TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT UNTIL HE COULD SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE O…
2009 ford Focus powertrain problems
moderate 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. CAR WOULD BE RUNNING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE RPM WOULD INCREASE AND WHIR. CAR WOULD LOSE SPEED AND SLOW DOWN THEN SPEED UP AGAIN. CAR WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD WITH 45+ MILES ON IT AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT NO COST TO OWNER. (UNDER WARRANTY) NOW IN DECEMBER 2014, THE REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH 35+ MILES AND TWO YEARS, FAILING AGAIN. GEARS …
WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 5000 RPMS AND DID NOT REACH A SPEED ABOVE 20MPH. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR AT EACH STOPPING POINT. THE ENGINE WOULD THEN "KICK" AND NORMAL DRIVING CAPABILITIES WOULD BE RESTORED BRIEFLY. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 ford Focus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 37 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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