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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

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Sep 132020

Focus

  • 124,000 miles

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

The car stalled out

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #36

May 312019

Focus

  • 48,000 miles
Replaced transmission due to recall. Then their was a recall on the recall. Took car back stating the car still shutters and stutters. Supv stated you need to drive 2000 miles it will reset. Well here it is September.2020 car is still stuttering and shuttering when coming from stop to acceleration causing a potential accident from car behind. What can I do. They brush me off every time I tell them this. When this happens I get a warning smooth driving saves fuel numerous times and will appear as driving on interstate and it's a smooth road. Car will decrease speed.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #35

Aug 242020

Focus

  • 41,000 miles
I started my car and began to drive. Two minutes after driving I was going 25 mph on a town street and my transmission fault light came on. I lost power and control of the car, almost getting hit by a large truck.

- Kearny, NJ, USA

problem #34

Feb 142017

Focus

  • 50,000 miles

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

Problems I have had was slipping, bucking, jerking, and suddenly accelerate. In addition, the transmissions caused delayed acceleration and delays in downshifts, cuts off in traffic.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #33

Mar 052020

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
The power steering just stops working from time to time. This happened while taking a curve the last time this happened. I have found that numerous people are having this issue with a number of their Ford that have the electronic sterring assist. This happened to me the first time on March 5 this year. (2020) I remember because it was my birthday.

- Cordova, AL, USA

problem #32

May 022020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
My car is shutting down and the code P068A and I know someone that has the same car same model year same problems transmission problems car not moving no matter how much you hit the gas and he got recalls on the car my car is having the same problems I will be driving on the road and the car will jump shake than go and it's keeps doing it as well as I can be going 20 mph and my RPM is at 6 not dropping unless my foot is off the gas.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #31

Mar 202016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles

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

The car has a problem taking off and seems to not want to shift. It now will not drive and I have it at the dealership. Paid over $1000 and still not fixed. Said it was the tcm. Now they want another $800 (saying they are giving me a discount) to change the clutch fork and hopefully that will work. I've had problems since I got it in 2016. Called and there was nothing they could do.

- Johnstown, NY, USA

problem #30

Aug 162019

Focus

  • 96,000 miles
There had been over 30 occurrences of having problems with my car not being able to properly shift into the right gear. I have had the clutch replaced 5 times but it has not fixed the shifting. I've ran into issues at stop signs and stop lights of almost getting into accidents because my car won't properly go into the gear or shift correctly. More recently, 3 months ago; my car turned off and would not run back on. When taking it into Ford they stated they had no reason why this occurred and had no explanation for me.

- Orting, WA, USA

problem #29

Aug 232019

Focus

  • 108,000 miles
Car will show "stop safely now" warning and completely shut off all controls at highway speeds. That car does not allow you to move it out of the fast lane or any lane. There is no way to move the car to safety once the warning activates. Very dangerous situation.

- Morgan Hill, CA, USA

problem #28

Jan 162019

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
While accelerating either uphill or at speeds above 45 the car will begin to shake. I was told to fix my camber and toe bars to alleviate the shaking of the car, my struts, and to replace my tires. Neither of these solutions have helped this.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #27

Aug 072019

Focus

  • 76,318 miles

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

Doesn't drive or go in reverse was at a red light it didn't want to drive off almost caused a wreck

- Gray, LA, USA

problem #26

Apr 302016

Focus

  • miles
I have transmission problems since I bought my car in 2016. Lose of power on freeways and acceleration problems all the time. The service engine light continues to turn on and off unexpectedly. Ford continue to denying those problem, causing a lot of stress every time that I drive long distances

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 252019

Focus

  • 6 miles
April 25 2019 to this day July 10th 2019 is when everything started breaking down out of nowhere, I'm going to work at 6am I notice my car starting up odd and so on my way to work I was getting on the high way as I was accelerating something happened in my car that made a loud noise and my car bucked as if it was having trouble trying to rev so I turned my emergency lights and managed to get to work by driving slowly and man was it a scare. I ended up leaving my car overnight at work and got it towed to a local mechanic saying my radiator was busted ($260 out my pocket), looked online to see about any recalls and saw I had a couple to be fixed and that's when I took it in to a local dealer Ford dealership and they supposedly fixed my car but when I got it back it was just as bad and I even started getting messages on my dashboard about my lid compartment being open making me get off on red lights to get out and close the trunk. Then my second time being stranded on my way to work, same thing starting off my car felt odd but this time I made it to work but as soon as I pulled into the parking lot my car had felt like it died and stalled right as I was parking and when I got off and locked my car it started making weird mechanical noises, that's when I had to get it towed the next day again but this time the mechanic told me it was my transmission module, so I go online again and see there is an extended warranty for my exact problem. So I take it in to the dealer so they can fix it but they turn out telling me I have a hole in my transmission and that they can't fix the problem even though it's due to the computer software malfunctioning causing it to break now the dealership is asking 2,000-5,000 to replace. I'm sick and tired to be honest I'm about to lose my job for going in late, I've paid a month already without even using the car I need help.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #24

