If you own the Ford Focus, you should be quite glad about what kind of comfort and reliability you get for the decent price you paid when you bought this car. But all your positive feelings may disappear immediately after you read the "Transmission Fault, Service Now" message on the dashboard of your vehicle.
Transmission fault message highlights
- Common reasons:clutch problem, TCU issues
- How to fix:read the codes, replace the clutch kit, replace the TCU
- Possible consequences:transmission may fail fatally at any moment
- Priority level:High
- Can you drive?Carefully
- DIY repair:Impossible
- Repair price range:$2,500-$3,500
Let's get started!
What can trigger the "Transmission Fault" message in the Focus?
In the American Ford Focus 3rd generation with the 2-liter engine, only two types of transmissions were used. A few cars have manual transmission which is completely problem free and will not send this kind of fault message even when dead. Almost all Focus models have the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission. And this one is pretty problematic.
First of all, we should tell you that at the mileage of 100,000 miles or more, you should expect to get at least two kinds of problems with these transmissions. Overall, the transmission is often better to replace at this mileage than to repair because the prices for these two types of procedures are more or less the same.
Also, you should understand that the Transmission-Fault message doesn't always mean problems with the transmission. Sometimes, it's just about the ECU. But you should check if these signs come together:
- the Transmission Fault, Service Now message appears on the dash;
- it doesn't get cleaned off when you restart the engine;
- the transmission starts working badly, it punches the vehicle when shifting between the 1st and the 2nd gears;
- the mileage of the Focus is over 100,000 miles.
If all these things are true, you most likely have the very common problems that happen with these PowerShift transmissions in the Ford Focus model. The same problem, by the way, may happen with the Fiesta and the EcoSport equipped with the same type of transmission. Other Ford vehicles are better.
By the way, the 1-liter EcoBoost version of the Focus is better because it offers the classic automatic transmission with no such problems. Also, the ST version is better since it's equipped with another type of transmission.
What can trigger the "Transmission Fault" message in your Focus?
Actually, it's common for the PowerShift transmission to trigger this message even by mistake. For example, the Transmission Control Module can have some problems after a quick start and can send this message to the car owner. After restarting your vehicle, everything should be fine if this is the case.
But in most cases, it's all about one of two problematic parts of the PowerShift transmission:
- The clutch system. This is the dual-clutch that will be dead after about 100,000 miles of careful driving. The price of the parts and labor is just insanely high, so repairing this clutch (replacing only) is not a pleasant task at all.
- The TCM module. The transmission control module is not the best part of the PowerShift unit, so it will malfunction at approximately the same mileage as the clutch. It's also an expensive part but it's much easier to replace than the clutch.
Also, the mechatronic part itself may malfunction. But the part with gears almost never fails. It means if you repair the transmission in your Focus by replacing the TCM and the clutch at about 100,000 miles, the vehicle will go another 100,000 miles with no major problems with the transmission. So, you should take out your smartphone and count up all the prices to see if this repair makes sense.
If the vehicle is old and has high mileage on it, the investment may be too high and insane for this car. But if you have a fresh Focus that is still good to drive maybe the best idea is to repair it.
How much is the clutch and the TCM for the Focus?
The TCM costs about $500 if bought not directly from dealers. Its replacement (again, not in the dealership) will cost about $100 or $150.
The clutch for the dual-clutch Ford transmission will cost about $1000 on the market and the replacement can take another $500 or so.
Please bear in mind that if you take your car to the Ford dealer, any parts and repairs will cost more.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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