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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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,503 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #16

Nov 222022

Focus

  • miles

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

My car is still at the dealership (CrossRoads Ford, of Indian Trail, NC). The vehicle has been there since 11/22/22. The Service Department keeps telling me they are waiting on a Recall Part to come in and have not given me anything else. The car will not drive, and they advised it was a Recall Part, but the system shows all Recall has been repaired? I need my car back- I have already paid 3 months for a car payment, on a car that is still sitting in the Service Department there.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #15

Nov 022022

Focus

  • miles
My 2014 ford focus will not reverse. It also does not lock the doors while driving and have had problems opening the back hatch.

- Mcpherson , KS, USA

problem #14

Jan 032022

Focus

  • miles
I went to Tom Ford Ford in Carmel, IN in 2016 on this issue and was repaired under warranty then Ford sent an updated letter warranty letter about the DPS6 transmission and reduced warranty from 10 years to 7 years which expired in 2021. Car started having transmission trouble in early 2022; Tom Ford will not repair because not under the reduced warranty terms. I asked for Zone mgr from service manager but would not give me his contact and number on the issue. I-??m having same problem again

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #13

Sep 112021

Focus

  • miles

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

Transmission is overheated, burning smell, the car lost control, start zigzagging on the high way, and got into an accident, I was injured, and lost my job. The CarMax dealership, refused to take care of a car, or even take it back, because of the safety issues. Then, second time, the transmission slips on acceleration at starts and on highways. It feels like it's the transmission is in neutral. For the third time, the car was jerking and going forward and backward, that the transmission would slip badly, even totally disengage. I was getting on a very busy road and accelerated and suddenly the car decelerated; the car behind me almost rear ended me, honked his horn, but there was nothing I could do. As you can see, the problem been reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center as a non-safe to drive. But CarMax dealership ignoring the issues regardless.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #12

Oct 262018

Focus

  • 39,000 miles
Still waiting for settlement recall transmission related problem not being repaired right I was it manufactured if it was not covered by insurance

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 132020

Focus

  • 124,000 miles
The car stalled out

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #10

May 312019

Focus

  • 48,000 miles

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

Replaced transmission due to recall. Then their was a recall on the recall. Took car back stating the car still shutters and stutters. Supv stated you need to drive 2000 miles it will reset. Well here it is September.2020 car is still stuttering and shuttering when coming from stop to acceleration causing a potential accident from car behind. What can I do. They brush me off every time I tell them this. When this happens I get a warning smooth driving saves fuel numerous times and will appear as driving on interstate and it's a smooth road. Car will decrease speed.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #9

Apr 302020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 94,500 miles
I want to know why the people driving this year of Ford Focus have not been compensated by Ford for all of the "defects" associated with this vehicle? in 3 years time, I have replaced the battery, shocks, repaired oil leak, vapor management valve and replaced tires out of my own pocket. The recalls are unreal! I have had it in the shop for "fuel tank deformation recall", the "tcm clutch shutter" has been replaced 3 times. Not to mention the times I have taken it in for that to be fixed, only to be told it wasn't the problem when it was later verified that it was. And now I receive notice that the doors fly open while driving! I can't trade it in, because I am $3,000 upside down because the vehicle is not worth squat.I have lost employment because of this vehicle and it has significantly impacted my and my family's quality of life because of all of the problems it has caused. I have been losing gas for the past 2 years and the mechanic's can't find the problem. When I fill up, the miles to empty will show for example 274, when I drive 1 mile by the odometer, the miles to empty has indicated 6. that is a huge amount of money I have lost in the past 2 years. This is outrageous that Ford Motor Company has not been forced to compensate us unfortunate people that got "stuck" with a vehicle they knew had issues! I have all paperwork for everything I have stated above but there are over 100 pieces of paper. If you require this from me I can make copies and send to you but to upload everything is too much. Please help! I would like to get into a vehicle that is safe to drive for me as well as my family. I have been driving in fear since a week after I purchased this in Jan 2017!

- Millcreek, UT, USA

problem #8

Mar 082020

Focus

  • 1,113,051 miles
1. the car has a real bad popping in the front end like the front ends about to just fall out. On any road & both straight or turning 2. taking off from a dead stop front end & the transmission takes a minute for them both to catch & the car go on any road & both straight or turning 3. the cv axel pop when turning

- Scott, AR, USA

problem #7

Sep 092019

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
Not only have I brought my car in 4 times for the transmission, now the suspension is starting to sag which is causing the tires to rub and wear out after a year. I have been told by the service department that this is irreparable.

- Ione, CA, USA

problem #6

Oct 312017

Focus

  • miles

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

Lower arm w/balls and joints X 2 motor mount check engine light for P0420 catalyst and clutch and transmission jerking and hesitation and radio not working and I called 1800 number to Ford and at this time could not help me and woman stated she reported to NHTSA #cas13448516 and also stated to call dealership which is balise ready credit in springfield mass

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #5

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was operating normally. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #4

Mar 082016

Focus

  • miles
Heard noise in steering and tires took car to be checked out was nothing wrong that is how it sounds and drives. This was 2 months after getting the car. In March 2016 turning a curve car steering got hard and locked up hit curve busted axlle and steering component. Replaced axle thought that was all. Then had car taken to Ford I was then informed of $3000 in damages and labor to fix it. I did not proceed to getting fixed. The service manager proceeded to throw the keys at me and got pissed because I wouldn't get car fixed right then.I found out about the issues on the internet looking into the car parts and any issues with the car. The car was in motion.

- Knightdale, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 272014

Focus

  • 8,000 miles
The transmission hesitates when stopped then to accelerate. It has caused me to almost have a few accidents. The front suspension makes noises. Ford can't seem to fix either issue. I know a lot of other Focus owners are having issues.

- Harrisburg, SD, USA

problem #2

Jan 262016

Focus

  • 44,002 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph down an incline, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shook and took a longer distance to stop. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle vibrated and accelerated in excess. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,002.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 232013

Focus

  • 500 miles
The car was scary to drive on the highway with uncontrollable swaying had to white knuckle the steering wheel with compensation of darty movements! brought to the dealer they align it 3 times got better but still no complete reward. Then Ford said replace the steering gear ! test drove home with mi snow on the roads wow was it scary to drive it home extra darting fish tail experience. Since last repair it seems to getting bad again 11000 mile later while driving on bumpy roads it darts bad and sway steering ! I believe its a comb of programming issue of steering gear and rack and roll control !!! next will need engineer to look at it!

- Gaines , MI, USA

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