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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:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,112 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #185

Oct 222018

Focus

  • miles

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

We received a recall notice in October 2018 and the part needed to repair the issue is still not available 10 months later.

- Gardena, CA, USA

problem #184

Jul 012014

Focus

  • miles
Transmission and clutch issues when trying to accelerate

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #183

Jun 302018

Focus

  • 154,000 miles
When entering high way and step on gas car struggles and stays at a low speed and will no speed up until after awhile it starts to shift gears. When going at a high speed wheels start to shake car can't go faster than 55mph. When making a complete stop and the. Step on gas it struggles to shift gears, when turning car off and then turning it on after 10 minutes car will not turn on even with a new battery. You have to keep trying to idle until car turns on.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #182

Jul 062019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 59,929 miles

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

Tcm recall purchased vehicle May 2016. Through 3 years of ownership, vehicle was taken to beach Ford approx. 3X for regular service including oil change and air filter. While vehicle was at beach Ford, I requested service department check the transmission/dual clutch mechanism due to noticeable stuttering while driving. At the time of receiving vehicle back, I was told that the transmission was fine each time. 7/3/2019 - I was on my way to work 30 miles away from my home. While making right hand turn, then accelerated vehicle jolted with check engine light being illuminated. Upon further acceleration, determined vehicle could not go above 25-30mph. Once parked to address unknown mechanical issue, attempted to reverse out of parking space and discovered vehicle had lost reverse. Contacted beach Ford explained the issue as well as explaining that the vehicle was 30 miles away from my home and not drivable. The service adviser stated that they did not have a tow truck and could not provide any assistance to have vehicle towed to the service center. 7 hrs later after going through my insurance company with roadside assistance, my vehicle was towed to beach Ford within minutes of the service dept closing. Due to July 4th holiday, my vehicle would not be looked at until 7/5/19. Received call approx. 4:30pm stating my vehicle was ready to be picked up. Cpv recall while vehicle was in service for tcm recall, I requested additional recall NHTSA 18V735 canister purge valve be address. Service advisor stated they would address and vehicle would be ready the following day 7/6/19. Received text 10:44am to pick up vehicle. Clutch still felt shaky. See pdf attachment beachfordservjuly0619 cpv recall see pdf attach 14focushernansfty072519 for further issue see pdf attach beachfordservjuly1519 see pdf attach focusservice historycarfax prepared by [xxx] carmasters, llc. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Virginia Bch, VA, USA

problem #181

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 36,000 miles
I purchased this Ford w 15000 miles on it. It now has 37000 miles. I feel like the car is a lemon. I have had several issues requiring me to go Ford dealership. First the gas information was incorrect. It said I had 26 miles to drive but ran out of gas. Then when I was driving on the freeway the car got stuck in between gears. I could not accelerate. Then the I tried to back out of a parking spot and the I could not put car into reverse. As a result car was fixed under warranty and recall. The items fixed were gas tank recall, engine mount, clutch, transmission, and (reservoir tank that was not covered under warranty). I picked up car and next day I drove to work with the same issues. Gears are not shifting. Take bake to dealer and fixed transmission module. Now the power steering does not work. I took it to Ford and they charged me 160$ to look at it. It will cost 1800$ to fix steering. This not covered under warranty. The dealer also said that the suspension needs to be replaced soon. He stated that suspension needs to be replace at 50000 miles my car only has 37000 miles. I have never replaced suspension in any other car. It makes no's sense why this car is falling apart with 37000 miles on it. It's a lemon and I want my money back. I bought this car for my daughter and it is not safe to drive!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #180

Mar 312013

Focus

  • miles
The car does not shift correctly it sputters when accelerating. When accelerating it doesn't shift properly like its not getting enough gas. Also when you are sitting in traffic and go to accelerate it jumps forward. This car also has died while driving as it is shifting gears. Even though there is a date at the bottom this has been like this since I purchased it. I was told by the dealer its the way I drive it the computer shifting has to get use to my driving habits.

