Issue(s) with Ford Focus SVT!

[Solace]

Hello,

I needed a car fast; I researched hard, and narrowed it down to a few cars, including the SVTF. I test drove the SVTF and liked the way it drove. With rebates, the price came out to be $15,000. That closed the deal for me. Then I noticed that the car “bucks” or hesitates in 2nd, gear, less in 3rd gear, much less in 4th, but even 5th and 6th have a little “bucking”. Sales person said, “no problem, car is just new, ECU is learning, give it a week”. Guess what, nothing changed after a week, so I took it to the dealer. Their service department worked on it for over 24 hours and told me there was nothing they could do. According to them, Ford SVT team has been aware of the problem since July and is working on a solution. However, no ETA on the fix. I called Ford and got the same “we know about it but we don’t really care” attitude. So here I am with a brand new car that is aggravating and actually depressing me. Sure I can rev out the engine to 4000 plus RPM and reduce the effect of the problem, but it is unacceptable that a car manufacturer would put out a vehicle for general sale without taking care of such an obvious issue. Of course the car is fun to drive but that alone shouldn’t justify Ford’s carelessness and lack of concern. I have owned nothing but imports before this and never had an issue that couldn’t be resolved. This is unacceptable.

Now, before anyone jumps in to disagree with me, please try to see it from my perspective. Think about someone who didn’t buy the SVTF just to race it or push the envelope with it. Someone who has limited financial resources, someone who drives the car in stop-and-go traffic two hours a day, someone whose daughter rides in the rear seat, someone whose friends keeping asking “what’s wrong with the car, why did it just do that?”, someone who hopes that some day he can sell the car without the perspective buyers walking away because the car “bucks” and the owner can only give them a lame excuse that “Ford is working on it”. I am truly happy, and yet envious of those of you who love your SVTF, yet I also know that there are many of you who are tired of the poor reliability of the car. I should have listened to the Consumer Reports review where SVTF outperformed many cars, yet Consumer Reports could not recommend it due to poor past reliability.

I live in Pennsylvania and the state has Lemon Laws, I am quite ready to file a claim. I’ve had enough! Here are links for a firms that files Lemon Law claims without cost to the vehicle owner:

http://www.lemonlaw.com/
http://www.mylemon.com/

Of course I would rather that Ford made a concentrated effort to fix all the issues with such a great driving car. Perhaps we need to approach Ford as a joint voice to let them know that there are more than a few individuals whom they are about to loose as now and future customers if they don’t get their act together. Anyone for a petition?

Suhail Baloch
:mad:

[deactivated]

have you ever shifted a car with a dual mass flywheel? The bucking is a complaint I hear a lot and it's usually because they are used to shifting with a traditional clutch/flywheel. I had this problem at first. I just had to learn to shift more smoothly and gracefully, and not a slam in slam out clutching method that is quite common with most other cars. The dual mass flywheel helps the clutch engage more smoothly and eliminates a lot of the vibration and buck you get from a traditional setup, but only if you shift it properly.


As a daily driver that you won't be pushing much you may find yourself a little disappointed. The car really shines in the 3-4k rpm range, which is a little different from most cars that like to settle in at the 2-3k range for optimum driving. It is a car that really enjoys being pushed. It is also a car that probably isn't very condusive to a lot of back seat riding. They are introducing a 5 door model for that purpose next year.

[Solace]

Inteller,

The problem is not with the fly wheel, Ford SVT admitted to me that this is a known issue and can be corrected with an ECU update that they are working on … have been working on since July. Furthermore, my dealer was able to mimic the problem with another brand new SVT except the “bucking” happened worse in 4th gear.

But, for the sake of the argument, lets say it is the flywheel, I have tried shifting the way you recommended to me couple weeks ago, I tried everything and nothing worked except if I shift such that the RPM are above 3500 RMP when the gear changes over or if I keep the clutch in about half way while climbing through 2500 RPM. My shifting isn’t an issue. I’ve been driving manual transmissions since 1987. I know just about everyway to shift given that I used to race cars like MR2 and 300ZX. I’ve driven everything from sports cars to minivans and have never experienced this issue.

Please realize that I am not negating your explanation, just that I believe there is more to this problem than the dual mass flywheel … by the way, I have my masters in Physics, so I do understand the concept of the dual mass flywheel very well.

Thanks for your response and I am glad that your SVTF is not exhibiting the issues that mine is. Also, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to post on this board.

[deactivated]

are you sure that what you call bucking isn't what some people call surging? The surging issue is definitely ECU related and will be fixed (it already has for some of us). The range of 3500rpms is the sweet spot I've found to shift (actually a little closer to 3k). I've NEVER had to leave the clutch in half way and never will except in the extreme case of stop and go traffic. I've not driven a standard very much, but a guy who had a lot more experience than me called me a natural with the shifting.

