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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 4 of 66)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1242

Aug 022022

Focus

  • miles

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

Transmission Control Module went out on my 2014 Ford Focus that I had just purchased March of 2022. The vehicle had only 40,000 miles wen the TCM went out and luckily it happened while I was in my driveway. I had the car towed to Owen Ford in Jarratt, VA. Of course, we had to wait for the part to come in which took a few months. At first we were told that we would have to pay for the TCM and the fee to do the work. Later we were called to tell us that Ford had made it a recall. So they finally repaired the TCM and called my husband to come try it out. My husband drove 7 miles up the road and back and went to the little store next to the dealership. When he got back in the car, the car would not go forward or in reverse. He walked back over to the dealership and told them the issue. They went and got it. Said they didn't know what was wrong with it because no code came up. So they said they would have to rebuild the whole transmission and it would cost me $3900. I'm sorry but I had no transmission problem until the TCM went out. And the dealership can't tell me what exactly is wrong but wants to charge me $3900. Ford should be responsible for fixing my vehicle. It was running just fine until the TCM went out.

- Warfield, VA, USA

problem #1241

Jun 012022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission and engine failure Available for inspection Failure on highway Inspection by others: yes mechanics warning indicators failed

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #1240

Feb 112023

Focus

  • miles
I started having problems the minute I drove off the lot they told me my transmission was fine when I knew it wasn-€™t 2020 started going in to be repaired transmission needed rebuilt rear main seal needed to be replaced that-€™s when the tech realized my transmission needed to be rebuilt it-€™s been in the shop three or four times for the transmission and the clutches then I think my transmission started messing up again 2021 then found out it was misfiring replaced spark plugs and coils all of it now on top of all my other problems my check engine lights back on it-€™s flashing I-€™ve done the spark plugs again just replaced my O2 sensors going to take it back to a mechanic and have it looked at don-€™t know what-€™s going on I-€™m really worried that my coolant is leaking because it-€™s went down and done and now I just filled it up again and it looks like it-€™s dropping again i-€™m hoping it-€™s nothing because I just found out that the eco-boost motors are leaking coolant into the cylinder heads they-€™re saying trucks right now I think it-€™s in Canada in California I know I have a eco-boost your car flex fuel or whatever you wanna call it so I-€™m really hoping it-€™s nothing but problems after problems with his car and Ford doesn-€™t wanna do anything about it they gave me some money as a good faith thing but that-€™s it I got a hold of Ford and they will the lady called me once she says she called three times she won-€™t return my phone calls I was told that they wanted to buy my car back now they won-€™t do anything and like I said I-€™m having problems with it again these cars are crap they need to take all of them back and I-€™m sitting here reading even more people having issues that-€™s not OK and I don-€™t even know what-€™s wrong with my car right now

- Gardnerville , NV, USA

problem #1239

Mar 012015

Focus

  • 0 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 various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the "transmission fault, service now, " warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective transmission control module (TCM). The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession for 9 months before the TCM was replaced. Despite the initial repair, the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer after the most recent failure and remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1238

Jan 012022

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her grandson was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The driver stated that after 20 minutes the vehicle restarted. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The dealer completed the recall repair, but the vehicle continued to experience failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an unknown module to be replaced. The dealer stated that the repair part was on backorder and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Chappell Hill, TX, USA

problem #1237

Feb 022023

Focus

  • 126,029 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal, the vehicle started shuddering and almost stalled. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and then lunged through the turn. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had been advised by the manufacturer that there had been a Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 19N08 (Transmission Clutch Shudder) and that the vehicle was past the Warranty Extension period and not eligible for repair. The failure mileage was 126,029.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #1236

Feb 022023

Focus

  • 126,029 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 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal the vehicle had begun to shudder and nearly stalled. The contact depressed the accelerator due to being in the middle of his turn with oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated then lurched through the turn. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had been advised by the manufacturer that there had been a "Customer Satisfaction Program" number: 19N08 (Transmission Clutch Shudder) and that his vehicle was out of warranty extension and not eligible for repair. The failure mileage was 126,029.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #1235

