2014 Ford Focus Complaint Log

THIS VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND STALLS OUT ON THE ROAD. WILL DO IT WHILE RUNNING, WHILE BEING STOPPED, WHILE TAKING OFF OR EVEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE IT ON THE HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, SIDE STREETS EVERYWHERE. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND FORD WILL HAS CHANGED THE DUAL CLUTCH ONCE AND HAVE IT SCHEDULED TO CHANGE AGAIN. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT ANSWER PHONE CALLS.

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 14. TRANSMISSION REPAIRED 4 TIMES, EVEN TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BC IT FAILED FORD'S SAFETY TEST TWICE. CURRENTLY STILL HAVING THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE DPS6. IT SHUTTERS WHEN DRIVING, JERKS AND HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP. ALMOST STALLS OUT WHEN TAKING OFF AT TIMES AS WELL. FORD APPARENTLY ISSUES A DIRECTIVE TO REPAIR THE ISSUES RECENTLY FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD BUT DID NOT MAKE IT PUBLIC. WHEN I CONTACTED MY DEALER ABOUT IT THEY BLEW ME OFF AND SAID THAT I HAD NO COVERAGE FOR MY TRANSMISSION ANYMORE. I HAVE A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR 23K WITH ONLY 100 MILES ON IT, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT AND IS NOW ONLY WORTH 4K OR LESS. WE WERE EVEN TOLD BY FORD THAT WELL BC OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES THESE CARS AREN'T REALLY WORTH ANYTHING. SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VALUELESS CAR, READY TO BREAK DOWN OR CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT YET AGAIN AND NO REMEDY FROM FORD. IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR. YOU CANNOT DRIVE IT IN THE SNOW BC THE TRANSMISSION ACTS UP TO BAD. WHEN GOING UP SLIGHT HILLS OR STOPPING ON HILLS AND TAKING OFF IT JERKS SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP A FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT IN CASE IT LUNGES INTO TRAFFIC. HOW CAN FORD KNOWINGLY GET AWAY WITH THIS? SELLING CARS FOR 20K PLUS AND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T REPAIRABLE? 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE. A 5 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES OR THIS MANY REPAIRS ON THE SAME ISSUE.

I DO NOT KNOW IF IT'S BRAKES. MY CAR DOES THE GRINDING SOUNDS TOO HOW IS THIS NORMAL ON A NEW CAR REALLY!!!! I JUST PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY NEVER REALIZED IT WAS THAT NOW WITH NO RADIO ON I HEAR IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I SERIOUSLY JUST LEFT THE SHOP FOR MY STUTTERING SLIPPING GEAR ISSUE. *TR

OCCASIONALLY WHEN BACKING UP GOING FORWARD OR TURNING THE WHEEL THE CAR MAKES A SUTTLE GRINDING NOISE. *TR

OUR FOCUS SHUDDERS/STUTTERS ON ACCELERATION. THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WE WERE TOLD THAT PARTS COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR BECAUSE OF BACK-ORDERS. IT'LL WORK OK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT'S BACK TO SHUDDERING. IT'S CURRENTLY WORSE THAN IT'S EVER BEEN. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO RE-LEARN OUR DRIVING HABITS! WE DIDN'T REALIZE THE FOCUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT IT NEEDS TO RE-LEARN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING HABITS. WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. "TWEAKING" THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US ALL THAT HAVE OBVIOUSLY SOLD VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THE NEXT QUESTION ON THIS FORM ASKS WHEN DID THIS OCCUR? FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT BUT DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE FEELING OF A SHUDDER. THINKING IT WAS JUST THE SURFACE OF THE ROADS.

