Print this page

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.

9.2

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,750 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #4

Aug 012018

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 292014

Focus

  • 1,200 miles
When idling or beginning to accelerate, the car jumps. I don't know if it is a clutch or transmission problem. This began the first weekend I owned the car, August 28, 2014. I was told that the engine needed time to "get used" to me as a driver, and that this is a double clutch system, by the Ford dealer I bought the car from. He said if it continued, then by all means, schedule it for repair. It continued to happen, jump/jerk at slow acceleration. I brought it to the Ford dealership on 12/12/14. I am scheduled to have the car looked at on 1/27/2015, that is the earliest date they would give me after the Ford dealership informed me that this was a special repair and they only take in so many Ford Focus cars at a time. They almost tried to talk me out of scheduling the appointment, the clerk said there were no available appointments and they wouldn't be scheduling any more for at least in to February. I was persistent.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #2

Feb 122014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 800 miles
Transmission constantly shudders and grinds. Tries to shift gears when in cruise control. Engine tried to stall. Very loud metallic noise. Returned car to dealership in February and was told it was all normal. Second time I was given a piece of paper explaining "normal" noises. None of which my car was making. Third time they re-programmed the transmission. Car is being taken back to dealership for same problems this Wednesday. Ford has known of these dangerous problems since the 2011. Yet they continue to knowingly sell dangerous cars. And no one does anything.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #1

Feb 022014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
The 2014 Ford Focus S comes standard with traction control which uses both the ABS module and the PCM torque control to control the vehicles motion relative to the intended course. This is done through two ways: 1) the ABS module continuously monitors and compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels in relation to the non-driven wheels. At the same time, the ABS module calculates how much engine torque reduction is required to eliminate the wheel slip. In snowy (+2-3?), icy or slippery surfaces where both front tires are equally in the same condition, the ABS module modulates brake pressure to both brake caliper (s) to stop any wheel spin. 2) at the same time, the ABS module sends a message to the PCM to reduce the engine torque to the requested level. With both brakes being applied and engine torque reduced to a near "idle? state with the accelerator at ?full throttle?, the car immediately becomes stuck. Because the Ford Focus S does not have the ability to disable the traction control, my wife and kids have continuously been stranded in a car that will apply the brakes and reduce the engine RPM"S resulting in a car that will not move in extremely dangerous situations. As a consequence, the car has been required to be towed many times in below zero conditions because we are unable to disable the traction control. Death or severe injury is our concern because "by design", the car becomes disabled when snowy intersections and highways are encountered. Our disabled vehicle could result in any oncoming traffic to slam into our vehicle.

- Mulberry, IN, USA

Not what you are looking for?