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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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,435 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #253

Aug 042023

Focus

  • miles

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

I am writing to express that ford issued an extended customer satisfaction program (19N08) to get transmission issued fixed within a specific window or time and mileage. Unfortunately that time has passed and the opportunity for smoother, safer driving has been missed by many people including me. Ford is unwilling to extend the warranty and fix the transmission issues which I feel is a concern. The car rattles and shakes when I go at a slower speed which I imagine could be dangerous. This fix is over $3,000 and not attainable for the average American to pay out of pocket. Ford needs to extend the warranty for the transmission clutch shift motor to keep the roads safe.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #252

Jul 212023

Focus

  • 126,383 miles
as I am not 100% sure where the problem comes from. And I know that this car and other Ford vehicles are infamous for these issues. My Ford focus-??s transmission will spontaneously without warning completely shut off while driving which has caused me to almost get into crashes multiple times. I have brought my car to a ford dealership to get inspected in hopes of being included in a program which makes ford pay for a rental car while the part that causes the issues is delivered (there is large back order on the TCM) but when my car was done being diagnosed they claim my clutch needs to be replaced for 3200 which is ridiculous first of all but the main problem with this is that the broken TCM is what is causing the clutch to break creating a never ending cycle of replacements I have to pay for and even if i get a clutch replacement it won-??t fix my overheating issue. These problems that are caused by ford have caused me to almost get into mulitple crashes and is restricting me from getting to work and I am getting no help from ford customer service and the individual dealerships try and scam me any chance I get so this is my last resort at getting any help

- Ivoryton, CT, USA

problem #251

Jul 142023

Focus

  • miles
tHIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING. SO OBVIOUSLY NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND FORD HAS CLOSED THIS RECALL ON IT. I CALLED OVER THE CONCERN THAT IT IS STILL NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY OFFER NO HELP OR SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN, TOO BAD IT ISN'T REPAIRED PROPERSLY BUT IF I WANT IT REPAIRED IT WILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT PROPERLY AND STILL CLOSE THE RECALL.

- Franklinville, Ny, NY, USA

problem #250

Jun 152022

Focus

  • miles

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

This car had transmission problems from the day I bought it. Then with less than 50,000 miles on it, it quit on the highway. I had it towed to the local Ford dealership where they charged me $150. to tell me the antifreeze had leaked into the engine and ruined the engine and it would cost me $9,000 to have it fixed.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #249

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 #248

May 172023

Focus

  • miles
In heavy traffic, car slowed down and stopped. Got it started but it hesitated a few times until the next time I had to stop again. ?

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #247

May 052020

Focus

  • miles

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

-?? door latch repeat repair inhtsa #20V331)

- Randolph , MA, USA

problem #246

Mar 292023

Focus

  • miles
2014 Ford Focus transmission has been giving me problems for years, It shudders badly. I am afraid to drive the car, It has been diagnosed.with needing a transmission. Ford has told me that that is how it supposed to run, Please take a look at all the transmission problems of the ford focus that people continue to have today. This is truly a safety issue. The cars are still on the highway. Having zero recalls doesnt make the road safe if someone doesnt listen and solve the problem of ford focus transmission.

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

problem #245

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 #244

Dec 302022

Focus

  • miles
Car just stopped on a 5 lane highway while waiting at traffic light. Car just stopped and would not go forward. All lights came on. Police officer helped get car off of highway and pulled Into a business parking lot. Mechanic looked at vehicle, police officer also looked as well as a few others. Noone could get car started. Friend ended up having to take my 16 yr old son home. This is holiday weekend so dealership not open until next year. Car will need to be towed to dealership for repairs. Car is not recognizing any drive reverse etc...is not safe to drive. All lights came on on the dashboard. Check engine oil light etc...

- Lewisburg , TN, USA

problem #243

Dec 292022

Focus

  • miles

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

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

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #242

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 #241

Nov 292022

Focus

  • miles
Car does jerking on initial gears and stall, Rpm increases/decreases suddenly. Engine lights on. Air bag error for driver seat.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

problem #240

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

problem #239

Oct 042022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission Control Module has failed on the car. The car is currently in the car dealership and can take months to receive the part.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #238

Sep 122022

Focus

  • miles
While in heavy traffic, the car started to "shake". At one stop point I removed feet from brakes pedal to move forward, but car did not reacted and stayed in same spot as if car was parked. I then put the par in "P" and then "D" and then I was able to continue driving. Car has been "shaking" and "pulling" after that. That happened two week ago, I call Ford, but they hang up, I leave voicemails and they have not responded.

- San Luis, AZ, USA

problem #237

Aug 302022

Focus

  • miles
The car was having problems shifting and the check engine light came on. Took car to independent mechanic and they discovered the Transmission control module needs to be replaced, but not able to get one. Told there is a 50,000 on a waiting list to get one. Went to trade car in at ford dealership towards a new ford and they will give $100 for our 2014 focus with the TCM problem.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #236

Jul 122022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission has failed. It-€™s available for inspection. Car wouldn-€™t drive up an incline. The problem has been reproduced at 2 mechanics. In the first 2 years of owning the car I had taken it to 2 Ford companies and the dealership that it was bought from. Jerking, slowing down between 15-25 miles, car wouldn-€™t start the first time after turning the key, when opening the door I heard noise coming from under the hood, the radio would turn on when opening the door.

- Far Rockaway , NY, USA

problem #235

Jul 112022

Focus

  • miles
When Ford looked at my car during a recall for the locks I informed them of some problems I noted and they informed me that there were several reports with Ford Focus's concerning the Clutch and The Transmission control module. They said there were no known recalls regarding it. However my car once the RPM hits below a certain point like going to a stop light or going speeds below 35 the car starts to either drag when I accelerate or outright refuse to accelerate. This has happened on several frightening occasions on my way to and from work and almost caused an accident because of the drag. There were no lights or indications that there is a problem with the car.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #234

Jul 072022

Focus

  • miles
When pulling into a parking space a few weeks ago all of the sudden my steering became extremely difficult, and an error code came up on the dash. I turned the car off, waited a few minutes, then turned it back on and everything was normal again. Then a week later while pulling out of my driveway it happened again. I pulled back in and shut the car off again, waited a few moments, turned it back on and it was normal again. The following Monday I took it to Crouse Ford in Taneytown, MD to have it evaluated. The service dept determined that the power steering electric rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced. My car is a 2014 and has just under 67,000. This is not normal wear and tear, and this is definitely a safety hazard as it is extremely difficult to control the car, and there is no warning when it happens. I am very lucky the problem happened to occur while driving very slowly in a relatively safe place with no pedestrians or other vehicles in vicinity. The fact that it is a common problem in this make and model (well documented online) and has not yet been validated as a safety recall is unacceptable. This is a dangerous situation that could cause injury or death.

- Westminster, MD, USA

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