Ford Focus 2012 Transmission Jerks

Asked by Muhammad Ali Mar 09, 2022 at 10:02 PM about the 2012 Ford Focus S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello! I have a Ford Focus 2012 with automatic
transmission. I'm facing the same issue of jerking.
Had its TCM replaced 15-20 days ago, but still has
the same problem. But something which is very
odd is, this problem is not there ALWAYS, and by
that I mean, if I start the car for the first time in the
day, the car will run okay, gear transmission is very
smooth, no sounds or anything. Then I turn the car
off, take the key out, lock it, and when I come back
to it, unlock it, start the car, it starts the trouble of
jerking, 1st gear sometimes feels okay but
sometimes powerless, then when it shifts to 2nd
gear it gives a big jerk with some noises, and same
continues to happen. One thing that is important to
note is that I've observed when this problem
arrives, the car won't go to S (Sports) mode, I mean
the gear lever will physically be at S but my display
won't show S highlighted, that is when I know the
jerk problem is back. Also if I try to move car at S
(with the problem) it stays in the first gear and
won't shift at all. Then to get rid of this issue, I have
to park my car somewhere, switch it off, take the
key out, and lock it with the remote key, few
seconds later, I'd unlock it and start the car, then I
check to see if the car goes to S mode, if it does,
the problem is gone, for that very moment, it will
keep on running smooth even on S as well as D,
smooth shifts, no jerks, at all until my next stop
where I'll turn it off and lock it.
I had dropped the car at the garage from where I
got the transmission module replaced 2 days back.
Today I was told it is ready to be picked up, I went
to pick it up, tried driving the car, everything felt
normal, no problems at all, also tried switching it
off and on, problem didn't come back, until night
when I went on a ride again but used S mode with
selective gear shifting, I stopped at a shop and
when I came back, again the same problem as
before. I'm not sure if it is the module itself, or
there's something wrong with the ECU or anything.
I can also share a video of what happens with the
car.
Also there is no check light on the meter. System
information shows all systems are normal, too.

3 Answers

2,920

That year focus, the transmission was flawed. Ford will replace parts but it never fixes the issue. It was a bad design from the start and Ford knew about it. Just google for more info, you will be surprised. I'd sell or trade in the car for something else while the market is still hot.

1 people found this helpful.
2,920

https://www.thedrive.com/car-warranty/35725/ford-focus-transmission-issues

1 people found this helpful.

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