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:
39,816 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.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. When attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle shuddered, hesitated, and vibrated. The vehicle was taken to thayer Ford (18039 N. dixie hwy, boiling green, oh) where it was diagnosed that the clutch and seal kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the clutch and inner input shaft seals were previously replaced and the transmission was reprogrammed in August of 2017, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various low speeds, the vehicle jerked in and out of gear when accelerating from a complete stop. Darcars Ford lanham (9020 lanham severn rd, lanham, Maryland 20706, (301) 459-1100) was made aware of the failure and replaced the transmission module; however, the failure recurred twice. The contact reported that the previous owner of the vehicle had the transmission checked and serviced at 20,600 miles on August 2, 2016. The contact serviced the vehicle for the transmission failure on July 18, 2018. The same dealer recommended that the contact drive the vehicle approximately 1,500 miles to allow the power train module to adjust itself. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,320. Consumer stated clutch was replaced at darcars Ford.
I purchased the vehicle used in August 2017 with 42K miles on it. The vehicle after driving it for a few weeks noticed a shudder in low speeds. I contacted a friend who was an automotive technician he made me aware of the issue with this type vehicle and how it would be covered under a recall. I went forward and had the clutch and training module replaced under the warranty. Twelve months later I start experiencing the same issues with the car. I brought it again the Ford dealership replaced the training module but did not replace the clutch because it was no longer covered under warranty. The service department told me that I would have to deal with Ford directly if I wanted this part to be covered by Ford. I was also made aware that the same parts were replaced in 2015 by the previous owner. I contacted Ford and spoke to a customer service representative and a supervisor.. I was told there was nothing they could do but they would submit my issues to a third party arbitrator. That was almost two months ago. I had heard of a class action lawsuit was going on with Ford regarding this issue.. although I was past the filing deadline to be part of the initial lawsuit the website said they would still address my concerns. I was also made aware that I needed to contact Ford directly before I started the arbitration process. I contacted them a representative called me.. reviewed my case and told me he could only offer me $400 for my inconvenience. The vehicle was not covered under my state's lemon law. When I mentioned my clutch needed to be replaced and the $400 would only cover a fraction of the cost he said they could help with the repair uncertain if it would be covered in full. So I decided to contact my state's attorney general's office. They have agreed to help me with my case but suggested I report my issues to this Agency.
I bought my 2014 Ford Focus from a dealership 2 yrs ago. The first week of driving it I noticed a "shuddering " feeling after accelerating from a stop. I took it back to the dealership that week and the salesman tried to tell me that was normal for this car due to ther "special" transmission that the focuses have. A week later, after nearly getting broadsided due to the shuddering and not being able to accelerate going up a hill from a stop, I brought it back again and had the service manager go for a ride with me and he agreed, I had a problem. Long story short, 2 yrs later and 3 times having the transmission dropped and new clutch installed, I want out from under this lemon of a car. Yesterday I had all this done for the 3rd time under warranty but when it happens again w/in the next year, and I fully expect it to, my car will no longer be under warranty. I can not afford a $2500 fix once a yr! I have started the process to have a possible buy back as I still owe a considerable amt on my loan. No one at Ford seems to care. There really is no fix for this problem. The internet is flooded with complaints about these cars. I've also read that some people have gotten a letter extending their warrenty to 7 yrs or 100,000 miles. Why haven't I gotten that letter yet? Ford needs to make this right! this is a lousy unsafe car!
My vehicle was repaired multiple times by Ford when under warranty for their transmission problems taking a manual transmission and running it like an automatic kind. I had to have a new clutch put in as mine was severely destroyed. Once all the repairs were finally accomplished and the power control module, transmission control module (tcm was replaced) and reprogrammed many times the car finally was driving normally as it should as I bought this car brand new with only 13 miles on it. Now my car is exhibiting clutch chatter if I start out a bit slowly such as from say a school bus stop. If I start out with a bit of speed no chatter at all. I am not sure if this is happening to other Ford Focus (many types of SE etc.) owners and if this transmission problem with the power control module (PCM), transmission control module (tcm), clutch, transmission and any other powertrain parts affected by these many parts should be under an extended recall/repair status for the life of the car since Ford created the problem initially with the manual transmission used like a normal automatic transmission? perhaps if more Ford Focus owners complain then we will as owners have a less troubled mind regarding what happens to say at 50,000 miles etc. Without an extended warranty. I have noticed the above clutch chatter over the past several months it is hard to put an exact date but the last day I drove my car (11/13/2018) is the last date I noticed the potential clutch problem. I will report my concerns to the dealer and inform them that I reported this same problem to your website (www.NHTSA.gov). I am hoping to not have any repair invoices for this problem ever until I sell the car or turn it in for a new one. Please advise thank you.
- Kissimmee, FL, USA
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Vehicle stalls, jerks and accelerates, have almost been in a couple of wrecks because of this.has been repaired once but still have a serious problem with it.was told to bring it in for door hatch and fuel tank recall.they tell me now that I need a clutch that is going to cost over 1000.00.the clutch issue has got to be because of the module that has been replaced and never helped anyways.
Harsh jerking and shuddering when accelerating. Ford has a recall on the transmission for this problem, yet they refused to fix mine because its 65000 miles. Was never told about this when I got the car (~35000) - would have fixed sooner if I was. Got clutch replaced months ago, fixed this for a little, now the problem is back.
