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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 1 of 15)

problem #285

Mar 082024

Focus

  • miles

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

The vehicle has all of the mentioned issues from the recall for the stuck CPV. Check engine light illuminated directly after refueling. Codes present at P1450 and P0420. Noticeable change in drivability. My specific VIN is not showing affected by this recall however it meets every requirement to be considered eligible. If my local dealership will not cover this I will have to file a consumer affairs report and take my case to small claims court as this should be something FORD has to remedy due to they-??ve already admitted negligence in the manufacture of this vehicle.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #284

Feb 012024

Focus

  • miles
My card was recalled several years ago for a Purge Valve Canister. It was repaired but would still cut out sometimes. It is doing it again now, as a matter of fact when you pull up to a light or sudden stop it will stall the engine. Also when you fill up with gas, it does not want to start. I know that when it was fixed, the problem was a band aid fix. There is something in the vehicle causing this Purge Valve canister to malfunction. I think it should be covered under the SAME RECALL and it should be paid for by FORD.

- Brandenburg, KY, USA

problem #283

Jan 272024

Focus

  • miles
Gas tank was filled and experienced erratic fuel gauge indication during drive. Parked vehicle and next day there was gasoline coming out of the bottom of the car. Towed and mechanic said the gas tank shows deformation, issue where the tube into tank/assembly is defective.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #282

Sep 252023

Focus

  • miles

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

I was driving my 2014 Ford Focus electric car sometime in 2023 and the system told me to immediately pull over for no reason. I was able to pull it over but it would not start again after turning it off. I let it sit and came back the next day since I needed to go somewhere and it started. The car then had issues starting and I tried to diagnose with the dealership and we ended up recharging the battery because it was low. It was a little more consistent but it died again but this time it would not turn over. I finally got the car to the dealership to diagnose and it took them over a month to do so. It seems the High voltage wire harness was bad and needed to be replaced. It seems that this should be a recall because it is a major component and even a safety issue since the car died while driving.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #281

Oct 122023

Focus

  • miles
I purchased a new 2014 Ford Focus Electric (FFE) in 2014. I have learned since then that every FFE develops a high voltage battery, the battery that powers the electric motor, coolant leak at no more than 80,000 miles, rendering the car inoperable. Ford will not repair the leak and will only sell a replacement battery. Ford has not issued a recall and is allowing the cooling system for a battery made from a highly combustible material to fail. The cooling system failure also requires the driver to get off the road immediately with the "Stop safely now" message and leaves the driver stranded with a useless car. The following are links about the FFE battery coolant leak. https://www.myfocuselectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php"t=5025 https://www.myfocuselectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php"t=4981 https://www.motorbiscuit.com/family-shocked-ford-focus-electric-battery-replacement-costing-more-than-car/

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #280

Jul 012023

Focus

  • miles
Check engine light came on due to the code P0442. It was caused by a faulty purge valve, which my car was already recalled due to this. To my knowledge the valve was replaced. The check engine light is on again, same code. The purge valve was replaced again, but the engine light did not turn off. Upon further inspection, the fuel tank is deformed. The purge valve defect can cause the fuel tank to be vacuumed in on itself, and there happens to be another recall on this issue. My car is not part of this recall. Not only is the check engine light on for the deformed fuel tank, but my MPG number does not match up with the amount of mileage I actually have left. There needs to be another recall with the cars that were not in the original group recalled.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #279

Jun 232023

Focus

  • miles

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

Error p2196 and p1450 issue with PCM, EVAP and bank 1 sensor know issues and recalls on same year make and model st I have an se having same problem

- Winter Park , FL, USA

problem #278

Jul 012023

Focus

  • miles
12-18 ford focus equipped with 2.0 GDI or 2.0 GTDI equipped with purge valve, failing causing gas tank deformation

