Ford Focus Gearbox & Transmission Problems

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.

Certainly. The Focus is a great driving car, and now with a regular auto it is a really attractive proposition.

You’re right to be skeptical and question the information the dealer has given you. Ford claimed that the shuddering was caused by fluid contamination due to leaking transmission seals, and offered owners extended warranty coverage on the transmission up to five years. We have no evidence of the success of the changes made, so can only advise you to be cautious and make sure you get the extended warranty coverage if you go ahead and buy one of the cars you’re considering.

Persist in contacting Ford's customer care people and seek a solution. If you give up, there's no chance of getting a resolution. We are prepared to contact Ford on your behalf, but we need your name and details of your car before we can do anything.

I can understand your frustration and I think you have a good case for getting a refund, but it's very hard to do that in this country where the manufacturer holds all the cards. The only thing you can do if you want to pursue it is to get legal advice. We understand there is a class-action suit happening in the USA on this same subject, you might be able to hook up with that.

Your first port of call is to the dealer to explain your concerns and ask them to rectify the problem. The car is quite new and would still be covered by the Ford warranty, so get Ford involved, either through the dealer or directly through Ford's Customer Relationship Centre (Phone: 13 3673).

Stephen Kruk of Ford replies: "We've recently experienced some customer concerns regarding Focus and Fiesta transmissions. We have been working with those customers to address each of their issues on a case-by-case basis. Ford would encourage customers who are experiencing any issues to speak to their local dealer so we can resolve the issue."

If Ford has told you that your car cannot be fixed and you have it in writing I would be going to them and asking for a full refund of your money on the basis that they sold you a car that was 'unfit for purpose'. If you don't get a satisfactory resolution with Ford got to your consumer affairs people and take action they way. In the meantime we will contact Ford about the issue.

UPDATE 3/7/15: We approached Ford for a response to Charlie's complaints and the comment we got from a company spokesman was: "Officially, we're currently working closely with this customer to ensure a good outcome for them. Our Customer Relationship Team is in contact with the customer. In such circumstances our policy is to always provide customer support and work through any vehicle issues on a case-by-case basis."

Like Charlie, we think the offer of a trade-in price for his daughter's car is grossly inadequate. By any measure Ford has sold her a car that is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold to her, and we think she should receive a full refund of the original purchase price. Anything less would see her out of pocket for something she was not in any way responsible for.

UPDATE 7/7/15: Ford last week informed us that they have now reached a satisfactory resolution with Charlie Allia’s daughter over the automatic transmission in her 2013 Focus.

Although details are sketchy because of confidentiality agreements between the parties it is believed the problem relates to the way the dual-clutch transmission operates rather than a mechanical malfunction of the gearbox.

If it's a 2011 model that's what it is no matter when it was registered. The extended warranty should cover you in the event the transmission gets any worse. Given what you say is happening I would keep a close eye on it and, if you feel there is a problem take it to a dealer and have it checked.

More than 80 per cent of cars sold in Australia are now automatics and that share is still rising, fast. When companies are looking to cut cost and complications from their line-ups, it's easy to drop a manual that few people want. Between X-Trail and CR-V I give The Tick to the Honda.