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.
I have a 2014 Ford Focus which I purchased new from the dealership which is equipped with a duel power clutch transmission a class action suit was filed against Ford due to the poor design of the transmission in which consumers were having constant problems with their transmissions. About a week ago I was stopped in a intersection and when I went to accelerate my car stalled and had difficulty accelerating.this had happened twice within the last week overall my car has always had poor acceleration and hesitation but I became urgent when my car took hesitated for so long and the check engine light came on I have bought a new car with just under 99K and only 4 years old which makes very concerned due to the poor design of the transmission that my and other Ford Focus owners cars are unsafe to drive my car could of stalled in the middle of the light and I could have been hit
This vehicle has had door issues where the door would open unexpectantly, the transmission has caused hydroplaining and has also caused the car to stall on the freeway. Even though they fixed the transmission the problem has returned and insist on being a continual issue. Now there is an additional recall for December and that is cpv. When I contacted Ford in order to have a refund or be able to return the car and switch it out for something else... I was told no there wasn't an option to do so. Is this true that I have to just continue going along with the car and continue to have these types of issues through the lifeblood of this vehicle?
Was driving vehicle then all of a sudden it started shuddering and seemed like it was having trouble shifting gears pulled into parking lot then vehicle wouldn't go into reverse all other gears worked fine and the rpms on vehicle would rev up on their own without pressing on the gas pedal after about 20 to 30 minutes was finally able to get out of reverse
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the transmission downshifted and the vehicle lost acceleration. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,000.... the consumer stated the dealer advised the clutch assembly failed and needed to be replaced after 52,298 miles. The vehicle was not included in the extended warranty program due to the vehicle's assembly date.
Purchased 2014 Ford Focus in Dec. 2018, less than 31,000 miles in excellent visible condition from family friend for my child away at college. Was informed by previous owner that the when starting from 0 there is a small stutter as car shifts into 1st gear. A Ford dealership instructed them that there is a 10yr/150,000 mile warranty extension (14M01 -DP56 transmission clutch shudder), but cannot do anything until it gets worse. Taking ownership of the 2014 Focus, we did experience a shudder-shudder. My child informed me late Feb, early March the issue has gotten worse. Home for spring break, 03/24/19 week, took for test drive, and the issue is significantly worse; jumping-shuddering-jerking, shudder-shudder when shifting from zero to 1st and also 2nd gear. 03/25/19 took to my mechanic who instructed was transmission issue and Ford has various service publications and advised to take to Ford dealership. I contacted local dealership as well as Ford customer service 03/25/19 to make appointment and start claim. 03/25/19 pm dropped off at autonation Ford. 03/28/2019 informed transmission clutch is out of specification and defective, and will cost $2060 +tax to replace. Also informed that the defective clutch is not covered with the extended warranty (14M01 -DP56 transmission clutch shudder). Also that the vehicles original 5yr/60,000 mile warranty expired on 02/08/2019. 03/28/19, contacted Ford customer service, received case#, and instructed that my issue has been logged but Ford will not do anything, that although the vehicle has 32,986 miles, the 5yr warranty, expired 02/08/2019. Ford did inform me that I can contact NHTSA. Although customer service was polite, this is absolutely not acceptable customer service with a known defective issue. Without resolution, this is, was the 4th and last Ford product my family of 5 will ever purchase, and advise others also to not.
- Avon Lake, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, it shuddered and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to norris Ford (901 merritt blvd, baltimore, md 21222, (888) 205-0310) where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 14,300.
I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus used with 86K miles, upon taking delivery of the vehicle we noticed while driving the vehicle when starting from a complete stop the car jerks and bucks. I took the vehicle for recalls to be fixed, in which I believe the transmission issue fell under the tcm module recall. My daughter was driving back to campus and the car was bucking and jumping and then finally cutoff while driving!!!
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally, the transmission failure warning indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately thirty minutes. The vehicle was previously taken to payne weslaco Ford (located at 2401 E expressway 83, weslaco, tx 78599, (956) 272-0593) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The PCM/tcm software was updated; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,122.
My 2014 Ford Focus shudders and jerks when taking off from a stop. This is extremely dangerous especially at traffic lights or on the highway because it is extremely difficult to resume driving after a slow down, and I am scared that I will get hit because my car cannot accelerate fast enough. This happened recently in March of this year on the highway, and I was fortunate to escape being hit at the last minute. I have taken the car to two different Ford dealerships in houston for them to check if the car is part of the transmission recall, but they wanted to charge me for the diagnostic test, I do not think this is fair since this is a known issue with this car.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the transmission would become stuck in between gears, which caused the vehicle not to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to harris Ford Lincoln (20006 64th ave w, lynwood, wa 98036) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clutch had previously been replaced three times. The manufacturer was also contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to fox Ford Lincoln (2501 N elston ave, Chicago, il 60647, (773) 687-7800) where the transmission clutch was replaced three times and the power train control module was repaired once; however, the failure continued. The dealer informed the contact to have the transmission clutch repaired a fourth time. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 63,286.