- Uhrichsville , OH, USA

problem #277

Jun 282023

Focus

  • miles
This car has had the clutch fork, clutch and tcm replaced since ive owned it and continues to still produce the same scary issue erratically. When it's not throwing codes it's sticking in gears, shifting hard, accelerating on its own (( almost went through a drive through window when it did this last)) this car is going to cause an issue/wreck. I Will be driving yhis car and the focus looses power, no steering, no acceleration available during the main issue im addressing today. It will flash the engine light and the cluster will continue to flash for about 30 seconds and you have no choice but to stop or pull over. What's fascinating and scary each time, it throws different codes. Anywhere from one code to up to 13 codes. I now carry a code reader in my glove box. Took me one hour and 17 minutes to get 8 blocks home in a very small, non traffic, town four or five days ago. Sometimes you can clear the code(s) and be on your way right away until the next dreaded failure. Or sometimes as soon as you turn the car back on it goes right back into loss of power and throwing codes. Nothing particular sets this off, not heat or cold temperatures. Not running the heater or A/C. Not driving fast, slow or in-between. Not turning or driving straight. Not driving short distances or long distances. Nothing is the same to produce this issue. This was tested by not only myself, husband and two mechanics. Ofcouse each time the codes say something different, TCM, clutch, clutch forks, gas, you name it the code was thrown, ect. Even after the money pit of fixing the supposed issue(s) we still continue to have the EXACT SAME VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. Ford should eliminate these cars, crush them so nobody else falls victim to these failing known issues they've produced.

- Laurel, MT, USA

problem #276

Apr 132023

Focus

  • 120,711 miles
Car stalls, shakes, won-??t accelerate properly, won-??t go passed 35mph, engine fault light comes on, and car goes into limp home mode.

- Hastings, MN, USA

problem #275

Feb 062023

Focus

  • miles

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

My Ford Focus died on me at a stop sign, when trying to start it sounded it seemed like it ran out of gas, put gas in and it leaked out onto the ground. I had it towed to the Sewell Ford in Fayetteville AR 72703. They replaced the R Tube Asv-Fuel Vapour Separa, Fuel Cannister-fuel vapour store, E Tank Esy-Fuel, Ax Sender and Pump Asy and AA Gasket. They said this happened because of pressure in the gas tank. They looked up the recall, that this is associated with and a Ford location in Frisco said it didn't need to be fixed. Obviously it did. I paid $3,173.88 for the repair work. I called Ford Corp number and they stated same as the other Ford location is we closed out without being repaired. Is there anything i can do?

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #274

Feb 112023

Focus

  • miles
I started having problems the minute I drove off the lot they told me my transmission was fine when I knew it wasn-€™t 2020 started going in to be repaired transmission needed rebuilt rear main seal needed to be replaced that-€™s when the tech realized my transmission needed to be rebuilt it-€™s been in the shop three or four times for the transmission and the clutches then I think my transmission started messing up again 2021 then found out it was misfiring replaced spark plugs and coils all of it now on top of all my other problems my check engine lights back on it-€™s flashing I-€™ve done the spark plugs again just replaced my O2 sensors going to take it back to a mechanic and have it looked at don-€™t know what-€™s going on I-€™m really worried that my coolant is leaking because it-€™s went down and done and now I just filled it up again and it looks like it-€™s dropping again i-€™m hoping it-€™s nothing because I just found out that the eco-boost motors are leaking coolant into the cylinder heads they-€™re saying trucks right now I think it-€™s in Canada in California I know I have a eco-boost your car flex fuel or whatever you wanna call it so I-€™m really hoping it-€™s nothing but problems after problems with his car and Ford doesn-€™t wanna do anything about it they gave me some money as a good faith thing but that-€™s it I got a hold of Ford and they will the lady called me once she says she called three times she won-€™t return my phone calls I was told that they wanted to buy my car back now they won-€™t do anything and like I said I-€™m having problems with it again these cars are crap they need to take all of them back and I-€™m sitting here reading even more people having issues that-€™s not OK and I don-€™t even know what-€™s wrong with my car right now

- Gardnerville , NV, USA

problem #273

Oct 012022

Focus

  • miles
Previously we had our vehicle repaired due to a safety recall regarding the fuel tank canister purge valve. This component is malfunctioning again. I called Ford and was told this recall was no longer active. The vehicle and component are available for inspection as needed. Due to the vehicle stalling at any time this can cause a dangerous situation, especially at highway speeds. Additionally, the vehicle resists starting which could potentially leave us stranded. The check engine light is activated due to this problem which was diagnosed via On-board diagnostics device.

