Ford Focus Gearbox & Transmission Problems

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.

The Focus uses a dual-clutch transmission, which is really a manual transmission with an automated shift mechanism. They have two clutches that both come into play when shifting from one gear to another. Ford has had trouble with some vehicles fitted with the DPS6 transmission built from April 12, 2011 to August 23, 2013. Check the build date on yours to see if it falls within those dates. Even if it doesn't I would be monitoring the transmission operation very carefully, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it back to the dealer if you believe it isn't functioning correctly. What you report is typical of a problem Focus transmission.

I would guess that the dealer has tried a quick fix that hasn't worked rather than actually attacking the cause of the leak, which probably requires him to dig deeper into the car to identify and repair it. Take the car back and request that he make another attempt to fix it.

I would want the dealer to check the transmission. It's a dual-clutch auto and they have been known to vibrate in the Focus under load like you describe.

I can understand your frustration, but you can only bear with it for the moment, as Ford is attempting to fix the issue. It's when a company stops trying to fix a dud product that you have some power to demand more action. In this case, your options are limited. The only thing you could do is express your frustration in a way that they are left in no doubt about it.

There is a problem with your gearbox and it needs to be sorted out. The computer in your car needs to be checked, maybe even replaced, and perhaps the gearbox itself might need to be replaced. Take it back to the dealer and demand action.