Smith Ford refused to service a warranted part after I mentioned the possibility of "seeking legal counsel."
Smith Ford had already ordered the new TCM, which was on an indefinite backorder (potentially several months), and were working to arrange a rental or loaner car for me.
As a result, I had to tow my car to another Ford dealership 18 miles away. This new dealership confirmed that the faulty TCM could indeed cause damage to the clutch assembly ($2,600 repair).
Fords handling of the DPS6 transmission problems has been marked by multiple technical service bulletins and the extension of warranty coverage. Despite these measures, customer
complaints persisted, with many reporting continued shuddering, hesitation, and slipping even after repairs.
Given Ford's apparent efforts to minimize losses related to the transmission issue and their coordinated actions with dealerships to deny repairs caused by defective, warrantied parts, it's evident that they will go to great lengths to avoid accountability or they are really bad mechanics.
After 20+ years of loyalty to Ford, I've had enough. Once the TCM is repaired, I'm selling all my Fords.
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I brought in my 2013 Ford Focus due to ongoing transmission issues that have been present since day one. The dealership found that the Transmission Control Module (TCM), which is still under warranty, was faulty, but the Clutch Assembly was damaged and not covered under warranty.
Despite this, Smith Ford technician (Ron) and Service Manager, who NEVER returned my phone calls, continued to insist that the TCM couldn't have caused the damage to the Clutch Assembly ($2,600 repair), which makes ZERO sense.
The faulty TCM in the 2013 Ford Focus can directly cause damage to the clutch assembly. The PowerShift transmission relies on precise TCM operations to engage and disengage the dual clutches correctly. When the TCM malfunctions, it can lead to improper clutch engagement, overheating, and accelerated wear and tear. This malfunction results in erratic shifting and
excessive strain on the clutch components, ultimately causing premature failure.
- Erratic Shifting: The TCM's failure to regulate gear shifts properly leads to sudden and unexpected changes in gears, placing undue stress on the clutch components. This
stress can cause the clutch plates to wear out faster than normal.
- Overheating: Malfunctioning TCMs often result in the transmission overheating, which in turn affects the clutch assembly. Overheating can lead to the clutch plates warping or
becoming damaged due to thermal stress.
- Improper Clutch Engagement: A faulty TCM can cause the clutches to engage and disengage incorrectly, leading to slippage and increased wear. This improper engagement is particularly damaging during stop-and-go driving, where precise clutch operation is crucial.
Ford faced several lawsuits, including a notable class-action lawsuit that resulted in a settlement covering 1.9 million owners. The settlement provided compensation for repairs and extended
warranties. Ford has been compelled to cover repairs for non-warranty parts when it was proven that the faulty TCM caused further damage to the vehicle's transmission system.
However, Ford Corporate leaves the decision to the local dealership, and Smith Ford denies that a faulty TCM could have caused any of the clutch assembly damage or excessive wear and tear I described above.
Lesson learned: If you're planning to seek legal counsel, keep it confidential and take action when the time is right--ideally, after the warranty repair is completed. read more