I HAVE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THAT IT STUTTER AND MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN I AM GOING UP INCLINES AND WHEN I AM BRAKING. I NOTICED MY CAR IS WILL BE JERKING AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS BOUT TO GIVE AWAY WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON WITH MY CAR. THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MY ISSUES WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR. I ASKED HOW COULD THIS BE NORMAL THAT A BRAND NEW CAR STUTTER, GRINDS, SHIFT GEARS ON IT OWN, JERKS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OR ACCELERATION, AND FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT MY CAR AND HE SAID THAT MY MODEL CAR IS LIKE IT HAS A MANUAL ENGINE IN AND AUTOMATIC CAR. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURES STATES BUT ACTUALLY THIS IS NOT NORMAL. CARS SHOULD NOT BE SHIFTING GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. THIS ISSUES THAT MY CAR IS HAVING ARE VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY IN STOP IN GO TRAFFIC AND ON INCLINES, JUST DRIVING PERIOD , IN THE END I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS WITH THIS MAKING MODEL CAR ESPECIALLY BEING THAT THIS IS A NEWER MODEL CAR (2014). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AT A LOWER SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEAMBOAT MOTORS FORD (LOCATED AT 2310 LINCOLN AVE, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 80487, (970) 879-8880) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.

THE CAR STALLS ON THE ROAD THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OUR CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH, SECOND TIME ON THE TRANSMISSION JERKING AND STALLING ON THE ROAD WHEN YOU WOULD BE STOPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN IN MOTION IT JERKED WHEN YOU INCREASED YOUR SPEED, VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NO ONE IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FORD CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL. CONTACTING OUR LAWYERS AND THE MEDIA. NOT JAPORDIZING MY FAMILY LIFE FOR A CAR THAT STALLS ON THE ROAD.

FORD FOCUS TITANIUM - AT 6,200 MILES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START OUT AT LOW SPEEDS, TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AS IF IT IS CONFUSED AS TO WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES AND VEHICLE IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. VEHICLE NOW HAS 8,000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TO HESITATE AND SHUTTER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO YIELD ON TO FREEWAY. CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE CUSTOMER CARE- ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO FORD DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL EVALUATION.. *TR

I PURCHASED THE 2014 FORD FOCUS NEW IN AUGUST 2013. ISSUES BEGAN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY UPON TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE. I RECALL AT 6,600 MILES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SHUDDERING. FORD TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IT WOULD EVENTUALLY ADJUST. CAR SHUDDERS AROUND 17 MPH AND ACCERLERATING ONTO ON RAMPS, ETC. THIS CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. I REFRAIN FROM TAKING IT ON ROAD TRIPS EVEN WITHIN WASHINGTON STATE, AVOIDING ISSUES THAT COULD ARISE AT ANYTIME. AT NO TIME DURING THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE DID THE SALESPERSON EXPLAIN WHAT THE DP6 POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION FEATURE WAS . I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED WITH FORD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND EXPENSIVE FIX. THIS CAR IS AVERAGING A NEW CLUTCH ASSEMPLY AT 5,000-7,000 MILES. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AT WHICH POINT THESE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTS COST A MINIMUM OF $1800. I CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO PAY THESE REPAIR COSTS. TO DATE, THIS CAR HAS HAD 7 CLUTCH ASSEMBLY & SEAL REPLACEMENTS AND CAR CURRENTLY HAS $55,000. RIDICULOUS. I SPENT OVER $30,000 ON THIS VEHICLE. SEE ATTACHMENT BELOW FOR LIST OF REPAIRS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD, FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WHILE ACCELERATING AND JERKED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LONNIE COBB FORD (1618 US-45, HENDERSON, TN 38340, (731) 989-2121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS CALIBRATED AND REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER AND HESITATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SLOW DOWN WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME REPAIR ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND EACH REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,322.

