The 6-speed auto transmission, when accelerating the vehicle from a complete stop, the transmission components that the car is equipped with causes hesitation and shutter on take off. The electronic control module and the electronic clutch have both been replaced on recalls. The electronic clutch engages erratically, causing the car to shutter and larch forward as it engages. When changing oil in this car, the owner tried to drive the car up a ramp in L range on the gear shift, the engine would increase in RPM's but the clutch would not engage fully to allow the vehicle to go up the ramps, like it was in neutral. I had to check the the gear shift, thought it might have been in neutral, in wrong shift position. When explaining this to the service manager at our local dealership, we were told that the car can not go up a ramp, the transmission is designed for high speed take off. We were told that it is only intended to be lifted, never in my 58 years have I ever seen a car that would not go up a ramp, the ramp to me would only simulate going up a steep incline, which causes more concern with my 19 year old daughter driving this vehicle to and from college. Ford keeps telling us that this car is operating like it is intended to, they acually gave us a print out how the car should feel and react. One comment read that the car feels like it is pulling a trailer, who wants a car that feels like it is constantly pulling a trailer? this vehicle has been in the shop eight to ten times, we get the same explanation each and every time now. It is working the way it is intended to, they say it does not shutter or larch on take off. Numerous times my daughter has had someone with her that has experience the shutter and recently the car not going up the ramp without the cars engine racing and the clutch not engaging allowing the car to move forward. This car was purchased new,

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Vehicle was parked. I went to turn on the car, and the steering wheel was locked and would not turn at all. Had the car towed to the dealership. The service manager says the electric steering rack and pinion has failed and has to be replaced at a cost of $1,497. In addition, the car has also had numerous repairs to the transmission system. The car has had problems with the transmission since the very first day of purchase. The car will vigorously shudder at random times. The shuddering occurs every time I drive the car and it causes the car to violently jerk forward. We have taken the car in for all of the service updates/recalls, and the transmission problems still persist. The computer screen also will turn off randomly while driving. One time while driving on a highway, the car died. It was very dangerous. I should not have purchased this car.

- Plano, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and the instrument panel lights illuminated. The "transmission not in park please select (P)" message appeared; however, the vehicle was already in park. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

- Spring, TX, USA

Rear main seal failure causing complete loss of transmission fluid and engine oil, this could cause the engine to seize unexpectedly, leakage noticed and this has required the replacement of seal and clutch 3 times in past 15 months

- Babylon, NY, USA

I have had 5 transmission failures since I bought the car. The last 3 failures occurred in less than 3 weeks (and less than 30 miles on the road!) and, when the last one happened, my wife and I have almost crashed. We were driving downhill on a very steep road and suddenly the clutch disengaged and went to neutral right before a curve. I think this is a very dangerous problem, not taken seriously by Ford

- Seattle, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. After shifting into the drive position, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle jerked forward and the rpms revved without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch module and clutch package failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired twice, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Harrison, TN, USA

The car shudders when taking off from a stop sign or light. This is ridiculous!

- Mesa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to vibrate. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module and clutches in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, but was not diagnosed or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Black Wood, ID, USA

When accelerating from a complete stop or when the car is running in a low gear, the car will hesitate, shudder, shake, jump violently, stall, grind gears, and/or make other noises at varying levels. Was first noticed when making a turn from a stop sign. At first I thought it was my front driverside tire rubbing the wheel well as that was the type of sound I was hearing. I then started experiencing the shuddering and stalling behaviors. I also began hearing noises that sound like the grinding of gears like may occur when driving a manual transmission and missing the gear. Most issues occur during city street driving. This went from an occasional occurrence to an every time I drive the car situation. This in no way feels normal or sounds normal.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

With an automatic transmission and at slow speeds the engine stalled, and jerked especially in congested highway traffic such as stop and go speeds. After a new clutch was installed by the local Ford dealership, the engine now surges and hesitates at slow speeds and when in the passing mode at highway speeds the engine keeps accelerating even when the gas pedal is released.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

