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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:
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.

2014 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 40 of 71)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #624

Mar 152017

Focus

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle shuddered and jerked with no forward motion. The vehicle was taken to jordan Ford (13010 ih 35 North, san antonio, tx 78233), but they were unable to find the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in a service campaign or recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #623

Sep 082014

Focus

  • 5,000 miles
Severe transmission shudder when applying gas after stopping. It has been diagnosed that it needs a new clutch.I am first owner of car and this clutch has been replaced before. This is a bad purchase that Ford should either exchange or refund for.

- Homewood, AL, USA

problem #622

Sep 132018

Focus

  • 75,444 miles
Car shudders and feels like transmission problems. Replaced clutch under warranty at 31,000 miles and now at 75,000 is is gone again. Over $1,200 repair not covered by Ford.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #621

Sep 032018

Focus

  • 92,800 miles

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

The transmission clutches slip so bad in these automatic transmissions. When you pull across an intersection sometimes it don't catch and it hesitates. You don't know if it's going to stall or not. It's worse on stop and go traffic. I was told the clutches are under extended warranty from a lawsuit. My vehicle was made on 9/24/2013. Supposedly the cutoff date was June of that year. These cars are faulty. I pulled out across a median and the car took off then hesitated. Right as traffic was approaching

- Killen, AL, USA

problem #620

Aug 252018

Focus

  • miles
Bought car new. Auto trans clutch assembly had to be replaced at 40,000 miles in July 2017. Took back to dealership in August 2018 because part faulty again. Dealer wants me to pay $1,200. Ford will not cover the replacement.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #619

Aug 232018

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
Purched vehicle March 6th 2015.got the extended warrenty since then the transmission was fixed 3 times and now the electronic assist steering went out while pulling in my drive making me hit mailbox and make dent in hood of car.called 3 different dealers and all 3 said sorry that's not on recall even thou the same steering is used on other Ford vehicles and are on recall.my warrenty oz up and can not afford to fix transmission and steering.the transmission was moved out to a 5 year 10K mile warrenty.like I said they fixed under warrenty 3 times.this car is a lemon and I have no choice but to send it back and hopefully not be charged for the car.

- Nappanee, IN, USA

problem #618

Mar 032018

Focus

  • 21,000 miles

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

This car was boiught in louisville ky at oxmoore Ford in March 2018 I have taken it back 3 times at 1st said it was not failing then the 2 nd time replaced clutch in transmission and 3rd replaced clutch again and it is now Sept 2018 and not much better still jolting and shudder and hesitation at acceleration this car is very dangerous it also has a vibration at idle

- Fairdale, KY, USA

problem #617

Aug 282018

Focus

  • 68,500 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal within thirty seconds. The contact also stated that the failure occurred for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (lookout Ford, 5557 us-70, morehead city, nc 28557) where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,500.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #616

Apr 162018

Focus

  • miles
2014 Ford Focus with 75K miles needs total transmission replacement to the tune of $7266 dollars..this care was sold as an automatic transmission but is actually a standard. Brought the car in to all star Ford in denham springs la. In April 2018 for bodywork..went to pick car up and transmission is totally broken..they refuse to replace as this happened under their care..car was brought in for bodywork only. Mulitiple Focus owners have had multiple transmission problems. This transmission is defective and Ford knows it. Vehicle jerks when accelerating and jumps going down the road. Vehice still at dealership since April 2018.

- Slaughter, LA, USA

problem #615

Aug 072018

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
Why don"T any websites show there is a class action law suit for 2012-2016 Ford Focus (and 2011 - 2016 fiestas) "?" these cars are not safe!!!! lawsuit settled Oct. 2017, now in appeals. Supposed to cover through 7 years 100K. Purchased this car used from dublin Hyundai. Rental 4+ years enterprise. Prior service at salinas Ford = transmission "flashed", replaced tcm @ 15K and clutch @ 50K. Drove fine on flat roads; started shuddering violently at low speeds and on hills. Loses power as well. Not safe!!! local sonora Ford will not service "doesn't meet the 250 rpms "(currently "only" 192) local Ford will not fix and Hyundai doesn't want to either. Local Ford guys told my 18 year old to "drive it like you stole it" and punch the gas. They also agree it is not safe but "their hands are tied". they say a new clutch will make it okay for 15-20K more, but it the shuddering will re-occur!! these cars are not safe and are lemons and all should be repurchased by Ford and taken off the roads!

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #614

Aug 112018

Focus

  • 0 miles

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

I have already replaced my clutches once but continue to have the same problem. My dealer ship states that they cannot help for my car does not meet the qualifications for it to be covered under warranty even though it has nit exceeded the 150,000 miles. I feel unsafe for my vehicle shutters when I drive and now has begun to lose power when I push on the gas peddle.

