Ford Focus Transmission Problems & Cost | 4F27E

The Ford Focus was equipped with the 4F27E transmission. Does something seem wrong with your Ford Focus transmission? Let’s look at some of the most common problems, and see what you can do to get your car back on the road.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Ford Focus Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate

These are the most current prices for a remanufactured replacement Ford Focus 4F27E Series transmission.

Replacement 4F27E Transmission:

TransmissionStreet Smart Transmission
4F27E1856

Ford Focus Diagnostic Trouble Codes | DTC

Trouble CodeDescription
P0711Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P0712Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0713Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
P0714Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent P0715
P0715Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit
P0717Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal
P0718Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent
P0740Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction
P0741Torque Converter Clutch Circuit
P0742Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Stuck On
P0743Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical
P0744Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent
P0748Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical
P0750Shift Solenoid 'A'
P0751Shift Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off
P0752Shift Solenoid 'A' Stuck On
P0753Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical
P0755Shift Solenoid 'B'
P0756Shift Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off
P0757Shift Solenoid 'B' Stuck On
P0758Shift Solenoid 'B' Electrical
P0817Transmission Fluid Pressure Manual Valve Position Switch Reverse with Drive Ratio
P0817Starter Disable Circuit
P0840Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch “A”
P0960Pressure Control Solenoid “A” Control Circuit/Open
P0961Pressure Control Solenoid “A” Control Circuit Range/Performance
P0962Pressure Control Solenoid “A” Control Circuit Low
P0963Pressure Control Solenoid “A” Control Circuit High
P0977Shift Solenoid “B” Control Circuit High
P0979Shift Solenoid “C” Control Circuit Low
P0980Shift Solenoid “C” Control Circuit High
P0982Shift Solenoid “D” Control Circuit Low
P0983Shift Solenoid “D” Control Circuit High
P0985Shift Solenoid “E” Control Circuit Low
P0986Shift Solenoid “E” Control Circuit High

Ford Focus Recalls

Recall ID – NHTSA: 02V117000 – 2002 Ford Focus

Summary
On 534 2002 Ford Focus models equipped with a manual transmission, the speed/cruise control cable could become entangled with the throttle body bracket during high or wide open throttle application. If this happens, the throttle would be prevented from returning to the closed position once the accelerator pedal is released.

Consequence
If the throttle becomes stuck open, the driver would have to depress both the clutch and the brake pedals in order to bring the car to a stop.

Remedy
On April 25, 2002, Ford instructed dealers to replace the throttle body assembly on affected cars. Owners can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (refer to the Focus recall 04V176000).

Ford Focus Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

TSB 14-0002 – 2-3 or 2-4 upshift flare, lack of third and/or fourth gear, along with multiple DTC’s – 4F27E Transmission
2008 – 2011 Ford Focus
Problem – The Ford Focus 4F27E transmission problems associated with this technical service bulletin include a 2-3 or 2-4 upshift flare, the lack of third and/or fourth gear, and the following transmission diagnostic trouble codes: P0733, P0734, P0751, and/or P0972
Solution – Install a direct clutch repair kit, which will include all the parts necessary to cure these problems

2012-2015 Focus – TSB 14-0197-15-0043 / 10057872

Problem:
2012-2015 Focus’ that were equipped with the dual-clutch Ford DPS6 automatic transmission, can experience a pronounced transmission clutch shudder during light acceleration, and/or fluid leaks around the clutch housing. This can occur because faulty input shaft seals can allow fluid to seep in and contaminate the surface of the clutch.

Solution:
Both input shaft seals will need to be replaced. And depending on the severity of the damage, a new clutch assembly may be required. However, it might be possible to clean and reinstall the clutch.

2014-2015 Focus – TSB 44852 / 10057815

Problem:
With regard to the TSB listed above, if the clutch contamination repair isn’t performed correctly, the problem could re-occur because the new input shaft seals could swell and rupture.

Solution:
The accepted procedure is to use brake cleaner to clean the bell housing and clutch assembly. However, if ample time isn’t allowed for the parts to dry before installing them, the new input shaft seals could swell and rupture if they come in contact with the cleaning solvent.