THE CAR SHUDDERS, GRINDS AND SKIPS TRANSMISSION BETWEEN GEARS. I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES IN 11 MONTHS AND IT IS A BRAND NEW 2014 FORD FOCUS SE (4 DOORS). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS VEHICLE COMPENSATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS SHE WAS PARALLEL PARKING ON A BUSY ROAD. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2014 FOCUS SE WITH AN "AUTOMATIC" TRANSMISSION IN NOVEMBER, 2013. AT 8,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ACTING MORE STRANGELY THAN USUAL: 1. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM ONE SLOW SPEED TO A SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEED, CAR WOULD LURCH, HESITATE & ALMOST STALL. 2. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY FROM A SLOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL AFTER A TURN, CAR WOULD SHUDDER & MAKE A RATTLING, SOMETIMES GRINDING, NOISE. 3. WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY FROM A STOP, CAR WAS SLOW TO SWITCH GEARS. FORD SERVICE REPROGRAMMED SOME SOFTWARE & REPLACED THE CLUTCH. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION SEALS WERE LEAKY, BUT THAT FORD WOULDN'T HAVE THE REDESIGNED REPLACEMENTS UNTIL DECEMBER. A WEEK AFTER THE SERVICE THE CAR IS RUNNING MORE SMOOTHLY. *TR

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY NEW FORD FOCUS EV ON 7/16/14 VERY SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED A WAFFLE TYPE PATTERN APPEARING IN THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF PALM SPRINGS MOTORS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOTHING. I NOTICED THE PATTERN BECOMING MORE VISIBLE AND DISTRACTING AS TIME WENT ON AND I AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE DEPT. ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THAT OTHER CARS HAVE IT TOO SO THAT MAKES IT NORMAL AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SENT ME A LETTER MERELY SAYING THAT THEY HAD DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN IN THIS MATTER. IN FACT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING EXCEPT TO IGNORE ME. THIS ABNORMALITY IN THE WINDOW IS EXTREMELY DISTRACTING WHEN LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND IS GETTING WORSE BUT I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO LISTEN TO ME OR TAKE ME SERIOUSLY. I AM DESPERATE FOR HELP FROM SOMEONE. *TR

DPS6 TRANSMISSION CONTAINS ONE OR MORE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUDDEN LURCHES FORWARD, DELAYED ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION FROM 16 SEP 14 TO 25 AUG 15 WE BROUGHT VEHICLE 5 TIMES INTO FIRST FORD FALL RIVER, MA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS, AND NUMEROUS CAR ISSUE APPOINTMENTS, WE WERE TOLD BY FIRST FORD TECHNICIANS THAT THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR ARE A RESULT OF OUR DRIVING HABITS, AND GAVE US INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY, AND TO ACCELERATE DIFFERENTLY. THOSE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT POSSIBLE TO FOLLOW, BECAUSE TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITHOUT HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. AND ITS ALSO NOT POSSIBLE TO DO THAT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, OR SPEED BUMPS. THOSE INSTRUCTIONS, ALONG WITH THE PROBLEMS/DEFECTS OF THE CAR, HAVE CAUSED IT TO BECOME A HAZARD ON THE ROAD, AND WE ARE OFTEN JUST TRYING TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL JUL/AUG14, AND YET THE FIRST FORD TECHNICIANS TELL US THAT IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO SHUDDER AND FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL, AND NORMAL TO FEEL LIKE IT'S IN THE WRONG GEAR, AND FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT ACCELERATING FORWARD. NO ONE WOULD THINK THAT IS NORMAL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO STATE, THAT THE FIRST FORD SERVICE MANAGER, HANDED ME THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, ON HOW TO HANDLE CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY COME IN WITH THESE PROBLEMS. IT IS CALLED, ?FORD POWERSHIFT 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (DPS6) SERVICE CUSTOMER HANDLING GUIDE?. HANDLING THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. FMC INSTRUCTED FF ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE CAR, BUT FF IGNORED IT, NO CALL BACK. *JS