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

problem #613

Aug 012018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
This may be a duplicate report. I tried on a different server, but the saved page was blank. I purchased the car used from a rental car Agency. It had about 25, 000 or 30,000 miles. With a short time the car started 'bucking' when shifting through the lower gears. The clutch was replaced. Less than one year the car started 'bucking' again. The clutch was replaced again. Both times at a Ford dealership. In the last month the 'bucking' has started again. I was told that this is not covered under warranty, even though it is the same 'symptom' and the same part. I was told by the manager that my car is not the only car that has had this problem.

- Forgan, OK, USA

problem #612

Aug 132018

Focus

  • 0 miles
2014 Ford Focus has shut down while driving two times. Once in the middle of a busy road I was able to coast the car into a parking lot. The second time in my neighborhood, both times tranmissuon fault service now flashed, the car shuddered until it was at a complete stop. I've had the clutch replaced/fixed 2 times neither covered under fully and I was responsible to pay my warranty deductible. I have had the trandmission control module fixed once and now in the shop again, but was told they don't know what the issue is, haven't seen the codes that populated before. Each time I drive that car I literally risk my life, to have a car just drop RPM to 0, shudder and jerk until I can find somewhere to park it. I drive 40 miles one way to work taking up to 5 different freeways. At what point does my safety and those driving around me become an issue" when I stall out mid highway? when the car jerks to a stop and someone slams into me" each time the car has been taken in, I am told the problem is fixed, yet I find myself back again within months for the same issue. Losing power on a car while being in full motion going up to 45 mph, is not safe for anyone. Having to drive a car that consistently shakes and jerks while in motion, is not safe. How many more times does this need to occur before someone realizes this model is not safe!

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #611

Aug 142018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
The car "bucks" when shifting through the gears. This is an automatic. I have had the car for three years. It was purchased as a used rental car with 30,000 miles, if I remember correctly. Within three months I had a clutch replaced. Less than a year later, the clutch was replaced again. Now, less than ten months later, the clutch has gone bad again. (than 25,000 miles). I was told that this will not be covered. I was told that I am not the only customer that has had this experience with clutches.

- Forgan, OK, USA

problem #610

Aug 072018

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
My car has a severe transmission shudder when applying gas after stopping. It has been diagnosed that it needs a new clutch. I'm aware that Ford has extended the warranty on on this model Focus due to a dysfunction within the design of the dual clutch system, however my VIN number has not received this extended warranty for some reaso and I would have to pay to get it repaired.. the car is not safe due to a defect.

- West Kingston, RI, USA

problem #609

Sep 032013

Focus

  • 48 miles
The first day I drive this car but sales personnel told me it the new Ford transmissions is made. When come to a stop an getting ready to take off you can't get the power when push on gas paddle. To go have wait for power to kick in slowly. Went to dealerships but no help. I hate to wait until I get injury in order get help.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #608

Nov 092017

Focus

  • 43,403 miles
The car was making a rattling noise when going up hills and when accelerating from a stopped position (stop-light). There was also some shaking and jerking. It was determined that it was an issue with the clutch (a class action lawsuit addressed this). The problem was remedied on 11/9/17. The car is starting to experience the same symptoms again although the rattling noise is not as loud as it was the first time. The car makes a rattling sound when going up hills, around curves, and when accelerating from a stopped position. The car was taken to the same dealership where the problem was corrected before and I was given the run around: I was told the rattling noise was "normal". I asked for the invoice to specifically state, "the rattling noise heard is normal" (in order to document what is going on), but they did not honor the request.

- Blairsville, GA, USA

problem #607

Apr 152017

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
Since purchasing the vehicle we have all ready had the control modular changed and it was previously changed 2 times by previous owner it now has been affecting the car for 3 months again and it is no longer covered under warranty. The car violently shacks when you try to accelerate from a stop, it some times won't even go at all! this has become a major issue and every other Focus owner I speak with says they have the same problem and Ford won't do anything... my part is warranted but not the labor and that's the expensive part, this is a ongoing issues and not fair to someone that still has 3 years to pay on a car...

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #606

Jul 262018

Focus

  • 41,893 miles
It only has 40,000 miles on it but I got a "transmission fault. Service now" warning light and the car jerked violently. This happened while driving at a high rate of speed (80 mph) on a high way - I live in Texas where 80 mph is legal. This is a significant risk and can cause accidents as a car behind me could have easily ran into me as I lost speed when transmission went out. Please have Ford recall these dangerous vehicles in order to prevent accidents from happening.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #605

Jul 142018

Focus

  • 101,000 miles
Jerking and hesitation in take off of transmission

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

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