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.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,510
Average Mileage:
25,200 miles
Total Complaints:
137 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. recall on transmission (21 reports)
  3. no solution (18 reports)
  4. clutch replacement (11 reports)
  5. install new clutch shaft (7 reports)
  6. transmission control module recall (6 reports)
2014 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission 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 (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Mar 132014

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,000 miles

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

Transmission has never been right. Right off the bat Ford dealers told me it is normal to hesitate, no power, ect. I wish it acted that way during the test drive. Took it in twice already. First time they simply said it is normal. Second time it was re-programmed. Now it is much more frequent and worst symptoms. I am concerned about my family's safety. I nearly got hit by a Semi truck in the side as I was crossing a road from a dead stop turning left across oncoming traffic. The hesitation was so bad I barely got out of the trucks way.Are you kidding me. Normal my ass. This car needs fixed before some dies. I am taking it in a third time now. I will let you know the results if I live to tell them.

- John F., Mantua, OH, US

problem #76

Aug 312016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,443 miles

When I slowed to let a cat run in front of me and another car, my car accelerated and jerked me hard to the right over a curb and into a bus bench. Had done this before and I actually had an appointment for the next day to trade in the car. Damages are over $7000. Insurance covers all but about $1500. Could have been much worse if I had been driving faster than 25mph

- Deborah F., Newport News, VA, US

problem #75

Aug 242016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

We bought this car to have a safe, reliable vehicle. Have driven Fords all our life. This will be our last. It's bad enough to have an issue with your vehicle but to receive no assistance from the manufacturer when it is THEIR fault sends me over the edge. I live in a mountain community with plenty of wildlife and very few other drivers on the road. My car broke down on the mountain highway when leaving for work at 5:15am. It has hesitated from take off since we've had it. We received a recall notice and took it in immediately. That did nothing to take care of the problem. Now it stopped running completely and the check engine light came on. It was towed to the shop and we have been told that the part (TCM module) is on back order and we could be without our car for 1 to 8 weeks. They could care less that this is our main form of transportation and I will have to get a rental in order to get to work in order to make car payments for a car I can't drive. I escalated my concerns all the way up to Corporate Customer Relations at Ford. No one has done a damn thing to help. I reached out to the Service Manager at the dealership we purchased it. I was told, "give me an hour and I'll call you back" 5 hours later no call. The next day I called again "give me 15 minutes, I'll check with my Ford rep to see if we can help with a rental". 2 hours later no call. Tried calling two more times and got his voicemail on a Friday afternoon. So going into the weekend I had no help at all from anyone at Ford and was forced to obtain a rental at my cost. So far I'm looking at $300 and praying that my car is back before I have to return the rental. This is a bunch of horse sh*t from Ford. It's all over the internet the issues with these cars. For them to not provide assistance with rentals is the worst possible service ever. I bet they sure will expect my payment on time won't they? I've filed claims with a Lemon Law attorney and a Class Action Lawsuit attorney.

- redaskyp, Forest Falls, CA, US

problem #74

Jun 072016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

Bought this car from old lady who was going to another country with only 2,000 miles. After driving for about 35,000 miles notice the trans was not shifting like it should be. It hesitates and shudder from a stop to drive. No power for a quick acceleration. I been told by service manager at the Ford shop it was common and nothing they could do. I am ready to get rid of this car and get me another Toyota.

- scooter, Phx, AZ, US

problem #73

Sep 012015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles

Bought this car brand new started having problems exactly one year from purchase. Dealership keeps saying nothing is wrong with the car. The car shudders and will not go at times. I know there is an issue and am fed up with the car.

- C T., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #72

Sep 182015

Focus SE 2.0L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I just want to add that every single comment in this thread about this problem, I CONCUR!

This will be my 2nd attempt in a years time of fixing this problem.

The Problem: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE EXTENDED

Supposedly, last year at almost this exact same time, this issue was "fixed." However, a year later, the car is acting the same way it did before the repair. I'm afraid to drive it, it seems very unstable, I'm afraid the transmission is going to go out while I'm stranded out on the road somewhere. I have to overcompensate the engine when a green light appears just so I'm not rear ended by someone behind me because my acceleration SUCKS! I don't even mention how long I have to wait to make a left turn in busy traffic, SAFELY. I hope this can be fixed in time for me to trade this piece of crap in, I'm paying way too much a month for this car for it to be acting like the piece of crap that it is.

- Lena A., North Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #71

Jan 012015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

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

Defective transmission. Multiple trips to dealership

- linkousva, Galax, VA, US

problem #70

Aug 282014

Focus SE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,024 miles

My Ford Focus SE 2014 is a piece of junk. I have frequently reported this herky, jerky, transmission to the dealer repeatedly. The latest was taking it to the dealer to have the transmission control module warranty. After accomplishing the service, absolutely NO CHANGE in performance. Just as bad; maybe even worse.

