I’m having some issues with my 2012 Ford Focus, and I’m hoping to understand what could be wrong before I go to a mechanic. I don’t know much about cars, and I don’t want to get taken advantage of. Here’s the situation:
The car has about 197,000 miles, and sometimes when I’m at a stoplight, it won’t accelerate when the light turns green. It’s like I’m pressing the gas in park. To get it to move, I have to put on my hazards, shift to park, then back to drive, and it works again. The issue happens randomly, and there’s no check engine light.
A few months ago, my dad (a mechanic) worked on the car for a different issue. He mentioned something about the clutch fork, and two parts were replaced, but I didn’t get all the details. The check engine code back then was P07A3.
I know this car isn’t the best, but I need it to hold up a little longer while I save for a new one. Any ideas on what could be wrong or what to ask the mechanic? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for posting! Remember to give the year, make, and model of your car when asking questions. If you’re looking for second opinions or advice about potential scams, always do your research and compare estimates. Good luck!
Your Focus uses an automatic transmission called PowerShift, which works like an automatic but is designed like a manual with two clutches. This design has had a lot of issues. Ford even had a service campaign for these cars, so it might be worth checking if yours still qualifies, though it’s a long shot with your mileage.
Abi said: @Dakota
Thank you for the explanation and the link! I’ll check with Ford and see if there’s any chance they’ll cover it. Fingers crossed!
Definitely worth asking! My sister’s 2013 Focus had over 200,000 km, and Ford replaced the TCM for free. She still had to pay for a new clutch, though. Hopefully, you get some good news!
Could be low transmission fluid. These cars don’t have a dipstick, so a mechanic would need to check the level. If the fluid is low, it could cause shifting issues. That said, with 200,000 miles, the transmission might just be wearing out.
Abi said: @Rory
The fluid was changed at 150,000 miles, so I’m hoping it’s not just wear and tear. But yeah, I’m trying to accept the reality.
Good to know the fluid was changed. That’s one less variable. You might want to find a transmission shop—they’ll have the expertise to diagnose and possibly rebuild it, which could be cheaper than replacing it.
If you’re unsure about a mechanic, don’t feel pressured to commit right away. Politely say you’ll consider your options and get a second opinion. Some shops might try to overcharge if they think you’re inexperienced.
It could be something as simple as the shift cable being slightly out of alignment. If it’s not fully engaging Drive, it might explain why the problem is intermittent.
If you’re paying someone to fix it, make them explain what’s wrong in plain terms. Take notes if needed, and don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion if something seems off.
The PowerShift transmission in these cars has a bad reputation. Many owners gave up on them after dealing with constant issues. Some even got refunds from Ford after fighting for years. Sorry you’re dealing with this—it’s a common story.
Abi said: @Kiernan
Thanks for sharing. I’m wondering if I should go to a mechanic first or straight to the dealership. What do you think?
That’s a tough one. A dealership might have more experience with this specific issue, but they’ll probably charge more. A mechanic might be cheaper but less familiar with the PowerShift problems. Maybe ask the mechanic if they’ve dealt with this before.