Did tow a Chevy Sonic behind our Class C but have traded for a slightly used 2017 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback. It's one of the few newer automatics that can be flat towed. I'm puzzled. Nothing I've read rates the car very highly at all; especially Consumer Reports. Not so good in repair history, acceleration, etc. I love the car and it seems to me under rated. I like the ride, handling, mileage and I think it's pretty peppy with the 2 liter 160 HP standard motor yet is averaging 29-30 MPG. What am I missing? What do you think of your Focus? There is a history of problems with the dual clutch trans(which I also like). I knew that and mine has been repaired under warranty. I know the design is dated but have other compacts become that much more advanced? One I would consider is the new Corolla Hatch but can't tow with the automatic.

The Focus is a great car, other than the Dual-Clutch "automatic" transmission. The newest ones seem to be lasting longer, and the failure mode isn't as catastrophic. But basically some driving conditions and/or style can cause friction material deposits on the clutch(es) which will cause shudder if that happens. I have one friend who can't get more than 30,000 miles before this happens. Avoiding driving it like a traditional auto helps a lot, i.e. don't creep at lights (this is slipping the clutch) or powerbrake. Hard driving however makes this much less likely, and few good hard 0-80 launches can even scrub the clutches and fix mild shudder. Some of the prior problems, such as input shaft seals leaking and causing more serious transmission failures, seem long gone.My Focus has the 6-speed manual. Mine is a 2.0L turbo. My brother has the 1.0L turbo, also with the same M/T. Both have been trouble free. My coworker has a 2014 with the 5-speed manual non-turbo, and is at 300,000 with zero problems.The new Corrolla is OK, but the driving dynamics sill fall short of the Focus. The new Civic has comparable driving dynamics, and a nice 1.5L turbo. But it's butt is wayyy too big IMO. And also can't be flat towed.If you like the Focus, a Ford C-Max would make a great toad. It's the same car, just taller. And the hybrid transmission can also be flat-towed, and is very reliable. Plus, it gets 45 MPG in town.

I bought my 2016 SE dual clutch auto model last July. I do not use as toad, but that is our intent as our 2011 CRV ages.The dreaded clutch shutter showed up at 55,000 miles, but Ford installed a brand new clutch package under the drivetrain warranty. I do like the handling and acceleration. Also like the hatch and sunroof. I hope that is the end of the trans troubles. Get 38 MPG average, but low 40’s on highway. Finally, these can be gotten for a steal used, mine 1 year old off lease with 40K miles for $11,500.

My SIL bought a $500 older Focus that had been a company car for two different companys. I could see it had been wrecked and repaired several times. It had some minor stuff wrong with it (motor mounts, leaking T-stat housinge etc.) along with a busted mirror and a few other little things. It was super easy and cheap to repair. At 150K, it ran perfectly, didn't smoke or use oil. I was very impressed with it. No Honda or Toyota would do better I think.

I carry my Sonic in the trailer. I didn't even look to see if the automatic was flat tow compatible.

My buddy has a ‘12 and I set it up for him to tow behind his Class A. He bought the Focus new and had a trans issue early on. It has been reliable and gets good mileage.

How's your Ford Focus? | Good Sam Community

Fordlover
Explorer
Jan 10, 2019
carringb wrote:
The Focus is a great car, other than the Dual-Clutch "automatic" transmission. The newest ones seem to be lasting longer, and the failure mode isn't as catastrophic. But basically some driving conditions and/or style can cause friction material deposits on the clutch(es) which will cause shudder if that happens. I have one friend who can't get more than 30,000 miles before this happens. Avoiding driving it like a traditional auto helps a lot, i.e. don't creep at lights (this is slipping the clutch) or powerbrake. Hard driving however makes this much less likely, and few good hard 0-80 launches can even scrub the clutches and fix mild shudder. Some of the prior problems, such as input shaft seals leaking and causing more serious transmission failures, seem long gone.

My Focus has the 6-speed manual. Mine is a 2.0L turbo. My brother has the 1.0L turbo, also with the same M/T. Both have been trouble free. My coworker has a 2014 with the 5-speed manual non-turbo, and is at 300,000 with zero problems.

The new Corrolla is OK, but the driving dynamics sill fall short of the Focus. The new Civic has comparable driving dynamics, and a nice 1.5L turbo. But it's butt is wayyy too big IMO. And also can't be flat towed.