My masters is in geography, so I probably don't know much about the car, but I certainly know where I'm going ;)

[Solace]

Surging … hmmm ... no I don’t think I would describe it as surging. The vehicle jolts back and forth, I don’t think the speed if affected but the occupants certainly jerk back and forth in their seats. Yes, the same is noticeable when one shifts really bad and so the dual-mass flywheel theory has merit, yet it happens regardless of the type of shifting. It is worse when driving up-hill.

Masters in Geography is very cool, when I went to college, the Geography department out-partied the physicists any day. I almost changed majors.
:D

[deactivated]

well a frequent word of advice in these cases would be to take it to another dealer if you have another one nearby to do so. Also call SVT and let your voice be heard, they still do listen. If you have any friends that drive SVTFs have them try you car for a spin, see what they think. Too bad you aren't nearby cause I'd love to take it for a spin and see what it's doing. If you don't have any friends that drive an SVTF, get involved with your local SVTOA chapter, surely someone in that chapter will have an SVTF, and could drive it with you to see what is up.

[bubba]

if i am feeling very lazy I will dump my clutch shifting between gears, but not from a stop as I like my drivetrain. That is the only time I get bucking.
When I am just cruising, let off gas/push clutch, shift gear, let clutch out, and apply gas is how I shift with the heavy flywheel.

I don't have any surging problems. I did when new, but it probably was the computer learning.

[Solace]

Inteller, yes that would indeed be great if another SVTF owner can try out the vehicle. However, remember that the dealership tried out two other new SVTFs on the lot and experienced the same issue, except in 4th gear, not 2nd. The dealership is SVT certified, very cordial, and great people. However, they can’t do anything about the problem since SVT told them there isn’t a solution as of now.

Bubba, I tried your method of shifting and still got the problem. Once again, even SVT recognizes the problem and as far as I am concerned, this issue shouldn’t exist in the first place and the consumer should not have to adapt to it. I know you guys love your SVTF, I too like mine, however, quality control in production models should be a must, not a after thought. I know SVT had to rush to get the Focus out to compete with Civic Si, WV GTI, etc. but now I feel I have another Microsoft product on my hands … at least Microsoft comes up with patches quickly.

[deactivated]

well, if SVT really thinks that problem can be fixed with an ECU update I say more power to them, but it seems like such a mechanical thing I don't see how flashing the computer can do it. Driving to work today I was trying to pick out this bucking that you spoke of, but I really couldn't notice anything. Either I've become ver used to something that you are sensitive to, or my car doesn't have this problem. It seems like we'll just have to wait and see about it.

[quicksilver]

:confused: I'm curious if this problem develops after a few miles or did Solace have this occur from the get-go? Mine has about 1700 on it...I drive it every day...sometimes very civilized, sometimes I wring it out....on the road and in town. Other than the surging when its cold, I've not noticed any serious quirks (in my experience, all performance cars have a few quirks).

At any rate, I have noticed that shifting is much smoother if you let it rev a bit and shift slowly.....although my twenty-something nephew (had Celica GTS) drove the Focus this past weekend, ran it pretty hard (was impressed....said it sounded much sweeter than the Celica...seemed as strong)....shifted it every which way and never a jerk, jolt or hesitation.

[Solace]

Quicksilver, this "bucking" issue has been with the car since I test drove it then purchased it. I blame myself for being idiot enough to believe the salesperson that the problem will go away with time. Of course, this doesn't mean that I can't peruse lemon law, etc.

P.S. I also drove a 2000 Celica GT-S and actually liked it more than the Focus. Unfortunately, it had 25000 miles on it and the Focus had greater bang for the buck.

[Solace]

Just got a call from my dealer. On January 22, 2003, Ford will release a new PCM (power-train control module) calibration for the Focus SVT which will get rid of the “bucking”, “jolting”, “jerking” problem. Apparently, SVT did not do a good job with the original calibration because they wanted to meet the emission requirements … quickly. Remember that the Focus SVT was delayed in its market availability. Once again, Ford SVT is aware of the issue and hopefully they won’t delay the release of the software. Wish me luck … I might just still become a satisfied Ford customer yet.

[deactivated]

hey man thats great news. I guess maybe we did get a "Microsoft" car, but it sounds like we'll be getting an upgrade!


On another note I hope this doesn't sour your experience with the car. It is very enjoyable once you get past the few quirks.

[Osiris]

Is this the much talked about "reflash" that also makes out cars faster???:bna

[deactivated]

i dunno about faster, but it certainly smooths out a bunch of issues.

[quicksilver]

:confused: Will we (owners) get some notification on this, or will we have to ask the dealer to do it.....or, will it only be done if the car is taken to the dealer with a problem?