2014-2015 Focus – TSB 383123 / 10057861

Problem:
After replacing the dual clutch assembly on a DPS6 transmission, it’s not uncommon to experience a light shudder during shifts, because the clutch friction material requires a 1,000 mile break in period.

Solution:
Unless there is a fluid leak, the clutch assembly will not need to be replaced. Instead, the technician should run the IDS Service Routine Transmission Adaptive Learning program to reset the clutch travel.

2012-2013 Focus – TSB 32331 / 10053657

Problem:
This was a service tip to diagnose the following problems: no crank, no start, hard start, unusual noise during start, delayed or intermittent gear engagement, and numerous diagnostic trouble codes.

Solution:
Prior to performing normal diagnostics, it’s recommended to first check the G-104 ground for good body to ground contact. If the eyelet is loose, torque the fastener to 12 Nm. If no problem is found, resume normal diagnostic procedures.

Common Ford Focus Transmission Problems

Slipping and no reverse
4F27E Transmission
Problem – It’s not uncommon for the Ford Focus 4F27E to experience severe slipping and/or no reverse.
Solution – This problem may be caused by a leaking reverse air bleed capsule, which is caused by a deformed check ball inside of the valve body

Noticeable delay in forward gear engagement
4F27E Transmission
Problem – The Ford Focus 4F27E may experience a noticeable delay forward gear engagement when you place the shifter in Drive. It may also experience premature forward clutch failure.
Solution – This problem may be caused by a rough finish inside of the forward clutch drum, which can in-turn damage the forward clutch bonded piston seal.

Solenoid Failure
One of the most common Ford Focus transmission problems is a failed solenoid. These little plunger like devices are used by the computer to route pressurized transmission fluid and change gears. To activate one of the solenoids, the computer sends an electrical charge though a coil of wire that wraps around the plunger mechanism. Heat and vibration can cause these wires to short out, which will lead to all sorts of transmission problems.

If you want to check the functionality of your solenoids, simply hook an ohmmeter to the two wires coming off of the solenoid. The reading should be somewhere between 20-30 ohms. If you get a reading above or below that number, it’s a safe bet that solenoid won’t function properly.

Can I drive with a Ford Focus transmission problem?

If your Ford Focus can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.

How often does a Ford Focus transmission need to be replaced?

The overall lifespan of a Ford Focus transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Ford Focus transmission last for between 80,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.

How are Ford Focus transmission issues diagnosed?

It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Ford Focus transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.

How is a Ford Focus transmission replaced?

In order to replace your Ford Focus transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed. Once it is in place, for the 6L80, the vehicle PCM will have to be reprogrammed / reflashed to accept the new transmission using the latest GM subscription.

Recommendations for Ford Focus transmission issues?

To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Ford Focus transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.

How to Solve Ford Focus Transmission Problems

Solution A: Buy a Used Ford Focus Transmission

The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.

Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Ford Focus Transmission

Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.

Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Ford Focus Transmission

Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Related Forum Discussions

What Problem Does Your Focus Have?

Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!

Your Name
Email Not Required
78 Tell us about your transmission problems
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Wendy Mills
4 years ago

2012 fors focus 130000 miles. It is jerking when I go to take off & it keeps stalling.

Robyn
4 years ago

I have focus 2012 LW auto. 59.000 and diognostics say it needs new computer.

William Wilson
5 years ago

No codes

William Wilson
5 years ago

2004 Ford Focus with 90,000 miles not shifting out of drive and first and second is hard shifts.they have replaced all the solenoids in the transmission the input speed sencer and the output speed sencer. And the throttle position sencer still the same.

Lashaun
3 years ago
Reply to  William Wilson

Did you find out what was wrong with it?

Sarah
5 years ago

I have a 2015 Ford Focus, I think it has between 35,000- 45-,000 miles on it. The clutch is fine unless my parents drive it. Which they both are hard drivers. It even got stuck on the ice once but is fine. It even had a squirrel die in it too got stuck in the belts. We had to replace the clutch once because the shutter was acting up. It was fine until my parents drove it again. Now that they haven’t been driving it not doing it anymore.

