2103 Ford Fiesta Transmission Problems

[rk1407]

My girlfriend has a 2013 Fiesta with the dual clutch transmission. This transmission is a complete nightmare. I'm sure many people have heard of this problem since its widespread on Fiestas and some Focus.

She has had it in to the dealer multiple times. They have updated the software a few times which has helped for a short amount of time.

She doesn't complain much about it since she doesn't really have any options at this point but she is now concerned for her safety. Today the CEL went on and it was bucking and jerking like crazy. When she turns the car of the CEL goes off and comes on intermittently. Of course we she can schedule an appointment at the dealer on her day off the light is usually off and they say the can't help.

Making a left turn requires here to wait until there is no traffic in sight since she is never sure how long it will take or if the transmission will engage. Its a really bad deal.

Does anybody know of a fix for this? Has Ford come out with a replacement yet? We really need to get this thing fixed. Any help, advice, or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Colt45ws]

Maybe try recording it acting up. Thats bull that they can't do anything just because the light is off. If they connect their reader to it, the stored codes will be there still.

 

[crazyoildude]

check with your states lemon law and find an attorney and ask them their help is FREE call them today.
You may get a full refund or a brand new car at no cost to you ...Call today time may be running out if it did not already.

 

[Powerglide]

$2500 with a good attorney and you'll get your money back or a new car from the dealership where you bough it.

 

[crazyoildude]

Lemon Law Attorneys should not charge you a dime for anything Check out the Kimmel and silverman website for more honest information on lemon law i don't think they are in your state but i could be wrong check them out they are amazing..

 

[JC1]

I've heard about it being a common issue. I'd be dumping the car whatever way I could, even if I was going to lose money.

Sounds like a disastrous and expensive car go own.

 

[sopususer]

Almost two years ago my wife hit a deer and her car was in the body shop. The insurance got us a rental 2014 Focus with the DCT transmission. It was horrible, but worked for a week.

Flash forward to a year ago December, we were in the market for a late model used small car for my son's first car. Found a nice used Focus with 25K on the clock. Dealer said there was a tsb to replace seals in trany. Something about fluid getting on the friction plate and causing slippage. Didn't realize it was as widespread of a problem until I started reading.

We skipped the Focus and went with a Chevy Cruze instead. But as for your problem, there was a tsb that was supposed to cover this. If your dealer is so uncooperative contact Ford or look for another Ford dealer. The seals and cleaning/replacing the friction surfaces are supposed to fix the problem.

Not sure if this is the latest tsb, but here's an idea.

DCT Transmission tsb]

 

[Danh]

The CEL should retain a memory of the problem so get it in as soon as possible. To me, it sounds like a faulty transmission control module, which is a known problem. This is a pretty big deal to fix, but Ford has extended the warranty so you should be covered.

Beyond the TCM, Ford does have new clutch and seal designs and updated software. This transmission can behave beautifully; don't accept anything less.

 

[pbm]

I think Ford should admit DEFEAT on this tranny and move on....

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The DCT's on both the Fiesta and Focus have been recalled numerous times. Ford should just replace them with real automatic transmissions.

 

[BikeWhisperer]

My wife had a 2013 Focus Platinum with this transmission. It would occasionally do weird things but for the most part worked. But the word "worked" is relative, I've driven a few vehicles with these auto shifting manual transmissions and they all have issues IME (the Peugeot I drove in Europe was worse than the Ford). The only thing they are good for is a couple MPG over a slushbox.

But my wife decided she didn't like it anymore so we took a hit and traded it in for a Escape Ecoboost. After all the discount and incentives, we only lost about $1k which both of us can live with.

 

[ram_man]

There's not a fix they replace the seal and the clutch and that's it. It's a flawed design and probably always will be. I've fixed a few of them

 

[daves87rs]

Trade it in as soon as you can....all I will say!


I love the Focus hatch, but I cannot buy it....

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I think Ford should admit DEFEAT on this tranny and move on....


^^^ This. I'm a Ford guy through and through and I'd not touch one. May be OK early on but a poor idea. Weird thing is it's a Getrag design and I always thought they did good trannies.

I did drive a Focus with it for a few days. Didn't notice anything weird but the thing only had about 2k on it.

 

[NO2]

My son bought the '13 manual. An excellent car with nothing wrong except a lamp. You should check in to your state's lemon law, under most of them she would get a full refund.

 

[bdcardinal]

I always recommend getting a manual Focus or Fiesta if someone wants one. If they really want an automatic I tell them to get a Fusion. They have tons of fixes and none of them work. My boss bought a 2016 Focus to replace his 2012 that his daughter totaled, the brand new one had trans issues out of the box.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: pbm
I think Ford should admit DEFEAT on this tranny and move on....


^^^ This. I'm a Ford guy through and through and I'd not touch one. May be OK early on but a poor idea. Weird thing is it's a Getrag design and I always thought they did good trannies.

I did drive a Focus with it for a few days. Didn't notice anything weird but the thing only had about 2k on it.



When ford engineers [censored] on it....knowing one one my cub scout's dad works on it...


Yeah, it should be gone soon....

 

[cptbarkey]

The fix is a new car. Ford has had YEARS to fix this issue and hasnt. Dump your Fiesta's and Focuses.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs


When ford engineers [censored] on it....knowing one one my cub scout's dad works on it...


Yeah, it should be gone soon....


I don't know I'd put the blame solely on Ford. Getrag has exited the dry clutch DCT business so I just wonder if the whole thing is not ready for prime time. Seems that most with dry clutch DCT's have issues.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I think Ford should admit DEFEAT on this tranny and move on....


I agree. My 1995 Escort still has it's original automatic transmission at over 233K miles, and it still works fine. The DCT is a failure. I wouldn't buy one, but resale prices on Focuses and Fiestas suggest that the the issue really isn't that bad.