According to RepairPal, you will pay $730 to $849 on average to replace the clutch in a Ford Focus. Because the 2012 Focus has a dual-clutch system, the price could be doubled—$1,460 to $1,698.

Many Ford models offer the option for a manual or automatic transmission—but the 2012 Ford Focus isn’t one of them. The Focus, available only in a dry dual-clutch six-speed automatic, suffers because of this decision. It’s part of a class-action lawsuit that’s cost Ford millions.

Thankfully, your cost of repair won’t be that high—even with two clutches to consider.

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comparison app

Jerry

takes a look at what could go wrong with your clutch, the cost to replace it, and what exactly the lawsuit is about. We’ll also throw in a bonus—tips to save on your

Ford Focus car insurance

How much does it cost to replace a clutch in a 2012 Ford Focus?

To get the most accurate estimate of how much it will cost to replace a clutch in your 2012 Ford Focus, you’ll need to factor in your location and the exact shop you visit. You can use RepairPal’s

Fair Price Estimator

to check the price in your area and which mechanics will offer the quote they provide.

Generally, however, you can expect to pay $730 to $849. The bad news is that this estimate only applies to one clutch—and your 2012 Focus has two. Dual-clutch gearboxes have one clutch for even gears and another for odd gears—if you’re only having trouble shifting to one group of gears, you should only need to fix one clutch.

Unfortunately, if all your gear shifts are giving you trouble, you’ll have to double the price. This brings the average cost to $1,460 to $1,698.

Should you want to purchase the clutch yourself and bring it with you to the mechanic, you can find one on

FordParts.com

, the official website for OEM parts. Enter your zip code and you’ll be able to see prices for parts like a

transmission clutch kit

or a

lever clutch release

tailored to stores near you.

What is a clutch?

If you have an automatic transmission, you may not give your clutch much thought. After all, you don’t have to worry about operating it as you do in a manual. But even if you don’t interact with it directly, it’s still an important part of your vehicle.

The clutch facilitates the energy transfer process between the transmission and the engine. It connects the two parts and feeds power to the gearbox. It’s also in charge of temporarily disengaging that transference to allow the gears to shift.

There are two main components of this process: the flywheel and the clutch plate. The engine is connected to the flywheel, and the transmission is connected to the clutch plate. The two parts press against each other when the clutch is not activated, and the friction between the two causes the energy to move from the engine to the transmission—when you engage the clutch, springs pull them apart, and you can then switch gears.

Because the flywheel and clutch plate are so constantly running against each other, clutches will eventually wear out. Clutch plates are coated in friction material to give the flywheel something to push against, but this material will wear down over time. When this happens, your clutch will fail to function properly, and you’ll have to look into getting it replaced.

Some other points of failure include:

The

clutch master and slave cylinder

The

clutch cable

The clutch release bearings

The

clutch springs

The

internal starter switch

MORE:

What does the clutch do in a car?

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What are the symptoms of a 2012 Ford Focus clutch problem?

As an owner of a 2012 Ford Focus, the biggest problem you need to watch out for is your car shuddering—especially when accelerating after a complete stop. This is the most commonly reported issue cited by owners involved in the lawsuit.

Apart from that, you should also be on the lookout for rough gear changes. If your car slows or hesitates from one gear to the next, it may be because the clutch is struggling to catch. Fluid leaks, burning smells, or whining noises can indicate issues with both the clutch and the transmission—either way, they’re problems you’ll want to get diagnosed as soon as possible.

Is it safe to drive with a bad clutch?

You shouldn’t be driving with a failing clutch. If you put repairs off too long, your clutch will break, and then you won’t have any choice but to fix it—your car won’t be able to move. This could happen anywhere at any time, meaning you could be left stranded or get stuck blocking the road in the middle of rush-hour traffic.

If you suspect your vehicle is suffering from clutch problems, take it to the dealership or a mechanic right away.

MORE:

Clutch is not working

How long should a 2012 Ford Focus clutch last?

Thanks to the problems frequently encountered with the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT), Ford extended the powertrain warranty out to 100,000 miles. Unfortunately, many owners reported shuddering right off the lot. Per

Car and Driver

’s summary of the issue, dealers were told to assure customers this behavior was normal and that it would improve the more the car was driven.

While some owners got more used to the jerky changes, the problem was inherent to the DCT. It was built dry instead of wet, meaning the friction disks were never immersed in hydraulic fluid—a process that normally makes the engagement smoother. Ford intended to provide better fuel economy and faster shifting, but instead, they released the DCT knowing it made gear switches rough and problematic between first and second gear.

Sometimes, problems with the DCT require a replacement of not only the clutch but the entire transmission before the shuddering is resolved. A

transmission replacement

is more involved than most repairs, and, therefore, more expensive. You could be facing a bill between $4,000 to $5,000.

2012 Ford Focus clutch recalls

As of yet, there have been no recalls related to the clutch for the 2012 Ford Focus. However, you might want to look into what you could receive from the

Ford Powershift transmission settlement

MORE:

What is the standard Ford warranty?

How to save on Ford Focus insurance

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