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:
22 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,168 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.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to stall and shut off in the middle of the road. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive 20 mph to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on April 11, 2019, but the failure continued. The contact also experienced a failure when trying to use the reverse gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 108,836.
I was told upon purchase that my vehicle was supposed to shudder and lunge, I was not informed of the severity of the recalls and the transmission issues. My car is unsafe to drive as it has trouble switching gears, and I fear pulling into traffic. When getting it fixed the Ford dealership, bill collins Ford in louisville ky refused a curiously vehicle for the 7-10 days it is estimated they will need to 'repair' my transmission
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle violently vibrated. Also, the vehicle vibrated when started and coolant was discovered leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to lindsay Ford (11250 veirs mill rd, wheaton, md 20902, (888) 457-7005) where the water pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact planned to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
Ford should give me a new transmission, can't even get to la from hollister. The vehicle still has no power, and is slipping and hesitating like crazy.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 15 mph, the transmission completely failed without warning. Prior to the failure, the transmission fault warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train) by webb Ford (9809 indianapolis blvd, highland, in 46322, 219-924-3400). After the remedy was performed, the failure continued. The contact called the same dealer and was informed that the failures were normal and that the vehicle needed to become accustomed to the contact's driving patterns. Since owning the vehicle, the contact had taken the vehicle to be serviced for several transmission failures at several other dealers including river view Ford (2200 us-30, oswego, il 60543, 888-994-1003), art hill Ford Lincoln (901 w Lincoln hwy, merrillville, in 46410, 219-738-5300), and van drunen Ford (3233 183rd St, homewood, il 60430, 708-798-1668). For the recent failure, van drunen Ford replaced the clutch. The contact refused to pay for the repair due to all the previous recalls associated with the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,263.
Ford customer satisfaction program 19N08 is an extended warranty for the clutch. The letter states it is a one time repair program. However, when I reached out to Ford the system said there was no further information on the program. The trouble is my vehicle has already had a clutch replacement and the problem still exists. So if Ford allows for only a one time repair then those vehicles that still experience delayed acceleration, shudder, bucking, and kicking after a clutch replacement will not be covered. The idea that Ford is extending the warranty for a one time repair shows the company may leave people with vehicles that do not function properly. My vehicle is one that falls into this category.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle did not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact merged to the shoulder and then kept driving until the desired speed of 65 mph was reached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Car shutters when pulling out slips when accelerating hard shifts transmission control module replaced under recall.Ford issued a customer satisfaction bulletin a couple of weeks ago bulletin # 19N08 but refuse to replace clutch because of title branded vehicle this car is dangerous to drive because it loses power when clutch shutters and when passing vehicle clutch slips horribly.this problem is a safety issue and when I contacted Ford customer service they refused to perform recall on vehicle.
I was driving on the highway and the car just stopped getting gas or responding to me it dropped speed dramatically as a simi was behind me which read oversized load and I was going up hill so I was trying to try my hardest to get in the emergency lane then the engine light popped on fooling a warning of my transmission was hot to stop. I was terrified I had my 2 kids in the back and they were scared also I thought for sure we were going to die that mourning. I'm to scared to drive that car or any other car after going threw that. It's in the shop now but the dearship is already trying to tell me the bill for stuff. I'm confused and vary aggravated thanks to all that I dont know what to do being a single dad trying to do good. This happened on I-25 North bound near highway 66 mead exit. Colorado
The Ford Focus I own was manufactured in 2014 with a known transmission problem. The manufacture alongside their franchises know about this issue yet they still refuse to repair it.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving at any speed, the gear shifted out of first gear and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the computer system failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.
Tcm and fuel system purge valve are both recalled on this vehicle, I have taken it to Ford 6 times in a year for this issue, they tell me its not affected but it is according to your website and my car has all the symptoms of it, itll loose power on the interstate and then after I get it restarted I can make it 2 miles and it does it again, it is a death trap.
Been having issues with transmission. It has been replaced 3 times. Today transmission revved up to 4000 RPM then stuttered and completely shut off while traveling on the freeway going 70mph. Not the first time this has happened. Going to shop tomorrow. Not looking forward to spending $1500 a fourth time.
Inquiry from congressman jeanne shasheen on behalf of her constituent, reg: Complaint towards Ford dealership, request to look into possible recall of 2014 Ford Focus SE transmissions.
This year and model had a recall for the clutch in the transmission due to clutch will stall and shutter. My vehicle has had the clutch changed 3 times now without result. I am currently in need of the 4th clutch repair on my 2014 Ford Focus and now I am being told by my Ford dealership that is " recall" part will not be covered and it will cost me $1800 to fix even though this has not been corrected the past 3 times. Now my car is not safe for me to drive as it will stall. My car currently will shutter while trying to speed up from 0-20 which makes it difficult to pull out safely and it is now not down shift properly and the warning lights will come on. I have not driven my car for a week now and this is my main means of travel for work to support my family.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Seffner, FL, USA