I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 23 MILES ON IT IN 2014. I ASKED ABOUT THE PRECIOUS FOCUS ISSUES OF ENGINE ISSUES, TRANSMISSION ISSUES, AND THE AIR BAG DEFECT. I WAS TOLD "ALL OF THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN FIXED IN THE 2014 MODEL." SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE THE CLUTCH AND TM MODULE WENT OUT. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY IT NEEDED THIS ALREADY I WAS TOLD "IT IS JUST A SLIGHT ISSUE, BUT THAT 1 REPLACEMENT IS ALL IT WILL NEED." SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS REQUIRED CLUTCH REPLACEMENT 7 TIME AND MODULE REPLACEMENT 3 TIMES. I NOW NEED TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE 8TH CLUTCH, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WAS LIED TO BY THE DEALERSHIP, FORD CORPORATE INFORMED THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH MY PURCHASE, AND WHEN I ASK ABOUT PERMANENT FIXES/BUYBACK I AM TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING ABNORMAL WITH MY CAR.

WHILE CRUISING AT A STEADY 65MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WENT INTO WHAT THE FORD DEALER LATER CALLED "LIMP MODE." THE CAR LOST ALMOST ALL ITS POWER AND AT FIRST SEEMED TO BE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE SPEED GRADUALLY DROPPED. THERE WERE TRACTOR-TRAILERS MERGING ONTO AND OFF THE INTERSTATE, AND I HAD A FEARFUL SENSATION OF GOING UP UNDER ONE. THERE WAS TOO MUCH TRAFFIC TO "BACK OFF" AND GO BEHIND THEM, AND I HAD NO ACCELERATION TO GET AROUND. IT FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BE "RUN OVER," AND I'M NOT SO SURE THE TRACTOR-TRAILER DRIVERS COULD EVEN SEE ME. AT THE NEXT EXIT I IMMEDIATELY LEFT THE INTERSTATE AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. TAKING OFF AND ACCELERATING FROM THE INTERSTATE EXIT TO THIS STATION WAS ACTUALLY VERY DIFFICULT. IT FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO PROPERLY MANEUVER. I WAS NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. I SPOKE WITH A LADY WHO SEEMED VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, (WHICH ACTUALLY WORRIES ME BECAUSE THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE A COMMON ISSUE), BUT OFFERED NO SOLUTION. SHE ALMOST SEEMED SLIGHTLY "IRRITATED," AS IF IT WAS SOMETHING SHE HAD "EXPLAINED MANY TIMES BEFORE." SHE SAID "TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AND LET THE COMPUTER RESET. IF THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IT WILL STILL BE IN 'LIMP MODE,' BUT MORE LIKELY IT WAS A FLUKE AND WILL TURN OFF." I ASKED, "WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? IT'S ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND I WAS JUST CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY." HER RESPONSE WAS 'YEAH, IT JUST HAPPENS.'" I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE WIDESPREAD AND NEEDS INVESTIGATION. IT FELT LIKE A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND IS APT TO REPEAT ITSELF. THE DEALER OFFERED NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION OTHER THAN, "LET'S JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS." *TR

3 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE PARKING LOT WITH MY MOM AND 2 KIDS IN THE CAR THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING FLASHED AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINT 10512459. I HAD TO PULL OVER IN THE BIKE LANE, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT UNTIL POWER WAR RESTORED. SAME THING HAPPENED NEXT DAY RIGHT AFTER LEAVING HOME. NOW I AM AFRAID TO GO OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON NARROW COUNTRY ROADS WITH THIS CAR. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ABRUPTLY AND ENGINE RUNS ROUGH WHEN STOPPED. THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR LOOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING TO SLOW DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR BINDS UP AND GRINDS AS THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS. UPON ACCELERATING FROM AT STOP THE CAR HAS LOSS OF POWER THEN RPM GO UP BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY SHIFTS CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP TOO FAST OR ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BEING OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP TWICE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A THIRD DEALER SHOP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF TWELVE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE JOLTS, JERKS, SHUDDERS, SLIPS AND BECOMES VERY HESITANT IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE JOLTING AND SLIPPING ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP ONE WEEK AGO REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH FOUND A LEAK OF FLUID TO THE "DRY CLUTCH." I BELIEVE THE DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES THE LEAK OF FLUID TO BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM AND/OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CONSISTENT OR PREDICTABLE ACCELERATION DUE TO SHUDDERING AND SLIPPING, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AT TIMES. THE KNOWN SYMPTOMS, CITED IN TSB #14-0047, RAISE SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS FOR OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHLY AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ THE COSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 15 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE SPEED ACCELERATED BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

