transmission fault service now on a ford

Ford Focus Transmission Fault Service Now [Meaning & Fix]

Are you a Ford Focus owner and have come across the problem where you get an error message that says transmission fault service now?

If this is you, then you’re definitely in the right place.

In this post, we’re going to be looking into this issue. Over the years, the Ford Focus has not had the best reputation. Most owners complain about one thing or the other.

About the Transmission Fault Service Now Message

One of the most common problems that Ford Focus owners experience is an error message that reads, “Transmission Fault Service Now.”

Oftentimes, this message is a prelude to jerky gear changes and, eventually, engine stalling.

Many Ford owners have found themselves in dangerous situations with the vehicle either cutting off in the middle of the road or at other inconvenient times or places.

What irritates a lot of Ford Focus drivers is that when they take it into the shop in most cases no problems are found.

So, what exactly is the cause of this particular issue? In short, the problem can be caused by several things.

The most common is a fault with the TCM or the transmission control module. Another cause that has been noted over the years is also the battery.

When the battery charge is low it has tended to cause mayhem with the vehicle electronics. One of the things that often happens in such a situation is the transmission error code.

For the rest of this article, we’re going to be looking into the different causes of this particular problem and how to remedy it.

What is a Transmission Fault in Ford Focus?

The Ford Focus is Ford’s answer to the need in the small car vehicle niche. Because Japanese manufacturers were taking over this space Ford wanted to stake a claim in this lucrative market segment.

However, Ford Focus has not gained the best reputation due to several issues. This has led to the car being generally branded as a lemon.

Most Ford Focus owners have been left with a bad taste in their mouths.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a former Ford Focus owner recommending the vehicle to anyone else mainly due to it having several problems.

One of the most commonly recurring problems in the Ford Focus is the issue with the transmission.

The transmission has often been reported to be delayed when accelerating or changing gears. According to Ford, this particular problem with the transmission is due to the fact that it goes into neutral while changing gears.

The main culprit, as far as this issue is concerned, is the TCM or transmission control module.

Another issue could be the low voltage in the battery. For the first issue, replacing or reprogramming the TCM has been claimed to fix the issue.

However, this is not sometimes the case, as the problem can sometimes remain after the TCM is replaced or reprogrammed.

For the second issue, replacing the battery or making sure that it is properly grounded may fix the problem.

If any of the above does not solve the problem, it generally means that you have a bigger problem and will need to have your transmission replaced.

Is There a Fix for the Ford Focus Transmission?

In the worst-case scenario, you need to have your transmission replaced.

If you find yourself in a situation where your vehicle is out of warranty you are looking to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 to have the transmission replaced.

Unfortunately, there is a design flaw with Ford’s PowerShift transmission. This means the problem is not something that can be fixed.

How to Reset The Ford Transmission Control Module

Now let’s look into how to reset the Ford transmission control module.

The first thing you do is put the car ignition into the on position through the key or starter button.

Next, make sure to put the car in neutral. After you’ve put the vehicle in neutral switch the car off for about 20 seconds.

While the car is switched off put it in the park. Next switch the car on and the TCM should reset. If this fails to work you might need to take it to a technician who will do the reset using a computer.

What Years of Ford Focus Has Transmission Problems?

Are there Ford Focus model years you need to avoid? Since the PowerShift Dual Clutch transmission is the one that has the most common transmission issues, you will need to stay away from the model years that use this particular transmission.

The Ford PowerShift dual-clutch transmission was first used in 2010. It was initially installed in the Ford Fiesta in 2011. However, it only started appearing in the Ford Focus in the year 2012.

This transmission was used up until 2016 in this vehicle.

Therefore, it makes sense to stay away from these particular model years if you don’t want to face similar problems with your vehicle.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. The reason you see an error message related to the transmission in your Ford Focus is primarily due to an issue with the transmission but can also be caused by a faulty battery.

If you’re troubleshooting this particular problem make sure to eliminate the battery as a potential cause first before looking into the TCM or the transmission as a whole.

4 thoughts on “Ford Focus Transmission Fault Service Now [Meaning & Fix]”

  1. ## Comment SPAM Protection: Shield Security marked this comment as “Pending Moderation”. Reason: Human SPAM filter found “ambien” in “comment_content” ##
    Ford focus 2017 ecoboost ambient

    Faced transmission malfunction service now alarm on dash board while driving more than 200 km with 140 km/hr, then its slow down the speed.

    I did check with ford service center by computer check, didn’t find any issues, they suggested to open the gear box, but i refused.

    Can you suggest me the best solution for this

  2. I noticed Transmission Malfunction service now any time I start my focus ford 2014, I don’t know what is the cause of this.

  3. Thank you so much!! My problem was the battery connection which had rotted away. My mechanic fixed it and it is like a new car. My mechanic said he learned something new.

    1. Hi Bill,

      Could you please explain what the mechanis did exactly ? I did not understand how you fixed the battery connection problem. Thanks,
      Menan

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