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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.

2014 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 66)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1202

Jun 202022

Focus

  • 107,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine and transmission overheating warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure; however, the contact was informed that it was okay to keep driving the vehicle. On another occasion while the contact was at a stop light, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was over the mileage for Extended Warranty Coverage. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Rochester, MA, USA

problem #1201

Aug 252022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently downshift with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and referred to contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #1200

Aug 072022

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission shifter failed to shift to park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle started to roll away. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the transmission shifter cable located under the hood had malfunctioned. The contact stated that a friend was able to manually shift the transmission to the park, preventing the vehicle from rolling away. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who confirmed that the shift cable bushing was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number. 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #1199

Jul 132022

Focus

  • miles

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

After the engine light had been on for about a day and before I remembered to get it looked at, an alarm indicating "transmission fault" suddenly came on when I was in the middle of an intersection and the car completely stopped moving and wouldn't accelerate. Other cars went around me, but I was stuck there until I was able to restart the engine and try again and pull over. If another driver had not been paying attention, it could have caused an accident. This occurred at a four way stop, but on a busier street it might have been worse. We were able to get it driving again after restarting, and the independent mechanic diagnosed it with multiple error codes from the transmission control module. They reset the error codes to get it out of second gear and advised us that the TCM would need to be replaced soon. When reaching out to multiple Ford dealers and customer support representatives, we were told that though the TCM issues were under extended warrenty the replacement TCM part are backordered and we were offered no guidance on when parts would arrive and were told others had been waiting for months, so we have no recourse to fix the faulty system and were offered no compensation or assistance in the meantime. It has so far been about 6 weeks since the incident and have no updates. As a family with one car, this leaves us unable to trust that our only vehicle and we have needed to rent cars at great expense for longer trips.

- St. Paul , MN, USA

problem #1198

Aug 192022

Focus

  • miles
August 19th 2022 car violently jerked and check engine light came on I then pulled into parking lot. Stopped car and let cool off. After starting carbi put in reverse reverse gear would not engage. I was able to pull out of parking spot going forward. The 4 miles left to my house. The car transmission would loose all power and motor would rev up. Then tires would chirp and jerk would shudder and jerk then go into gear this was at light turned green. I almost completely stalled in busy intersection transmission would not engage. Ford has a field service action for the issue. Parts are backordered and months before they will repair or a diagnos issues

- Ft Mill, SC, USA

problem #1197

Jul 152022

Focus

  • miles
While driving down the road I went to accelerate and the vehicle revved up but didn't accelerate at all so I parked my vehicle and when I tried to move it again I had to back up yet I had no reverse all of a sudden. I limped it to my dealership and they told me that my clutch went out but it's an automatic so I didn't understand that, I had to get a new transmission and ever since it hasn't shifted smoothly and not even 50000 miles later I'm having the same problems only it's not under warranty and I can't afford a new transmission or a new car. I know that's my problem but what if I had been turning into traffic and it slipped? I would be at fault for an accident that wasn't my fault, it was a crappy transmission that failed and could have cost me my life, my son's life, or whoever I would have collided with's life. I just want to make sure no one else has the same false hope of merging into traffic and instead causes an accident.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #1196

Aug 092022

Focus

  • miles

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

The vehicle suddenly lost power while driving and was unable to be shifted out of first gear. This happened while on a main road and thankfully I was not hit when this occurred. When the vehicle was put in reverse, it goes into neutral and revs the engine instead of engaging the gear. The check engine light is on, was on for two days prior to this incident. Since this incident the car has been unusable. I called many different Ford dealerships and only one would see my car since they all "have too many cars" waiting for the same repair. When I took my car into the dealership today (via towing, as they instructed), they did not even inspect it, and simply told me to have it towed back home. I believe this to be an egregious safety hazard that, despite the extended warranty, is in no way being ACTUALLY fixed. If nowhere will take my car to repair it then am I expected to just keep driving a broken, unsafe vehicle?

