Ford Focus Powershift 7,000 Complaints

[csv8]

"JULIE Zawila is so scared to drive her “lemon’’ Ford Focus that she covers it in signs to warn other motorists.
The Springfield Lakes mum is one of more than 7000 Ford owners who have complained about a faulty PowerShift transmission that allegedly caused the cars to shudder and stall unexpectedly.
Ms Zawila said despite having a new clutch installed last month, her car still shudders, cannot find second gear, and has stalled three times at lights and roundabouts.
She said problems with the “lemon car” rattled her nerves so badly at one point that she was forced to pull over, shaking and in tears.
“These vehicles need to be taken off our roads and crushed,” she said.
“They are absolute lemons and will be a danger to everyone as long as they are on the roads.”
Ford’s PowerShift transmission is in 22 different models of 2011-15 Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport.
The technology is designed to drive like an automatic but has the features of a manual gearbox.
About 1500 disgruntled customers are currently suing Ford, alleging cars with the technology are not of acceptable quality, as defined under Australian Consumer Law.
The final hearing of the class action lawsuit, filed by Bannister Law, will begin on June 11, 2018.
The action seeks refunds or the difference between the purchase price and the true value of the vehicles, as well as aggravated damages.
More than 70,000 allegedly dodgy cars could be affected.
Ms Zawila is not a party to the class action but is in negotiations with her local Ford dealer and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
She purchased her car secondhand for $18,393 just over a year ago.
“I’m going for a full refund on the thing,” she said.
A spokesman for Ford Australia said the company was working to assist customers.

“If any customer is experiencing potential problems with their vehicle, they should contact their dealer or contact Ford Australia directly for assistance,” he said.
He said potentially affected vehicles have had the warranty extended on the clutch and transmission input shaft seals as well as the transmission software calibration.
A Fix our Ford Focus and Fiestas!! Facebook group has over 1200 members."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questn...50276ef0e93993

[Sprintey]

I love driving the work DSG diesel van in a tight car park.
Accelerator: press, press, press, nothing. Slight extra press: rockets off in direction of parked cars. Hit brake quickly. Repeat.

[Joe5619]

Focus, this biggest sales disappointment in the whole Ford range.. Worse than Falcon & they put that one too sleep. They need to do something very different with it, I'd start with a name change, they have damaged the Focus name beyond repair!!

[4dlvr]

shame, should have been addressed and fixed asap because it is such a good car.

[csv8]

The fault should have been found in pre-production testing????????

[DJM83]

Focus name is tarnished many

Still see them everywhere.

Im guessing most of you run a car company so you have a thorough idea of what goes on in testing and what not, maybe you can offer some advice to Ford that your company enlists!

Another typical rubbishing ford thread!

[GTP534]

^^^^ It's been done to death in other threads but it definitely is a woeful gearbox letting down what is basically a nice small car. We've still got ours, we haven't joined the class action, just waiting to see what Ford will do.

[csv8]

DJM83...if the gearbox is as faulty as claimed, surely in the many kilometres of testing , the fault would have shown up...if not, why not ? and why only showing up in production models????? Did they only test the manual Focus ? Does seem strange that VW also have the same issue????? Problem must be widespread for the new model to get a conventional auto box...
"But the automaker found out as early as 2010 that there were major issues with the new transmissions, according to the suit. The company learned of the problems in a number of ways, including internal testing data, consumer complaints to Ford and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, dealership repair orders, and the existence of the defect in “substantially similar” models sold in Australia and Europe, the suit says.

“Nevertheless, defendant has actively concealed and failed to disclose this defect to plaintiffs and class members at the time of purchase or lease and thereafter,” the complaint states.

The complaint adds that despite spending over $550 million to build a new transmission manufacturing facility in Mexico with the part's manufacturer, Getrag, Ford is now canceling the PowerShift program “many years prior to its estimated end date.”
https://www.law360.com/articles/6349...iestas-focuses

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Focus, this biggest sales disappointment in the whole Ford range..

how did you reach this conclusion?

