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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:
23 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,541 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 11 of 74)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1272

Jun 232023

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 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 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 #1271

Apr 202023

Focus

  • 96,000 miles
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 #1270

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 #1269

May 192023

Focus

  • 57,000 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 her father was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated her father pulled off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that her father could not shift the vehicle into park(P). The contact stated that he turned the vehicle off, set the parking brake, and waited for almost an hour. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and the transmission functionality 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 transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had retrieved DTC code: P2027B (Powertrain Control Module). 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 #1268

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 #1267

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 #1266

May 312023

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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. The contact stated Ford replaced the clutch once and the car is doing the same thing again.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #1265

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 #1264

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 #1263

Jan 182021

Focus

  • 86,476 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving at various speeds or while idling, the vehicle was sputtering. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for a free repair. The approximate failure mileage was 86,476.

- Clinton, MA, USA

problem #1262

Apr 282023

Focus

  • 85,441 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 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

problem #1261

Apr 092023

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while shifting from first to second gear, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the clutch release bearing, and the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Beacon, NY, USA

problem #1260

Jun 282022

Focus

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and would not exceed 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking and hesitated to respond while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was test-driven and diagnosed that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 19N08 and the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the Service Campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they had sent a notice of Ford Campaign Number: 19N08 in 2019; however, the contact stated that the notice was sent to the previous owner as she became the owner of the vehicle after the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #1259

Aug 012014

Focus

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions, the transmission would shudder while depressing of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be serviced under an unknown recall; however, the failure returned after the repair. The contact stated that after the initial failure, the vehicle was repaired four separate times, all related to the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Cloquet, MN, USA

problem #1258

Apr 152023

Focus

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while coming to a complete stop. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08 (Transmission Clutch Shudder - Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension) however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #1257

Oct 152022

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a jumpstart and stated that she was unable to shift into reverse(R). No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery and the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and while coming to a stop at a stop signal, the vehicle was stalling. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Columbia, PA, USA

problem #1256

Apr 212019

Focus

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered upon depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the clutch was replaced; however, the failure recurred two years later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the clutch was replaced for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair would be covered if the failure was related to the TCM. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #1255

Nov 182022

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle remained stuck into neutral(N). The vehicle was pushed with assistance. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where a repair was completed for the TCM failure; however, the failure reoccurred several times. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping in and out of gear. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #1254

Apr 032023

Focus

  • miles
My daughter purchased a 2014 Ford Focus in August of 2021 with roughly 35,000 miles. She was starting college as a full time student and needed a dependable vehicle.....which she DID NOT get. Zeck Ford in Itasca, Tx is where this was purchased and they KNEW of the issue regarding the TCM in this particular vehicle. This vehicle should have never been on that lot for sale. Ford recently closed this dealership in Feb/March 2023. The car did great till about Spring/Summer of 2022. It suddenly started jerking and check engine light would come on. It appeared it was possibly a loose cable...it was not. It drove fine till Oct of 2022 and again did the same thing. Contacted local dealership and we were THEN told of the issue with the TCM. We were also told all we could do was wait untill it acted up again bring it in to the dealership so that they could open a ticket. Well it never acted up in proximity to a dealership. It happened again in Dec of 2022. This time with the rmps revving up so far the vehicle would not drive and she had to have it towed paying out of her pocket. Today, April 3, 2023 she was on her way to school and it stalled on her TWICE going down the interstate. My husband and I had to go get her and he somehow managed to get it back to our house. She did purchase an extended warranty but they helps none in this situation. At this point we were at a loss of what to do. The dealership that has been trying to help us has informed us numerous times that they have not received the TCM part in their dealership in 2 YEARS!!!!! They currently have 2 identical vehicles like my daughters on their lot that DO NOT DRIVE due to this issue and have been sitting there for almost a year. I have reached out to Ford to no avail. Ford and ALL ford dealerships knew of this issue in Feb 2017 but continued selling this vehicle.

- Grandview, TX, USA

problem #1253

Nov 012022

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering, and the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that upon shifting from park(P) to drive(D), the vehicle hesitated. The contact turned the vehicle off, and the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The part was replaced; however, the dealer diagnosed that the clutch also needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired and advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Reno, NV, USA

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