THIS VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION, LOWERS RPMS, JERKS AND JOLTS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND REVS UP THE RPMS ONCE IT ACCELERATES(THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY) IT HAS DANGEROUS HESITATION/ DELAY AND IS NOTIFIABLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING GEARS THERE IS A LAG AS IF IT WAS A MANUAL AND THE OPERATOR COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS APPROPRIATELY, AND GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO TENDS TO ROLL IN A REVERSE MOTION AS IF IN REVERSE UPON INCLINATION. UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKES THERE IS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SOUNDS AS THOUGH IT HAS THE KEY IN AND ISN'T TURNED OVER COMPLETELY TO START AT TIMES VEHICLE IT TURNED OFF, IN PARK, WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND REMAINED THIS WAY FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A NOTICEABLE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WHEN OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO LEARN YOUR DRIVING HABITS AND SEAL ITSELF UP I WAS GIVEN A PAPER ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND ADVISED IT SHOULD CORRECT ITSELF IN 2000 MILES. WELL IT HASN'T, AND THIS POSES A DANGEROUS AND INANIMATE DANGER TO MY FAMILY AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME AS I AM IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURING AND FRAUD FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE OTHERS THEY MALICIOUSLY AND INTENTIONALLY MANUFACTURED TO ONLY INCREASE THEIR PERSONAL WELFARE AND GREED WITHOUT THE COMPASSION OF HUMAN LIFE, AND INTEGRITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES, AND BEEN LOYAL TO A COMPANY THAT HAS A LOW MORAL AND CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION, LOWERS RPMS, JERKS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND REVS UP THE RPMS ONCE IT ACCELERATES IT HAS HESITATION AND IS NOTIFIABLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING GEARS THERE IS A LAG AS IF IT WAS A MANUAL AND THE OPERATOR COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS APPROPRIATELY. THE VEHICLE ALSO TENDS TO ROLL IN A REVERSE MOTION AS IF IN REVERSE UPON INCLINATION. UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKES THERE IS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SOUNDS AS THOUGH IT HAS THE KEY IN AND ISN'T TURNED OVER COMPLETELY TO START AT TIMES VEHICLE IT TURNED OFF, IN PARK, WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND REMAINED THIS WAY FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. THIS 2014 FORD FOCUS WAS MANUFACTURED 6-17-2014 IN THE MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT. *TR

WHILE VACATIONING IN MYRTLE BEACH THE WEEK OF JULY 4TH, MY CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC STARTED JUMPING AND JERKING LIKE I HAD A CLUTCH AND WAS MISSING GEARS. THIS CONTINUED THE WHOLE TRIP. GOING UP HILLS THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS REALLY BAD. I CARRIED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN WE GOT BACK AND THEY DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT FORD WAS USING. THE MAN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE BREAK ACTS LIKE A CLUTCH AND IT WOULD JUMP AND JERK LIKE THIS. THEY DID A COMPUTER UPDATE AND SAID THAT IF THIS CONTINUED TO BRING IT BACK. I HAVE SMALL GRANDBABIES IN MY CAR ALL THE TIME AND MY DAUGHTER DRIVES BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL. THEY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN A PARKING LOT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I WANTED HIM TO TAKE IT DOWN TOWN IN TRAFFIC AND HE DECLINED AND SAID THE PARKING LOT WAS BETTER. THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP AND A COMPUTER UPDATE IS NOT WORKING. A DIFFERENT GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY (FORD) WERE TRYING THE COMPUTER UPDATES FIRST AND IF IT DIDN'T FIX IT TO BRING IT BACK. HE SPOKE LIKE MINE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD PROBLEMS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. ME AND MY DAUGHTER SHARE THE CAR AND I AM REALLY CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN YOU DRIVE SLOW OR START OFF. MY SON IN LAW DROVE THE CAR IN MYRTLE BEACH AND HE SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND I NEEDED TO CARRY IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND DEMAND THEY FIX IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD DEPENDABLE CAR, NOW I AM SCARED TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT. *TR