Aug 152017

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle was shaking violently. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact slowed down but was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to capital Ford services dealer (2805 E millbrook rd, raleigh, nc 27604, (877) 660-1721), where diagnostic testing determined that the failure was the clutch seal was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact also stated that while driving, the fuel gauge failed to provide the accurate reading causing the contact to run out of fuel. The contact also stated that when the vehicle was idling it would stall. In addition, the vehicle would accelerate and decelerate independently. The vehicle was taken to R D sawyer motor co dealer (404 is-64, manteo, nc 27954, (252) 473-2141) where it was advised to keep the tank half full. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number: 17794117. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Buxton, NC, USA

problem #23

Apr 122019

Focus

  • 71,000 miles
I recently bought a 2014 Ford Focus hatchback from elliott Chrysler Dodge Jeep in carthage Texas not knowing I was buying a vehicle with a active safety recall. Was told buy the salesperson there was no recalls on the vehicle that they are required by law to fix them prior to selling it. And I was driving home 11 days after getting the car and it stalled out in the middle of the highway in the left lane and would not accelerate and the check engine light came on and I was almost hit by another vehicle. I sent the car back to the dealer you tried to give it back to me again telling me that they drove it the check engine light isn't on anymore and we looked up your website to see if the car had an active recall which it did. We refused to take the car back unless they fixed the recall. So they said they were sending the car to excel Ford in carthage Texas. That they had called them and verify the recall in which we found out about the recall from the paperwork from the dealership giving us the website. The service tech called and said he called Ford verifying the recall and that the parts for fixing the recall we're on backorder and could take quite a while. A day later elliott Dodge of carthage called us back where we bought the car and said they had the car back the recall was fixed. Along with the piece of paper stating it was fixed but not how. And now a week later if that and the car stalled out again check engine light on and did the same thing it did before the recall was allegedly fixed. Once again nearly causing an accident when the car stalled and will not accelerate. I was just driving down the highway and it stalls check engine light flashes then stays on losing all power and will not accelerate.

- Carthage, TX, USA

problem #22

Apr 092019

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
I took my car in for a recall a few months ago also mentioning that it has been saying it's overheating and they gave my car back saying nothing is wrong and now I've been driving with my newborn daughter and all of the sudden my car wouldn't go past 65 & then after it started working again my battery goes out I thought it was because the gas light had been on and so I called aaa and had someone come down they put in gas and got it started but to my dismay I wasn't even able to make it home seeing as how my car could barely accelerate and again it shut off at first I was driving on the freeway and when I slowed down to stop at a light my battery symbol went on and then the car shut off & after I got it working again it was working and then it slowed and would let me press the brakes anymore and since the. It won't start

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #21

Feb 272019

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
While driving on a busy street the car made a sound with the words 'engine fault:...' the cars electrical functions went haywire within a minute of the first warning and the car died.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #20

Nov 032018

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
Harsh jerking and shuddering when accelerating. Ford has a recall on the transmission for this problem, yet they refused to fix mine because its 65000 miles. Was never told about this when I got the car (~35000) - would have fixed sooner if I was. Got clutch replaced months ago, fixed this for a little, now the problem is back.

- University Place, WA, USA

problem #19

Sep 202018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
Car started stuttering power with in 3 months of having it. Jerks and hesitates when accelerating. Clutch assembly has been replaced 3 times. Car only has 30,000 miles. Sept of 2018 while crossing bridge without any warning car just stopped in mid drive! very scary! towed to Ford. Was charged for some malfunction??!! car is still shuttering and has difficulty getting to speed. Filed complaint with Ford back in 2016 that I didn't feel car was safe. No response! after this last incident I am afraid to drive very far for fear it will just stoop running mid drive. Avoid all highways because of this

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #18

Sep 032018

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
Takata recall amongst the known recalls, is a lot of unsaid issues with this vehicle. It started with the tcm. When I had the dealer fix it, the codes were showing ok but the vehicle continued to display the same issues when trying to accelerate. For some reason when driving, it seems as if I'm driving a manual vehicle instead of a automatic. The clutch is giving me problems. It tend to get stuck in the hill assist mode. A few weeks ago my car just died. It seemed to be the battery. When replaced it was ok for a day or so. I had it checked to see if my alternator was bad. It both places stayed it was fine. Periodically it would stop. It didn't seem like there where any determining factors on when (like cold or hot weather). So I drove it less. One day when driving, going 46 mph, it just shut down. The screen showed 'not in park', starting system fault and it would not allow me to place the vehicle in neutral. It then began to start and stop whenever. The grounds were checked, the starter, the alternator, the fuse and orhers. My horn would sometimes go out for days, up to weeks. When trying to start the car, it would eventually flash 'normal mode'. it's so many things going on here! I fear all the time with this car. When the tcm started acting up, it stopped while driving too. I'm a mother of 5, I've has this car for 4 years as for the past 2yrs I've been living in fear of my children and I dying in this car. I've spent more money buying rentals and having others assist with transportation when this car acts up, I could've paid half of my last 2yrs off. This is not fair because everyone doesn't have the ability to just get up a go trade in a car or walk away. I've been having different problems for over 2 yrs now but when it shut off while driving on the highway, it was in the beginning of September 2018 (this month) it got worst and I had it towed to the dealer.

- Black Jack, MO, USA

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