Jun 012022

Focus

  • miles
My 16 year old daughter was driving this 2014 Ford Focus on the expressway in June of 2022 when the car lost power and would not excelerate. The car became inoperable and was shaking. There was no prior warning to indicate there was a problem with the vehicle and the vehicle has approx 79,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where we had purchased a warranty but due to a warranty through Ford that existed due to a major problem with the transmission and wiring harness, Ford was to cover this repair. Today is February 1, 2023 the car is still sitting waiting for repair. We have been told there are no after market parts and Ford through numerous phone calls has advised they do not have the part to fix the transmission with no eta. Besides the fact that this was a dangerous situation when my inexperienced daughter at 16 was driving on the expressway at 65 miles an hour and completely lost power and could of been killed, killed some one else, or at the very least caused an accident, the car still sets waiting for 9 months for a part that Ford does not know when will be available.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1234

Jan 042021

Focus

  • miles
The transmission shudder is so significant that I cannot merge onto streets (city speeds or highway speeds) without causing traffic to slow down. There is a significant delay between the gear disengaging and the next gear engaging, all while shutter with sounds that feel like the car is falling apart. It started years ago, and it continues to this day. It continues to get worse and we are unable to sell this vehicle due to the safety concerns. No warning lights/check engine lights are illuminated on the dashboard.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #1233

Dec 012022

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and experienced rough shifting. 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, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #1232

Nov 222022

Focus

  • miles

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

My car is still at the dealership (CrossRoads Ford, of Indian Trail, NC). The vehicle has been there since 11/22/22. The Service Department keeps telling me they are waiting on a Recall Part to come in and have not given me anything else. The car will not drive, and they advised it was a Recall Part, but the system shows all Recall has been repaired? I need my car back- I have already paid 3 months for a car payment, on a car that is still sitting in the Service Department there.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #1231

Dec 122022

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine hesitated to respond then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while accelerating the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The transmission fault warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. Other unknown failures were found. The contact was made aware of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V350000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Wyandanch, NY, USA

problem #1230

Jan 042023

Focus

  • 84,500 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot on a level surface, the RPMs revved up, the vehicle hesitated to respond and made an abnormal sound as it was shifting from first gear to second gear. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact slightly released the accelerator pedal and was able to continue driving while the vehicle was in first gear. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while making a right turn on an incline. The contact continued driving and the vehicle gradually shifted into second gear while driving uphill. However, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission clutch was previously replaced on 5 occasions due to the vehicle lunging forward and shuddering while shifting from first to second gear. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,500.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #1229

May 152022

Focus

  • miles
My 2014 Ford Focus which I have had for 6 years has developed a problem with the Powertrain Control Module. This is a known problem with the car, and Ford extended the warranty for 10 years. I have been waiting 8 months now for the part which is still on backorder, with no estimate of when the part will be available. I can no longer drive the car because the car violently jerks when accelerating and almost comes to a complete stop. I can temporary fix the problem following online instructions, but it last only a day. I am afraid to drive the car because the jerking/hesitation might result in an accident. Ford does not seem to be addressing their responsibility with this dangerous issue.

- Kailua Kona, HI, USA

problem #1228

Dec 292022

Focus

  • miles
When trying to accelerate, it hesitates. Not sure if it-€™s a transmission problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #1227

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shudder while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions where the clutch assembly and PCM (Power Train Control Module) were replaced under warranty after each failure. The failure persisted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #1226

Sep 202019

Focus

  • miles
The entire car is a a safety issue. From the breaks and door latches, to the fuel system, electrical system, to the transmission. The 2014 Ford Focus SE needs to ne recalled aand taken off the roads.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #1225

Dec 122022

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered, jolted, and hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure also occurred while shifting into a lower gear. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission dual clutch was replaced under an unknown recall in 2019. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had been informed that the transmission dual clutch was previously replaced in 2016 by the previous owner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Girard, OH, USA

problem #1224

Dec 062022

Focus

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch and an unknown transmission part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #1223

Nov 212022

Focus

  • miles
There was an open recall on the vehicle that was extended to 2021 regarding the clutch. There is a shudder that occurs when the vehicle is accelerated from a stop. I bought the vehicle used from a dealership in April 2022, and this problem was obviously not fixed. The dealership did not indicate any past recalls or current issues with the vehicle, even though the problem has persisted. I now have an unsafe vehicle that needs a complete part replacement. I am being quoted at 3,500 dollars. I am baffled that the safety of the person driving the vehicle and others on the road is being blatantly disregarded. Is there anything that can be done about this with Ford. I know that the recall warranty expired in 2021, but this issue should have been fixed upon the vehicles purchase by the previous owner or fixed under their ownership as they had almost 8 years to fix this recall.

- Richfield, MN, USA

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