ENTIRE CAR WILL JERK IN AND OUT OF FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE IS A DELAY IN SHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING, ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS "SLIPPING." DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND SLIPS BACK INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR.THIS CAR ONLY HAS 12,XXX MILES ON IT AND IT IS ALREADY HAVING POWERTRAIN PROBLEMS. WE ALSO OWN A 2013 FOCUS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SEALS AND CLUTCH AFTER IT BEGAN TO LEAK - CAR HAD SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. *TR

EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND START TO GO BETWEEN 5-10 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER. ITS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 2-3 TIMES ALREADY AND THEY HAVE ONLY PUT A "BANDAID" ON THE SITUATION. THEY HAVE ONLY RESET THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER BACK TO ITS DEFAULT SETTINGS. I AM WANTING SOMETHING TO BE REPAIRED - ACTUALLY REPLACED UNDER MY WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE CARS ARE HORRENDOUS MAKING THEM SHAKE AND SHUDDER. THEY LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE GEARS ARE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1-2ND GEAR. MY CAR IT YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE. I HAVE TO LEAVE SPACE JUST TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT ANYONE.

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHUDDERING ON SLOW STARTS. THE CAR HAD TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT GEAR IT NEEDED TO BE IN. SOMETIMES IT WAS VERY SLOW ON TAKE OFF AND OTHER TIMES IT JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO. RPMS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN WHILE MY FOOT WAS STEADY ON THE GAS PEDAL AND WE WERE CRUISING AT 55 ON FLAT ROAD SURFACE WITH NO WIND. FORD NOW ADMITS THAT THE CLUTCH IS BAD AND WILL DO A WARRANTY REPAIR. ...UPDATED 08/20/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/27/15*JB

MY 2014 FORD FOCUS, WHICH I PURCHASED A LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR AGO, HAS HAD CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING. IT SLIPS, SHUDDERS, AND MAKES STRANGE NOISES WHILE ACCELERATING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WITH FORD AND THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY "FIXED" IT. THE PROBLEM QUICKLY RETURNS. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT "NEARLY ALL THE 2014 FORD FOCUSES THEY HAVE SOLD HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM." I THINK THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I'M PLANNING ON FILING A LEMON CLAIM WITH THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE

SINCE SINCE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND-NEW IN 2014 THERE HAS BEEN A GRINDING STUTTERING SHAKING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED BUT MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD FROM PARK. FORD ATTEMPTED TO UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL TIMES WHICH HAS NEVER WORKED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD AND THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NORMAL ACTIVITY. THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT AND WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD APPROPRIATELY AND I HAVE COME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT CATCH UP WITH THE ACCELERATION. I AM ASKING FORD FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRADING THE CAR IN SINCE THE VALUE IN THE CAR DEPRECIATED SO MUCH BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME.

2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED TWICE. *JS

I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, IT RAINS HEAVILY APART EVERY EVENING. ON MY WAY HE TODAY WE HAD YET ANOTHER STORM. I TURNED ON THE WIPERS TO FULL SPEED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE WIPERS STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THEN ONLY WIPE EVERY SECOND OR TWO AND NOT CONTINUOUSLY AT THE HIGH SPEED. THIS CAUSED MY VISIBILITY TO BE NON EXISTENT. I TURNED THEM OFF, THEN BACK TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. IT DID THE SAME THING. I TRIED THE SETTING BELOW WHERE THEY AREN'T FAST, BUT A CONTINUOUS WIPE, IT DID THE SAME THING IN THAT SETTING. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I COULDN'T SEE TO PULL OVER. *TR

