This sounds like a failed TCM. My Focus had the same issue—wouldn’t move from a stop randomly. Ford replaced it under warranty, even though my car was nearly 10 years old. It’s worth asking if yours is still covered.
Sounds like your car might need a transmission job soon. Good luck!
Just to clarify, does your car have a manual or automatic transmission? You mentioned the clutch fork, but also putting the car in park, which only automatics have. If it’s automatic, it might be a transmission issue. Have you checked the fluid level?
@Zane
It’s automatic. I don’t know how to check the fluid since there’s no dipstick, but it was changed at 150,000 miles.
The PowerShift transmission has two common issues: clutch wear and failing control modules. From your description, it sounds like the TCM is acting up.
At this point, it might be best to drive it until it dies while you save for a new car. Fixing the PowerShift transmission is often not worth the cost.
You might also want to check for issues with the purge valve. Ford recalled some Focus models for this, and it can cause problems if it malfunctions. Worth looking into.
If it’s automatic, the issue might be with the transmission control module or range switch. These are known weak points on this car. The part costs about $400 online, but labor might add to the expense.