[jandj]

Originally Posted by csv8

"JULIE Zawila is so scared to drive her “lemon’’ Ford Focus that she covers it in signs to warn other motorists.
The Springfield Lakes mum is one of more than 7000 Ford owners who have complained about a faulty PowerShift transmission that allegedly caused the cars to shudder and stall unexpectedly.
Ms Zawila said despite having a new clutch installed last month, her car still shudders, cannot find second gear, and has stalled three times at lights and roundabouts.
She said problems with the “lemon car” rattled her nerves so badly at one point that she was forced to pull over, shaking and in tears.
“These vehicles need to be taken off our roads and crushed,” she said.
“They are absolute lemons and will be a danger to everyone as long as they are on the roads.”
Ford’s PowerShift transmission is in 22 different models of 2011-15 Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport.
The technology is designed to drive like an automatic but has the features of a manual gearbox.
About 1500 disgruntled customers are currently suing Ford, alleging cars with the technology are not of acceptable quality, as defined under Australian Consumer Law.
The final hearing of the class action lawsuit, filed by Bannister Law, will begin on June 11, 2018.
The action seeks refunds or the difference between the purchase price and the true value of the vehicles, as well as aggravated damages.
More than 70,000 allegedly dodgy cars could be affected.
Ms Zawila is not a party to the class action but is in negotiations with her local Ford dealer and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
She purchased her car secondhand for $18,393 just over a year ago.
“I’m going for a full refund on the thing,” she said.
A spokesman for Ford Australia said the company was working to assist customers.

“If any customer is experiencing potential problems with their vehicle, they should contact their dealer or contact Ford Australia directly for assistance,” he said.
He said potentially affected vehicles have had the warranty extended on the clutch and transmission input shaft seals as well as the transmission software calibration.
A Fix our Ford Focus and Fiestas!! Facebook group has over 1200 members."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questn...50276ef0e93993

So does this fault only appear in petrol powered focus ?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by csv8

DJM83...if the gearbox is as faulty as claimed, surely in the many kilometres of testing , the fault would have shown up...if not, why not ? and why only showing up in production models????? Did they only test the manual Focus ? Does seem strange that VW also have the same issue????? Problem must be widespread for the new model to get a conventional auto box...
"But the automaker found out as early as 2010 that there were major issues with the new transmissions, according to the suit. The company learned of the problems in a number of ways, including internal testing data, consumer complaints to Ford and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, dealership repair orders, and the existence of the defect in “substantially similar” models sold in Australia and Europe, the suit says.

“Nevertheless, defendant has actively concealed and failed to disclose this defect to plaintiffs and class members at the time of purchase or lease and thereafter,” the complaint states.

The complaint adds that despite spending over $550 million to build a new transmission manufacturing facility in Mexico with the part's manufacturer, Getrag, Ford is now canceling the PowerShift program “many years prior to its estimated end date.”
https://www.law360.com/articles/6349...iestas-focuses

Yeah valid points ill be honest.
But your Ford bashing threads get old, its a problem yes and well documented, but why post more threads on it. Does it affect you?
You are AFF's version of click bait thats all you insight.
Let the issue take its path and people can read via the other heap of threads on the issue. Small fords are over priced anyway so you wont buy one.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jandj

So does this fault only appear in petrol powered focus ?

yes. diesel versions use the superior wet clutch version.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Focus name is tarnished many

Still see them everywhere.

Im guessing most of you run a car company so you have a thorough idea of what goes on in testing and what not, maybe you can offer some advice to Ford that your company enlists!

Another typical rubbishing ford thread!

Why are you carrying on like a fool? Is it because you own a focus and you don't want any butthurt over it?

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by prydey

how did you reach this conclusion?

It is selling around 500 units in the biggest sector in the indurstry & is approx 10th in sector. The niche product that is Mustang is even out selling it & even a dying Falcon in a dying sector use to regularly beat it. It has dropped 50% PLUS from about 4-5 years ago.. Seriously, Ford Australia should be embarrassed with the results of Focus!! And don't give me this profit crap, this is an imported car that should be making a profit with every sale & should be selling better. End of story!!

Time to bring back Lazer!!!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by duaned

Why are you carrying on like a fool? Is it because you own a focus and you don't want any butthurt over it?

totally correct. Never seen a powershift ST but im sure you are aware of that too.

This power shift thingo doesnt really phase me. Nor do i care if my car is worth less because of it although i dont suspect that will happen and i dont really care if the name is 'tarnished' again i dont think thats a big issue and id bu another focus if lifestyle dictated i needed one.

Thing is its well documented on here as im sure you are aware, why do we need another? Typical OP thread thats why.

Anyway as you were.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

It is selling around 500 units in the biggest sector in the indurstry & is approx 10th in sector. The niche product that is Mustang is even out selling it & even a dying Falcon in a dying sector use to regularly beat it. It has dropped 50% PLUS from about 4-5 years ago.. Seriously, Ford Australia should be embarrassed with the results of Focus!! And don't give me this profit crap, this is an imported car that should be making a profit with every sale & should be selling better. End of story!!

