2011 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 18%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Focus, 18% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The clutch system on my manual 2011 Ford Focus went out. The clutch now plays on the floor board with no catch in it. The gears wont budge. I researched and seen the newer models have had this same problem. Please please please look into this. I absolutely love my car. When the clutch went out it was on the main highway in bridge city, tx.”
NHTSA complaint #11182451, filed 2019-02, 153,000 miles“With less that 70000 miles on the car my transmission started to go out on me. I have since had the transmission replaced as it is under warranty, and less than a week after getting it fixed it was already started to go on me and has gotten progressively worse over the six months.”
NHTSA complaint #11104296, filed 2018-06, 65,000 miles“My 2012 Ford Focus is equipped with the dual clutch transmission and has had issues from the day I bought it. Shuddering upon start was the biggest issue. Car finally stopped running and was repaired at dealer but now the transmission is extremely noisy and will slip out of gear into neutral without warning, including on highways at speed. Transmission will also slip quite badly upon launch at times which can be a cause of an accident when trying to enter traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11231273, filed 2019-07, 120,500 miles“Throttle body went out on my 2011 Ford Focus ses while driving. Brought it into hub city Ford in lafayette, la for them to look at it. First trip, cleaned the throttle body and said it should have performed like new. As I was leaving the parking lot, the wrench light on dash turned on and I had to get it replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10568350, filed 2014-03, 52,000 miles“Several times, my breaks have not responded while pressing down on them, my foot will be to the ground and there is nothing. It caused my vehicle to crash into the vehicle in front of me the first time it happened going 35 miles an hour.”
NHTSA complaint #11104294, filed 2018-06, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237441May 4, 2023Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164604Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty…
- 10163594Jul 12, 2019Short-Term DPS6 Dealer Customer Handling Direction
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10092575Aug 16, 2016Certain 2011 through 2014 model year fiesta and focus vehicles equipped with a dps6 automatic transmission - transmission clutch shudder / transmission input shaft seal warranty…
- 10204985Apr 7, 201649 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016
- 10204977Mar 3, 2016Customer satisfaction Program 14M01 - Supplement #5 Certain 2011 thr ough 2014 Model Year Fies ta and Focus vehicles equipped with a DKPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission…
- 10074653Mar 3, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10074720Aug 4, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10074708Aug 4, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Focus
25 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology