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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:
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.

2014 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 66)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1282

May 012023

Focus

  • 134,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was accelerating from a stop, the vehicle vibrated, lost motive power, and the RPM briefly became elevated before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission assembly, related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- North Bend, WA, USA

problem #1281

Jun 302023

Focus

  • miles
The transmission has completely failed multiple times causing us to have to push the car out of lanes of traffic because the car would not move forwards or backwards. The transmission would slip during acceleration even after clutch cleaning and fluid flush. There were no warnings, lamps, or messages. Its very clear that there is an issue with these cars as everyone appears to have the same TCM issues.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1280

Jul 022023

Focus

  • miles
Hello, We are writing in regards to Ford Motor Company-??s inability to resolve their (Automatic) Transmission Control Module issue, as noted in TSB-16-0129, in a timely and reasonable manner. Our 2014 Ford Focus (with 47,000 miles, and we are the only owner) stalled, without warning, in a busy intersection while we were traveling out of state to a major suburb of Chicago. This stall almost caused a major accident, and we had an 18-month-old child in the vehicle. We had it towed to the closest Ford Dealer (Buss Ford in McHenry, Illinois). We have this part escalated with Ford, however Ford and the dealership have no timeline on when the part will arrive. We believe the part to be AE8Z7Z369F. We called a local Wisconsin Ford Dealer to see if they had the part. They stated that there were about 27,000 of these parts on backorder, and it could take more than 3 months to resolve. Our car is out of state, with no timeline of a repair due to Fords inability to get the part, so we cannot even plan when we can pick it up, and we are down a car. The dealer is out of loaner cars, and they are maxed out of the rental cars. We are on a wait list that is 12 people long. We called Ford customer service to request Ford to provide a rental car until the vehicle is fixed, however they are unwilling to do so. Ford sold a defective transmission (this is not the only issue with this transmission) and is not providing a reasonable timeline to get the part fixed, and they even knew of these issues. In addition, they are not providing customers with a rental car or loner car during this unknown time period. I am asking that you require Ford to provide loaner or rental cars free of charge until these vehicles can be fixed, not only for our family, but the 27,000 families that are out there waiting for this part. TSB-16-0129 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10109047-9999.pdf

- Delafield, WI, USA

problem #1279

Jun 072023

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1278

Jun 282023

Focus

  • miles
This car has had the clutch fork, clutch and tcm replaced since ive owned it and continues to still produce the same scary issue erratically. When it's not throwing codes it's sticking in gears, shifting hard, accelerating on its own (( almost went through a drive through window when it did this last)) this car is going to cause an issue/wreck. I Will be driving yhis car and the focus looses power, no steering, no acceleration available during the main issue im addressing today. It will flash the engine light and the cluster will continue to flash for about 30 seconds and you have no choice but to stop or pull over. What's fascinating and scary each time, it throws different codes. Anywhere from one code to up to 13 codes. I now carry a code reader in my glove box. Took me one hour and 17 minutes to get 8 blocks home in a very small, non traffic, town four or five days ago. Sometimes you can clear the code(s) and be on your way right away until the next dreaded failure. Or sometimes as soon as you turn the car back on it goes right back into loss of power and throwing codes. Nothing particular sets this off, not heat or cold temperatures. Not running the heater or A/C. Not driving fast, slow or in-between. Not turning or driving straight. Not driving short distances or long distances. Nothing is the same to produce this issue. This was tested by not only myself, husband and two mechanics. Ofcouse each time the codes say something different, TCM, clutch, clutch forks, gas, you name it the code was thrown, ect. Even after the money pit of fixing the supposed issue(s) we still continue to have the EXACT SAME VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. Ford should eliminate these cars, crush them so nobody else falls victim to these failing known issues they've produced.

- Laurel, MT, USA

problem #1277

Jun 012023

Focus

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission. The contact stated that the sound increased while the RPM was ascending or descending. While driving, the vehicle jerked and shuddered. The vehicle failed to accelerate as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

- Corning, CA, USA

problem #1276

Jun 012022

Focus

  • miles

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

The part that failed was the dual clutch. I was in traffic and my car did not want to accelerate after the stop it began to sputter then went to accelerate this happened more then once. It has been inspected and diagnosed for a worn clutch but I bought the car like that. No check engine light or anything has came on. I am financing this car and it sucks that I am not able to drive it if it was an emergency then I risk it and drive the car but the whole time I am scared because of the way it is struggles on the freeway and streets

- Banning, CA, USA

problem #1275

Jun 272023

Focus

  • miles
I was driving the car and RPMs dropped to 0 and car would not go. Has had issues shifting, slipping, stalling and shuddering for over a year. Paid for a transmission fluid flush AT A DEALER. Never helped the situation. Has been ongoing issue for over a year. Now after checking the VIN my car is NOT a part of the recall? This seems to be a wider issue with no resolution. Now I am without a car and without a fix

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #1274

Jun 012021

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking while changing gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Bountiful, UT, USA

problem #1273

Jun 232023

Focus

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate from a stationary position. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

problem #1272

Apr 202023

Focus

  • 96,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally without warning. The contact stated that after the transmission upshifted, the vehicle stopped shaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Clinton, LA, USA

problem #1271

Jun 132023

Focus

  • 151,580 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,580.

- Mims, FL, USA

problem #1270

May 192023

Focus

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her father driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum. The contact stated her father pulled off the roadway and turned the engine off. The contact stated her father could not shift the vehicle to park (P), he had turned the vehicle off, set the parking brake and waited for nearly an hour. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and transmission functionality had resumed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and her father had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer advised that a code P2027B had shown on the diagnostic computer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #1269

Jun 012021

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of park after several attempts. An unknown warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and a dealer who were unable to diagnose and determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #1268

Mar 252023

Focus

  • 100,421 miles
My car if jerk when taking off. Horn stopped working and will not sound when you lock it with the key fob.

- North Vernon, IN, USA

problem #1267

May 312023

Focus

  • miles
There was a recall several years ago on my 2014 Ford Focus in regard to the dual-clutch system. The system has been replaced once already. The vehicle is now showing the same symptoms. I feel that Ford should be replacing the system again at no cost to me. I am afraid to drive the vehicle. I am a cancer survivor and also work full-time. I need access to a functional vehicle that is safe to drive.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #1266

May 172023

Focus

  • miles
Transmission control module failed in my daughters car. Contacted ford they will not assist or repair. Had vehicle towed due to tcm failing & staling. Transmission fault service now light came on. Had it inspected by dealership which confirmed tcm failure. My daughter is traumatized by this due to this almost causing her to wreck & being stuck on the side of the busy road for hours. I was currently without transportation

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1265

Jun 052023

Focus

  • miles
Car feels sluggish and transmission is starting to slip. I do know that the 2012-2018 Ford Fiestas and Focus's have the same transmission.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1264

Jan 182021

Focus

  • 86,476 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated the check engine light was illuminated and while driving at various speeds and while idle would display a sputtering. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the control module had failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was told that their vehicle was not able to receive a repair free of charge because they have passed the year's deadline. The approximate failure mileage was 86,476.

- Clinton, MA, USA

problem #1263

Apr 282023

Focus

  • 85,441 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed and codes P087E (Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit), P087A (Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent), P287A (Clutch B stock Engaged), P087A-00 (Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit), P087E-00 (Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent), and P287A-00 (Clutch B Stuck Engaged) were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the clutch actuator A and B needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file the complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 85,441.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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