Car shudders when accelerating from a stop through the 1st gear. Had software reset and clutch replaced, but the problem still exists. There is a technical service bulletin on this issue, and as I understand, I can have the software reset and clutch replaced 2 more times, and then possibly get some monetary abatement if it's still not fixed.
Every time my Ford Focus shifts from 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd the entire car not only shutters but its extremely sluggish and seems like it's going to stall out. (automatic transmission) there are no warning light lit on my dash and the car barely has 56,000 miles on it. When I bought the car it had 35,000 miles and the problem existed then and has progressively gotten worse. Yesterday I was at a yield sign to enter the round about near my house and when I pressed the gass my car shuttered horribly and only went forward a few feet, I was nearly struck by a truck that had to suddenly swerve to keep from hitting us. I took my foot off the gas. When I pressed it again, this time with more force, it shuttered and jerked so hard it forcefully threw my head back against the seat! my 5yr old daughter that was in the back seat was crying uncontrollably, scared because we were almost hit by a truck! the seatbelts in the backseat of my car, have came unbuckled several times while my 2yr old and 5yr old children were in their carseats. When I attempt to rebuckle them it takes about 15- 20 minutes of my consistently trying to get the buckle to latch onto the seatbelts!
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered, the vehicle decelerated, and the gears were extremely difficult to shift. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train) and NHTSA action number: PE13031 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,682.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was faulty and the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle would also shudder and hesitate while driving. Furthermore, the battery was faulty and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to terry hendricks Ford (904 stryker St, archbold, oh 43502, (419) 445-7460) where it was diagnosed that a new clutch needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the new clutch failed. Shortly after, the vehicle was repaired again by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 89,000.
My car alerted traction control/hill assist issue while driving under 35 mph. (note I work 3rd shift) next morning got off work and it was dead but was able to jump it. Next night I removed keys from ignition from parked car and vehicle continued to run. Next morning car would not start and was able to be jumped. Took to local Ford dealership and they diagnosed it as the tcm (transmission control module) module which they replaced and returned my car. Same night car would not start again. Took over an hour to get the car charged just to drive to dealership 3 minutes away and the car would not go over 1500 RPM and wouldn't allow me to go over 15 mph. Got to the dealership and had worker witness a test drive in the passenger seat, then parked withe worker still inside and she was able to witness the car not shutting off after key removal. Notified today from service department manager it is now the BCM (body control module) and will be $2900 plus tax to replace the BCM as well as the wire harness that has melted now due to this issue. Ford has told me that they have no programs or recalls to help cover these costs. After research I have discovered that this is and issue with others that have the same vehicle and Ford issued a recall for the 2015 Ford Focus for this same BCM issue but of course my VIN (2014 Ford Focus SE hatchback) is not included. I have had nothing but issues related to the transmission and computer of my car in the 49 months that I have owned it.
Takata recall complaint. My son and I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus together. The rear door was a constant problem in latching properly and this is complaint #1. complaint #2 is the inability to drive the car any more. The car motor seized (my son said the the engine blew up) while driving on the freeway in calif. And had to be towed away. My ex wife spent $4,500 to have the transmission repaired prior to this incident, by a local repair shop in California only to have the car back in the same undriveable condition. Apparently the new transmission now had electrical defects. The local Ford dealer told my son to take the car back to the repair shop that performed the work on the car. The concept of the 14mo2 recall or failed service action never arose. We still have a balance on the loan to Ford credit and an undriveable 2014 car. I find it hard to believe that after patronizing Ford by purchasing 2 Explorer prior to this Focus, that such mechanical issues would exist.
The 2014 Ford Focus transmission control module (tcm) is defective. In 2018, the vehicle was at a stop light and when the driver began to accelerate, the vehicle went into reverse. Numerous reoccurring issues most recent was on or about 1/16/19. This is the 7th time the 2014 Ford Focus has been taken into the Ford dealership for the same issues of shuddering, misfiring, faulty clutch, engine light on and tcm malfunction. Dealer service counselor/technician reports the tcm is defective and owner will continue to have this issue whenever the module overheats.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. Within less than six months of purchasing the vehicle from autonation Ford (1400 interstate 20 w, arlington, tx 76017, 1-(817) 200-4503), it was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (engine and engine cooling) and field service action number: 14M02 (transmission control module extended warranty coverage). The dealer had not verified if there would be an option for a loaner vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced reduced engine power. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be driven because it could stall at any moment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Laveen, AZ, USA