I took my 2014 Focus (over 260k miles) to the dealership because it wouldn’t shift past 4th gear. Turns out it needed a new TCM, which they replaced. But now the dealership says the car isn’t running because of a clutch code, and they want $3000 to replace the clutch. The car itself isn’t even worth that much. Couldn’t they just reset the clutch code or something?
Ended up selling the Focus for $500 and bought a new car.
They could reset the clutch code, but they wouldn’t be able to program the TCM if the clutch isn’t functioning. Sounds like it needs replacement for the programming to work. Sorry, this is a tough spot to be in.
@Oren
Thanks for explaining. Makes a bit more sense now.
Mica said:
@Oren
Thanks for explaining. Makes a bit more sense now.
You’re welcome. Tbh, I haven’t always needed to program the TCM after replacing it. But if the car won’t start, it might be because the TCM isn’t recognizing it as in ‘park.’ Just a thought.
$1200 is about average for clutches. Anything over $2k feels like a rip-off, ngl.
Wynn said:
$1200 is about average for clutches. Anything over $2k feels like a rip-off, ngl.
I did mine at home, spent $1200 on parts and tools. Clutch pack was $850, and the rest went to tools I needed. Took about 40 hours total.
@Tal
40 hours?! Like, four-zero??
@Tal
That’s an 8-hour job max. $850 for the clutch pack? Sounds like you overpaid. I’ve seen them on Rock Auto for $450–$600.
Wynn said:
$1200 is about average for clutches. Anything over $2k feels like a rip-off, ngl.
Keep in mind this is a dual-clutch setup, so you’re basically replacing two clutches. $3000 from Ford is on the low side. I was quoted $4500, and the best local price I found was $2850. Still sucks, though.
@Mai
Got mine done for $1200 at a Ford dealership. Also, clutches on these typically last 65k–100k miles.
Wynn said:
@Mai
Got mine done for $1200 at a Ford dealership. Also, clutches on these typically last 65k–100k miles.
Lol, my old Focus went 190k miles on the original clutch. Still going strong.
@Ash
You got lucky then. Ford mechanics say 100k is the upper limit for most.
Wynn said:
@Ash
You got lucky then. Ford mechanics say 100k is the upper limit for most.
Guess I’m extra lucky then. My car’s been tuned since early on, including the transmission. It’s been solid ever since.
Not a pro car guy, but I had a similar experience with my 2013 Focus. Got a P090c code for the clutch actuator and thought it was the TCM. Dealer replaced the TCM under warranty but claimed my clutch was “failing and leaking.” They quoted $3700, which is more than the car’s worth, so I just picked it up and left.
Checked it with my OBD scanner when I got home, and no codes showed up. Car’s been fine ever since.
Did the dealership give you any proof of the clutch issue? Any reason they say it’s undriveable?
Same thing happened to me. Paid the $3k, and honestly, the car feels like new now.