Angela
5 years ago

Does anyone have a ford focus that was sold as a 2012 but dealer said it was 2012. My clutch has slipped ever since the recall.

jscott
5 years ago
Reply to  Angela

I have a 2014 Ford Focus its been in the shop twice for transmission issues. It has cost me nothing yet and they doubled the warranty to 72000 miles. Will be getting rid of it before the warranty runs out.

Shay
5 years ago
Reply to  jscott

I have a Ford Focus 2014…purchased it February 5, 2018 almost a year and still have the 5 year warranty until November 2019. But I hate that they want $150 out of me just to diagnose it when I’ve had these problems since I purchased the used car. Ford cars suck.

Robyn
4 years ago
Reply to  Shay

Exactly. I paid 150 for one by a reputable person now ford want me to drive it ( which can die in me. Catch fire or transmission fails etc etc ) to nearest ford place. I live in the country and pay 140 for another one. Hey ford you deliberately produced a faulty vehicle and we are to foot the bills

ROBYN
4 years ago
Reply to  jscott

Any problems with computer.. at 59 .000 diagnostics said needs new computer. Apparently it’s had a diagnostics done on it just before we bought it in feb 2017. They pre owners sold it at 29.000. Now I’m just waiting for the transmission to break down. Hate this car. Told that this model is a money pit

Denise
5 years ago

I just bought a2016 Ford focus three days ago had 27 thousand miles with one year warranty and at stopping the car hesitates and jumps I’m so pissed I want to get a different car now

Nina
5 years ago

I have a 2008 Ford Focus SE with just under 48k on it. It won’t go in reverse and is getting increasingly difficult to push. I took it to have the fluid exchanged since it was supposed to be done at 30k (I didn’t know) because that’s what Google said would fix it and 2 different places wouldn’t service it! I took it to Continental (not sure if it’s a chain or just a local chain) and they took an hour to tell me it might be the band or drum and that it’ll cost me $1550 + tax (and I’d be without a car for two days, probably lose one or both my jobs, not to mention have to walk home from the repair shop and back, so they could rebuild it because they can’t just replace the damaged part. I keep searching to see if I can find out whether just the part can be replaced and be successful (not to mention cheaper). Other options are to junk it and get a new (to me anyway) one or rent a car (not sure if I can though with a recent accident and therefore not full insurance due to cost).

Tabitha Guffey
5 years ago

I have a 2015 Ford focus 69,712 miles on it. Bought it at a dealershi
p June 14,2018 was told that the car was a one
owner no problems. Went through and passed dealership inspection. Not even 2 months later the car is in the shop and needs a transmission clutch repair.
Dealership sold me a bad car!

Robyn
4 years ago
Reply to  Tabitha Guffey

Ford are doggey. They knew of all focus problems and yet kept producing them. They need to be removed from ever selling another vehicle

Stephen harrod
5 years ago

I have a 2014 ford focus powershift just had new clutch and transmisson replaced at 25000 miles not good dealer told me they dosent give any trouble .

Joe Lee
5 years ago

I have a 2010 Ford focus SES I have 140,000 miles on my transmission and engine everything still working fine.😀

Hazel
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe Lee

Be prepared for a transmission failure requiring a rebuild….mines just done it at 171K.

Alicia
4 years ago
Reply to  Hazel

How much did it cost you? My daughters car just had the transmission warning light come on.

Mutisya
5 years ago

I own a 2012 Ford Focus. Gears won’t shift after attaining 50Kph. Sometimes the failure is at 20Kph. Odometer reading is hardly 40,000KM. There are very few cars of this type in my country Kenya. I expected Ford, being the pioneers of mass production assembly line, to have a reliable car. I am shocked beyond words.

Pat
5 years ago

I have a 2015 Ford Focus and I have had the transmission clutch replaced three times! I don’t even have 27,000 miles on my car yet!

Cindy
5 years ago
Reply to  Pat

i have the 2014 se its been flashed 4 times, a replaced clutch and its in the shop having another clutch put in it now. My lord what it would be like if the car had actually been driven alot or hard. I had a 2005 this 2014 is in no competion with it. The 2005 the only problem i had with it was the leather seats were actually made from rabbit skin and they cracked.I gave it to my sister it has 190,000 on it and still running.

