A few observations (which may or may not be related):
The new Focus (which started with the 2012 model year) has a dual-clutch "automatic manual" transmission (basically a computer controlled manual transmission). As such many people complaining about it simply didn't like how it felt as it does drive just like a manual (the engine lags as the clutch engages from a stop, shifts are a little clunky, etc.). (I liked the way it felt when we had our 2012--my wife didn't..we never towed it however.)
Ford spent a lot of time and many TSBs reprogramming the car to make the shifts smoother (and one specifically to prevent roll-back on a hill) but still people didn't like it. Its the nature of the beast--it doesn't feel like an automatic, it feels like a manual.
In addition, unfortunately for me, the fully electric Focus (BEV) cannot be towed at all--the only way to tow it is four wheels off the ground
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