Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: For the third year in a row, the 3rd generation Focus is experiencing massive transmission problems.

Most notably owners keep complaining about how there's bad hesitation and jerking when starting from a stop. This isn't the result of an old, worn out part. In fact, the average mileage it's reported to us is just over 15k miles.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,068 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Ford Focus brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Jun 282018

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle transmission will not shift promptly, RPM's rev over 3 to 4 RPM's before shifting casing jerking, shuddering, jolt car backwards coming to a slow and steady stop. Red warning lights on dash console indicating emergency problem & unsafe to drive.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #16

Aug 052018

Focus

  • miles
While driving in the parking lot, the car (2014 Ford Focus 5dr hb) suddenly loss power. Unfortunately, the recall only apply to the electric model. Makes/models/model years: Ford/Focus electric/2012-2014 mfr's report date: October 28, 2013 NHTSA campaign number: 13V-523 components: Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, PCM) potential number of units affected: 2,456

- Artesia, CA, USA

problem #15

May 252018

Focus

  • 48,000 miles
I was driving and was slowing down to take a sharp curve when the idle speed sped up the suddenly dropped and then the engine died. I restarted the car but the check engine light came on. It did the same thing as I was driving behind other traffic which was going slow. I drove to my mechanic he test drove the car and said the throttle body was going bad. He stated he had had several of these cars with the same problem. My car only had 48,000 miles on it. I never know when it will just stop if I have to slow down or even stop for a red light or other traffic. I live in a rural area and the roads are narrow with few places to pull off. I know that there have been recalls for this problem on some Ford Focus cars and mine should be included.

- Greeneville, TN, USA

problem #14

Apr 042018

Focus

  • 133,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had this 2014 Ford Focus since early 2015. I have had problems out of this car since I have had it, with the dealership not ever finding out what was wrong. It started with power train issues which they had issued a recall for and I had brought to them and the dealership still did not fix. The last two weeks the car has begun having steering issues. While I was driving it just locked up and I had to coast to a stop and restart it. It drove fine after it sat for a minute and I restarted it, then three days later would not turn again after I started the vehicle while parked in my driveway and was getting ready to drop my children off at school and then head to work myself. I once again had to turn the vehicle of and let it sit for a minute and had to restart it. It ran okay for another three days. This morning it once again while parked in my driveway will not turn and the steering assist light came on the car. This time it will not turn at all after I have restarted the car several times.

- Lexington, TN, USA

problem #13

Mar 222017

Focus

  • miles
Takata recall the vehicle shutters on take off as well as it doesn't shift so the engine just revs till you take your foot off the gas and try to get it to shift like that. The clutch has gone bad on all vehicles so it keeps doing it and gets worse and unsafe to drive on freeway and on regular roads because it looses power when it shutters. It does it when turning as well as even just being at a stop light and trying to take off. Cost over 1,400$ to repair

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #12

Jun 012017

Focus

  • 10,500 miles
June 1, 2017: I took my 2014 Ford Focus St, with ~10,500K miles only 4 months out of warranty, to a dealership for an oil change and warranty recalls. June 2, 2017: The dealership informed me that while reprogramming the BCM, body control module, the computer was wiped and the car would not start. The dealership said they attempted to reprogram it again but did not work but that they had opened a ticket with Ford's technical support. The dealership provided a loaner car to me for the weekend. June 6, 2017: The dealership called to tell me they still had not received a fix from Ford and that Ford knew of the issue and had replied that they would provide an update within 7 business days. I was told to keep the loaner car until the work was complete. I called Ford's service line to attempt to escalate the issue. I was provided the case number, as referenced, and told to talk to the dealership's service manager. The service manager told me that unfortunately there was nothing his technicians could do but to wait for a fix from Ford. June 15, 2017: I contacted Ford service line again and the case was escalated to a regional manager. They informed me that Ford does not have a fix and that Ford has no timeline for a fix. The vehicle is still non-functional. Ford has told me they have no fix and no timeline for a fix. The dealership is waiting on Ford to provide a fix as it's a computer issue and the dealership cannot do anything to solve it.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 112016

