drive a 5 speed, there is no way I'd own one of these cars. I tried one of the autos because that was the only way to test one with the leather package and I barely got out of the parking lot before eliciting half a dozen f-bombs about how horrible the DSG transmission is. Then nearly got myself t-boned trying to take off from an intersection while the stupid thing sat there for a second before it finally decided to take off. I'd rather drive one of those old 3 speed auto Taurus's from the mid 90's than this thing.

 

[slag]

The entire car vibrates every stop and go event. I don't think that's normal, and if it is, a serious 'wtf.' We like the car, don't even want to trade it in, but it's already been the dealer more times than the 08' focus we own.

Also I don't get why we have 24mpg combined, mom drives it like any other typical driver. Majority of commute is highway. I've driven it with a light touch, and can achieve about 32mpg highway if we stay under 65.

Sounds like the 1-2 lockup fetzer valve on the rotator drum is sticking. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I'll be curious to see what kind of lowball you'll get. I wouldn't expect much more than $13k sadly. Resale on these is horrible.

If I couldn't drive a 5 speed, there is no way I'd own one of these cars. I tried one of the autos because that was the only way to test one with the leather package and I barely got out of the parking lot before eliciting half a dozen f-bombs about how horrible the DSG transmission is. Then nearly got myself t-boned trying to take off from an intersection while the stupid thing sat there for a second before it finally decided to take off. I'd rather drive one of those old 3 speed auto Taurus's from the mid 90's than this thing.

sounds like we're stuck with it then. Hopefully the problem goes away or the transmission fails completely before the warranty ends.

 

[LTC8K6]

Seems to be the month of car problems for my family.

Mom has a 2013 Focus titanium auto, bought new at $21,673.82; MSRP was 25,285.

Transmission is having issues, and it's been like this for a while. Car will shudder when in Drive in first gear. Transmission is very hesitant, which I think is causing the combined mpg of 24.

Brought to dealer, they said they didn't notice anything. It's clearly noticeable though.

Now we are worried for the longevity of the car, being with only 5,000 miles and reading online, many are getting their clutch replaced already. Seems to be a huge problem and Ford isn't acknowledging it was a fuck up on their end.

Suggestions?

Was the recall performed? There have also been several TSBs. Maybe you just need a better dealer?

 

[heymrdj]

I'm with LTC8K6. Your dealer isn't diagnosing it. You may have to go out of your way to fix this problem. No you shouldn't have to, but you'll find it the ame way these days for every other non-luxury dealer. Get with a higher up support representative and they can force things through.

It shouldn't shudder the whole car, however it will shudder like any manual when it clutches in. Also spot on that you have to drive firmly, you don't float on the gas. In town, let a small distance clear in stop and go, just like you would a normal manual so you're not dragging the clutch.

But your MPG makes it pretty clear you've got a contaminated clutch. You're slipping too much, but not enough to set the computer alarm off. You'll have to get your symptoms to authorize a teardown, and that's where I'm 99% sure they'll find a failed gasked and oil contaminated clutch packs.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Seems to be the month of car problems for my family.

Mom has a 2013 Focus titanium auto, bought new at $21,673.82; MSRP was 25,285.

Transmission is having issues, and it's been like this for a while. Car will shudder when in Drive in first gear. Transmission is very hesitant, which I think is causing the combined mpg of 24.

Brought to dealer, they said they didn't notice anything. It's clearly noticeable though.

Now we are worried for the longevity of the car, being with only 5,000 miles and reading online, many are getting their clutch replaced already. Seems to be a huge problem and Ford isn't acknowledging it was a fuck up on their end.

Suggestions?

You wouldn't happen to live in SoCal would you? I've found the Ford dealers here to be absolute garbage. It wouldn't surprise me if they strung you along. It took me literally 15 minutes from wanting a Fusion Hybrid to never wanting to buy a Ford product.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I'm with LTC8K6. Your dealer isn't diagnosing it. You may have to go out of your way to fix this problem. No you shouldn't have to, but you'll find it the ame way these days for every other non-luxury dealer. Get with a higher up support representative and they can force things through.

It shouldn't shudder the whole car, however it will shudder like any manual when it clutches in. Also spot on that you have to drive firmly, you don't float on the gas. In town, let a small distance clear in stop and go, just like you would a normal manual so you're not dragging the clutch.

But your MPG makes it pretty clear you've got a contaminated clutch. You're slipping too much, but not enough to set the computer alarm off. You'll have to get your symptoms to authorize a teardown, and that's where I'm 99% sure they'll find a failed gasked and oil contaminated clutch packs.

I'm at work, mom picked up the car. Guy gave her some brochure on their dual clutch auto and what a driver may notice. Haven't seen it yet. My mom had taken a test drive with the tech and he claims that, that is normal operation. My Speed3 doesn't shudder as bad as the focus and it's a 6spd.

I do know that the DTS are different, it's something to get used to but I'm pretty sure the initial stop-go in 1st gear is not normal.

Regarding the mpg problem, the service tech told me to reset the trip monitor...yeah, that'll fix it. (I have reset it before, but it always avgs to the same).


Nope, not socal. Columbus Ohio

 

[Tweak155]

I'm at work, mom picked up the car. Guy gave her some brochure on their dual clutch auto and what a driver may notice. Haven't seen it yet. My mom had taken a test drive with the tech and he claims that, that is normal operation. My Speed3 doesn't shudder as bad as the focus and it's a 6spd.

I do know that the DTS are different, it's something to get used to but I'm pretty sure the initial stop-go in 1st gear is not normal.

