Surging Automatic LX Mk II Focus

[jayaye]

We have a 2010 Focus delivered new Nov 2010. Having problems with
1. the accelerator not reacting to initial pressure and then "grabbing" and causing the car to surge forward or backward. Have had several near misses when parallel parking. Other times it takes off so violently that a whiplash sensation is the best description.
2. When slowly negotiating roundabouts, corners & speed humps, when accelerating away the gearbox seems to get lost as to which gear the car is in causing revving and a series of rapid gear changes.

We have had the car back to the dealer 2 times with no success and it is currently back there for the 3rd attempt.
The problems are intermittent and to date haven't happened when we have been trying to demonstrate to the service people.

Has any one experienced this and found a successful remedy?
Cheers
John

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by jayaye

We have a 2010 Focus delivered new Nov 2010. Having problems with
1. the accelerator not reacting to initial pressure and then "grabbing" and causing the car to surge forward or backward. Have had several near misses when parallel parking. Other times it takes off so violently that a whiplash sensation is the best description.
2. When slowly negotiating roundabouts, corners & speed humps, when accelerating away the gearbox seems to get lost as to which gear the car is in causing revving and a series of rapid gear changes.

We have had the car back to the dealer 2 times with no success and it is currently back there for the 3rd attempt.
The problems are intermittent and to date haven't happened when we have been trying to demonstrate to the service people.

Has any one experienced this and found a successful remedy?
Cheers
John

1. I think I know what you mean on this, but it seems (to me) to be more related to the angle of the pedal or something. In other words, it takes a bit of getting used to how much throttle to apply, more than something mechanical. To clarify, I use to do it a lot, but it's settled down more, which indicates it's more me than the car (since car problems tend to get worse, rather than better).

2. The four speed auto torque converter does tend to hunt a little, especially when you slow, then suddenly accelerate. It's like you "confuse" it. Again, this tends to even out as the computer gets used to your driving style, though it still happens.