- Gramercy, LA, USA

problem #179

Apr 082016

Focus

  • 21,961 miles

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

When test driving this 2014 Ford Focus I felt the car shudder on take off and when pulling out into traffic hesitation. I asked the salesman about this and just shrugged it off as no big deal. After purchasing the auto I had to return to the dealer in parsons, ks. And was told it was the way I was accelerating. No way there is something wrong with this vehicle. After 3 different returns and work done it still does the same thing. I am 82yrs old and do not feel safe driving this car. Ford motor knew they put out a faulty vehicle but sold it anyway. They extended the warranty to 100000 miles but each time you return for service they say they can't do anything unless the engine light is on. Ford supposedly put out a notice to repair these cars when they came in on 7-12-2019 to 7-19-2019 but when I called I was told by the service manager he knew nothing about this and could only do anything if told by Ford. I contacted pittsburg Ford on 7-19-2019 and asked to speak to the service manager but unable to locate him so I left my name and phone number and have yet to hear from him. This happens when driving, pulling out into traffic and when driving on the highway. On occasion the transmission slips/

- Parsons, KS, USA

problem #178

Jul 172019

Focus

  • 67,689 miles
Takata: The problem with the car is if you put gas in the car the car will not start you have to keep turning and pressing on the gas pedal until it register that there is gas in the car. The read will say 98 miles until you need gas but if you dont put gas in before then the car will shut off and that reads at about a quarter tank of gas. Then theres times I get into the car to go and the steering column will lock to where you cant even turn the wheel. I looked it up and I see theres been problem with the steering column plus it lites up in the car steering wheel default I called the Ford but there saying there is no recall on any of the two things im talking about. Its not safe what if the wheel decides to lock while I am driving or the car shuts of because it read 98 miles before you need gas but thats not the case. I was driving out of my driveway and the wheel locked. With the gas was on the road and the car shut off luckily I was close to a gas station.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #177

Oct 012018

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to hesitate. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and then to folsom lake Ford (located at 12755 folsom blvd, folsom, ca 95630, (916) 353-2000) where the contact was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V523000 (power train), 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), and 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The contact stated that the failure continued. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- North Highlands, CA, USA

problem #176

Jul 052017

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
2014 Ford Focus transmission clutch went out 3 times since I have own the car. Stopped at traffic light foot. On break car in drive car goes flying backwards. Car lose of power will not go in reverse.setting waiting to pull out in main road foot on break car in drive car shot me out in front of a pepsi truck car control it's self. Took car to police station in N barboursville West Virginia to report it they laughed at me. Car jump's will not go. Then sends you flying backwards or forward. Car is trying to kill me driving the car in the streets is when this happened or waiting to pull out on the streets in going from 2017 to 2019

- Barboursville, WV, USA

problem #175

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 10,000 miles

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

The Ford Focus stutters when taking off. Everytime I go to get on highway it wont accelerate and shakes. It's scary I always feel like it will cause an accident and Ford service shops refuse to do anything about it even though my vehicle has been under warranty.

- Bunker Hill, IL, USA

problem #174

Jun 062019

Focus

  • 108,000 miles
I have had multiple incidents with my 2014 Ford Focus related to the faulty transmission. Besides rough shifting and lots of shuddering over the years, my car has completely stalled on me while in motion, driving on the highway 2 different times. I lost the ability to accelerate while going more than 65 miles per hour, and I had to coast through high-speed traffic to get to the shoulder (both times). The first time this happened was July 29th, 2017 in fort lauderdale, Florida. The 2nd time was June 6th, 2019 on the sawgrass expressway in broward county, Florida. Both times were very scary and put myself and others at risk for a serious and dangerous accident. Early on, the Ford dealership told me that the rough transmission is normal and would get better if I improved my driving habits. More recently I have been told that the transmission would fail again but that the warranty has been extended.

