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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:
18 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 1
Average Mileage:
41,323 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #281

Jan 202020

Focus

  • 208,000 miles

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

Here is another picture. This is the electrical connection to the washer fluid pump. Fluid leaks out of the electrical connections to the pump and gets pushed through the wiring loom and the fluid leaks onto the body control module causing corrosion and failure of the BCM.

- Munith, MI, USA

problem #280

Jan 272020

Focus

  • 204,988 miles
This is in regards to my 2014 Ford Focus. When parking the vehicle the engine will not shut off, even with the key out of the ignition! faulty washer fluid pump leaks into electrical connector for washer pump and washer fluid gets pushed into wiring loom past the firewall and down into the BCM( body control module) connector part C2280D. The washer fluid then runs from the connector onto the male pins of the BCM corroding the pins and shorting out the BCM. This causes the vehicle to exhibit many faults, the worst are the vehicle not starting or as in my case, the vehicle would not shut off and continues to run even with the key out of the ignition. Ford recalled 433,000 vehicles for engines that don't shut off but my vehicle was not captured in the "build date" for the recall. I believe I missed the recall by weeks or a month at most?

- Munith, MI, USA

problem #279

Feb 092019

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
The vehicle idles rough, the transmission slips and the rpms get high in first and second gears, it takes forever to accelerate, the fuel gauge will say 100 miles till empty then die on you, I have been stranded 5 times in less than a year due to that, recently on 2/8/20 the car wouldn't accelerate in the middle of a busy intersection and proceeded to stall in the middle of the road. I had to literally push the car out of the intersection and into a store parking lot during 5pm traffic. I cannot believe this car received a 5 star safety rating, I feel a number of things about this model car and company but safe definitely is not one of them. Doors that have defective latches, opening at anytime, transmission problems leading to cars constantly almost rear ending you, and a car that can stall in the middle of a busy intersection or freeway, is not by any means a definition of the word safe. I will never buy another Ford again, and I will convince any else to not buy from a company that values profits over consumer safety by installing cheap, defective parts and components

- Sandia, TX, USA

problem #278

Jun 182019

Focus

  • 98,000 miles

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

The vehicle had a recall on the transimission. I took the vehicle in for the recall. The vehicle ran good for about two months. The vehicle has started to slipe when I hit the gas, like it neeed more gas. If the gas padle if hit any harder, I going to push it throught the floor.

- Fort Meade, MD, USA

problem #277

Aug 012019

Focus

  • 166,688 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). While, driving at slow speeds up hills the gears shifted roughly. The contact stated the fuel tank failed to take the recommended fuel. While driving with a half tank of fuel the gauge dropped to empty. The fuel and engine warning indicator lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to koch 33 Ford 3810 hecktown rd, easton, pa 18045(610) 810-1145 but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 166,688.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #276

Dec 192019

Focus

  • 84,000 miles
I was driving on a city street. Came to a stop at a light and someone on a bicycle came by. While my foot was on the brake my RPM's shot way high and my car tried to drive itself forward. Luckily the bike rider had gone by. But could easily have been hit if my car did what it tried to do. I have been honked at and high beamed when I try to pass someone on a highway and I end up with little to no power and the person behind me nearly rear ends me because my car wont go. Why does it feel like someone has to tragically die before someone does something about these Ford Focus' on the road. These cars are not safe. Ford knew that, there is proof they knew that and made them anyway. Its your job as highway safety to make them liable and get better standards before cars are sent to distribution. There should be more prevention than there is correcting. Don't wait for someone to get hurt before deciding these cars are bad and unsafe. That should be a basic human reaction. Not a corporate one. I have sent two videos I took. One of my rpms sporadically going up and down and my car not shifting or having power. And the other my RPM's going up as I'm coming to a stop. Which is not normal. It should not try to rev itself as I'm slowing down to an almost complete stop. I guess I cant upload the type of video I have. But I'd be happy to send them another way if you'd like.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #275

Dec 212019

Focus

  • 180,000 miles

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

I was driving along the highway 80 in the left hand lane, ready to pass a semi truck when the car lost all power from the engine a light came on and it read engine default service now ok, as all power was shut down. I was then forced to go to the emergency lane. I was almost ran over by two semi trucks coming from the right side of highway 80. I had it serviced at phil long Ford chappel hills in Colorado springs and they wanted $4500 to fix it.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #274

Dec 202019

Focus

  • 36,521 miles
On my way home, the car began to make a clickety clackety noise. It sounded like a belt was out of alignment. I pulled into the driveway and popped the hood. I watched the bottom gear wheel break off the engine. The engine immediately stopped. Had I been on the road, it could have been tragic. In the attached photo, you can see the metal ripped clean off at all three locations.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #273

