The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2018 2018
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
Transmission shudders, slips and has uneven acceleration when the vehicle is in motion at speeds between 10mph to 50 mph.
2014 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint
Transmission feels like it is slipping upon acceleration. Feels like driving in high gear, lots of jumping & jerking.
2014 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Ford Focus years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Ford Focus years are 2014, 2012, 2013.
What are common Ford Focus transmission problems?
Owners most often describe shudder, hard or jerky shifting, lost power while driving.
Which Ford Focus years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Ford Focus years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2011, 2010, 2018.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Ford Focus reliability by year. How we count