Focus 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since I purchased the vehicle (new), I have had problems with the engine. I have taken it to be repaired to an authorized Ford deal during the 3 years I have owned it - once, they replaced/rebuilt the clutch, twice for updates to the computer, and a separate time for the tires and wheel well (the dealership said some of the problems were caused by unevenness in tires, the wheel well also needed repair after my tires were rotated). The car consistently struggles to accelerate after coming to stop, such as at a yield, merge, stop sign, stop lights, or from slowing down. It shakes, jerks, stutters, makes a creaking metal sound, and most concerning, stalls. I have been told by the dealership the vehicle needs to learn my driving style, however, three years is an unacceptable amount of time. I take the car to the dealership for all maintenance. I have my oil changed and tires rotated regularly, in addition to the inspection done by the dealership at that time. When I press on the gas from a slowed or stopped position, the car should accelerate, but it stalls. It consistently stalls every time I drive it. This is not safe, especially since this is a brand new car. I have continued taking it for repairs to a Ford authorized dealership only, leaving the vehicle for days at a time, and the problem has not been resolved. Additionally, the mileage I get with the car is lower than expected and a Ford employee asserted to me it is due to the engine issues.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #10

Oct 302016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5 miles
My car has a mind of its own. I have complained to Ford many times regarding the car jumping since the day I bought it. I have been told " oh, its the way it was made." My car completely stopped on me before while I was driving with my kids in it. I took my car back to the dealer right then and they reprogram it and told me it was fine. I took my car back for the battery going to completely dead with a brand new car. Today as I'm picking up my kids my check engine light came on. I took my kids home and called my dad and was advised to get a diagnosis test ran on my car. To my surprise my car is getting a error code P090C" this is an electric problem that it seems that million of drivers have gotten that involves the clutch actuator low circuit. Why did I not receive a recall for this" I need some answers now because this car has stop before with my children with me and I will not die because of Ford. I need this issue fixed.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 302014

Focus

  • 50 miles
Since since bought this car brand-new in 2014 there has been a grinding stuttering shaking and jerking of the transmission when in motion. This happens whether the car is on the highway or at a low rate of speed but mostly when driving forward from park. Ford attempted to upgrade the software to the transmission several times which has never worked. This is a known issue to Ford and they are claiming that it is a characteristic of the transmission and it is normal activity. The transmission shutters and jerks so much that the car will not shift and will not move forward appropriately and I have come close to getting rear-ended several times because the transmission cannot catch up with the acceleration. I am asking Ford for assistance in trading the car in since the value in the car depreciated so much because of all of the transmission issues and they are refusing to help me.

- Uncasville, CT, USA

problem #8

Jun 272016

Focus

  • miles
When stopped at a light or something, car hesitates like it's gonna die. The RPM's shoot way up and if I go to brake, they like almost get stuck in high RPM. Transmission shutters. Tire pressure warning light stays on when I've checked the tires pressure and everything

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

problem #7

Sep 062016

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I put it in drive mode it goes back words.when I'm driving for about 20 min it shows my E brake is on and says transmission at fault and engin at fault

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 242016

Focus

  • 48,000 miles
My 2014 Ford Focus hesitate, then it takes off, when mergining into traffic it stalls, transmission seems to be slipping, I was almost hit twice from it stalling, transmission service light comes on, radio display not working

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #5

Jun 242016

Focus

  • 15,000 miles
Almost immediately after purchasing I noticed the vehicle had difficulty shifting properly. It seemed to be jumpy when I accelerated after a complete stop. Then, I began to notice the car struggling to accelerate while I merged into traffic. I felt what could be best described as a frog hopping when I was in stop and go traffic. Turning corners also made my car launch forward then backwards suddenly. Car was repaired. Condition slightly improved but I could still feel a constant hesitation upon acceleration. I became used to having to mash my foot onto the gas to get the car to accelerate normally, then taking my foot off as it violently jumped into each gear. After a few weeks, the problem began to occur upon deceleration too, lunging forward suddenly after I had come to a complete stop. I then began experienced a loss of acceleration while sitting at red lights, or in the middle of intersection, while merging onto a on highway, or going around corner. This annoying condition quickly became a serious safety issue when was almost hit on two occasions because of a failure to accelerate. Clutch was then replaced again. Immediately upon receiving my 'fixed' vehicle for the second time, the sputtering continued. This time it was worse. The vehicles rpms seemed to be out of sync with the gear shifts. The car was constantly revving up and down when I was at a consistent speed. When I accelerated the vehicle jerked, skipped, and seemed to lose power before suddenly kicking into drive. When I came to a stop my vehicle always jerked forward before completely stopping. There were several occasions where I nearly rear ended the car in front of me because it suddenly lunged forward after I braked. Just received my car back after the third fixing and I am still experiencing the same shaking, grinding, jolting, and jumping. I have never felt more unsafe in a vehicle.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 112014