Time to bring back Lazer!!!

Yes you are right. Popularity is much more important than profit

[jandj]

Why I feel for this lady who bought the focus, she should have done her homework before buying this vehicle. Especially with this model and the problems with the gearbox, and yes I feel for the people that bought this model.
Ford need to do the right thing by the people and offer some form of compensation.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by prydey

Yes you are right. Popularity is much more important than profit

As always you miss the point!!! You can have profit & popularity at the same time... Do you really think Corolla & 3 sell for a loss?

Bottom line, the Focus should be doing better at the current selling price. After all it's dropped over 50% in sales over the last 4-5 years. Has the price gone up to warrant this drop in sales performance? I'm not saying it has to beat Corrola or 3, but 500 per month is terrible.. Or at the very least a sales graph that is going up & not down..

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

As always you miss the point!!! You can have profit & popularity at the same time... Do you really think Corolla & 3 sell for a loss?

Bottom line, the Focus should be doing better at the current selling price. After all it's dropped over 50% in sales over the last 4-5 years. Has the price gone up to warrant this drop in sales performance? I'm not saying it has to beat Corrola or 3, but 500 per month is terrible.. Or at the very least a sales graph that is going up & not down..

no, you miss the point. profit is the only thing that matters. it doesn't matter what your competitors are doing. that is irrelevant. of course, every manufacturer will want to sell as much as they can of any product, but as long as a profit is generated, it is a success for the company.

this continual obsession with monthly sales charts is absurd.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by jandj

Why I feel for this lady who bought the focus, she should have done her homework before buying this vehicle. Especially with this model and the problems with the gearbox, and yes I feel for the people that bought this model.
Ford need to do the right thing by the people and offer some form of compensation.

Why should she have done her homework. The car should be able to be driven for its life with minimal fuss as long as its serviced to the manufactures schedule.

Some cars will be lemons from all manufactures but this issue is a big enough problem that the auto was changed.

[jandj]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Why should she have done her homework. The car should be able to be driven for its life with minimal fuss as long as its serviced to the manufactures schedule.

Some cars will be lemons from all manufactures but this issue is a big enough problem that the auto was changed.

Fair call mate , I still believe she should have done her homework.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by prydey

no, you miss the point. profit is the only thing that matters. it doesn't matter what your competitors are doing. that is irrelevant. of course, every manufacturer will want to sell as much as they can of any product, but as long as a profit is generated, it is a success for the company.

this continual obsession with monthly sales charts is absurd.

As a Management Accountant for over 15 years your views are just to simplistic.. You do realise sales is the first line in a P&L statement? In a company the size of Ford sales numbers & sales growth are just as important as profit. Most bonuses have a factor of sales growth & profit. If you think for one second Ford would be happy going backwards in the biggest sector in the market you are dreaming!!!

[Joe5619]

Also prydey, what you speak about is profit % & you ignore the actual profit in $, which is very dependent on sales numbers!!

[prydey]

well, if you look back through our comments, i'll let you decide which one of us has the most 'extreme' viewpoint.

of course every manufacturer wants to increase market share, but that doesn't mean a product isn't meeting internal targets.

i'm not suggesting all is rosy and that it is definitely profitable, but i'm sure not going to run around screaming that the sky is falling, simply because a rival product/s sells better.

[Joe5619]

Let's recap what started this!!!

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Focus, this biggest sales disappointment in the whole Ford range..

There is nothing extreme about that!!


Anyway, lets move on.. Ranger & Mustang are doing nicely!!

[WPR1]

Fixed my Dad's car under warranty and now is it perfect. They have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes on this and now seem to have a good fix.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by WPR1

Fixed my Dad's car under warranty and now is it perfect. They have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes on this and now seem to have a good fix.

We've received a recall notice for Ford to update the Transmission Control Unit.

Will be taking the car in soon for this.

[ebxr8240]

We have the Fiesta Ecoboost in family .. TOP little car.. Among WRX's , XR6, FG GT..

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by jandj

Fair call mate , I still believe she should have done her homework.

What will happen is buy something other then a Ford. Not just her...this women will tell anyone and everyone she can.

Lucky there is little money in these cars compared to something like the ranger.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Focus name is tarnished many

Still see them everywhere.

Im guessing most of you run a car company so you have a thorough idea of what goes on in testing and what not, maybe you can offer some advice to Ford that your company enlists!

Another typical rubbishing ford thread!

You don't need 25 years of engineering experience to work out a product is not fit for purpose, the ultimate judgement of a products worth is the using public.
The Focus is not on my shopping list anytime soon.