I RENTED A FORD FOCUS FLEX FUEL 2014 FROM ALAMO CAR RENTAL FROM OGG AIRPORT IN MAUI. THE CAR TRANSMISSION FAILED ALL A SUDDEN DURING ACCELERATION FROM REST WITH A WARNING FROM THE LCD DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY MESSAGE. DURING THIS TIME, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND AND THE WOULD EASILY ROLL BACK IF ON AN INCLINED SLOPE OR SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS REAR COLLISION. THE BAD THING IS THAT ALAMO AND FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS AND THEY STILL RENT OUT THIS MODEL OF THE VEHICLE! SORRY I FEEL NOT PROVIDING MY PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR PRIVACY PURPOSES. I PROVIDED THE ALAMO CAR RENTAL ADDRESS. BEST REST ASSURED THAT THE FORD FOCUS FLEX FUEL 2014 IS DEFECTIVE WITH ITS TRANSMISSION AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR

POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING AND TOTALLY WENT OUT. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR ENOUGH TO TURN THE CORNER TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAT 4000 MILES ON IT AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TR

ON JUNE 23, 2014 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE 'STALLED' WITHOUT WARNING. DESPITE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. *TR

ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, FIRST TIME I NOTICED A LURCH OR JERK. ABOUT THAT TIME I BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT OPERATING AS IT HAD BEEN IN THE PAST. THE LOWER SPEED SHIFTS ARE NOT SMOOTH AND SOMETIMES WHEN DE-ACCELERATING IF FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED QUICKLY, 'TRAILER HITCHING'. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR AT THE INCORRECT TIME, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND POOR PERFORMANCE. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DO NOT OCCUR ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE A FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE SERVICE MANAGE ACTUALLY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE CLUTCHES BUT IT WILL JUST DO IT AGAIN IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND SPOKE TO A REGIONAL SERVICE MANGER WHO ALSO SAID NOTHING WILL BE DONE. *TR

CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE WITH FULLY CHARGED. I TRIED TO START CAR AND I GOT MESSAGE "SAFE MODE SHUTDOWN" ON THE RIGHT SCREEN AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" ON THE LEFT SCREEN. CAR LIGHTS START BLINKING AND AFTER A WHILE WHOLE CAR SHUTDOWN AND DISABLED. CAR IS NOT RESPONDING REMOTE KEY. BACK DOOR IS LOCKED AND CAN'T OPEN. I TRIED TO PUT BACK TO CHARGED AND NOTHING CHANGED AT ALL. I CALLED FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND TAKING CAR TO SERVICE TOMORROW. *TR

THE CAR SHUTTERS AT EVERY PUSH OF THE GAS, I HAVE TAKEN INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT'S A EUROPEAN TRANSMISSION AND IT'S GOING TO DO THAT, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIME WHEN I HAVE COME CLOSE TO SOMEONE HITTING ME BECAUSE IT SHUTTERS SO BAD AND THEN DECREASES IN SPEED. IF I HAD KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR THAT IT DID THIS THEN I WOULD OF NEVER BOUGHT IT. *TR

THIS PROBLEM START SINCE I GOT THE CAR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL BUT THIS IS THE 3 TIME I ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY AND INTERSECTIONS THE CAR ENGINE STALL WHEN THAT HAPPEN THE CAR WONT RESPOND THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME IF I AM DRIVING FAST OUR SLOW. I ALREADY TAKE IT TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES TO GET IT FIX AND THE CAR IS GETTING WORSE I ONLY HAVE ONE REPAIR INVOICE THEY WONT GIVE ME ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR THEY ALSO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AND RESTART THE TRANSMISSION A FEW TIMES.

