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:
38,168 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.
The third clutch has failed. This has caused massive jerking and the car actually slips out of drive stalling the car temporarily in the road of traffic. This vehicle is a danger to me and people on the road driving near me. Ford refused help with this problem.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate moving forward or while attempting to reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who installed a rebuilt transmission to replace the existing transmission. Approximately 6 months later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the same certified mechanic who stated that the TCM needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed the reprogramming of the TCM; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware by the dealer who denied the repair under the recall due to the VIN not being included. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission clutch was replaced under an unknown recall. However, the contact stated while driving 45 MPH 6-months later, the vehicle downshifted to first gear independently. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact shifted from park(P) to drive (D); however, the transmission remained stuck in first gear and the vehicle would not exceed 10 MPH while driving. The contact was able to drive back to his residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the parts were on back order. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
In May 2022, I was stopped at a stoplight when it turned green, I pushed the accelerator but my car did not move forward. The engine revved but it seemed to not automatically shift into gear and accelerate. This caused me to hold up traffic and put myself and others at risk by not accelerating as anticipated or expected. Since then, the dealer has confirmed that the transmission control module is faulty. I believe this is the 4th time I have had a transmission related issue (either the control module or the clutch) since I purchased this car. Prior to this event, there were no warning lights that the transmission was about to fail.
- Columbus, OH, USA
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This vehicle has hesitated when pulling in front of other vehicles, putting myself and passengers in severe danger, bucks when accelerating, and has left me stranded on a major highway when the transmission wouldn't engage (slipped). The transmission is known to be faulty, but Ford will not take responsibility for the problem. It has occurred numerous times. My wife and I are disabled, and need transportation, but I feel this car is unsafe to drive.
The contact' mother owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his mother was driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake was depressed to slow for traffic and the vehicle started shuddering and hesitating. The contact stated that the check engine and check transmission warning lights were illuminated. The contact's mother was able to drive the vehicle back to her residence however, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact stated that his mother contacted an independent mechanic who went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The independent mechanic determined that the transmission release fork and clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that his mother related the failure to an unknown Manufacturer Satisfaction Program that replaced the transmission release fork and clutch assembly twice by a dealer. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D) the vehicle would shudder and slip out of gear. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving uphill approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder and slipped out of gear with the vehicle rolling backwards. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on another occasion after the vehicle started shuddering, the vehicle remained stuck in first gear and the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a fork inside the transmission and many clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch and the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 19N08 for transmission clutch had expired and Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 15B22 (TCM) part was not available. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
My 2014 Ford Focus Titanium experiences bucks and jerking on a daily basis. I will be making turns crossing large streets and I will have a chance to go and when I do the car will stall and the power will come back almost getting me killed by oncoming traffic. Also at red lights or stop signs I will stop and then press the gas only to have the car go a little and then stall or jerk/buck in which the person behind me (especially at red lights) thinks I'm going and goes only to have me stop and then they almost hit my back (I actually had one person tap my back bumper but thank Jesus I was ok). Also on the highway doing 55-70 MPH and I press the gas to move a lane or go forward more the car will drop gears and stall causing the cars behind me to almost hit me and honk. This is not too mention the slips and bucks the transmission causes on the daily which are just annoying. This is extremely dangerous! I have given my wife my Nissan Rogue and taken the Ford Focus as I don't feel safe letting her (or myself) drive it. And the transmission has been replaced as well as the clutch before and most recent the car wouldn't go in reverse and they fixed the TCM. It is now known that Ford KNEW about these issues and did nothing! I'm afraid one day I will die in an accident and it will be because of this transmission but we don't have the money to get rid of the car we already paid off. And no one wants to buy this junker as we've tried to sell it! I don't know what to do as this is unbelievable?!
I purchased my 2014 Ford Focus in 2018. I drove it very little between 2020-2021 due to Covid and being furloughed. Once back to regular driving the car was shuttering and in July 2022 the clutch and TCM failed. At first the dealer denied it had anything to do with the transmission or settlement from ford. I had to file an intent to arbitrate just to get it fixed under the warranty. The TCM was on on indefinite back order and I was told it could be up to a year. I filed for arbitration trying to get a repurchase using the Magnuson moss the federal emission and design defect, and the consumer fraud act. I was denied because of the class action lawsuit. Ford refuses to honor their own warranty and the federal warranty because of this lawsuit. The suit was filed prior to my purchasing the vehicle as was the opt out. I am not involved w that lawsuit and should not be held to its terms. It-€™s terms benefit ford. The TCM warranty was extended to 10 years by Ford in 2015 2 years before the lawsuit. I filed a complaint w the EPA and miraculously Ford found a TCM and repaired it in one day. My car sat for months. It still shutters and has lost power in the 3 weeks that I have had it back. Mooresville Ford where the car was repaired refuses to give me an invoice or any information on any additional warranty on the replacement parts. This car is a danger and threat! The fact that u allowed ford to get away w this is disgusting. Ford claims that ur car has to fail 3 times before a repurchase. So your telling me that while driving, usually on the highway, at over 65 mph my car has to lose power and I have to navigate it to the right with my steering and brakes that should hopefully work before I can get a repurchase?! Under Magnuson moss and the EPA warranty I-€™m eligible for a repurchase. The car is not safe and I could not resell it to anyone in good conscience knowing that it will fail again. The replacement parts are the same defective parts that u allow them to use
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk, shudder or hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the transmission service message was displayed. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and referred him to a dealer for assistance. The dealer was also notified of the failure and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The car was having problems shifting and the check engine light came on. Took car to independent mechanic and they discovered the Transmission control module needs to be replaced, but not able to get one. Told there is a 50,000 on a waiting list to get one. Went to trade car in at ford dealership towards a new ford and they will give $100 for our 2014 focus with the TCM problem.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would intermittently jolted forward upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the transmission warning light illuminated. The dealer was initially notified about the recall and confirmed that parts would not be available for months. The contact then took the vehicle to another dealer where and left the vehicle in their possession. The contact was then informed that the manufacturer had instructed the dealer to order the parts then closed the recall. The contact was informed to pick up the vehicle despite the recall not being serviced; the recall was removed from the VIN. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the message "Transmission Fault" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle would surge while braking or accelerating. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) had failed and the failure was associated with Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 14M02. However, the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the clutch was slipping. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there was a defect inside the transmission. The contact was then informed that the part to repair the transmission was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle began to shudder. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) had failed. The TCM was flushed. However, the failure persisted. The transmission specialist diagnosed that the module needed to be replaced. The contact referenced Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Number:14M02. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 38,232.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and the failure was associated to an unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the recall repair could not be completed unless the transmission had completely failed. However, the failure persisted and caused the vehicle to roll backwards while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Hiawatha Ford (1812 Oregon St, Hiawatha, KS 66434), who informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed as the recall had already expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
The transmission continues to fail by losing power, jerking, gears slipping and the dual clutch shakes the car in low gear. The car has been in the Ford shop in Fayetteville, Ga on numerous occasions for the transmission. More than one time the shop said there was not any problem at all. We explained the car I-€™d unsafe because the transmission shutters and jerks. The car was also at Mcdonough Ford and they said the same thing - there is not any thing wrong with the car. Before the transmission issues Ford replaced the fuel tank and fuel injectors. Now, the transmission failed the car will not go into any gear.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lilburn, GA, USA