auto change down into First Gear for 07 Focus LT

[wayne2208]

My 2007 focus has an annoying habit of letting you know when the auto changes down to first gear. Usually when you are rolling to a stop/give way sign the car will be down to about 5km/h when it changes down causing the car to lurch slightly and makes it hard to come to a stop smoothly.

I usually slow down and let it coast without pressing on the brakes much, so when it does shift down to 1st gear, sometimes it is very obvious..

Is there anyone has the same problem?? I recon it's the problem of the gear box and will go to dealer tomorrow.......

[RJO89]

This is a very widely reported problem. Do a thread search on this issue and you will find a long thread about it. I think the problem was narrowed down, but I can't remember exactly what it was about the gearbox that was stuffing up.

[DZFord]

Good luck getting that fixed...

Mine is a 06 LS and has the same problem. I took it back to the dealership and they kept telling me "they all do it"- which isn't true, since I've test driven other LS's.

I wasn't happy so I took it under warranty to Bayford Ford (transmission specialists). It's had the whole transmission out TWICE, with valves, springs etc replaced, and that still didn't fix the problem. Ford keep putting it down to a "timing problem" / ECU.

Ford wouldn't even enteratin the idea of having the transmission replaced.

Let me know if you have any luck.

[Velociraptor82]

Sorry if I don't have the correct terminology to describe this, I got a 06LS auto.

If i downshift early (in tiptronic mode), it feels like the brakes activate suddenly to bring the revs down so that the engine can change gears safely without doing any harm. (engine brakes perhaps?).

Could this be what you are experiencing when you come to a stop?

[DZFord]

No, it's a definite "clunk" or "shudder" as the auto trans downshifts from 2nd - 1st at low speeds.

[TITO]

I fixed this problem by getting rid of the car. Your dealer wont touch it, better off going to a tranmission shop and pay a few hundred bucks and fix it your self and save your nerves.

[DZFord]

By the way, I think I forgot to mention the Focus auto tranmission is crap?

[sumpPUMP]

lucky for us manual focus drivers ey?

do you guys recon there are just as many manuals as autos as the focus is for economy driving?

[DZFord]

Originally Posted by sumpPUMP

do you guys recon there are just as many manuals as autos as the focus is for economy driving?

Probably. I'll never get an auto again. It SEEMED like a good idea at the time, since I do 95% of my driving in peak hour!

[wayne2208]

I just got my focus back today after leaving it there for all day.
They said they have checked operation of transmission and found ok at time of check. Some words I found in my invoice "found level down 700ml, topped up carried out IDS test and found all ok".

When I drove it home, the lurch problem remained there........damn....
Maybe I have to to the transmission shop or get rid of it.........
would go for Honda or Toyota.....maybe.........terrible experience... :

[20focus05]

my mate used to work for ford and they found the problem to be the servo that applies/releases of the band. these trans use oil pressure to release the band along with a spring, different to many other transmissions.
I see these trans very often but in the mazda.(80,000km on average) actually not seen a focus yet.
a bump to stop issue can be many things especially with the new cars where the trans and engine talk to each other.
Best to start with check band adjustment(requires special tool), and pressure tests(direct clutch, cause it also feeds band release). A good auto trans place should be able to check these out
I had a mazda one recently totally give me the sh!ts, after pulling it out and rechecking everything it still did not work exactly right, so i used the parts in a new case. came up all good. obviously a hairline crack in the case somewhere that we could not see.
Makes you want to cry sometimes.

[want-a-XY]

My Mum just bought a 2005 LS CL auto. i find it makes this shudder only intermittently, but i'm the only one who notices it. it isn't bad enough to be a problem..... it's not that bad so i reckon it'll be alright though

[focus181]

We have a 2008 LT experiencing same lurching problem. No luck with 2 dealers or Ford themselves. I'll be calling Office of Fair Trading next

[fishontherun]

hi focus181,
can you give us an update on what OFT say? I was having same problem with my 08 LT.

[focus181]

Originally Posted by fishontherun

hi focus181,
can you give us an update on what OFT say? I was having same problem with my 08 LT.

Currently in the process of lodging a written complaint with OFT

Stay tuned.....

[focus181]

Complaint was lodged last week - no word yet. We might stand a better chance if a few more people lodge complaints with OFT - it can't hurt, and at least OFT (and Ford) will know it's potentially a more widespread problem

[mohit]

Originally Posted by focus181

Complaint was lodged last week - no word yet. We might stand a better chance if a few more people lodge complaints with OFT - it can't hurt, and at least OFT (and Ford) will know it's potentially a more widespread problem

I will lodge a complaint. What do i need to do? You can PM me if you want.

[focus181]

Originally Posted by mohit

I will lodge a complaint. What do i need to do? You can PM me if you want.

Depends what State you're in -

Qld - Office of Fair Trading - http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/
Vic - Consumer Affairs Victoria - http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
NSW - Office of Fair Trading - http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/default.html

Not sure about the other States.....

You can either ring them or just go online and follow the links on any of the State websites to Lodge a Complaint.
The sites should tell you what you'll need to include with the Complaint form - ie copies of all correspondence you've had with your dealer and Ford, copies of any service reports, etc, etc
Good luck

[fishontherun]

I'll lodge a complaint too.. in vaguely hope that they will make Ford to do a recall .. :-)