Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I powered on the car, selected drive or reverse, and pressed the accelerator but the car did not move. The green car with the arrows indicating that the car is ready was illuminated and the handbrake was released. The light in the instrument cluster correctly showed the gear that the lever was in, and when in reverse the backup camera came on as usual. There have been three instances of this malfunction happening in the past two weeks. Which prompted me to take it into the local Ford service shop. Ford engineering has known about the issue since October of 2015, and has no estimation of a scheduled fix. They have given instructions to turn off and on the car until it is able to drive (usually takes 3 or 4 cycles). When parked on a slope it acts like the transmission is in neutral (when in drive or reverse) so the car will roll unintentionally. …
This engine on this vehicle sputters and hesitates on take off . As I continue to drive it tends to choke or like the transmission is not changing gears. I took it to the service dept twice and was told that the electronic engine has to to used to my handling the vehicle that was after 1600 miles. It never straightened out so I took it back at 6000 miles and the save service attendent told me again that it was still getting used to me. Well I'm at 7600 miles and it sputters, tends to choke while driving on the freeway and when I get to a stop it drives like it needs a tune-up. I will take it in again to see what happens
Over the last 3 years, the vehicle displays "stop safely now" and all electrical systems shut off immediately after or soon after the message is displayed and the car has come to a complete stop. This occurs at low city speeds (20-30 MPH) as well as highway speeds (60-70 MPH) leaving the driver and it's occupants sitting vulnerable to being hit by moving traffic. This usually occurs while braking to slow or stop. This has happened 15-20 times over the last three years. We have brought in the car for service for this same problem 3-4 times each time being told that this is due to various reasons (harness, loose connections, faulty circuits, etc.). No fixes to date have permanently fixed the problem. Usually, the problem is temporarily resolved when the vehicle comes to stop, it's placed in "park" and the car turned off. After a minute or two, it can be restarted as normal. …
While driving down a major local road, the car completely lost driving power (accessories still worked) and a warning light on the dashboard came on saying "stop safely now!". My wife was barely able to pull over and we were unable to get the car moving again, eventually towing it to the dealership. When we picked the car up they stated that a connection to the high voltage battery came loose and they've fixed it. Yesterday, when attempting to start the car, the same warning message came on and the car would not start. We once again have had the car towed to the dealership. The dealer called me this morning saying the car "works fine" which makes me more concerned since clearly this issue is now totally unpredictable.
The car automatically accelerated while parking perpendicular in a parking structure; driver had slowed/braked, to 5 miles or less, to park and taken her foot off the gas and pressed the brake. Abruptly the car accelerated and the car crashed into the wall in front with the driver air bags activated and front bumper crushed.
While driving the vehicle, a loud chime sounded, with a red triangle saying, "stop safely now" as well as a yellow "see manual" indication. This was very dangerous because it was sudden and while driving. The car lost all power and I had to attempt to pull of the street so I wouldn't cause an accident. I shifted to park and turned the car off and back on and it resolved the issue. However, 2 days later the same problem occurred but this time I was unable to restart the vehicle and needed to tow the car to the dealership.
For the past month my 2012 Ford Focus had been jerking when increasing to speeds of 55mph and higher. I got the wheel alignment done, changed the tires, thinking it would help. On April 16th at 5 pm I was driving from school when I was passing a burger king on a main road by thr interstate, my car just lost all power and stopped. I tried to turn it back on, nothing. I ended up pushing it into burger kings parking lot. Tried to jump it. No go. Took battery to get tested, completely dead. OK, so all it needs is a battery? Wrong! Bought a new battery. Still nothing. Had the car towed to pep boys where I am informed that its the PCM/TCM and only Ford can fix it because it needs to be reprogrammed. OK, called Ford in tampa fl, after doing research about recalls on this site. According to them there has never been a recall. …
While running on cruise control at 55mph, I disengaged the cruise control for a turning vehicle ahead. A yellow wrench light & stop safely now message appeared in dash. A warning bell alarmed. Vehicle began free wheeling towards other vehicle without expected regeneration braking. Had to hit brakes hard. Pulled to side of road. Car had no motive power. Turned car off. Waited for all lights in dash to go out, then restarted car normally. Car appeared to have no problems. This happened 5 more times in the next 2 days. No problems noted. The dealer was to busy on Friday to look for any codes in vehicle computer. This should never happen except when the motor is shorted or grounded out hard enough to burn it and blow a fuse.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured August 20, 2015, through April 13, 2016. The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft may overheat and fracture.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus Electric years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (37), 2014 (21) and 2012 (14) model years. Transmission complaints make up 54% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus Electric transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 16V-479 (differential unit, Jun 28, 2016); 13V-523 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Oct 30, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Focus Electric transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles; 93% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the clutch assembly (1 mentions).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.