While the dealer was professional and courteous, the dealer stated the behavior was well within tolerances. This was my first AND MY LAST Ford purchase.

Dissatisfied beyond belief.

- Bill W., CLEMENTS, MD, US

problem #69

Feb 262016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

I bought this car in February 2016, since I had it, it has been in the dealership about 7 times, they did 2 clutches, 3 re programing's, and still it doesn't drive right, keeps jerking, lurching, and has a hard time transitioning between gears. Even though the people at the dealership (Ford dealership) keep doing the same repairs over and over (nice customer service people) still the problem is there. I have no solution for this, they told me to get hold of the regional representative for ford and he sent me an email basically telling tough luck, I am paying for a car that doesn't run well, when I bought it at the dealership (Low Book Sales) they didn't disclose that the car has already a problem and had been recalled.

This is the email I got from the regional ford representative....

"

My name is Jon and I am the Ford Regional Customer Service Manager for your area. My role is to facilitate the repair of your vehicle between yourself and the Dealer. I have spoken with the dealer and have confirmed that the repairs to your vehicle were completed this past week. In regards to your inquiry regarding an exchange or trade assistance program, we do not have any programs regarding a trade or exchange program through Ford Motor Company. In regards to your request for a comparable vehicle you would need to speak with the Sales and Financing dept. at the DLR as they are independently owned and operated and in charge of all sales and trade in’s. In regards to your current case and concerns with the transmission not working properly after the clutch replacement, once the clutch was replaced there was a reprograming done on the transmission for the adaptive learn. You will need to drive the vehicle approx. 1000 miles for the transmission to re-learn your driving style, if you still feel there are concerns with the vehicle once this has been done please bring your vehicle back into the Dealer for inspection. If there are no current concerns on the vehicle we will be closing the case out on our side on Monday 6/20, this case can be re-opened within 30 days of closing if there are additional concerns to your vehicle. Please let me know if you have any questions."

- adri_p, Farmington, UT, US

problem #68

Jun 182016

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

Please don't buy this Car, Pass on the Ford 2014 -15 Focus models. Both my wife and Myself own 2 and they both have hesitation and Shuttering. Poor Transmissions and build quality. Ford will do nothing, And it devalued the cars. I have no way of trading, I'm so upside down because of this ongoing issue that Ford knows about. Sadly I have an X-Plan through Sodexo with them and I will Never recommend another Ford product or Purchase. I will never buy another Ford until they get better at Customer Service and Loyalty to their Buyers. STAY CLEAR OF THIS FOCUS AND FIESTA !!!!!!!!!! I may put in a Complaint to our Virginia state Lemon law.................... The Dealership Shelor Motor Mile just keeps saying it's the way the transmission works, Bull.......... They are being coached by Ford, I promise everyone there will be a lawsuit soon.... Keep informed. Best Regards Patrick R. Turi

- Patrick T., Christiansburg, VA, US

problem #67

Apr 012016

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

I purchased a 2014 ford focus not knowing that the transmission has a factory problem that ford will not make a recall on. Thousands of cars have the stuttering from the stop feel or acceleration problems. Hesitation when you hit the gas. Or the car revs way to high when your not hitting the gas hard. No car should run 4000 rpm in second gear when you only going ten miles a hour and your not touching the foot feet. Mind you the car is not in manual shift mode. A electronic double clutch systems has been pinned as the problem. Either a whole new transmission should be replaced or the double clutch system. Either case. They could have my car for up to eight weeks. What the bloody hell. This is awe full . Ford knows this is a major problem but wont put it on the recall list. I looked up a resell price from ford and now their saying my car is only worth 11,500. I paid 19,000 for it with only 21,000 miles on it. Its a 2014 SE model. They know the transmission is a huge problem and now their downgrading the trade in value of the car's to make up the cost to replace their screw up. The consumer is getting screwed from every angle . No only is this not fair it should be Illegal . If a law suit pops up in Missouri regarding ford and this car My name will be on this list .

- K F., Chillocothe, MO, US

problem #66

Sep 162015

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

This issue was so annoying that I sold it b/c I was worried that I would rear-end someone and/or wear out my brakes from trying to dissipate the runaway throttle. The two issues, the severe throttle lag and shuddering from a stop, as far as I could tell we're interconnected. The clutch engages but the throttle lag causes a timing issue which seems to prompt the transmission to go searching for gears. It happens in other ATs every now and then in adverse conditions, but this was happening consistently every time. This would be dangerous in stop and go traffic or on a congested but fast-moving highway. I would give it gas, it wouldn't respond, and I would in turn try to correct for the delay by giving it even more gas. By the time, the throttle caught up to me the car would be accelerating into the path of someone's rear bumper. I would squeeze the brake but even the letting-up was laggy so I was essentially braking while accelerating. I even had to apply the e-brake while in motion a couple times to avoid a collision. That scared me away from Ford and apparently I wasn't the only one. I noticed that Zipcar has replaced a lot of their Ford Focuses with VW Golf, and just as well b/c I now own a Golf and it's leaps and bounds better in every way.