MY EMAIL TO AVIS IS AS FOLLOWS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AVIS CUSTOMER SERVICE CUSTSERV@AVIS.COM CONTRACT # [XXX] CAR FORD FOCUS 2014 RENTAL TAMPA AIRPORT DATE: JUNE 18 2014 DEAR AVIS I RENTED A FORD FOCUS TO DRIVE ACROSS THE STATE TO STUART, FL FROM TAMPA AIRPORT I LEFT AROUND 1 AM. THE CAR BUCKED AND SPUTTERED ONCE ON THE BELTWAY I 275 SURROUNDING TAMPA. AT HIGHER SPEED THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SETTLE DOWN. I USED STATE RT 70, AN OFTEN SINGLE LANE ROAD TO CROSS THE STATE GOING THROUGH ACACIA AND OKEECHOBEE. AT RED LIGHTS, THE CAR STALLED OUT TWICE. THIS ON A DARK SINGLE LANE ROAD IS VERY DANGEROUS. I USED THE EMERGENCY FLASHER TO WARN TWO LARGE TRUCKS COME AT ME ON THE SINGLE LAND BEHIND ME. WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 18, I REPORTED THE STALLING OUT TO THE OFFICE PERSON [XXX] AT AVIS ON FEDERAL HIGHWAY, STUART SHE TOLD ME THE FOCUS HAS A HABIT OF SPUTTERING AND BUCKING AND ASKED IF I KNEW ABOUT THAT. I SAID I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE CONDITION BUT THAT THIS CAR STALLED OUT. I SAID THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON A DARK ROAD. I HAD TWO INCIDENTS THAT NIGHT WITH LARGE SEMI?S COMING AT ME STALLED AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. SHE SAID SHE WOULD WRITE UP THIS CONCERN IN COMMENTS TO AVIS. IN MY VIEW, A CAR THAT CAN STALL OUT IS SIMILAR TO THE GM CARS THAT STOPPED WITH A DEFECTIVE KEY. THIRTEEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THOSE GM STALL OUTS. I WILL SENT THIS SAFETY CONCERN TO AVIS MANAGEMENT, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION AND TO FORD, WHICH SO FAR HAS NOT HAD ANY KEY RECALLS. IF THE FOCUS STALLS OUT OR MISFIRES, THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIMILAR SAFETY ISSUE. FORD SHOULD REMEDY THE FOCUS STALL OUT AND AVIS MAY NOT TO CONSIDER LETTING THE FOCUS OUT AS A RENTAL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SEVERE SHUTTER WHEN ACCELERATING FORM A STOP. AT TIMES THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LONG HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY TO CHANGE LANES. SOMETIMES THERE IS A CLUNK NOISE AFTER STOPPING.

CAR SHUDDERS ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND JERKS AND LUNGES UPON ACCELERATION FROM A SLOWDOWN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS AND ALSO HITS A DEAD SPOT CAUSING A LACK OF ACCELERATION AROUND GEAR 2-3. RPM'S REV UP WITH NO ACCELERATION AND THEN DROPS QUICKLY WITH A HESITATION BEFORE A REDUCTION OF SPEED. CAR CAN LUNGE WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR WHEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GO THAT HARD AND THE OPPOSITE HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY MERGES WHEN YOU NEED THE CAR TO GO AND IT WON'T DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BOTTOMING OUT. PROBLEMS GET WORSE THE LONGER AND FARTHER YOU DRIVE THE CAR. HAD AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES NOW, REPROGRAMMED CLUTCH LAST TIME BUT SAY THE ISSUES FOUND ARE "NORMAL" AND THAT FORD MADE THE TRANSMISSION TO DO JUST AS THE PROBLEMS STATE TO MAKE THE CAR FEEL MORE LIKE A MANUAL THAN AN AUTOMATIC. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND FORD ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JS

CAR JERKS AND HESITATES WHEN YOU TAKE OFF. WHEN GEARS CHANGE IT JERKS AND SHUTTERS. WHEN YOU CROSS IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC, YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL MAKE IT OR NOT. HAS BEEN IN SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE IS NO FIX. CLUTCH PLATES BEEN REPLACED AND BEEN WAITING ON MORE FOR THREE WEEKS. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. CAR JUST SITTING HERE.