Ford Focus Gearbox & Transmission Problems

There are no hard and fast rules unfortunately, so you are relying on your skills of negotiation and Ford doing the right thing. I think you should get your money back, but that's being unrealistic. Ford has been doing deals to buy cars back, and that would appear to be your best bet to get out of the car. The dealer would probably offer you $14,500 to $16,500 as a trade-in, but your car is worth more like $18,000-$20,000 as a private sale, which is the minimum I would be trying to get Ford to pay.

Is it fair? Yes, I think it is, but do I think will get a full refund, no I don't. I reckon what they've offered you is not a bad deal, it's one I would accept to get out of the car and get on with your life without any further anguish.

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.

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.

You are spot on, there are others with the same problem, and the cars should be recalled and fixed. Instead of talking to the dealer, you would be better off talking directly to Ford through its customer service (13 3673). You could also contact Bannister Law about their class action lawsuit.

Thanks for the tip, it's a good one.

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."

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.

There are known problems with the double-clutch gearbox in the Focus and there is a class action under way from some unhappy owners. But I have had success for several CarsGuide readers in getting their cars right.

Good to hear from someone who is happy with the auto transmission in their Focus. Others could do well to have their car updated if they haven't already done so.