Ford Focus 2012 Problems
No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Ford Focus 2012 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
- Diesel
- Engine
- Recall
- Transmission
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- 2002
Ford Focus 2012: Does the manual gearbox have problems?
The auto had serious problems with the Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission, so serious that it’s a car to avoid, but of course those problems don’t affect cars with a manual gearbox. The manual is a good little car that can be bought with confidence.
My dealer won't give me the value of my car
I assume that the value Ford has put on your car isn’t to your liking. The trade-in value of your car is $4300-$5700, and I would guess Ford’s value is somewhere in that range. All you can do is to try and negotiate a more satisfactory deal.
Is a 2012 Ford Focus affected by the Powershift dual-clutch transmission problems?
Not all cars with the Powershift have been affected, but many have and it’s impossible to say yours won’t be at some time. If the deal with your dad is a good one, and it seems as though it is, then it’s probably worth taking the risk. If you can feel any shuddering when you drive it then it’s likely you could have a problem; if you don’t then you could be in the clear. It’s not really dangerous to drive it, but it is annoying.
Ford Focus powershift problems
There is a class action underway against Ford over the problems with the Focus automatic transmission. It sounds like you have as good a claim as anyone else.
Ford Focus: Powershift transmission malfunction
There’s every chance that it is the dreaded PowerShift transmission problem. Ford generally takes responsibility for the problem, so it would be in your best interest to contact Ford and register your problem with its customer assistance people (13 3673), particularly if your warranty is about to expire next month. It's well documented the dual-clutch transmissions in the Ford Focus and Fiesta have issues.
There is a class action underway against Ford over the problems with the Focus automatic transmission. More information can be found here.
Ford Focus 2012: Is it good on the highway?
The Focus is a good car with a serious flaw; it has a dual-clutch automatic transmission that gives trouble. I would happily have a 2012 Focus with a manual gearbox, but I wouldn't buy one with a dual-clutch auto. I'd be looking at a Japanese or Korean brand and going for something like a Mazda 3, Honda Civic or Accord, Hyundai Elantra with a good record of reliability.
Ford warranty issue
We'd like to think that our cars would last longer and not give us trouble, but the reality is quite different to that. The ZF 6-speed gearbox is a troublesome one that can fail, as yours appears to have done. But as Ford has pointed out to you your Territory is out of warranty, although that doesn't end Ford's responsibility to back the product. You could pursue a full payment for replacing the transmission from Ford, but I doubt you would have any success. Should you choose to do that contact your state Consumer Affairs people in Perth for advice and support. But in my view your best course of action would be to accept Ford's offer of part payment.
My Ford Focus is a lemon and Ford will not help, what can I do?
I feel your pain, but you really are stuck with your car, particularly now that you have joined the class action against Ford. You can try and negotiate a trade-in deal on your car, but it’s unlikely that Ford will be willing to deal with you given that you are, in effect, suing them. You are correct in your criticism of the consumer laws in this country, but that doesn't help you in the short term when you need to get out of your car at minimum cost to you. The best course of action is to stick with the class action and see it through.
Focus Ambiente clutch problems
The deal you have been offered is the same one that has been offered to many other owners in your situation, so you're not being treated differently to others.
You won't get a refund, or simply be given a new car in exchange for yours. The simplest way out is to weigh up the offer of the discounted price on a new car, together with the trade-in the dealer might offer you, and see if that works for you. If you don't want to go down that path you could join the class action lawsuit that is in train over this issue, but that's likely to be a long drawn-out process and you would need to be patient.
