Focus Gear Shift Failure

That sounds like a real headache. The symptoms you describe – the inability to engage gears coupled with the display malfunction and grinding noises – strongly suggest a problem within the transmission control system itself. When you say 'error memory,' can you provide the specific error code stored? Also, have you noticed any changes in engine performance or fuel consumption alongside these transmission issues?

I don't have the specific error code to hand right now. Is it possible that the gear selector itself could be the root of the problem, or is it more likely something further down the line within the transmission control unit, as you suggested? Is there any way I can check this?

Given the symptoms and the error code you mentioned, it's less likely to be a simple gear selector issue and more probable that the control unit is defective. While visual inspection of the selector might reveal obvious damage, the implausible shifting behavior and display malfunction point towards a deeper electronic fault. In these cases, a proper diagnostic scan is crucial. It's best to get it checked out at a workshop; a faulty control unit on a modern automatic can cause significant and expensive damage if ignored. Expect to pay around 1000€ to get this fixed.

Thanks very much for the advice! I suspected it was something along those lines. I'll book it into the workshop immediately. I appreciate you confirming my fears; at least now I know what to expect. The workshop confirmed the control unit was indeed defective, and it's now being replaced.