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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 8 of 66)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1162

May 012022

Focus

  • 20,000 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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission was slipping with a grinding sound present while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the clutch was previously replaced but the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #1161

Aug 312021

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a defective reciprocal clutch connected to the transmission. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Sutter, CA, USA

problem #1160

May 072022

Focus

  • miles
At 153,000 Miles my car began to slip gears in the third and 5th and the transmission and a week after that started happening I lost complete steering all steering went out the ball joint had sounded rough for a couple of days and then and just went out the car was stuck at the hospital then I was at luckily I wasn't on the main road when it happened I was in a parking lot otherwise that could have been very very bad however my car doesn't fit in your little spectrum of August 8th to whatever it was August 15th of 2014 for manufacturer date for the steering and obviously my car is over $150,000 for the powertrain either thing could cost a collision and the steering thing I could have been majorly hurt but the recall doesn't include my car

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #1159

Dec 152021

Focus

  • miles

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

Car shudders, shakes, and jolts coming from stop. Also seems to go into neutral at random times and won't accelerate. Don't have the funds to take to the dealer but seems like a clutch problem like everyone else.

- Saint Louis , MO, USA

problem #1158

May 112022

Focus

  • miles
I was driving and my car started to have no power on shift then while driving down the highway my car shifted into neutral. I had to bail off to the side of the very dangerous road. I contacted Ford to have this issue fixed and they said it would be over a year for them to get me a new part. I do not fell safe driving this car and they offered me no help with this.

- Big Rapids, MI, USA

problem #1157

May 012022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission problems at all speeds will like some help from ford

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #1156

Apr 042022

Focus

  • miles

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

the car jolts once you start driving from a complete stop. then i will be in DRIVE but all of a sudden it is like i am in NEUTRAL and i loose all speed and cant go anywhere. its scary and i have almost been rearended several times.

- Arleta, CA, USA

problem #1155

Dec 152015

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal for a moment and then depressed the accelerator pedal again and the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that the transmission clutch was replaced several times and the transmission control module (TCM) was updated several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #1154

Jan 172022

Focus

  • 113,878 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be rebuilt. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was jerking while driving. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was associated to a recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle had remained at the dealer for three months. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,878.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #1153

Oct 142016

Focus

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the transmission overheating warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission control module was replaced. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was not able to successfully identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

- Steger, IL, USA

problem #1152

Apr 012015

Focus

  • 50,000 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 while accelerating from a stationary position, the vehicle would jump, vibrate, and shudder and would not immediately properly accelerate. In addition, the check engine light would illuminate as the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The clutch was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The contact indicated that the clutch had been replaced on four separate occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the recent failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1151

Oct 152021

Focus

  • 99,486 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission slipped from drive into neutral with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the used car dealer it was purchased from. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where a software update was completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt and the clutch needed to be replaced. Additionally, transmission software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,486.

- Victory Mills, NY, USA

problem #1150

Apr 032022

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact stated she had to park and restart the vehicle several times before reaching her residence. The contact called several local dealers and made them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1149

Apr 062022

Focus

  • miles
Improper shifting and loss of power while accelerating. Shuddering at take offs. Feels unsafe.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #1148

Jan 222022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 93,503 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a routine oil change and the contact was informed that a transmission flush and spark plug replacement was needed. The contact stated a week later the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the transmission flush and spark plug replacement. The contact stated that while at the dealer the vehicle failed to shift to second gear, fifth gear, and reverse. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact stated she inquired about a clutch recall which the vehicle was previously repaired for in 2015. The dealer stated that they needed to contact the manufacturer for approval of repairs under a recall for the clutch and TCM. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and contacted the dealer to submit the correct paperwork. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,503.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #1147

Mar 252016

Focus

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond, started jerking, and the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch and the transmission sensor system had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer seven more times. The dealer replaced the transmission clutch and the transmission sensor system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who provided the same diagnostic result and informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of repair as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

- Macon, MO, USA

problem #1146

Mar 172022

Focus

  • 187,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with Transmission Control Module (TCM) and clutch failure. The dealer informed the contact that the TCM and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Phil Campbell, AL, USA

problem #1145

Mar 182022

Focus

  • miles
Took my car to Apple Ford in Columbia, MD on 3/10/22 for unrelated recall repairs on my 2014 Ford Focus, dealt with Service Rep #1. The car was finished around closing time. As I drove home a loud rattle was coming from the engine while idling causing the whole dashboard to shake. The clock was also now pushed 2 hours and 3 minutes ahead which was odd. I continued to drive the few miles to home. The next day I drove 20+ miles to Baltimore for an appointment. While there I stopped for gas. When I pushed the remote door lock button, the lights blinked, the door locks clicked but the horn did not beep twice as it usually does. I hit the door lock button several times but the horn did not beep so now the horn was not working. Before I took my car to Apple Ford it was working. I went to my appointment and parallel parked on the street. When leaving I had a hard time getting my car out of the parking space. As I drove I noticed the car was jerking, shaking, shuddering, vibrating and lunging every time I slowed down, came to a stop, then accelerated again and getting on and off the highway. While on I-95 the car continued to jerk, shake, shudder, vibrate and lunge and the RPM gauge needle shot over to high RPMs over and over again. Then the engine light came on. I exited I-95 onto Rt. 216 then a 2nd emergency warning sounded and another message came on that the transmission was overheating pull over immediately. I pulled over, called Apple Ford, told Service Rep #1 what happened, AAA was towing the car back. He said it was probably the Transmission Controller, they had several other Ford Focuses with the same problem. On 3/14 I called and spoke to Service Rep #2, he didn't even know the car was there. I told him what that happened. Rep #2 called back said he took it for a test drive and found nothing. I insisted there was something wrong. He said he'd take it for a test longer drive. Called again 3/18 they are referring problem to a manager. No resolution as of yet.

- Highland, MD, USA

problem #1144

Jan 172022

Focus

  • 1,850,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder and shake. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle would not shift into reverse. Additionally, the vehicle would remain in first gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- Tolleson, AZ, USA

problem #1143

Mar 022022

Focus

  • miles
2010-2016 Ford focus Se transmission Don't matter what transmission is installed they all have same issue 000000 miles to 150k transmission never shift correct or stops shifting or the gear get stuck.

- Westchester, OH, USA

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