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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
22 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,086 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain 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 2 of 69)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1348

May 132024

Focus

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the transmission started to make a rattling noise. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however, the failure recurred. The vehicle taken to the dealer where the diagnostic test result was not disclosed; however, the transmission clutch was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission clutch which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #1347

Mar 012024

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into neutral. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing, and the vehicle stalled and was undriveable. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Wilton, ME, USA

problem #1346

Dec 012015

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered like the transmission was about to shift; however, the vehicle had an automatic transmission. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds the vehicle was slow to accelerate and while the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle drove sluggishly. The contact placed the car in park and waited 15 minutes, then when the vehicle was shifted into drive the failure was not replicated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer once and was diagnosed with a transmission module failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer several times and was diagnosed with the same failure and repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a different dealer several times and was diagnosed with the same failure and repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the initial dealer where it was diagnosed with a clutch assembly failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #1345

Apr 242024

Focus

  • miles

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

I am writing to address a significant issue regarding my Ford Focus 2014 (VIN [XXX] ). On [XXX], the check engine light illuminated, indicating error code P07A3 - Transmission Friction Element "A". I promptly took my car to AutoNational Ford Bellevue for inspection (customer #[XXX]). Despite assurances of a Transmission Control Module replacement under warranty, the issue persisted after alleged replacement. Upon independent examination on [XXX], it was found that the Transmission Control Module remained unchanged, contrary to the dealership's assertions. 1. AutoNational Ford Bellevue representative initiates a warranty claim (which is valid until 2025) for my Ford Focus's Transmission Control Module. 2. The Transmission Control Module is not installed in my car; instead, someone from AutoNational Ford Bellevue effectively appropriates it (its value is over $500). 3. I am misled into believing that the Transmission Control Module has been installed; in reality, they are deceiving me. They hope that because the car is old, I will need to replace the dual clutch transmission, and thus, I won't pursue this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Bellevue , WA, USA

problem #1344

Apr 182015

Focus

  • miles
Our 2014 Ford Focus SE must be repaired again for the same transmission defect. Our original transmission repair was covered under a recall. I was told by the Ford dealer that my repair would not be covered as the recall had expired! Ford now uses a -??Loyalty Program-?? to deny what was once a recall. The only warranty we have under the "Loyalty Program" is the TCM module. Ford is denying any coverage for the transmission repair. We purchased the vehicle new and were never told about this defective design. The danger is that there is no warning that the transmission is failing. Should the transmission fail while driving this could result in a crash. The first failure occurred while traveling on [XXX] toward Tampa Florida. We pulled out into the center lane to pass slower traffic only to find out the transmission did not respond, and we lost speed and had to get over to the right lane to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic. Ford must repair the vehicles and not deny coverage under the sham of a loyalty program. At present, Ford wants $4,497.66 to complete the repairs of our vehicle. Ford said the transmission will fail again in 35,000 to 80,000 miles depending on how the car is driven. I will not be the only complaint regarding this type of transmission design because Ford used this same transmission design in several models. We need the NHSTA to investigate and look up the original recall for this failure and have it recalled once again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #1343

Apr 082024

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to move. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Opelika, AL, USA

problem #1342

Feb 012024

Focus

  • miles

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

My son had the car and it had to sit waiting on a part for 2 years. It almost caused him to wreck on several occasions. In the meantime transmission shop check and didn't agree with the dealer. Finally the dealer replaced the TCM transmission control module. I ending buying the car to help my son. Less than 10,000 miles car began doing same thing. In the meantime I received a letter from the Factory extending the warranty. I had take to shop and same thing was the Transmission Control Module. It was causing the clutch and actuators. The shops said it a dealer issue and explained the letter and customer agreement to me. They said the dealer has to fix for free. I called the dealer and they diagnosed it over the phone and refused to fix without 4,700 hundred dollars. I still waited until appointment time over a month had it towed there was driven on to rollback. Was not told of a diagnostic fee. They later called me saying the drove and put on the computer and wasnt the TCM. Also told me it was gonna be 6,500 dollars. This car has anost caused 4 collisions one of which scared me so bad am having a brain injury I arrived it home a few minutes away and had a severe brain issues. The dealer on drove the car one tenth of a mile from the shop to a storage lot. They have repeatedly refused to give me the diagnostic print out but instead just an estimate. This is a well know issue with these transmissions to the point ford extended the warranty. I had to pay a fee and car was taken to a local garage where it remains. Car was driven on the rollback for travel tested at shop. Once again is TCM which is covered as many times a needed up to 150,000 miles. Once over 150,000 miles one more complementary TCM replacement. Dealer still refuses to fix according to Ford customer agreement also refused to just give me the TCM to have replaced. Factory complaint went no where. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lupton City, TN, USA

