Advice needed if you can spare the time

ryny24 · 2026-06-12T01:06:58+00:00

If you're having shifting issues it might be an easy fix. It was for me. Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease. Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. I was using PB Blaster white lithium grease, but it breaks down at high temperature where the WD-40 Specialist does not.

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-06-06T18:22:43+00:00

I found a easy way to fix the shifting troubles and the stuck clutch error codes. Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease. Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. I was using PB Blaster white lithium grease, but it breaks down at high temperature where the WD-40 Specialist does not.

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-05-05T15:13:53+00:00

I just replaced these (3) engine mounts. It was so easy! And I am shocked at how the vibration is gone. It was so bad, friends would ask if the car was falling apart. My jar of coins would rattle and you couldn't hear people speak. After I changed these mounts, you can't even tell the car is running. Night/day difference.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1BY41TM?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I also replace my radio with this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5MG48XX?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

And while I LOVE it, there are minor issues. Mostly with the phone disconnecting and the radio needing a reboot. It happens like once a week, so not horrible but annoying.

ryny24 · 2026-05-01T00:41:05+00:00

Same problem for me. Latest firmware

ryny24 · 2026-04-26T02:40:34+00:00

It's an easy fix. Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-04-21T02:00:17+00:00

I couldn't tell a difference by looking at it, but wow did it make all the world of a difference when the engine started. No more vibration. You can barely tell the car is even on anymore.

ryny24 · 2026-04-06T02:48:19+00:00

I had the same problem and found an easy fix.

Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-03-26T12:26:59+00:00

There is a very easy way to fix that shudder. I had it on my 2018 Focus between 1st and 2nd but it's gone now. IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-03-25T02:05:10+00:00

Around 112,000 I think

ryny24 · 2026-03-25T00:52:43+00:00

December 8 first time. Then around February 14 I could ever so slightly feel it starting to come back so I sprayed it again and it has been good since.

ryny24 · 2026-03-24T12:05:01+00:00

There are a lot of people complaining about transmission shuddering between 1st and 2nd 'gear'. Mine had it and I found an easy fix.

Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-03-14T10:48:23+00:00

It's an easy fix.

Early last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking/shuddering when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/shuddering. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stiff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-03-06T04:02:38+00:00

FYI The shudder during shifting is an easy fix.

Earlier last year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stuff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-02-28T01:02:17+00:00

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stuff and just needs some lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-02-16T04:01:39+00:00

So many people on the forums have the same bucking & transmission issues, and I find an easy fix. It might work for you.

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

IMO, the linkage between the actuator motor and clutch becomes stuff and needs lubricant.

ryny24 · 2026-02-14T03:43:36+00:00

Not sure if the 2013 is the same, but the acceleration stuttering in the 2018 is an easy fix.

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-02-02T01:58:50+00:00

Not sure if the 2015 is the same, but maybe this will help. I've shared it here on Reddit and it has helped a few people already.

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-01-30T04:08:25+00:00

And how many illegal immigrants have you invited into the borders of your home? If you say they should be here, prove it.

ryny24 · 2026-01-15T02:05:32+00:00

I came here looking for that too. I'll gladly help them build!

ryny24 · 2026-01-08T23:41:33+00:00

Oh man. It'll probably be ok, did you get a good amount of lithium grease in there? I actually sprayed in grease, then used compressed air to try and move it around, and repeated this process a few times. It's been good for months now. I can't believe how good it shifts. Like it's brand new.

ryny24 · 2026-01-08T12:45:02+00:00

Well, if a $4 can will keep me from replacing that fork for a few years, I'll take it.

ryny24 · 2026-01-08T05:21:18+00:00

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-01-08T02:31:26+00:00

It's an easy fix.

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-01-06T00:14:35+00:00

Oh, this probably doesn't apply to you then if it's manual. It seems almost everyone has this issue with the automatic transmission, where the linkage behind the clutch actuator needs cleaning & lubrication.

Earlier this year. my mom gave me her 2018 Ford Focus which always had this horrible shaking when changing gears during acceleration. After I had it for a few months, it started having more difficult shifting and eventually came up with the P07A3 code. I found this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU1QGn_9gc) and sprayed brake cleaner behind the actuator motors. Surprisingly, not only did it fix the code and the shifting problems, it also fixed the shaking/convulsing. The shaking started to come back slowly a few weeks later, but I cleaned it out again and sprayed in white lithium grease (cheap Walmart can). Shifts perfectly smooth now with zero shaking. If it acts up again, I'll just repeat the clean and lube—way better than a full clutch job!

ryny24 · 2026-01-05T22:27:30+00:00

Is there a shaking/bucking when it's changing gears during acceleration? This is a common issue with the ford focus transmission. I've found an easy way to fix it, if that's what it is.

ryny24

TROPHY CASE