Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% | 56,000 miles |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% | 64,000 miles |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 61% | 41,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% | 39,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% | 58,000 miles |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% | 53,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% | 54,000 miles |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% | 34,000 miles |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% | 19,000 miles |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% | 41,000 miles |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% | 42,000 miles |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% | 39,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and experienced hard transmission shifts. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch and the clutch actuator were replaced. The contact stated that while her significant other was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to pull to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the driver noticed that the engine had fallen onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Don Vance Ford, Inc. (MO-38, Marshfield, MO 65706), where it was determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to respond upon shifting to reverse(R). …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, messages that the brake fluid level was low, and to shift into park were displayed. The contact stated that other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the instrument cluster and the infotainment system screen failed to turn off intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle had also experienced abnormal battery drainage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was recommended to replace the negative (-) ground wiring cable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM had failed, and the failure could be the cause of the battery drainage. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and shifting from first to second gear, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experience the same failure within two months. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch to be replaced for second time. The vehicle was repaired but experience the same failure a second time. The contact took the vehicle the third time to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the axle to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle revved but failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle started moving forward at a slow speed and was shuddering. The contact stated that she returned to her residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle, however the failure persisted. The contact stated that she also experienced a failure in attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse(R). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 65 mph, the transmission erroneously down shifted causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into the center median causing damage to the undercarriage of the vehicle. During the crash no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the vehicle had experienced rough shifting. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered.. The failure mileage was 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting hard and the vehicle was shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted and the warning message "Stop Vehicle Immediately - Transmission Fluid Hot" warning light illuminated while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving, causing her to veer to the side of the road for a moment. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. Additionally, while shifting the gear shifter, there was a delay before the shifter would move to the desired position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The clutch was replaced. After having the vehicle repaired, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and failed to exceed 2 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission failure was confirmed. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact had to continually depress the accelerator pedal to continue driving. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was included in a recall related to the failure and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall; however, the failure recurred 6 months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, without a warning light being illuminated the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that stalling failure persisted, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse and was returned to the dealer and was diagnosed with PCM and transmission failure. …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.
Power train › Manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019.
Power train › Manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (1,576), 2012 (1,447), 2013 (1,102), 2016 (674) and 2015 (559) model years. Transmission complaints make up 61% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-376 (manual transmission, Jun 9, 2026); 18V-845 (manual transmission, Nov 28, 2018); 18V-169 (manual transmission, Mar 12, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Focus transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (328 mentions), followed by the clutch assembly (164).
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.