Deneseski
4 years ago
Reply to  Cindy

2014 are lemons

Cheryl C
1 year ago
Reply to  Cindy

2005 Focus is awesome. Drove that sucker forever with regular maintenence until my Daughter crashed it. Great mileage! Was thinking of buying a used 2016 with 73k miles but this whole thread is making me think twice! Yikes

Jeff
5 years ago

Dont ever buy ford car my 2012 ford focus transmission went out only had 109,000 on it winner ford said cant replace it even know it was a recall because over 100k miles and want me pay out pocket for new transmission over 3000

Liliana
5 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Same here. Mine went out for a second time on 104K and I had to pay to replace it. Today, less than a year later my transmission is out again.

Brenda Sawyer
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

It’s been extended to 150,000 miles

Onry One
5 years ago

2012-2015 Focus automatic transmissions are the worst. Had a friend who bought a new 2013 and in the 5 yrs shes has owned it she’s had to have the clutch pack replaced 4 times. The last time the dealer told her the next one would not be covered under warranty/recall and she would have to pay for the $2200 out of pocket. She traded it in the next day for a new Toyota Corolla.

Raul from Lubbock Texas
4 years ago
Reply to  Onry One

I have 2014 Ford focus new and been having a lot of transmission problems and Gene Messer Ford is charging me 2,000 dollars to fix it look under this code TCM warranty 10 yrs 150,000 miles 14m02

Helen M Milchling
4 years ago
Reply to  Onry One

Just got told the same thing. 4 years 4 clutches.
I owe way more than this turd is worth.
I am hoping Ford will help.
My car is at the dealer while I keep calling and being put off.

Robyn
4 years ago
Reply to  Onry One

Yessss. Toyota Corolla best car. Or Hyundai 130. My focus lw 2012 is the biggest lemon. I’ve lost so much weight over this thing but what hursts the most. Is ford new and kept production going and showing noooo empathy for its victims

Lil
7 years ago

My 2013 transmission went out twice within 6 months the dealership replaced the module twice they told me the transmission was falling apart which it was replace with a new one ford wouldn’t pay for the repair I was stuck with the the big bill.

Rose munson
7 years ago

I had one I called the dealer with the problem.and he said it just has to get used to the driver.i said yah what ever.i was financing the car I brought it back I put 2500 down made one payment. I would like help getting my $ back

Annemarie
7 years ago

My ford focus 06 was driving fine just over 100000 km all of a sudden it was in first gear and it wont move to any other gear whats the problem

Jessica
7 years ago

I am experiencing some “stick” while shifting between gears in my 2000 Ford Focus. I did a transmission fluid flush about a year and half ago (less than 10,000 miles ago). I received a quote from the dealer for a diagnostic test at $110. That would just cover them examining and reporting the issue to me. Is it standard for shops to charge this amount for a diagnostics on transmission issues? I will continue calling around in my area to get quotes for diagnostics. In the meantime, maybe someone else has input on this?

Nina
5 years ago
Reply to  Jessica

Yep. The dealership charged me I think it was $99 last year just to diagnose a check engine light and did not include it in the repair cost. It was the same issue I’d already had repaired (again the mechanic (different place) told me the whole thing needed replacing not just the broken part) just 14 months earlier.

Regina
7 years ago

2004 ford focus se with 111,000 miles on it, and took it to aamco for diagnosis, my estimate was $1700-2100 plus $495 to open up the transmition but that goes toward the cost. Everyone is saying that’s too much anyways, and I can’t afford that either. The car drives great excluding the slip in the tranny on the 3rd gear:/
What are some alternatives?

Kat
7 years ago

I have a 2000 Ford Focus, 5-speed manual transmission and over 100k miles. A few days ago, as I turned the corner, tried to shift into second and it felt like there was nothing there and I couldn’t get it into the gear. I had to slow a bit since I was still in 1st gear, but moving the stick shift around, it felt like it was not attached to anything. Then, I wasn’t even able to move it over for 3rd or 4th gear, it now only moves up and down freely, but will not shift out of 1st.

1 2 3
78
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x