Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2872

P2872 Powertrain · generic range, no listed definition

P2872 fault code: what 13 Ford owners reported

P2872 sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so this page shows only what owners reported. What it meant in practice is below, from 13 complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

  • 13owner reports
  • 1car model
  • 1mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2018model years

Which cars get code P2872?

Every model whose owners mentioned P2872 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P2872 show up?

By brand

  • Ford13

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Power Train11 (84.6%)
  2. Electrical System3 (23.1%)
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System1 (7.7%)
  4. Engine1 (7.7%)
  5. Engine And Engine Cooling1 (7.7%)

Is there a recall for P2872?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Power Train) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · June 9, 2026 · Affected cars

2016 Ford Focus, 2018 Ford Focus, 2017 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · November 28, 2018 · Affected cars

2016 Ford Focus, 2018 Ford Focus, 2017 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had… NHTSA campaign 18V169000 · March 12, 2018 · Affected cars

2016 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P2872?

10 of the 13 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

While driving, the transmission went into limp/safety mode and became difficult to control. Diagnostic scan confirmed codes P0806 (Clutch Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent) and P2872 (Clutch A Stuck Engaged). The failure is electrical — wiring harness damage near the clutch position sensor. This has happened multiple times. The vehicle is a 2018 Ford Focus SE with DPS6 PowerShift transmission. Repair estimates range from $1,500 to $2,600. The manufacturer has declined goodwill assistance despite this being a known defect on this model.
2018 Ford FocusPower Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11734830 · Apr 30, 2026
While driving, the transmission went into limp/safety mode and became difficult to control. Diagnostic scan confirmed codes P0806 (Clutch Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent) and P2872 (Clutch A Stuck Engaged). The failure is electrical — wiring harness damage near the clutch position sensor. This has happened multiple times. The vehicle is a 2018 Ford Focus SE with DPS6 PowerShift transmission. Repair estimates range from $1,500 to $2,600. The manufacturer has declined goodwill assistance despite this being a known defect on this model.
2018 Ford FocusPower Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11734826 · Apr 30, 2026
Transmision gets hot and i have to pull over right away, otherwise I might cause an accident. Once is get hot it won't move at all. Obd code p2872 and p2872dp. Clutch A stack engaged. My car only has 75400 miles. I took it to ford liner. And they told me the car has no recalls at all. They charge 196 dollars to inspect the car. They also told me that they need to change the couch A because is stuck but want to charge me 4,650$
2016 Ford FocusPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11651019 · Mar 27, 2025
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TPMS LIGHT ON. VEHICLE EXHIBITS OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT ON. FOUND CODES: PO7A3 - Transmission Friction Element 'A' Stuck On P2872 - Clutch 'A' Stuck Engaged the transmission takes off in 1st okay, stutter felt in 2nd and 3rd when shifting. when shifting from 3rd to 4th there is a long delay engine bogs down before shifting into 4th gear. same problem in 4-5, 5-6th gear was running properly recommended diagnosis on the engines code and dual clutch assembly then retest clutch travel test failed. Transmission is previously recalled. Ford has Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program that is supposed to replace the Transmission control module extended warranty coverage…
2013 Ford FocusPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11624882 · Nov 12, 2024
…The contact used a handheld code scanner and retrieved DTC code: P2872 (Clutch Stuck in Engaged Position). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 14M02 TCM - Loss of Transmission Engagement (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
2016 Ford FocusPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11537541 · Aug 9, 2023
I am requesting an investigation as to the matter at hand; this letter contains all specifics as related to the vehicle and from the time of purchase to now. The vehicle is currently not in operable conditions and it can be identified as a 2017 Ford Focus SE 4 Cylinders 2 2.0L DI DOHC 122 CID. There was a lawsuit for this car prior and there was a judgment rendered for issues with the vehicle, new issues have arisen since the lawsuit. On or about 9/19/2022 however on or about 10/9/2022 Plaintiff began experiencing issues with the car. On or about 10/16/2022 a mechanic diagnosed the car with having issues of P07A3 and P2872 and that labor would be about $600.00 not including parts…
2017 Ford FocusUnknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11491927 · Nov 2, 2022
DOESN'T ACCELERATE HALF THE TIME WHEN I HIT GAS. DOESN'T GO REVERSE HALF THE TIME I PUT IT IN REVERSE. SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. SHAKES , SHUTTERS. HAD CODES P07A3 AND P2872 SHOW UP AND FORD SAID THEY AREN'T TRANSMISSION RELATED EVEN THO BOTH CODES HAVE THE WORD " TRANSMISSION IN THE CODE SUMMARY. COULDN'T GET INVOLVED IN 55MILL LAWSUIT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD 2 REPAIRS ON IT. BEEN IN SHOP SINCE 50K MILES GETTING SENIORS AND STUFF REPLACED. CAR HAS NEVER IMPROVED EVEN THO I KEEP SPENDING MONEY. IT'S BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS NOW. THEY SAID MIGHT BE TRANS ISSUE NOW BUT THE RADIATOR IS MESSED UP AND THEY CAN'T PROCEED WITHOUT 600 DOLLARS. HELP BEFORE CAR KILLS SOME1. MILLIONS OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHOW SAME…
2013 Ford FocusPower Train, Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrashNHTSA complaint 11407386 · Apr 10, 2021
THE CAR ISN'T DRIVABLE. WHEN I START IT IT MAKES CLICKING NOISE AND HARD TO START. IF DRIVING IT, IT DOESN'T GIVE ANY GAS OR GO OVER 20 MILES. IT SOMETIMES SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING FOWARD. CODES P0087, P0783, P2872, COMES UP ON A DIAGNOSTIC. THAT'S DRIVING ON A STREET AND CAN'T DRIVE ON HIGHWAY ANYMORE.
2013 Ford FocusPower Train, Unknown Or Other, EngineNHTSA complaint 11387363 · Jan 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the lost motive power. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P2872 (Clutch "A" Stuck Engaged). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14N02 (Extended Warranty Coverage for PCM Reprograming in the…
2016 Ford FocusPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11689761 · Sep 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving on an Interstate at 50 MPH, the “Transmission Fault Service Now" message was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and DTC: P07A3 and P2872 were retrieved. The contact was advised that the clutch, transmission, and the passenger’s side engine mount were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 222,440.
2016 Ford FocusPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11655230 · Apr 17, 2025

P2872: questions drivers ask

What does code P2872 mean?

P2872 sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. 13 owners reported it to NHTSA, most often for the Ford Focus (13); their reports describe what happened.

Which cars get code P2872 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P2872 is mentioned most for the Ford Focus (13), across 1 model and model years 2013 to 2018. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P2872?

No NHTSA recall text names P2872 directly. 3 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P2872?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P2872. The code is in a generic range but its standard definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

Is something missing or wrong on this page? Tell CarHooq. One line is enough; every message is read.

Look up another code

Or check a car: Problem Lookup · Used-car checker