- Deerfield, FL, USA

problem #173

May 062019

Focus

  • 117,500 miles
I was driving on the left lane of highway I-495N suddenly as I had my foot on gass the vehicle stall and started to slow down, I turn off the radio and put my hazard lights on and as soon as I pull to the side of the road the vehicle shut down completely all the lights when off, (if I wouldn't have been quick enough I would have gotten into a major accident) while waiting for the tow truck I found out there's a recall on my vehicle,

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #172

Jun 292019

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
I serviced my Focus on 5/29/19 for recalls. They performed a multi point inspection. Everything normal. 6/09/19, I was driving down city street 40mph driving straight the car down shifted suddenly and a warning " transmission faulty, service now" came on. I was able to drive it home, the car wouldnt shift into a higher gear. I attached both services done. After the second service was done to my vehical it still shuddered when accelerating. 6/29/19 this occured twice the same day, I was waiting at an intersection making a left hand turn into a gas station, when it was safe to turn, I let my foot of the brake and my car inched forward while I hit gas and my car did not move, I was nearly hit both times, the last second with my foot on the gas all the way down to the floor, the car jerks into gear. Ive called the dealership about fixing this issue, ive left messages with no call back, I finally got a service call set but not until July 30th. This has now occured almost everyday since 6/29/19. The car does not always do this, it seems to only do it if im below a half a tank, or the first 60 miles on a full tank. I fear for my safety driving this car that when I hit the gas the engine will just rev U[ and not move and get hit. The car always had a shudder when accelerating since we purchased it 1/12/16, but the sales person insisted with new fuel saving system that it was completely normal. I didnt have any major issues besides the shudder when accelerating, and when I would start my car up the first time after filling up, until I got the recall fixed, now ive had nothing but issues.

- Mishicot, WI, USA

problem #171

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 18,000 miles
Car shudders sometimes making it hard to get into traffic (no power) and when coming to a stop the car sometimes lunges forward unexpectedly almost putting it into cross traffic or rear-ending the car in front of you

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #170

Jun 072014

Focus

  • 21,964 miles
Purchased 2014 Focus on 6/7/14, clutch asy replaced 11/30/15, clutch asy replaced 9/12/16, install new etb 9/14/16 (throttle body), replace battery 12/20/16, given extended warranty w/$100 deductable 11/11/16 - warranty expired 6/7/19, replaced clutch asy 6/9/19 - 7/3/19. Three clutch assemby's in 5 years - very unsafe. Also 6/9/19-7/3/19 replaced side door latch (safety recall) and fuel tank deformation - replaced tube asy - fue. With this many clutch repairs Ford new they had an issue. Even though Ford gave me an extended warranty in 2016 due to the issues with my car, they backdated the warranty to the date the car was purchased. This also seems deceptive. Numerous times I was traveling on instertate roads, when I pulled out to pass a semi, the car would cut out. When accellerating in the city or on instertates, there would be no acceleration when pushing the accelator. Just the opposite would happen. The car would caugh and choke before finally catching to accelorate. I believe both Ford and the dealer should be held accountable with all the safety issues this car has had, and continues to have.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #169

Jan 012015

Focus

  • miles
Ford Focus has had transmission replaced, and it still shakes, jerks, shudders, etc. What Ford knowingly did is outrageous. I bought my car brand new. This has been an ongoing issue and I don't feel safe driving my car.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #168

Dec 102018

Focus

  • miles
I received a notice from Ford (12/2018) about a recall 18V-735. This involves a "stuck purge valve"(cpv) with in the fuel vapor system. The letter said I would be notified when the part would be ready for the repair. It said the parts were to anticipated to be available by 1st quarter, 2019. We are now into the 3rd quarter of the year and I have yet to receive notice of the part being ready to make the repairs.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #167

Jul 112019

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
This car hesitates and jerks from a stopped position. There is a rattle as the car starts moving. On two occasions, while merging uphill into traffic, the car stalled. On several other occasions, it came close to stalling. I've taken it to the dealer several times over the years and they tell me there is nothing wrong. When I get the car back from being repaired, the 'check engine' light comes back on after a week or two. I can't answer your question below about when it happened. It happens all the time.

- North Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #166

Dec 312018

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
NHTSA contacted Ford back in May 2018 about the purge valve that sits on top of the fuel tank. Ford issued recall 18S32 back in December 2018. My car was supposed be fixed, according to the letter I received from Ford, in January 2019. Ford has provided no updates for this fix. When I contact Ford, I am told there is no time table for a fix. This is ridiculous. I am told by Ford to not drive under half a tank of gas and not trust the gas gauge. This needs to get fixed asap.

- Benbrook, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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