Ford Focus 2012 Problems

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.

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.

There is legal action under way in Australia from some unhappy owners of cars with double-clutch gearboxes. Ford executive Stephen Kruk says: "We encourage customers to work with their local dealers on their individual circumstances. Ford is committed to providing its customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers. We have addressed the majority of our customers' questions and are pleased with our ongoing improvement in customer satisfaction levels."

Recalls only happen when there is a potential safety issue involved, the clutch problem on the dual-clutch transmission in the Focus isn't considered a safety problem and as such isn't recalled. That's where our pathetically weak consumer laws let us down, because carmakers can get away with selling a known faulty product knowing there is little likelihood anything will be done about it. It was only the public backlash about the problem with its dual-clutch gearbox that forced VW to act. The trade-in price guide for your car is $9300 to $11,100, so Ford has offered you a high-end trade-in price. But you're right that you have been offered what is in effect a wholesale price for your car, and no doubt you are being asked to pay the full retail for the new car. Ford isn't doing you any favours, so I wouldn't be rushing into a new Ford. Assuming the clutches have been replaced and the car is currently driving normally I would consider trading it on a car from another brand. If you do, try and avoid a car with a dual-clutch automatic.

You're right there doesn't seem to be a fix for the problem; no matter what the dealer or Ford does it always comes back. The answer is to cut your loses and get out of the car the best way you can, and seeing you bought it from a Ford dealer you could appeal to their conscience to give you a good deal on a trade-in on another car. Other owners have been able to negotiate their way out of these troublesome cars, so try that.

It’s best of you can come to a resolution with Ford and as there are plenty of reports of problems with this transmission that should be possible. I would maintain the pressure on the company until you get the response you want. If that ultimately fails I would have a solicitor send them a letter demanding action.

Your mechanic and the Ford dealer are correct; your car has a dry clutch transmission, so there is no call for the oil to be changed.

The car is going into 'limp home' mode, which suggests there is something amiss with the electronics of the engine management system, possibly the ECU or a sensor supplying it with information. It needs to be sorted out by the dealer; it's not good enough to tell you to keep bringing it back when it happens. By doing that they're hoping to eventually stumble on the cause of the problem rather than investigate the cause and find a solution. If you can't get any sense out of the dealer go directly to Ford's customer assistance service on 13 3673.

The Focus RS was a sellout in small numbers so the value should still be strong. However, there is an all-new model with more appeal next year so it will seriously devalue your car.