Print this page

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:
39,086 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 19 of 69)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1008

Aug 192019

Focus

  • 113,711 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated while her daughter was driving 30 mph, the vehicle hesitated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to local dealer holmes tuttle Ford Lincoln located at 660 w auto mall dr, tucson, AZ 85705, (866) 930-6255, where it was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and clutch forks to be replaced. The contact stated the dealer replaced the clutch forks but declined to complete recall repairs. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,711.

- San Manuel, AZ, USA

problem #1007

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 #1006

Dec 102019

Focus

  • 54,000 miles
I will begin with my concern and then proceed to give you my back story. I was almost involved in a very real broadside collision with an 18-wheeler and another Ford F-150 about two weeks ago. I was making a left turn with oncoming traffic when the vehicle failed to shift into second gear through the turn. The best way I can describe this is the feeling/noise we've all had learning to drive with a manual transmission and you miss the gear. The vehicle was stuck in neutral and the engine was reaching the rev limiter. I thought I was going to die. I'm very fortunate in the fact that the oncoming vehicles were able to come to a complete stop. I had to put my car in park, then put it back in gear to get it going again.the car just reached 55,000 miles and I've had to bring the vehicle in for warranty work on the clutch assembly five times since purchasing the vehicle. I have been told by the various service managers both to 'drive the hell outta the thing' to wear in the clutch properly. I've been conversely told to 'drive like a grandma' in order to wear in the clutch properly. I have spoken to the service manager about my safety concern and he states there is nothing they can do 'at the dealership level' and encouraged me to reach out to Ford Consumer Affairs. His next offer was to 'sit me down with one of the salesman' in order to 'get me into something better'. I'm not in a financial position to 'get into something better'. I had planned on keeping this car for another 2-3 years at least. This would get me through school and as my income potential increased, I planned to trade my Focus towards a larger vehicle. I want to reiterate that I do not feel safe driving my car, especially with a baby in it. The car continues to jump out of gear, leaving the vehicle powerless at random times, despite recent clutch replacements, especially in the cold weather.

- Waukee, IA, USA

problem #1005

Jun 302019

Focus

  • 50,000 miles

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

We test drove Ford Focus 2014 SE with 50K miles at the Dodge dealer in clermont gotta. The transmission shuttered when going uphill and turning left with 4 passengers. When pointed out to the dealer, they said it was fine. Just heavy load going up hill and turning. We drove the car 2000 miles and the transmission got worse. Ford dealer said they'd repaired the transmission clutches on many of these Focus automatic tiptronic transmissions and some were recalled some weren't. of course "ours" wasn't a recall and cost $2000 after owning the case less then 30 days. The dealer says it was sold as is. I won't recommend that Dodge dealer in clermont, Florida! after the Ford dealer repaired the transmission and driving 2000 miles more, the transmission is shuttering and hesitating again. Ford should issue a recall on this transmission as there are many people having this problem with low mileage.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #1004

Jan 142020

Focus

  • miles
For at least the last three years the vehicle experienced short periods of non-starting. In October, 2019 the car would not start period. Previous it was able to start after moving the shifter from park to drive and back and sometime using the remote start. The October issue required towing to North county Ford in vista, ca. After five days, it was determined the transmission had failed and needed repalcement. After replacement the non-starting issue resolved, but in the last three weeks it has returned. I have not had any issues while the vehicle is moving.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #1003

Oct 152014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated without warning. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer (george wall Ford Lincoln 700 shrewsbury ave, red bank, NJ 07701) to be diagnosed however, the diagnosis was inconclusive. The mechanic was also unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA

problem #1002

Feb 212019

Focus

  • 103,000 miles

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

Car shakes/shatter everytime it shifts between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. Now the transmission it goes back and forward to neutral between shifting.the issues is getting worse and dangerous to drive. After reviewing various complaints I find out that all Ford from 2012 and newer have the same issues and Ford has refused to corrected. They only have a recall on the PCM computer but refused to replace the clutch or transmission. Extending the warranty to 7 years or 100,000 mileage shouldn't be allowed as remedy since the issue continues to come back. It is time for Ford to take ownership on their mistake and be forced to recall all transactions on our cars.

- Mount Carmel, PA, USA

problem #1001

Dec 212019

Focus

  • 180,000 miles
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 #1000

Dec 312019

Focus

  • 0 miles
Transmission work temporarily in reverse. Then reverse goes out completely. I'm about to take the vehicle back for repair the 5th time. And I'm very frustrated and mad. That I can't drive it. I want another vehicle or be compensated me a check for the vehicle so I can get another one without any problems.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #999

Apr 152019

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle is having hard jerking/shuttering due to a clutch malfunction during first and second gear. For a while I've had the same jerking (sometimes very bad) that everyone else has had due to a clutch malfunction. I received a letter for the recall from Ford and when I went to have the clutch fixed the dealership called to inform me that I was not eligible due to having a branded title. The dealership looked up my VIN number when I was making an appointment and proceeded to tell me after I dropped my car off and they had it for the whole day.the reason my car is a branded title is due to cosmetic damage, nothing to do with the front of the car. All of the parts on the car are the original manufactured parts. This being said, I'm having a concern that even though the clutch is the exact same as others without branded titles I am not allowed to get it fixed even and the part malfunctioning was Ford own doing.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #998

Dec 212019

Focus

  • 5 miles

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

We recieved a transmission overheating indicator stating we had to pull over to allow it to cool down during stop and go traffic. We just had the 8th clutch placed in the car!