If you like the Focus, a Ford C-Max would make a great toad. It's the same car, just taller. And the hybrid transmission can also be flat-towed, and is very reliable. Plus, it gets 45 MPG in town.

My father has a 2014/15? or so Focus. He opted for the manual as well, because the automatic sucked. Has been a great car, and while he is a gentile driver, the dash display shows 39 to 42 MPG everytime I get behind the wheel to drive.
vjstangelo
Explorer
Jan 09, 2019
Not a Focus, but I read some information online today alluding to the fact that the new Ford Ranger will be flat towable.
Cv67cheng
Explorer
Jan 08, 2019
Good day, I have an 09 with 175K on the clock, perfect car, also had a 14, Titanium level, 3 transmission clutch issues in 60K, otherwise a good car. Had an Accord, 250K with no issues. Good luck and safe travels.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jan 07, 2019
One of you said a 38 MPG "average". The mileage is great with my 2017 but not that great. Yes 40 or more on the interstate at 62 but upper 20s city for an overall average of around 30. 38 has to be more of a highway "average"?
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jan 07, 2019
The 2019 stick Corolla is flat towable but not the auto nor any of the
CVT's.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jan 03, 2019
Re: the post about the great Hondas and Toyotas, no argument about the quality but there isn't a single recent model Honda automatic that is flat towable. Possibly same with Toyota. Not sure about the new Corolla.
Supercharged
Explorer
Dec 29, 2018
SidecarFlip wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:
ScottG wrote:
My SIL bought a $500 older Focus that had been a company car for two different companys. I could see it had been wrecked and repaired several times.
It had some minor stuff wrong with it (motor mounts, leaking T-stat housinge etc.) along with a busted mirror and a few other little things. It was super easy and cheap to repair. At 150K, it ran perfectly, didn't smoke or use oil.
I was very impressed with it. No Honda or Toyota would do better I think.

Guess you’ve never owned a Honda or Toyota. At 150k they’d be just getting broken in. My last Honda with 190k miles was all original apart from brakes when I traded it. Our last Toyota needed nothing but a battery and power steering line and that was at 240k.

You can keep your rice-a-roni junk. I support American Unionized autoworkers.

Where is your Trumph motorcycle build in Mich.
blofgren
Explorer
Dec 26, 2018
SidecarFlip wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:
ScottG wrote:
My SIL bought a $500 older Focus that had been a company car for two different companys. I could see it had been wrecked and repaired several times.
It had some minor stuff wrong with it (motor mounts, leaking T-stat housinge etc.) along with a busted mirror and a few other little things. It was super easy and cheap to repair. At 150K, it ran perfectly, didn't smoke or use oil.
I was very impressed with it. No Honda or Toyota would do better I think.

Guess you’ve never owned a Honda or Toyota. At 150k they’d be just getting broken in. My last Honda with 190k miles was all original apart from brakes when I traded it. Our last Toyota needed nothing but a battery and power steering line and that was at 240k.

You can keep your rice-a-roni junk. I support American Unionized autoworkers.

Such an informed point of view...:R. Especially when one considers many of them are made in the US or Canada with unionized workers.

We are on our 3rd Honda vehicle (2005 Acura MDX) and it is still as solid today with 130k miles as it was the day it was new. After having a POS Ford 6.0L diesel made by American Unionized Autoworkers I learned it is much better for my pocketbook to buy based on facts rather than emotion.

Merry Christmas!
philh
Explorer II
Dec 25, 2018
3TV wrote:
We owned a 2015 Focus until earlier this year. It was the biggest POS we've ever owned. The transmission is total garbage. And when we took it in to have the transmission fixed we were told "that is the way these transmissions work, just live with it". Ford should be ashamed to have produced such trash.

Is your vehicle subject to the service bulletin? If so, try another dealership, and/or call the Ford help line desk. Co-worker of my wife's was running into problems with the dealer {that I refuse to go to}, and Ford had to get involved twice before they finally fixed her car properly and at no charge to her.
3TV
Explorer
Dec 25, 2018
We owned a 2015 Focus until earlier this year. It was the biggest POS we've ever owned. The transmission is total garbage. And when we took it in to have the transmission fixed we were told "that is the way these transmissions work, just live with it". Ford should be ashamed to have produced such trash.

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