problem #1341

Jan 152024

Focus

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was bucking and shuddering while accelerating from a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch pack was improperly tensioned, and a clutch fork bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Canton, MA, USA

problem #1340

Mar 082024

Focus

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and shuddered, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the dual clutch. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Glaewater, AA, USA

problem #1339

Mar 082024

Focus

  • miles
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 #1338

Feb 062024

Focus

  • miles

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

After about 25-45 minutes of driving the car every time you accelerates the Transmission starts slipping the car starts to rattle very badly and it makes a crunching sound. It makes the car almost impossible to drive and sounds and feels like it-??s about to break down.

- Pittsboro , IN, USA

problem #1337

Jan 032024

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the gear had to be shifted from park to neutral and back to park to start the vehicle. The vehicle started and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond but the engine revved up. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the transmission slipped and delayed while downshifting. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly without warning. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the -??Transmission Hot - Pull Over Safely - Wait 5 Minutes" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer stated that the actuator had seized and burned the clutch. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1336

Dec 112023

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 70-?"72 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The check engine and cruise control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCM and transmission control module, snap ring, transmission fluid, two clutch ports, transmission case, and input bearing needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

- Lacombe, LA, USA

problem #1335

Jan 122024

Focus

  • 85,100 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the transmission shifted hard into the next gear with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer, and it was diagnosed with a faulty transmission clutch. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 85,100.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #1334

Jan 232024

Focus

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "Transmission Overheating", after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and was unable to accelerate above 5 MPH. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and turn off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular failure. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the dual clutch transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08, but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1333

Jan 082024

Focus

  • 145,432 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle transmission was not shifting properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking and the contact pulled over into a parking lot. The vehicle was able to restart, however, the engine was revving high and the vehicle was turned back off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that when starting from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had trouble coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced due to a faulty seal. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the clutch had previously been replaced for the same issue. The failure mileage was approximately 145,432.

- Loris, SC, USA

problem #1332

Jan 082024

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission clutch shudder. The dealer determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08, because the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Berlin, CT, USA

problem #1331

Nov 132023

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission clutch. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

- Salem, OH, USA

problem #1330

Dec 232023

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the transmission was shifted from 1st to 2nd gear, and the vehicle jolted forward, then failed to accelerate immediately. Additionally, the transmission was slipping. The failure persisted while driving at 20 MPH when the transmission was shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear with the RPM fluctuating and the engine revving. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the transmission and reprogrammed the TCM; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #1329

Dec 182023

Focus

  • miles
While driving on the freeway to go drop my daughter at school, the car started jerking and loosing speed, it wasn't responding or picking up speed when pressing on the gas pedal, it started slowing down and almost got hit from behind. Then a warning came on the dash showing check engine and "transmission overheating, " at that moment I pulled over to the side of the freeway and parked the car. I was able to make it to my daughter's school, but after getting to my daughters school, the car would not go into drive or reverse, so I turned it off to cool it down. I tried to turn it back on and it failed to come back on, and so I had to get it towed from my daughter's school to my residence. The transmission was compromised and is now faulty because it failed to go into drive or reverse. I'm not sure why it's not starting. My safety and that of others was put at risk when the car jerked and started slowing down suddenly on the freeway and almost caused an accident. Not inspected and no diagnostic carried out yet. I'm in the process of having it towed to a ford dealership because there's a customer notice from Ford for extended warranty for the transmission control module.

- Killeen, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?