- Pryor, OK, USA

problem #997

Dec 172019

Focus

  • 137,638 miles
Took my Focus in to have a customer satisfaction recall clutch replacement for the automatic transmission. I experienced bad jerking and acceleration issues. The dealer replaced the clutch 2 1/2 months ago. I'm now at the dealer with my engine light on on and severely bad jerking and shifting issues again. The dealership diagnostic says I need 2 transmission shift levers replaced (levers a &B) cost in excess of $1000. This transmission as a whole is defective. Why is Ford getting away with this"?"

- Adelanto, CA, USA

problem #996

Sep 252019

Focus

  • 69,718 miles
I was sent paper work for a recall from Ford motors (19N08 ) ref: My transmission clutch being faulty clutch shuddering which happen numerous times and causing it to feel like the car would stop right there. I called my ;local Ford dealer ref: This recall and was given a schedule time for repair. They checked the Focus and found its transmission had the above problem and need to be fixed. They replaced the clutch parts. When it came time to pick up my call I was told I had to pay the bill to retrieve my car back. $1088 that Ford was not going to pay the repair cost. I called Ford and was told my car has branded title salvage.I didnt know what that meant before the repair. Ford customer service### told me they use a third party to send notices of my VIN. And they didnt see the salvage repaired on my title, thats how I received the recall.

- Caroline, WI, USA

problem #995

Dec 172019

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
Tcm replaced 66,550, clutch pack replaced 68,148, and complete communication failure between the throttle and transmission, tonight at 82,000 miles, I fully opened the throttle pedal down, and transmission failed to give me any acceleration for 3-5 seconds.this almost caused a bad situation tonight. Radiator replaced at 77,600, coolant still drops to the min- line. No reasoning on where the coolant is going.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #994

Oct 022019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission shuddered and hesitated to move forward. The contact stated that the transmission warning indicator illuminated prior to the failure. The contact took the vehicle to selinsgrove Ford (10 N susquehanna trail, selinsgrove, pa 17870, (570) 374-8131) where the vehicle was initially repaired under warranty; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Mcclure, PA, USA

problem #993

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 #992

Nov 202019

Focus

  • 139,000 miles
I was driving my car home on the freeway November 19, 2019. Going about 65 mph and it started shifting weird. I made it home hooked it up to the computer got the codes and it was all related to the transmission control module. The transmission control module was recalled on my car last year and the dealer fixed it. I took it back to the dealer they had it for about a week, called and told me they replace the transmission control module again however there was more damage. Its transmission problems it needs a new clutch assembly, slave cylinder and 2 clutch release levers. They told me this was my fault and it would cost me about $2000. I take very good care of my car I didn't have any problems prior to this. I can't afford the $2000 right now and I'm still making payments on my car every month. Dealership has all the info on their file.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #991

Nov 012019

Focus

  • 46,000 miles
Typical Ford Focus transmission clutch failure. Shuddering, jerking, etc., in initial acceleration. Purchased vehicle used on 9/2/17. Took it in to dealer for transmission issue on 9/12/17. Dealer replaced clutch, according to the invoice, under warranty. Vehicle started having same issue, though very slight compared to first time, around 10/19. Went to dealer mid-November 2019. Was given appointment for 12/3/19 for dealer to check transmission. Picked up vehicle on 12/4/19. Invoice states they replaced "seal asy.-oil 8138", "fluid-transm 5017", "clutch asy. 048090", "brake cleaner 21401". they also performed the recall repair - "18S32 fuel tank deformation recall", and, "18S32-a check for available PCM software update, no available software update, no parts replaced." The transmission is an ongoing issue with these vehicles. Wanted to send this to NHTSA so there is a record of another one. Will update in future should tranny fail again. Still awaiting a formal recall on these things as it has been a known issue since the tranny was designed!

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #990

Jan 312015

Focus

  • 1,000 miles
We bought a 2014 Ford Focus new in 01/2015. From day 1 the transmission gave us trouble, it would hesitate and shutter while accelerating causing many close calls of getting hit while in heavy traffic. On one occasion it pop into neutral for a couple seconds before moving. We are afraid to drive this car but don't want to be responsible for someone else's death if we sell it. We gave up on the dealership where we brought it in numerous times trying to get repaired and they would tell us there was nothing wrong with it.

- Menasha, WI, USA

problem #989

Sep 012019

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
I began having problems with the check engine light coming on. Before I could get it diagnosed I was on the road going about 35 miles per hour when I completely lost power. It felt as if the transmission had just switch to neutral and I was giving gas but going nowhere. I was able to pull off to the side of the road put the car in park and turn it off. When I turned it back on I was able to put the car in drive and carry on. A few days later I was on the highway going almost 70 miles per hour when I suddenly completely lost power again. I was able to pull off the side of the highway but it was fairly terrifying to be in the middle of traffic and all of a sudden not have power. It could have been disastrous. I finally got the car restarted and turned around and went back home. During this time I received a letter about a warranty extension all the transmission control module. I made an appointment with my local Ford dealer and they changed the module. I drove it to work after a few days and had the same issue again. I was told it must be a ba D module so they put in a new 1. now have issues with the check engine light coming on that can't be resolved. That is how the transmission issues started originally. I don't trust to take this car on a trip. It only has about 68000 miles on it but I have lost faith in it. What if my daughter or my wife were driving it and this happened. I can't imagine.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?