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.
About two weeks after purchasing my pre-owned 2014 Ford Focus, I started to experience some slight jerking whenever I pressed on the accelerator pedal. The jerking gradually got worse and I continued to drive to my home. My car stopped suddenly when I was traveling uphill on a highway. I had to sit and wait for a few minutes before I was able to keep driving. When I finally arrived home, I turned my car off and went in. I came back later to go somewhere and my car wouldn't start. I resolved to leave it be since it was the weekend and dealerships were closed. The next day my car started, but the jerking remained and now my check engine light was on. I drove with it for the time being because the dealership (Toyota) that I purchased it from said they couldnt look into my possible transmission issues because I didn't purchase the extended warranty. I finally looked pretty deep into the issue and found there was a recall on the car I purchased and that many people experienced the same exact problems as I have.
3 times car would not start. All lights wipers radio and all gauges worked when turning key but car would not turn over. Happened when shopping had to have car towed home. After sitting for a day car would start
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure with the clutch and was taken to deacon jones Ford (3301 mclain St, goldsboro, nc 27534), and was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer previously performed field service action number: 14M02 (transmission control module extended warranty repair) and the clutch was replaced twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
My son was on his way to work. He is 16 years old. He got only 1 block away and the check engine light came on and the car started to act up. It wouldn't drive right. He tried to turn around and get my car to go to work. His car wouldn't hardly move he had his foot all the way to the ground and it got to 20 mph. I just bought this car in January 2020. I was never informed about the extended warranty for the transmission.
- Eynon, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Check engine light comes on and the engine has stopped while in motion, have had it checked out 4 times already. 1st time dealer said there were some wires that are close to the manifold were frayed and then repaired. The last 3 times the check engine light came on I pulled over while driving, turned the engine off waited a few minutes and restarted the car and was able to drive a few miles. I have now taken the car to a different for dealer 3 times in the past 5 weeks and every time it's a different code with the exception of the 3rd time. They replaced the battery at no charge now today 5 days later the check engine light came on again. This will be the 5th time! this has happened on the highway and on city streets. We have spent over $500 and my time getting back and forth from this dealership to remedy this problem.
Transmission fault light came on. Codes coming up are po6B8 and po6O6 times two. Looked codes up and they were power train control module and the ECM/ PCM codes. Wants to stall when driving.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the dual clutch transmission fluid leaked into the dry casing of the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while driving while the vehicle shifted gears with an audible sound. The vehicle was taken to flow Acura (425 silas creek pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27127, (336) 723-3524) where the transmission casing and seals were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,754.
While driving the car start shudders and the rev went up; the transmission stopped working and show a error message. Went to the dealer and found that my car was out of warranty. When that happened I almost cause a crash.
While driving on highway my RPM will fluctuate up and down. RPM's will raise high while my speed doesn't increase. My steering wheel pulls to the left. Car wants to stall periodically. It has a hard idol.
My dps6 transmission again had a severe shuddering incident when pulling out into 55 mph rush hour traffic on a 6-lane highway. After the shudder discontinued and speed was increased to approximately 50 mph, while attempting to navigate into another lane, I had a significant loss of power after engaging the accelerator to the floor with zero response from the transmission. Due to this defect, my vehicle was struck in the rear by an oncoming vehicle.
My car is shutting down and the code P068A and I know someone that has the same car same model year same problems transmission problems car not moving no matter how much you hit the gas and he got recalls on the car my car is having the same problems I will be driving on the road and the car will jump shake than go and it's keeps doing it as well as I can be going 20 mph and my RPM is at 6 not dropping unless my foot is off the gas.
My Ford Focus will pause at a complete stop, and when I go to accelerate, my transmission will shudder for around 2 seconds, leaving me susceptible to an accident.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to downtown Ford sales (525 N 16th St, sacramento, ca 95811, (916)299-3529), where the vehicle was inspected. The contact stated that months later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while the accelerator was depressed without warning. The same dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle had a salvage title and the dealer would be unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,700.
The car has a problem taking off and seems to not want to shift. It now will not drive and I have it at the dealership. Paid over $1000 and still not fixed. Said it was the tcm. Now they want another $800 (saying they are giving me a discount) to change the clutch fork and hopefully that will work. I've had problems since I got it in 2016. Called and there was nothing they could do.
I purchased the Ford Focus titanium hatchback in 2014 new, and since then it has been to the dealership/mechanic over 25 times due to 2 major defects -- Ford powershift transmission and electric/engine issue with draining the battery. I've had 4 batteries and average 6-8 jump starts per year due to the electric problems with the computer draining my battery. I've come very close to having at least 8 accidents due to the transmission fault. The transmission was replaced a couple years ago and it worked without having the shifting stall problem for about 2 months. My dealer said that's "all they can do... Ford doesn't offer any payback or refunds due to these 2 well-known lemon defaults. I just called the 800 number for Ford to file a complaint (800-392-3673) and they stated that I'd have to call back in 2 hours because their system is down. I asked if I could file a complaint online and they stated, 'no', you must call us to file the report. Details involving the lack of safety due to these 2 issues -- I've had my engine stalled in the middle of traffic on average of 6-8 times per year, putting my young children and self in great danger. I've also had my battery die just hours after parking it in a metropolitan city (miami/tampa/Washington DC/Chicago/detroit) and had to wait at my vehicle with my children for Ford or aaa to help replace/charge my battery -- which took on average 1-2 hours each time. I am requesting that Ford purchase my vehicle for the full blue book value, in addition to $10,000 due to the loss of work and lack of safety/hardship/disregard to my safety issues that I've brought to their attention over the past 6 years. Please contact me at [xxx] and leave a message if I'm unable to answer. Thank you, [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shake and the transmission started to slip. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle mileage exceeded the warranty period to be repaired for the dual clutch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The wiper fluid sprayer stopped working. I have no idea why. Then ever since I bought the car it stutters everytime I hit the gas pedal. So each time when taking have it has a shaking sensation. Each time I have taken it to the dealer they say the same thing that the car was made to do that because its an automatic dual transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Los Angeles, CA, USA