Regarding the mpg problem, the service tech told me to reset the trip monitor...yeah, that'll fix it. (I have reset it before, but it always avgs to the same).


Nope, not socal. Columbus Ohio

Have you tried manually calculating your average MPG? On my Mustang it is on average 1-2mpg less than what I actually get. In other words, I get better mileage than the computer reports, which is always a pleasant surprise.

It's the first time I've seen that actually. All my other vehicles are usually 1-2mpg lower. I doubt you'll see another 5mpg, but you'll never know until you calculate it!

 

[PricklyPete]

Seems to be the month of car problems for my family.

Mom has a 2013 Focus titanium auto, bought new at $21,673.82; MSRP was 25,285.

Transmission is having issues, and it's been like this for a while. Car will shudder when in Drive in first gear. Transmission is very hesitant, which I think is causing the combined mpg of 24.

Brought to dealer, they said they didn't notice anything. It's clearly noticeable though.

Now we are worried for the longevity of the car, being with only 5,000 miles and reading online, many are getting their clutch replaced already. Seems to be a huge problem and Ford isn't acknowledging the issue.

Suggestions?

I would get rid of it. Had a fiesta rental with the related dual clutch transmission and was wholly unimpressed. Not even close to the quality of the DCT in the VW's I have driven, and I would be hesitant to buy one of those as well. A well implemented DCT is a fun transmission to drive, but still relatively new tech that I would still question the long term reliability on versus a standard automatic. A badly implemented DCT is just wrong all around. Give me that same car in a manual and I would be happy.

 

[T2urtle]

My thought process on this would be to

1. Go to another dealership and another one if that. THis is time consuming but we are talking about $20k here.

2. If they all say its normal. I would request to drive another exact model on the lot. They have loaner cars so they dont bother new cars sales. If both cars act exactly the same there is nothing you can do.

It might be what everyone saying with the DCT. I know VW's DSG at its early stages had a few faults neutral issues where it wouldn't go into gear. It needed a 5 minute shutdown. Obviously that is a problem, you seem to have shifting problems so i wouldn't know what to say.

If you have to get a clutch put in, well its covered under warranty and you get a loaner car. Its a waste of time i know but its making the best of what you got.

I wouldn't trade it.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ford sold over 235,000 Focus's each year for 2012 & 2013. if the DCT was that big of an issue with all owners it would have a lot more publicity.

FocusFantatics Fourms has a few rare cases of Trans rebuild or clutch replacements but not many so obviously the problem is not widespread.

Gas mileage - no idea whats wrong with it - pur city driving and we average about 27mpg. Average 36-38mpg on the hwy.

Had a rental Focus we drove to Vegas/Utah and averaged almost 38mpg the whole trip.

Go to another dealer!

 

[vi edit]

Ford sold over 235,000 Focus's each year for 2012 & 2013. if the DCT was that big of an issue with all owners it would have a lot more publicity.

It did get a decent amount of publicity and it along with their touch interface totally trashed their dependability scores.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...-consumer-reports/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

 

[cbrsurfr]

You have two options. Take the hit and just be done with it and probably never buy another Ford.

Or go from dealer to dealer looking for one to work with you, also try corporate, and NHTSA. You could get lucky and it gets fixed right away or you could waste a LOT of time. I'd say it's worth it to at least try a different dealer first.

I experienced the VW DSG mechatronic issues well before there was a recall. The dealer I bought it from was worthless. I almost got clobbered by a garbage truck just trying to get it to the dealer 30 miles away. I ended up going to my local dealer after the other one wrote me off as crazy. They got VW corp involved and kept it until they could re-produce the problem. Once they got the authorization from corp the local dealer was more than happy to do the warranty work. And I never went back to the originating dealer.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

It did get a decent amount of publicity and it along with their touch interface totally trashed their dependability scores.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...-consumer-reports/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

His mum has a 2013 - the problems were addressed.

These were 2012's sold in 2011 and reliability has gotten significantly better.

 

[lakedude]

Mileage is always lowest in the winter, higher in the summer, and highest in the spring and fall, although summer can be highest if you don't use AC.

In the winter you are often using extra fuel to warm the vehicle up. Every moving part is stiffer and harder to move in the winter.

The warmer the weather the easier it is for the car parts to move. AC does add extra drag so your best mileage is when it is as hot as possible without AC use.

All this is to say that low mileage in the winter is no proof of anything, it is normal.

What is the mileage when it is warm outside?

If you are only getting 24 in warm weather you might have a problem.

 

[debian0001]

I'd think a small car would shake.

 

[halik]

Seems to be the month of car problems for my family.

Mom has a 2013 Focus titanium auto, bought new at $21,673.82; MSRP was 25,285.

Transmission is having issues, and it's been like this for a while. Car will shudder when in Drive in first gear. Transmission is very hesitant, which I think is causing the combined mpg of 24.

Brought to dealer, they said they didn't notice anything. It's clearly noticeable though.

Now we are worried for the longevity of the car, being with only 5,000 miles and reading online, many are getting their clutch replaced already. Seems to be a huge problem and Ford isn't acknowledging the issue.

Suggestions?

Isn't that still under warranty?

Also buying new and trading in a year later is probably the stupidest thing you can do, financially speaking.

 

[Ferzerp]

I didn't mean to suggest it couldn't be broken, but the powershift transmissions have some interesting quirks in their programming. I have one in my commuter car. It, at times, makes interesting choices, but it never appears broken. Then again, I understand what to expect with a DCT (and especially a cheap DCT).

I would suggest driving another DCT equipped focus and compare the differences.