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:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,472 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.
My seatbelt hardly ever buckles. I've had to jam it a few times in order for it to finally click. My stairwell has never been aligned with my tires, and my brakes were always janky
Power steering failure, the power steering locked up one day when I went to the store, I started the car& the power steering was locked and extremly hard to steer, I finally drove it home which was about 15 miles, I had to drive very slow because it was very hard to steer, the car was parked in a store parking lot and when I returned to the car it was very heavy to turn the wheel I was afraid to drive it home but I didnt want to leave it overnight in a store parking lot...
When turning left or right it would make a grinding noise at all speeds on backroads or highway speeds. Also, when going straight it was difficult to maintain a straight path and takes resistance. When I took it to the Ford dealership they stated it was an electrical issue in the computer for the steering system causing it to malfunction.
The power steering system failure light appeared and no ability to steer the vehicle what so ever since it is electric power steering. My daughter almost crashed into another car while going straight. Was lucky enough to be able to pull into a parking lot. Absolutely no ability to turn the wheel with out breaking it off the steering column. Also had temporary failure when the wintewr temps went well below freezing bur eventually the steering would come back online once the car warmed up (up to 45 minutes). Very dangerous!!!
Power steering went out making it difficult to steer. It happened last night randomly. We drove our Ford Focus to a friends house, turned it off, hung out with them, and when we turned the car back on, it said we needed to get the steering serviced. It's very hard to steer and make turns at low mph
- Eielson Afb, AK, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed and "steering failed pull over" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact pulled the vehicle over to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Two different incidents: (3/13/18) while driving, the power steering went out and the light came on "steering assist fault - service required". after that, pulled over and turned off the vehicle and waited a few minutes before turning back on. After restarting, the steering worked okay again. Had this later checked by astoria Ford, and they could not find anything wrong (even after running the codes). Then on 3/15/19, got in the vehicle and started it and the light came on again. This time even after stopping and re-starting the engine (waiting @ 5-10 minutes) the light remained on and there was no steering. Currently, the vehicle is at a astoria aamco getting checked thoroughly by a very competent, highly experienced mechanic to get this resolved for our safety.
Three separate incidents. All three incidents happened while first starting vehicle, putting vehicle in reverse, and then the steering wheel locks up and a steering assist failure warning comes on. Steering wheel will not move. Had to pull back in to parking spot and turn car off. Upon turning the vehicle back on, the steering wheel is back to normal and the warning is gone. Terrible vehicle. Feel unsafe driving my child in it. Never will buy another Ford ever again.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While the contact's daughter was driving 50 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and an audible tone was heard. Also, the power steering became inoperable and it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Morrie's minnetonka Ford (located at 13400 wayzata blvd, minnetonka, mn 55305, (952) 546-5441) was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving on the highway to dinner, a message pops up and states, "steering fault, service soon". during this time, it became a little difficult to move the vehicle around on the road. I managed to make it to dinner. Concerned, I wanted to take it to the dealership. When I started the car that evening (1/8/2019) a new message popped up. It stated; "steering loss stop safely". the steering wheel was essentially locked in its position and hard to move around. I got it to the Ford dealership and they told me it would cost $1,931.35 to fix. This includes about $1,200 for the steering gear (electrical), about $605 for the labor, and another $100 for a new alignment. Are you kidding me? this is a 2014 with only 55K on it. There is no reason the manufacture shouldn't be covering this. There was another car in for the same issue as mine. Looking online, I heard that this is a common problem with the Ford Focus that is seems like hasn't hit that "magical" number to be made a recall. This is my first and now last Ford I will ever buy.
On my way home towards the end of August and beginning of September 2018 the power steering in my car started to go out and I was safely able to drive my car to a location near an intersection before the power steering went out completely
Received notice stating 'steering assist fault, service now' while driving on the highway. Turned car off and then back on on the side of highway and received message stating, 'steering loss, stop safely.' All within 5-10 minutes of each other. Almost wrecked multiple times trying to get my car to safety.
Transmission gave out while driving on the highway. Had towed to dealership, who repaired with the same parts. The vehicle repair was completed and broke down with the same issue after driving 50 ft. Until today, the transmission is unpredictable and unsafe, and now the power steering assist went out, luckily I just got off the highway and back to work when this occurred. I've seem numerous reports on both of these issues, and Ford wants $2500 to repair the steering, and says they cannot check the transmission until then. They also indicated that they aren't sure if the transmission would be repaired again, and it would depend on how 'bad' it is. This is a completely unsafe vehicle, which I am still paying for, and is unusable at this time, unless I decide to drive it in unsafe conditions. Ford is not concerned about their customers or safety.
Driving and vehicle completely shutdown after a loud crunching noise coming from the front of car. A bunch of codes flashed across the dash. Vehicle wouldn't start. Had to tow it home. The transmission light stays on now when I turn key on.
While on a road trip, the car was functioning normally when I stopped and turned off the ignition at a gas station to get fuel. When I restarted the car, the power steering did not function and I had a notification on the dash stating this as well. This vehicle only has 39,900 miles and I have been quoted a repair cost of ~$3,000.
Was driving I10 to visit my mom in milton fl when suddenly I could not steer the car...the power assist failure light came on. Had to manhandle the car the remaining 120 miles where I left it sit for a day and had to drive it back to jacksonville fl because the one place in that area - pensacola - that could fix it would not be able to until tues. And I had to be to work mon. Steering assist was off and on. Mostly off, my entire drive home. We were able to get it back to the dealer where we bought it - brand new in 2014 - on mon. And it was fixed tues. $3004.96 later...
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be coasted to the side of the road and was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering computer system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recall was associated with the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. The VIN was not available.
Purched vehicle March 6th 2015.got the extended warrenty since then the transmission was fixed 3 times and now the electronic assist steering went out while pulling in my drive making me hit mailbox and make dent in hood of car.called 3 different dealers and all 3 said sorry that's not on recall even thou the same steering is used on other Ford vehicles and are on recall.my warrenty oz up and can not afford to fix transmission and steering.the transmission was moved out to a 5 year 10K mile warrenty.like I said they fixed under warrenty 3 times.this car is a lemon and I have no choice but to send it back and hopefully not be charged for the car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Philadelphia, PA, USA