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1195

Aug 112019

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 35-40 MPH, the suspension of the vehicle started shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road and inspected the tires but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the transmission clutch was replaced. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact became aware of Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced and reprogramed, and the transmission position sensor and the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. However, the manufacturer declined to cover the transmission clutch replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Hartselle, AL, USA

problem #1194

Aug 012022

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
One day when I went to go fill my 2014 Ford Focus up, my car started and stalled randomly. I could not get my car to turn back on. After a few tries, it finally came on. This issue would go on for two weeks every time I filled up my car. If my car only gets $10 in it, its fine though. only happens when I fill it up. Then my car gas gauge started acting funny and will fluctuate between empty and full while driving. I can't tell how much gas I have in my vehicle. Then my husband, who so happens to be a mechanic, took a look and noticed my fuel tank is now caved in and is deformed. There is a problem with my CPV which has now affected my fuel tank. Upon further investigation, I did see where there was a recall about the power train quite a few years ago and then not long after, another recall about the CPV failing and causing stalling, not accurate gas gauges, and deformed gas tanks. I called my local Ford dealership about this. When I typed in my VIN the only active recall was the door latch system. Which means it was either fixed in the past or for some reason my vehicle wasn't recalled when it should have been. My ford dealership said there was no current or past recalls on my specific vin and were refusing to fix my car. I feel like it is unfair my car was affected by a recall but I can't get it fixed just because my vin says my car wasn't affected. It definitely was. I am a poor college student just trying to make a life of myself. I will soon have no car, unless my husband finds a way to fix it without spending an arm and a leg. Thanks for listening and please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #1193

Jul 142022

Focus

  • miles
I recently purchased the vehicle second-hand with 57,000 miles on it. Six weeks later, while driving the engine light came on and the car would not accelerate properly- it hesitated severely and would not shift itself into higher gears. The local Ford dealer diagnosed the problem as a Transmission Control Module failure and informed me this is a known manufacturer defect covered by warranty. However, the part is back ordered 18+months. A car with a safety defect identified by the NHTSA, litigated in court, and unable to be repaired due to unavailability of parts should not be allowed to be sold. The Ford Customer Satisfaction Program provided no assistance to resolve the problem. The car is un-driveable and repairs cannot be made because the part is back ordered. The 2014 Ford Focus is a dangerous car that should not be bought, sold, or driven.

- Reeds, MO, USA

problem #1192

Jul 302022

Focus

  • miles

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

01/08/2019- Vehicle was checked for fuel tank deformation (18S32) Vehicle Mileage 65,162 the technician comments read as follows (check dtcs, check for available PCM software update, no available software update, no parts replaced) 07/26/2022- Vehicle was brought to Billy Howell Ford Lincoln Dealership for a permanant emmissions code PO442. Ford Corporate arranged the Diagnostic appointment. The technician comments read as follows (checked dtc's. found multiple DTC's set in various modules. PO442 is only fault set in PCM. checked OASIS, no relevant information found. performed EVAP system test, passed. performed EVAP purge and seal test, passed. connected smoke machine to test for leaks. EVAP smoke machine measured a leak of approxamitely.040", near acceptable range. visual inspection during EVAP leak test, found smoke emitting from vapor canister fresh air vent tube, indicating EVAP vapor canister vent leakage. recommend replacing EVAP vapor canister and retesting. 07/30/2022- I took vehicle to have the EVAP vapor canister replaced mechanic noticed that the fuel tank was slightly deformed. I drove the vehicle approxamitely 120 miles so the PCM would cycle and clear the permanent code. Fuel guage was on empty w/light on. I stopped at gas station I put 26 dollars of e-85 in vehicle. when i returned to car the fuel gauge was reading full DTE 418 miles. The gauge was reading innacurate. I drove the car about 40 miles before it stalled and it would not start. I waited a few minutes and tried to start the vehicle and it started. Iimmediately drove home and parked it in the garage. All of these symptoms point to the recall (18S32) Billy Howell Ford say's my recall was already completed and I cant recall it again. The vehicle has never received a PCM reprogramming for the fuel tank (19S22) Ford was supposed to reprogram the PCM software back in 01/08/2019 when they checked for the tank deformation. Withouty the software update and necessary repairs. its a risk.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #1191

Jul 272022

Focus

  • 50,700 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking aid malfunction warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,700.