Nov 012019

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
My Ford Focus had two separate mechanics look at it before purchasing pess than one year ago. Passed all inspections car was fine and then all of a sudden wouldnt start at all. Altenator and battery checked. To start car, I had to take extension cord from house to car to use a battery charger. I could drive it from place to place but could not turn car off bc it not starting again. I drove like this for two months. No warning lights, no weird sounds. I tried replacing battery and problem continued. Replaced battery. Was driving and in the middle of an intersection, car wouldnt go. Almost was hit. Cars had to swerve to miss me. Was in an accident when car wouldnt accelerate quickly at.light. Hit from behind and passenger had to be taken by ambulance. Received two recall letters in the mail. One regarding emissions and one regarding the clutch. When I tried to back car out of lot, wouldnt go in reverse. Then the trans light came on with the check engine light. We pushed it out of spot an it drove until I tried to accelerate, car wouldnt go. Car had all tuneups, oil changes, all maintenance routinely done. When speaking with university Ford on a recorded convo, told me the recall effected my car & that they installed a new trans module but the trans itself had to be replaced. Qupted 7,000$. warranty according to Ford is for clutch problem. Then why replace trans module? told me to call customer service. Told me to make claim &get a trans extended coverage claim. I've called but haven't heard back. Now ihave car at dealership dont have 7,000$ or $ to even tow it away from there. I'm on disability and having severe medical problems & A7 yr old with special needs eoth limited resources. For a company that stands american values, they fall short. Very angry. (should've bought a Chevy)

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #272

Nov 242016

Focus

  • 14,000 miles
When making a left engine would hesitate for 3-4 seconds and not allow transmission to engage.

- Danville, IL, USA

problem #271

Nov 252019

Focus

  • 98,000 miles

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

Everytime I pump gas in my car and I turn it back on, it wants to die immediately. One time it took about 5 tries before it actually worked. I had just gotten the recall done for the fuel tank where it was reprogrammed so it can detect an issue with the canister purge valve. And now my engine hesitates to start.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #270

Nov 112019

Focus

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the fuel pump and regulator failed and caused the vehicle to stall while driving. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tom denchel Ford hermiston sales & leasing (555 S hwy 395, hermiston, or 97838, (855) 878-9342) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and regulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was still at the dealer. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced four times. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Irrigon, OR, USA

problem #269

Nov 012019

Focus

  • miles
This car is stalling stalling constantly. It just gets worse as time goes by. Once it gets going at a good speed its fine. Yet when U take off or pull out in traffic it stalls and is extremely dangerous. I've had it looked at by 2 mechanics and they say its a problem with those model cars and there are recalls on some.. I would like to know if its recalled on this car because I am very afraid of getting killed because of the stalling.. please help before this happens

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #268

Oct 292019

Focus

  • 51,000 miles
My transmission stopped engaging as I was turning into my parking space at home after a 150-mile trip.I was in motion. The engine raced. I let off the gas pedal. I turned off the engine, thinking it might be a software glitch. When I tried to restart the engine, nothing happened. I had to push the car into the space with the transmission in neutral.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #267

May 042016

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
When driving my 2014 Ford Focus, when stop at a light and began to start going the car stalls or or it starts to shake like if I was driving a manual transmission, why hasn't the recall they said they did fixed the problem!!! this happens on city streets and highway.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #266

Oct 072019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine fault warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts for the recall remedy were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. Harold zeigler Ford (11979 fulton St E, lowell, mi 49331, (800) 646-4660) was contacted and stated that the next available appointment was October 28, 2019. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lowell, MI, USA

problem #265

Sep 272019

Focus

  • miles
Have been experiencing major jerking and stuttering when car change from 1st to 2nd gear. Really have to press on gas for it to accelerate. Very dangerous for when trying to merge lanes on freeway. It has shut off twice on different occasions and would not restart. Check engine light just turned on at 89,000 miles. Extremely uncomfortable with driving it due to these problems. There were occasions where I could not accelerate and cars were close to crashing into me.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #264

Sep 022019

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The car has been stalling, jerking, jumping and skipping every time I accelerate. I have taken the car to the dealers more than 4 or 5 times since I bought it in 2014! they told me those cars will do that. Wrong! I have all the paperwork of how many times I have taking it for the same thing. The car continues to shudders at slow speeds, and jerks into gear. When backing up on incline street/driveway, rolls back. When accelerating in a highway is dangerous as the car does not respond and making it a safety hazard when shifting lanes, entering on intersections or highway. The problem continues after taking if to the dealer many times.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #263

Jul 222019

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
After 2 visit to Ford they stated that I needed to wait for a letter in order for them to replace parts they have. The car is running lean bank 1. when fueling, it stalls. It has stalled while drive on a few occasions. The fuel itself, goes quick, now that the problem has persisted. Getting under the car, fuel tank looks deformed as well and the code I get in the car is P0171. It's been close to year since it's started and I still has not received a letter.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #262

Aug 102019

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hagerstown Ford (1714 massey blvd, hagerstown, md 21740, (301) 733-3673) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas 24237271. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

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