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Ford Focus Ambiente shuddering

My Wife and I bought a new Ford Focus Ambiente in June and from the beginning we have encountered the shuddering that was mentioned in one of your recent columns. Ford told us that "this is how the gearbox works.", but we also have a grinding noise that the Ford dealer's service manager said was a clutch issue. Ford than told us that "the car has to get use to your driving style and work itself out". As if that wasn't insulting enough, and far more alarming is my wife and I have noticed the car accelerate from a parked position on its own, aggressively, when changing from P to D or R without even touching the accelerator. We think that's a huge safety issue, to which Ford added further to their reply above with "Ford recommends you drive the vehicle up to the 3000 km first scheduled warranty service and then we can look at things from there". Yes, that's correct, Ford stated that my wife and I continue to drive an unsafe vehicle with all the mentioned faults. Of course if we were stupid enough to follow the recommendation it would put us outside the 'up to' 3000 km new car replacement for a faulty vehicle under warranty, after driving 1 km from the service center after this scheduled service! We have contacted Ford head office, we have spoken to the service centre manager three times, and we have spoken to the salesmen that sold us the car, asking them all to provide us some assistance or even replace the vehicle, to which all we have been offered is another service and a replacement car for the time our car is off the road being serviced. Any advice?

To start with keep an accurate record, dates, times, what is said etc., of any conversations to have with the dealer personnel and Ford so you have plenty of ammunition to put to Ford if it comes to a head. Request a meeting with the Ford dealer and take them for a drive so you can demonstrate your concerns about the car, than ask for a Ford representative to assess the car, again preferably with you present. Shuddering is a sign of a clutch problem with the gearbox, erratic movements could also be a clutch issue, but could also be an electronic problem with the gearbox computer.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

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