- saichai, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #65

Apr 182016

Focus SE Hatchback 2.0L L4 Dohc 16v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

Just bought this car not even 2 months ago and already I'm dealing with a ton of issues. I bought this car because the car I had originally was beginning to give me problems. Oye

- allsmiles, Portsmouth, NH, US

problem #64

May 182015

Focus SE 2.0L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

See my prior complaint on the same issue. In less than 6 months of the dealer installing the recall fix the issue happened again,

- Jose M., 33185, FL, US

problem #63

Feb 082015

Focus SE 2.0L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

I bought this Ford Focus because I wanted to support American Made and it was my first car as a gift from my parents, . In addition, I figured that an American Company would not make and sell lemons without advising their customers that down the line the car would be a complete loss. I had a choice to go with a Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Accent. I chose this one because of all the extras it had and it was a FORD. This problem of the transmission started when the car had approximately 15,000 miles and it got progressively worse. When I researched on the issue I came across a recall that was issued in 2012. You would think that by the time I bought my 2014 they would have worked to fix the issue, no they just decided to continue selling the car with the crappy transmission. The problem with the transmission is very dangerous because when you need to accelerate the car stalls and does not obey the command to accelerate. I took the car into the dealer and after 3 days they fixed the problem and now, less than 6 months later the same problem exists. The car has a 36,000 mile warranty and what happens then? I should not have to continue wasting time at the dealer, not have my car for three days and on top of that pay for a car that is not doing what it is supposed to do. For the hassles I am facing, I should have bought a scooter or Japanese made car. FORD FIX THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL OR RECALL THE CARS AND GIVE CUSTOMERS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE.

- Jose M., 33185, FL, US

problem #62

Jun 112014

Focus Titanium V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

This car started jerking and grinding as soon as the deal was sealed. We took it back as soon as the problems began within a week of buying it and was told that was normal and it would stop when we reached 1000 miles but it didn't after a few months, it got worse. We took it back and they said the clutch was bad. They replaced it then it developed a major oil leak which they repaired. Then they had to replace the fuel pump. Now it needs another clutch. $1000.00 I am voluntarily surrendering the vehicle.

- Terracita W., beaufort, SC, US

problem #61

Apr 232014

Focus ES 2.0L Gdi 1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 900 miles

First of all I walked into the dealer after several attempts to get it fixed. my. Wife Carol told them we were going to have satisfaction or put a sign on the back of the car with the word Lemon on it. We traded cars but still it cost us a fortune. We have a Ford Fusion we love but we are paying dearly for it. I think we really got the shaft. One time of many when we took it in they said the computer would recognize only one person that it would adapt to driving the car.------ THAT WAS REALLY FUNNY! !! We had the Focus from 11/19/13 to 07/31/15. What a terrible ordeal we put up with. I know we took it in at least 4 to 5 times with no satisfaction just excuses.

- Donald J., Belleville, IL, US

problem #60

May 072016

Focus Titanium 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,612 miles

There are so many problems with my 2014 Ford Focus, but the piece-of-crap transmission they put into this thing is the worst! It jerks, it hesitates, it grinds... it's embarrassing to have anyone in the car with me. The worst financial decision I've ever made.

I wanted to like this car... I wanted to like Ford... I will NEVER buy a Ford product again. I can't stand it anymore and I'm taking a huge loss just to get rid of it.

- toddcl, Island View, NB, Canada

problem #59

Feb 022016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

The jerking of the car was so bad people didn't want to ride in my car any longer. Also my car would hesitate in intersections making it scary at times when the traffic was busy- almost caused a crash several times!

- Nikki-Anne H., Portland, ME, US

problem #58

Apr 012014

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Bought my 2014 Ford Focus new at Lance Cunningham Ford in Knoxville,Tennessee. Was never told about the transmission in these cars, but they suck and can be VERY dangerous if the jerking and the hesitation of acceleration catches you at the wrong place and wrong time. Its seems the longer the car runs the worse it gets, so when i do go on long trips, this is always in the back of my mind, as well as embarrassing when others ask whats wrong with your car when its a brand new car. On at least two occasions i have had it in park on a small incline and as i went to get out of the car, it sounded as though it was slipping and moves about 3-4 foot forward before stopping. I have asked Ford about this multiple times when i get it serviced and they say nothing is wrong with it, and the transmission is normal. Anyone who drives a car with one of these transmissions in it will definitely tell you that this is NOT normal, nor safe. We should have been told about these (so called new style transmissions) when buying the car, as i mentioned prior, it seems to get worse the longer it is run and the more mileage gets on the car. So its not noticed during test drives, and of course never mentioned by the salesman. They definitely need to do a recall on these transmissions and put something in them that is safer and works properly before someone ends up getting seriously hurt or killed in a accident or a child run over from the slipping. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

- Roger K., Maryville, TN, US

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?