- Sachse, TX, USA

problem #272

Sep 062022

Focus

  • miles
The canister purge valve is stuck open causing a vacuum inside the fuel tank. Fuel tank is currently deformed because of the vacuum. This issue has lead to a recall in other year models of the Ford Focus (2012 & 2017) but not the 2014 Ford Focus.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #271

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 #270

Jul 302022

Focus

  • miles
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 #269

Jun 242022

Focus

  • miles
Cars check engine light comes on sporadically and the engine runs rough and cut off in traffic and transmisson jerks

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #268

Oct 062021

Focus

  • miles
I took car the get it service at Ford dealer In Nov 15 2021 after many months and many car dealers refusing or not having time to look at car and a few stalls. This being the second Ford focus same year and same problems that left us with bills that ford Corp refused to honor. Have names off peole but will leave it out. The advisor whom I was given and appt was made for transmission testing Ford said that iif I had it tested they would cover cost due to no parts to fix it due to shortages and backorders. The advisisor refused to have it tested since she said she tells all customers not to have them inspected I asked her what would be beneficial to that she got upset and limited any questions. I reported issue bt service Manger was gone for the day at 230pm. The latches and valves for tank deformations had not been started yet. Next morning after a messege and assurance issues would be dealt and advisor had said she would not deal with me service Manger tried to bully me into staying quiet. He said he would make sure advisor would help she didnt and very short time to do work which the fuel readings were worse then before. Shop foreman gave me his word that he woukd get transmission to be tested to keep agreement which he didn't follow thru after several messages and calls. And after car began to stall. Zero help from service dept. Ford Corp makes excuses never one solution to get it seen. Said i had to pay to have it seen. Zero help with dealers that refused to do recall and ford Corp work. After over 200 days and after reaching to owner of dealership that promised to make it right but service Manger refused to follow thru and after he told me to move on and go elsewhere. I got another dealer to check it but they only wanted the most expensive non covered work so I would have to say so. Not the top issue car went in. after 4 days and after ford Corp again making promises with worker not involved at all. So far 3500 bill Ford wants time but said

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #267

Jan 072022

Focus

  • miles
The components and systems that failed are my engine and gas tank, they both are available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk, approximately two minutes before my vehicle slowed down enough to stop my brakes wouldn't work. Yes I have called the dealership and the problems that the representative listed explaining a recall; is what I have been experiencing with my vehicle. Yes, 6/15/2022 the day after my engine failed my car was diagnosed by All 4 U Auto and he confirmed that the engine had blown and along with the gasoline tank both needed replacements. No, there were no warning lamps nor messages prompting alerts of my vehicle. There were several symptoms of the problem prior to the failure that occurred before and after the Ford recall; 18S32. I completed the recall fuel tank deformation 1/3/2019. I am still experiencing issues with my gas tank, which are listed on the official Ford website. I can only pump approximately 80 miles worth of gas or 1/4 full worth of gas. If I pump anymore the vehicle will stall and require for me to restart it multiple times 2 - 10, the more I "over pump" the more I will have to restart and longer it will stall. During pumping even 1/4 worth of gas my entire vehicle will shake and make a loud sound, and with re cranking causing engine malfunction. The website mentions; "Owners are advised to maintain at least a half tank of fuel until their vehicle is serviced for this issue." although I can only pump 1/4 full worth of gas at a time. Another issue is I cannot leave the vehicle idle over 5 minutes, even when in traffic if I do not keep driving up 6 inches every five minutes it will turn off. This problem has negatively affected my battery, on a few occasions leaving the vehicle idle has caused my battery to need to be recharged and replaced. Lastly the vehicle does exactly what the recall mentions; "inaccurate fuel gauge readings". While pumping gas the mileage on the dashboard sometimes does not increase.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #266

Jan 282022

Focus

  • miles
My car keep stalling while driving on the freeway with my daughter in the car skipping and jerking than it slow speed down extremely low no pressure at all very dangerous

- Detroit, MI, USA

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