Hi everyone, I’m thinking about getting a Focus Titanium. I took one for a test drive, and it seemed really clean and well-maintained. I told the seller I was interested, but now I’ve found out it has a clutch fork issue. This makes me nervous. Does anyone know what common problems this model has? I don’t want to end up wasting money.
Trust me on this one—DON’T BUY IT! I bought the same car 3 months ago, and it’s already costing me a fortune. The clutch assembly alone is going to set me back $5k, and I’ve already spent $300 replacing O2 sensors and the clutch actuator. If you want a reliable car, go for a Civic or Corolla. The Focus will just give you endless headaches.
If you’re not comfortable driving a manual, I’d say skip it. The DCT (dual-clutch transmission) in these cars is notorious for issues, and repairs are really expensive.
From 2012 to 2018, the Focus models have the DCT transmission, which is basically an automatic that works like a manual. The clutch forks and other parts collect clutch dust since it’s a dry clutch system. This design has caused tons of problems.
I’ve managed to put 223k miles on mine, but that’s because I mostly drive on the highway. City driving makes it worse unless you treat it like a manual.
If you’re new to dual-clutch systems, I wouldn’t recommend it. That said, the manual version of this car has a better reputation. Good luck with your search!
@Ariel
Just want to point out that 2012 is actually part of the second generation and not as bad as the 2013-2018 models. The earlier ones are considered more reliable.
Kenan said:
@Ariel
Just want to point out that 2012 is actually part of the second generation and not as bad as the 2013-2018 models. The earlier ones are considered more reliable.
Maybe, but my girlfriend has a 2012 Focus with the DCT, and it’s been nothing but trouble. Are you talking about the manual version?
@Ariel
I had a 2012 Focus and loved it… until the transmission failed. It cost me $8k to fix, and I ended up selling it for scrap. It could’ve been a great car if it weren’t for that awful transmission.
@Ariel
I’m not even sure if the 2012 models had the CVT option. I thought they were all DCT or manual.
Kenan said:
@Ariel
I’m not even sure if the 2012 models had the CVT option. I thought they were all DCT or manual.
No, you’re right. The 2012-2018 Focus has the DCT. It’s a pretty consistent problem across those years.
@Ariel
Yeah, my bad for mixing it up with the Escape. I’d never touch a Focus. Those transmissions are doomed to fail sooner or later.
Kenan said:
@Ariel
I’m not even sure if the 2012 models had the CVT option. I thought they were all DCT or manual.
The Escape during those years had issues too, but it didn’t use the DCT. That was specific to the Focus and Fiesta.
I own a 2012 Titanium, and the clutch is failing because of the bad transmission design. Twice now, while driving on the highway at 80 mph for about 20 minutes, the RPMs have gone crazy, and I’ve gotten a “Transmission System Fault, Service Now” message. The dealership confirmed the clutch is shot. I’m currently looking for a new car. My advice? Don’t buy it.
@Oli
That sounds like the actuators, not the clutch. There’s a video on YouTube that shows how to fix it yourself in 15 minutes. I’ve done it, and the car runs better than ever. If you don’t want to deal with it, let me know—I’d buy it off you.
@Oli
Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/0Fh5G6ebD8s?si=xFs-8RK_M6nnv2rz
@Oli
I posted the link in case you want to check it out. It’s an easy fix.
Ainsley said:
@Oli
I posted the link in case you want to check it out. It’s an easy fix.
Thanks for the info. I’m waiting to hear back from the dealership to confirm what the codes are. If it’s just the actuators, I’ll definitely try replacing them myself to get a bit more life out of the car while I save for something new.
@Oli
I had the same issue. Clean the battery grounds—there are three, one near the battery and two under the airbox. Sand off any paint at the contact points. Combine that with what the video shows, and it should solve the problem. Dealers always say you need a new transmission, but this simple fix works most of the time. I’ve bought six of these cars cheap, fixed them up, and sold them for a good profit. It’s worth a try!
Just don’t buy it. Get a different car. Ford is a nightmare.
Save yourself a lot of trouble and check out a Mazda 3 instead. It’s crazy that dealerships are still trying to sell these problematic Fords…