Topic: Ford knew Focus, Fiesta models had flawed transmission, sold them anyway

[Bubba]

I'm shocked that an auto maker would do such a thing.  </sarc>

https://www.freep.com/in-depth/money/cars/ford/2019/07/11/ford-focus-fiesta-transmission-defect/1671198001/

[Fobroader]

I just feel bad for the poor saps stuck with these POS vehicles as they will also be unsellable. Good time to buy a Fiesta/Focus at a huge discount and drop in a manual tranny

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So, do these cars still technically work, but just drive poorly?

[Davep]

I'm old school, but the only auto trans I would buy in a vehicle would have a torque converter and old fashioned planetary gearset. Flush the fluid every five or so years with standard fluid and replace the filter (or clean the screen). No CVTs or DCTs for me. Who needs the surprises?

[EV-Light]

So, do these cars still technically work, but just drive poorly?

I guess that a positive way to look at this?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fobroader]

So, do these cars still technically work, but just drive poorly?

Well, not really, from what I've heard you can get a box full of neutrals while driving or a judder so bad your fillings almost fall out. If I knew someone that had one it would end up in a gravel pit on fire, best way to get out of this.

[OliverD]

A friend has a 2013 Focus that she's had a lot of problems with but the transmission has been fine. I've driven the car multiple times and while I don't love the transmission it does seem to function correctly. The car has around 180k on it too.

[Dante]

Interestingly enough the 2013 Focus I had (leased) for 3 years and about 56K km did not exhibit any major problems much less shifting to neutral on its own while driving.
Yes, the transmission made some funny noises sometimes at low speed stop&go (from the clutches engaging I would guess) and in 2 occasions I think I got an warning that transmission is overheating and to pull over for 8 min (I remember I was thinking that is a very specific number) to let it cool down. The latter happened when I was crawling on a steep ramp for 30-40 min to get out of a busy underground parking after an event. The warning came on right when I hit the street so I ignored it and kept driving.
And yes, in very specific driving conditions it was slow shifting but that only happened with aggressive driving not normal driving.

I guess I was lucky or didn't have the car long enough to face these problems but I too felt it's not a tranny that I would like to have long term.

Otherwise the car was reliable for the time I had it and it was nice to drive for a regular car. I  only had one problem with the driver door handle which was replaced under warranty (the proximity sensor stopped working).

[ktm525]

Quality is job #1.

[dkaz]

Interestingly enough the 2013 Focus I had (leased) for 3 years and about $56K did not exhibit any major problems much less shifting to neutral on its own while driving.

$56k?!

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Interestingly enough the 2013 Focus I had (leased) for 3 years and about $56K did not exhibit any major problems much less shifting to neutral on its own while driving.

$56k?!

I think he meant kms, not $.

[Dante]

Interestingly enough the 2013 Focus I had (leased) for 3 years and about $56K did not exhibit any major problems much less shifting to neutral on its own while driving.

$56k?!

56K km ....

[dkaz]

Lol thank goodness.

I test drove a manual Focus and thought it had one of the best feeling manual transmissions on the market at the time despite only being a 5 speed.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Lol thank goodness.

I test drove a manual Focus and thought it had one of the best feeling manual transmissions on the market at the time despite only being a 5 speed.

So, this issue is only applicable to the DCT transmission, which would be most of the Foci/Fiestas sold.  The manual transmission was not affected.

Also, I take it you've never driven a Honda manual transmission?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I liked the manual in the GTI/GLI better than the SI. The clutch takeup and rev hang didn't do it any favours either.

The current Civic manual isn't s good as previous generations. Also has a synchro issue making 2-3 shift crunchy.

[dkaz]

Lol thank goodness.

I test drove a manual Focus and thought it had one of the best feeling manual transmissions on the market at the time despite only being a 5 speed.

So, this issue is only applicable to the DCT transmission, which would be most of the Foci/Fiestas sold.  The manual transmission was not affected.

Also, I take it you've never driven a Honda manual transmission?

I can’t recall driving a stick shift Honda newer than the 90s, but the Focus stick shift was on par with a VW City Golf I drove. Smooth precise grips, little slop, good clutch feel that was neither too vague nor too race car, I really liked it.