My 2014 Ford Focus is exhibiting a transmission problem such that it does not accelerate when the throttle is pressed. It has excessive 'shudder' from the clutch engagement and will lurch or fail to accelerate when moving from a stop sign, or when making low-speed movements. This represents a safety concern as it may fail to accelerate when merging, entering traffic or making evasive maneuvers. The problem is ongoing, however, the most serious instance of this problem occurred on September 29th 2018, where my vehicle dramatically shuddered and failed to accelerate while returning home from a short trip. The vehicle was inspected on Nov 3rd by a Ford dealer who indicated the clutch and related parts would need to be replaced, they also notified us that this was replaced once before when the vehicle had about 24,000 miles. At present, the vehicle has a bit over 79,000 miles. Upon contacting Ford to determine whether my vehicle was eligible for the clutch service recall '14M01', they indicated that I would need to contact NHTSA in order to have my vehicle flagged as eligible.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated when attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to mcnelly whaley motors (750 dolly parton pkwy, sevierville, tn) where it was diagnosed that the powertrain control module, canister purge valve, carbon canister, and fuel tank were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact recently received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system) for the failures described. The contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Transmission gave out while driving on the highway. Had towed to dealership, who repaired with the same parts. The vehicle repair was completed and broke down with the same issue after driving 50 ft. Until today, the transmission is unpredictable and unsafe, and now the power steering assist went out, luckily I just got off the highway and back to work when this occurred. I've seem numerous reports on both of these issues, and Ford wants $2500 to repair the steering, and says they cannot check the transmission until then. They also indicated that they aren't sure if the transmission would be repaired again, and it would depend on how 'bad' it is. This is a completely unsafe vehicle, which I am still paying for, and is unusable at this time, unless I decide to drive it in unsafe conditions. Ford is not concerned about their customers or safety.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle shutters when going around turns. The contact had to have three clutches replaced by the dealer barber Ford of hazleton (1112 N church St, hazleton, pa 18202, (570) 454-2414). The contact stated that the warranty would expire next year and was concerned since the clutches last only a few months before they had to be replaced. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not accepting the clutches. The contact is currently on a waiting list to have her clutch replaced from it malfunctioning back in July of 2018. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Car started stuttering power with in 3 months of having it. Jerks and hesitates when accelerating. Clutch assembly has been replaced 3 times. Car only has 30,000 miles. Sept of 2018 while crossing bridge without any warning car just stopped in mid drive! very scary! towed to Ford. Was charged for some malfunction??!! car is still shuttering and has difficulty getting to speed. Filed complaint with Ford back in 2016 that I didn't feel car was safe. No response! after this last incident I am afraid to drive very far for fear it will just stoop running mid drive. Avoid all highways because of this
Constant shuddering when accelerating. The whole car shakes and feels like the engine is about to fall out. Ford double clutch transmission on 2014 Ford Focus needs to be recalled.
When trying to accelerate, the vehicle will make a sort of stuttering, or have a delay in acceleration. Sometimes I notice the rpms increasing without reason, almost as if it skips shifting maybe or has a delayed shift" I have not tried in "sport" mode to see if manually shifting solves the problem. I also have not been able to identify any other common things, such as a certain fuel level, internal or external temperature, or rate of intended acceleration, though I would not rule out anything. I have noticed this happening both in town driving and highway driving, the delay in acceleration or stuttering. There is also a distinct shudder that happens occasionally. I am not sure if it is an issue with fuel (flooding maybe? or a delay in fuel injection") or an issue with the power train (any issue in the transmission with shifting?) or maybe an issue in speed control (a missed connection between the accelerator pedal or throttle control cables and the next step in the chain?). I just know that sometimes I need to accelerate to get in a spot in a line of traffic and when the car doesn't 'go' when I need it to and it shudders or has a stutter or delay, it causes the car I was getting in front of to have to brake and if they don't, then my children in the back seat are put at risk. This has happened multiple times, not just the date indicated.
Driving and vehicle completely shutdown after a loud crunching noise coming from the front of car. A bunch of codes flashed across the dash. Vehicle wouldn't start. Had to tow it home. The transmission light stays on now when I turn key on.
My 2014 Ford Focus has the worst shudder and shake when starting out from a stop the the whole vehicle shakes and shudders like the wheels are going to come off. Once you get up to speed it normalizes but as accelerating it is just a paint shaker of a car. I have had my car in 7 times for the transmission clutch problems. It has been replaced 3 times. Twice before the initial warranty was up and then again last year when they extended the one time warranty repair. The clutch issue is still persisting and they made me pay for a throw out bearing last time it was replaced even though that part was directly related to the clutch problem the car has had since purchase. The 4 other times I brought the car in I was just told that it is normal for the car to shake a little. I do T believe that at all and I am tired of this piece a crap car with its transmission issues and Ford doing nothing more to help the consumers out with the problem when they fully know it is their problem with the car. When I go to my Ford app and look up the service records it is listed as unknown with a 0 dollar amount when the transmission issues were 'fixed'.
I bought the car in March of 2018 with 34,600 miles. It was shifting oddly when I purchased the car, called the dealership value motors in new orleans, lawhere it was purchased. He said that it was normal due to the transmission type. A few weeks later I pulled the carfax report and saw that my transmission was serviced for the transmission control module.. while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle jerk sand stutters all the time. Theres no warning indicator illuminated.now shutters shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Rpms get really high before the car actually takes off. I brought the car to a Ford dealership (robinson brothers baton rouge) today 10/01/2018 was told I need a new clutch. My car has 46,417 miles and I was told it is not covered under any warranty because it was manufacured September 15, 2013. Its $1692.44 before taxes. I called Ford customer service and they said they couldnt do anything to help. This car is very scary to drive. To make matters worse, I have trouble buckling the rear driverside seatbelt at times &I have 3 small children and I feel like the car is unsafe for them and me.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elmore, OH, USA