Focus

  • 7,445 miles
First incident car wouldn't start, 2nd incident took car in for lurching, shuddering, 3rd incident rolling back (car still shuddering) they said this was within normal specs. 4th incident have been ignoring it (because it is normal??!!)... still shuddering, lurching on take off from a stop, also tires are making a "tire sound" secondary to transmission (most likely due to transmission issues)... boyfriend and pep boys say this is not normal that its the transmission. Taking it back in on the 15th of Sept. 2015, very frustrating. Having boyfriend take it back in because we believe that automotive is still a sexist industry. Have 2 case numbers given to me. Certain it is a lemon, not sure where to go from here. Hate my car.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #3

Feb 022015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 8,700 miles
The steering is very dangerous and will cause an accident. There is no centering the wheel, it constantly drifts back and forth left and right, on it's own with flat straight road and perfect straight line of sight. The steering is too sensitive, if I move the steering wheel just a slight amount it over corrects and continues to moves the car. The drive must constantly course correct or I will veer off the road right/left or hit another car in either lane, the problem is multiplied several times over when traveling at highway speeds. Searching the internet I see several other complaints from 2014 Focus owners and am quite shocked this issue has not been escalated and fixed by Ford, the new electric steering is not working and a safety hazard to any driver. I had the car in the mathews Ford collision shop to repair a hit to the front end from a deer, and reported the steering issue. They acted like they had no idea what I was reporting and recommended a front end alignment. I told them they needed to drive the car and would feel and experience the problem. I picked the car up last week and they said the steering computer was reset and re-calibrated, and the front end alignment was done. As soon as I left and was driving it was actually worse than before and when I traveled on the highway 2 days later it was very pronounced with very little wind that day. I went back to mathews today and had one of their estimators drive the car with me in it and he absolutely agreed and said the car drifted left and right on its own, like the old fashioned cars that run at amusement parks.they are supposed to contact me once they talk to the repair shop and then I started researching on the internet and was shocked that this is a known problem, so decided to file this complaint. This car was manufactured February 2014 and currently has only 10,000 miles.

- Granville, OH, USA

problem #2

Nov 242014

Focus

  • 12,501 miles
Took my car to the Ford dealership, for the 5times. To be looked at again for all the problems I am having and they stated they found the problem, like every time, with the shuddering and hesitation I was experiencing. They have reprogrammed, and replaced the clutch and computer and asked that I drive it again for a bit and see if the problem returns. The problems still remains the same, with no help from dealership, they just keep making excuses, refusing to face the problem, they told me after my 5th trip and waist of time to think about a new car, my car is barely even 11 months old. The last time it was service they didn't even put back in the oil plug, for an oil change I didn't even receive, my car is worst everyday, I have bought 4 vehicles mfri! this dealership and if they don't face the facts and fix it its going to be my last, I can't depend on my car, I don't want to be stranded and the safety hazards for these same issues are ridiculous, I should not have to feel threatened or afraid to drive my own car. Everytime I start !Y car and start to go, I have to worry if !Y car is going to get stuck in gear and accelerate or not stop at all, resulting in an accident or worse.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #1

Feb 022014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
The 2014 Ford Focus S comes standard with traction control which uses both the ABS module and the PCM torque control to control the vehicles motion relative to the intended course. This is done through two ways: 1) the ABS module continuously monitors and compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels in relation to the non-driven wheels. At the same time, the ABS module calculates how much engine torque reduction is required to eliminate the wheel slip. In snowy (+2-3?), icy or slippery surfaces where both front tires are equally in the same condition, the ABS module modulates brake pressure to both brake caliper (s) to stop any wheel spin. 2) at the same time, the ABS module sends a message to the PCM to reduce the engine torque to the requested level. With both brakes being applied and engine torque reduced to a near "idle? state with the accelerator at ?full throttle?, the car immediately becomes stuck. Because the Ford Focus S does not have the ability to disable the traction control, my wife and kids have continuously been stranded in a car that will apply the brakes and reduce the engine RPM"S resulting in a car that will not move in extremely dangerous situations. As a consequence, the car has been required to be towed many times in below zero conditions because we are unable to disable the traction control. Death or severe injury is our concern because "by design", the car becomes disabled when snowy intersections and highways are encountered. Our disabled vehicle could result in any oncoming traffic to slam into our vehicle.

- Mulberry, IN, USA

Not what you are looking for?