I was driving home and noticed a slight loss of power to transmission via the gas pedal. The next morning in rush hour traffic on I-20 my transmission failed. I was unable to move my car for several minutes and then it seemed to catch enough for me to pull to the side. I turned my car off and restarted it and was able to make it to work. I drove it to dealership and told them what happened. They called me Monday night to say it was fixed. I picked it up Tuesday after work. I was in rush hour traffic on weds morning and it failed again. This time it would not move at all. I put my flashers on to avoid being struck. I tried several times to get it to start again and go. Finally I was able to get the transmission to engage. I took it back to the dealership and the transmission failed again. I restarted my car and made it to the dealership. They said they fixed it. I don't trust it since they had just "fixed" it before and less than 24 hours later it failed again. I told them when I brought it in the first time it was a safety recall. I tried to recall all I could about when and where. My impression is that the transmission failed in all instances when I had been driving it for at least 20 minutes. I was in rush hour traffic but moving traffic the first time and the second time I was in stopped traffic due to an accident on I-20 and the last time also in moving traffic. Time seems to be the common factor, at least 20 minutes of driving time before it shuts down.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

After having the car from new for 3 years and 5 months, the car has been to the dealer for transmission issues and repairs multiple times and with a computer failure for the shifting. The computer failure left us stranded 80 miles from home and with out of state family. It took 4 complaints initially before the dealer finally looked and noticed leaking from the transmission to get the parts to replace the clutches, seals and other parts at 30,000+/- miles. Then the computer failure was at 48,000 miles. I don't trust the car now due to reliability issues with the dct transmission. The transmission computer failure happened while driving down the highway and pulling off to check things out. Complete failure happened once I tried to get going again. Dealer said the computer was under a recall that I was never notified on.

- Waterford, CA, USA

Since I took the car off the lot it shuddered when shifting from first to second gear. It never felt completely right but since it is a new car I assumed that's how it's supposed to feel. Well the shuddering progressively got worse and turned into grinding. I got new transmission fluid and cleaned out the system checked the plugs nothing got better. I took it in a few times to the dealership they said that the transmission was fine and that's how it is supposed to drive. Well I was on my way to work and the car kept slipping out of fourth gear and then it completely lost power every time I pressed the accelerator the engine revved but there was no power. This car is less than three years old it shouldn't have this type of problem. The check engine light never came on and I couldn't even get above 30 mph on the car. I looked online and this seems to be a recurring problem.

- Antioch, CA, USA

After purchasing this vehicle in 2013 we found out the transmission does not have a torque converter. Therefore, the transmission shakes, makes noises, and seems to grab, feeling like the vehicle might stall although it never has. We have had it in to the local Ford dealer two times and both times we were told that the transmission is "within specs". the vehicle seems to be better when the vehicle is cool. Once it warms up the issues seem to occur regularly when driven on city streets. We were told at the car dealership that one half of these models for this year vehicle have transmissions like this. The other half of vehicles have regular transmission that have torque converters.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

Trouble shifting between 1st and 2nd gears, when turning a corner won't stay in gear, feels rough and studders between 1st and 2nd gears. Have been told by a Ford technician to drive the car "like I was an 18 year old" or told transmission is working as should be.

- Magna, UT, USA

New dealer maintained 2013 Focus titanium Focus 6 months old about 18000 miles had bad wheel bearing on the drivers side, at 46000 transmission was overhauled due to poor shifting, AT120000 catalytic converter failed, AT136000 car died due to bad wiring harness and fried several sensors, at 143000 transmission control module failed, at 144000 the transmission module failed again on a 3 year old car.

- Stockbridge, MI, USA

My daughter bought this lemon new. She has had it back to the dealership just for transmission 5 times. It has stalled out on her many times while driving, at a red light, stop signs, etc... we've have had taken it to two different dealerships to no avail. I've tried to call Ford Motor Co directly, that was a joke. The customer service specialist would not listen or let me talk. They stated last time that she needs a new clutch, which is backordered. Which brings up a red flag!!! my husband works in the automotive parts field and stated you can get a complete new transmission in a couple of days however we can't get a clutch"??" this is not the only problems with the vehicle we have had but these are the ones with the power train.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

Shifts into neutral when upshifting (automatic). Shudders & grinds when shifts. Have almost been rear ended numerous times due to late shifting or going into neutral. This happens on city streets and expressways. On third clutch and still happening.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

2013 Ford Focus with 39000 miles on it. I have noticed the shudder on acceleration. Returned it to dealer, they reset computer. The shudder has returned.

- Ridgely, MD, USA

The transmission in my car has failed 7 times since 7/15/2014. The transmission fails and causes the car to jerk, shudder, lag and jump in traffic. I have nearly rear-ended many vehicles and was nearly hit 3 times because the transmission slipped while making a left hand turn. This car is not safe to drive.

- Boone, NC, USA