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

2,950

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.
2,950

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

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Focus

Looking for a Used Focus in your area?

CarGurus has 5,535 nationwide Focus listings starting at $500.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2012 Ford Focus

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Savoy_1800
    Reputation
    3,320
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    2,660
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,410
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Fusion
677 Great Deals out of 8,662 listings starting at $995
Used Honda Civic
1,391 Great Deals out of 28,825 listings starting at $1,500
Used Ford Fiesta
89 Great Deals out of 1,878 listings starting at $2,495
Used Ford Mustang
1,047 Great Deals out of 21,339 listings starting at $1,750
Used Mazda MAZDA3
456 Great Deals out of 12,247 listings starting at $1,990
Used Ford Escape
2,065 Great Deals out of 55,878 listings starting at $995
Used Honda Accord
1,551 Great Deals out of 24,798 listings starting at $1,895
Used Ford F-150
6,437 Great Deals out of 178,219 listings starting at $1,900
Used Chevrolet Cruze
412 Great Deals out of 6,680 listings starting at $1,500
Used Toyota Camry
2,352 Great Deals out of 45,378 listings starting at $1,100
Used Hyundai Elantra
908 Great Deals out of 33,509 listings starting at $1,400
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
195 Great Deals out of 4,236 listings starting at $2,900
Used Ford Taurus
113 Great Deals out of 2,244 listings starting at $2,300
Used Chevrolet Corvette
661 Great Deals out of 13,003 listings starting at $3,999

Used Cars For Sale

2018 Ford Focus S For Sale
3 Great Deals out of 70 listings starting at $3,744
2017 Ford Focus S For Sale
5 Great Deals out of 53 listings starting at $1,900
2016 Ford Focus S For Sale
3 Great Deals out of 64 listings starting at $2,750
2015 Ford Focus S For Sale
39 listings starting at $3,491
2014 Ford Focus S For Sale
4 Great Deals out of 48 listings starting at $1,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.