Ford Focus Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 6,341 of the 13,501 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2018 Ford Focus (47%) name the transmission, 3.7× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
6,341
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2018 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
47%
of 13,501 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ford Focus transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 23 | 9.2% | 0 | — | 3 |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% | 0 | — | 3 |
| 2010 | 45 | 15.7% | 3 | — | 5 |
| 2011 | 20 | 17.7% | 1 | — | 16 |
| 2012WORST | 1,462 | 38.4% | 37 | — | 55 |
| 2013WORST | 1,139 | 52.2% | 22 | — | 57 |
| 2014WORST | 1,597 | 60% | 28 | — | 57 |
| 2015 | 563 | 54.4% | 11 | 26V37600018V169000 | 41 |
| 2016 | 678 | 56.7% | 8 | 26V37600018V84500018V169000 | 40 |
| 2017 | 456 | 50.3% | 5 | 26V37600018V845000 | 25 |
| 2018 | 319 | 38% | 0 | 26V37600018V845000 | 12 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ford Focus transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 6,341 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ford Focus years to avoid for the transmission
2014 Ford Focus
1,597 transmission complaints (60% of the year's 2,661). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2012 Ford Focus
1,462 transmission complaints (38.4% of the year's 3,805). Most often described: shudder or vibration.
2013 Ford Focus
1,139 transmission complaints (52.2% of the year's 2,181). Most often described: shudder or vibration.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ford Focus years to avoid.
Ford Focus transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ford Focus model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V376000 · 2026-06-09 · 2015–2018 models
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 18V845000 · 2018-11-28 · 2016–2018 models
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 18V169000 · 2018-03-12 · 2015–2016 models
Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Which transmission does the Ford Focus use?
- Ford PowerShift DPS6 — 2012–2016
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2014 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 1,597 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Ford Focus, 60% of all 2,661 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (438 complaints). 28 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 1,462 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Focus, 38.4% of all 3,805 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (341 complaints). 37 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 1,139 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Focus, 52.2% of all 2,181 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (289 complaints). 22 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ford Focus years have the most transmission complaints?
2014 (1,597), 2012 (1,462) and 2013 (1,139), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ford Focus transmission problems?
In the 6,341 transmission complaints, owners most often describe shudder or vibration (24.1%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (22.7%) and hesitation or delayed engagement (17.2%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ford Focus model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration