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 has shut down while driving two times. Once in the middle of a busy road I was able to coast the car into a parking lot. The second time in my neighborhood, both times tranmissuon fault service now flashed, the car shuddered until it was at a complete stop. I've had the clutch replaced/fixed 2 times neither covered under fully and I was responsible to pay my warranty deductible. I have had the trandmission control module fixed once and now in the shop again, but was told they don't know what the issue is, haven't seen the codes that populated before. Each time I drive that car I literally risk my life, to have a car just drop RPM to 0, shudder and jerk until I can find somewhere to park it. I drive 40 miles one way to work taking up to 5 different freeways. At what point does my safety and those driving around me become an issue" when I stall out mid highway? when the car jerks to a stop and someone slams into me" each time the car has been taken in, I am told the problem is fixed, yet I find myself back again within months for the same issue. Losing power on a car while being in full motion going up to 45 mph, is not safe for anyone. Having to drive a car that consistently shakes and jerks while in motion, is not safe. How many more times does this need to occur before someone realizes this model is not safe!
The car "bucks" when shifting through the gears. This is an automatic. I have had the car for three years. It was purchased as a used rental car with 30,000 miles, if I remember correctly. Within three months I had a clutch replaced. Less than a year later, the clutch was replaced again. Now, less than ten months later, the clutch has gone bad again. (than 25,000 miles). I was told that this will not be covered. I was told that I am not the only customer that has had this experience with clutches.
My car has a severe transmission shudder when applying gas after stopping. It has been diagnosed that it needs a new clutch. I'm aware that Ford has extended the warranty on on this model Focus due to a dysfunction within the design of the dual clutch system, however my VIN number has not received this extended warranty for some reaso and I would have to pay to get it repaired.. the car is not safe due to a defect.
The first day I drive this car but sales personnel told me it the new Ford transmissions is made. When come to a stop an getting ready to take off you can't get the power when push on gas paddle. To go have wait for power to kick in slowly. Went to dealerships but no help. I hate to wait until I get injury in order get help.
The car was making a rattling noise when going up hills and when accelerating from a stopped position (stop-light). There was also some shaking and jerking. It was determined that it was an issue with the clutch (a class action lawsuit addressed this). The problem was remedied on 11/9/17. The car is starting to experience the same symptoms again although the rattling noise is not as loud as it was the first time. The car makes a rattling sound when going up hills, around curves, and when accelerating from a stopped position. The car was taken to the same dealership where the problem was corrected before and I was given the run around: I was told the rattling noise was "normal". I asked for the invoice to specifically state, "the rattling noise heard is normal" (in order to document what is going on), but they did not honor the request.
- Blairsville, GA, USA
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Since purchasing the vehicle we have all ready had the control modular changed and it was previously changed 2 times by previous owner it now has been affecting the car for 3 months again and it is no longer covered under warranty. The car violently shacks when you try to accelerate from a stop, it some times won't even go at all! this has become a major issue and every other Focus owner I speak with says they have the same problem and Ford won't do anything... my part is warranted but not the labor and that's the expensive part, this is a ongoing issues and not fair to someone that still has 3 years to pay on a car...
It only has 40,000 miles on it but I got a "transmission fault. Service now" warning light and the car jerked violently. This happened while driving at a high rate of speed (80 mph) on a high way - I live in Texas where 80 mph is legal. This is a significant risk and can cause accidents as a car behind me could have easily ran into me as I lost speed when transmission went out. Please have Ford recall these dangerous vehicles in order to prevent accidents from happening.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving between 25 to 65 mph, the "transmission overheated" warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). The vehicle was taken to crossroads Ford of kernersville, Inc (1330 nc ' 66, kernersville, nc 27284, 877-331-8058) where it was diagnosed that the transmission modules and transmission clutches failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated and jerked when engaged in the park position. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to sawgrass Ford (14501 w sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl 33323, 954-851-9000), but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the power clutch was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated or diagnosed. The vehicle continued to accelerate and jerk. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and the power shifter was replaced, but the failure occurred the next day. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered to buy-back the vehicle as a down payment for a new vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Driving on the interstate in atlanta, ga traveling around 65 mph and the car lost power and the transmission seemed to shift into neutral. I had to coast to the slow lane to be able to pull on the shoulder, as I had no power. After turning the car off and back on, I was able to put the car into drive and exit the interstate, but the car lost power again shortly after and I had to pull over and power cycle again. At that point, I pulled into a business parking lot and called a tow truck. The car would not even start up again at this point.
2014 Ford Focus SE transmission recall/ repair. The transmission slips and jerks badly. Was told by Ford that this was a know problem for this car with this type transmission, but they would not help me. It is throwing codes for this.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission shuttered, the vehicle shook abnormally, and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (cavalier Ford at chesapeake square, 4021 portsmouth blvd, chesapeake, va 23321, 757-488-8311) several times, but they could not diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired after several attempts. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. Consumer is still having shaking and shuddering on accereration. This vehicle model is a safety hazard. It has been in 8 times for transmission issues. No VIN available updated 10/09/18
Ford replaced transmission module/sendor car kept stalling. Was in highspeed lane car just cut off. Happened 2X in 8 days. Ford says no recalls but same issue keeps happening. It is unsafe it could have been fatal I was in rush hr traffic. Thank god I was going down an incline and could coast enough to get to the side of the road.
2014 Ford Focus SE. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issues. The consumer stated after 30,000, the vehicle began experiencing stuttering, jerking, and power loss. The vehicle was repaired, but the recurred.
This vehicle bogs down, has low power, and slow acceleration. Does not show any fault codes or service lights. I took this Ford Focus to two different shops; one of them being a Ford dealer. They could not find anything wrong. No part failures. No codes to troubleshoot. They said that they can not explain the reasoning for this by the car seems fine although it has this issue. It makes leaving from a stop very dangerous as the car is really slow to accelerate. It has almost caused two accidents where other drivers arent expecting my slow acceleration. This is common in the vehicles with the automatic transmissions. But my Focus has a manual transmission. So Ford dealers and service support online are at a miss for what the issue would be as the vehicle shows no issues in the health report. After talking to Ford service online they have asked for me to go to the NHTSA and place an official report so that this issue can be investigated as it is not the first. This vehicle has had the spark plugs, coils replaced and still no difference. This is a danger for anyone driving or near this vehicle while driving.
Transmission: While driving the vehicle the transmission in some cases will shift very rapidly giving the vehicle no acceleration power. The vehicle feels sluggish and vibrates. Also, while driving over speed humps or through an intersection in almost every instance the vehicle starts to vibrate after going over the speed hump or through the intersection. Fuel pump: While driving the car the car lost all power while driving in las cruces, New Mexico. The car did not stall completely however when depressing the accelerator the car would just now increase in RPM's. I took the car into a mechanics shop and they were not able to duplicate problem. I drive the car for another year and this time the car again started to sputter. It turned out to be the fuel pump.
The vehicle does a studdering and stalling. In 2015, Ford said they fixed it and that some of the studdering is because it's a 4 cyl vehicle. In May 2018 I brought the car back stating the same issue but worst. They said it's the tcm and it would cost me $1850. I complained to Ford Motor Company and they extended the warranty. Ford said they fixed it. The next day I had to bring the car back because the dashboard said "transmission overheating please stop" then it stall on me in the middle of traffic. I took it back to them and asked what did they fixed. They had the car for 2 days then called me to tell me it's the clutch and it's not covered under the warranty and it costs $2400. The clutch is part of the transmission so why isn't it" they are now telling me because my car has 94000 miles on it that it is normal wear and tear. Who buys a brand new vehicle for it to conk out on them at 94000" they will not fix my car without me paying for it. This is a defective part that Ford has and they refuse to take ownership of the matter and resolve it. I had to participate in a class action suit against Ford regarding this. Several others are now being compensated but they are residents of ca which has stricter lemon laws. The suit is now on hold.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gilbert, AZ, USA