- Logansport, IN, USA

problem #1190

Jul 312022

Focus

  • miles
I was at stop light. When I accelerated the car jerked then went into gear. It was fine until I had to stop and go again. Then an engine light came on. Then it said the trans is to hot, Pull over safely. Then it said to wait 5 minutes to let it cool down. Now I have to find a way to get it to a shop and try and repair it. It's a 2014 Ford Focus with 70.000 miles

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #1189

Jul 282022

Focus

  • miles
The transmission started not accelerating and I lost reverse then said my transmission was over heating

- Fremont, MI, USA

problem #1188

Jun 162022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission jerks and I think this is caused by fuel system cars got p1450 code unable to bleed fuel tank vacum this code was in the system august 24/2021 this vehicle has all the symptoms of a recall on these cars of recall 18s32 but this cars vin does not show up and it has been a problem since 62000 miles

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #1187

Apr 152022

Focus

  • miles
My car kept stalling with service engine soon light. Took it to a ford dealer and had a recall for the tcm. Upon them doing a diagnostic on them they stated I also needed a clutch on it but because I was just a little bit over mileage it was not covered under warranty. I never received a notice in the mail for the recall or I would of definitely took my car knowing that it in the transmission. I feel this is unfair to those whom have experienced this and there should be an extended warranty on this particular part.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #1186

Jun 242022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission control module failed after I got gas. Part is under recall by FORD. Ford does not have the part. 6-8 month wait. I need my car so I had to purchase a used part. Cost of part $486. Then I had to pay for labor. Ford charges $580 to install and program used part. I could not afford this. I had to pay another mechanic to install. Currently waiting for repair and paying for a rental car. It-€™s been 2 weeks.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #1185

Jun 152022

Focus

  • miles
Put car in gear and upon take off the car shudders and shakes and then loses power and doesn't shift into higher gears. It's like it slips into neutral and will not go into reverse and the car has 90,000 miles on it and I am the second owner. It belonged to my mom who passed away 2 years ago. She had the same issues with the transmission. I called a Ford dealership and they told me to drive it like I stole it to help with the shudder and shifting issues, instead of trying to help resolve the issues. Has almost caused me to get re- ended several times and twice but emergency vehicles on a two lane road because of the shifting issues and loss of power. Ford needs to recall and fix the transmission issues before it gets someone killed.

- Dixon, MO, USA

problem #1184

Jul 082022

Focus

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle in March, 2022 knowing it had been bought back by Ford from the original owner under the Lemon Law because of repeated issues of balky transmission performance or no drive and time out of service. I purchased this car from the second owner in Georgia. According to the Ford service documents obtained with the vehicle, several major repairs were performed. The vehicle performed well the time of purchase. I had confidence that Ford Motor Company had corrected the original defects.Now, 4 months after purchase, the transmission control module failed, resulting in a no drive/no start condition, two tow truck calls to remove the vehicle from precarious traffic situations adjacent to busy major highways. The Ford service writer indicates that while my vehicle is covered under Ford 's extended powertrain warranty as a result of the class action lawsuit concerning the DPS6 transmission, the current TCM replacement parts backlog is 45,000, with vehicles out of service sitting at my dealer since February, 2022. There is no question that Ford dodged the bullet by skillfully avoid a full recall to replace these failed DPS6 transmissions. What good is an extended warranty if no replacement parts are available??

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #1183

Jul 102022

Focus

  • miles
Bought this car in May 2022. After about 2 weeks the car was slipping gears and would not reverse in some cases. Had it diagnosed by the Ford dealership and was told it needed a new TCM. After a few months we managed to get the part ourselves and replace it. Now the car is shifting roughly and says complete transmission failure but will still drive. I cannot believe Ford didn't recall the part, but rather issued an extended warranty on a part that is otherwise impossible to get ahold of.

- Rayland, OH, USA

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