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. While driving between 25 to 65 mph, the "transmission overheated" warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). The vehicle was taken to crossroads Ford of kernersville, Inc (1330 nc ' 66, kernersville, nc 27284, 877-331-8058) where it was diagnosed that the transmission modules and transmission clutches failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated and jerked when engaged in the park position. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to sawgrass Ford (14501 w sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl 33323, 954-851-9000), but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the power clutch was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated or diagnosed. The vehicle continued to accelerate and jerk. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and the power shifter was replaced, but the failure occurred the next day. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered to buy-back the vehicle as a down payment for a new vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Driving on the interstate in atlanta, ga traveling around 65 mph and the car lost power and the transmission seemed to shift into neutral. I had to coast to the slow lane to be able to pull on the shoulder, as I had no power. After turning the car off and back on, I was able to put the car into drive and exit the interstate, but the car lost power again shortly after and I had to pull over and power cycle again. At that point, I pulled into a business parking lot and called a tow truck. The car would not even start up again at this point.
2014 Ford Focus SE transmission recall/ repair. The transmission slips and jerks badly. Was told by Ford that this was a know problem for this car with this type transmission, but they would not help me. It is throwing codes for this.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission shuttered, the vehicle shook abnormally, and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (cavalier Ford at chesapeake square, 4021 portsmouth blvd, chesapeake, va 23321, 757-488-8311) several times, but they could not diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired after several attempts. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. Consumer is still having shaking and shuddering on accereration. This vehicle model is a safety hazard. It has been in 8 times for transmission issues. No VIN available updated 10/09/18
Ford replaced transmission module/sendor car kept stalling. Was in highspeed lane car just cut off. Happened 2X in 8 days. Ford says no recalls but same issue keeps happening. It is unsafe it could have been fatal I was in rush hr traffic. Thank god I was going down an incline and could coast enough to get to the side of the road.
2014 Ford Focus SE. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issues. The consumer stated after 30,000, the vehicle began experiencing stuttering, jerking, and power loss. The vehicle was repaired, but the recurred.
This vehicle bogs down, has low power, and slow acceleration. Does not show any fault codes or service lights. I took this Ford Focus to two different shops; one of them being a Ford dealer. They could not find anything wrong. No part failures. No codes to troubleshoot. They said that they can not explain the reasoning for this by the car seems fine although it has this issue. It makes leaving from a stop very dangerous as the car is really slow to accelerate. It has almost caused two accidents where other drivers arent expecting my slow acceleration. This is common in the vehicles with the automatic transmissions. But my Focus has a manual transmission. So Ford dealers and service support online are at a miss for what the issue would be as the vehicle shows no issues in the health report. After talking to Ford service online they have asked for me to go to the NHTSA and place an official report so that this issue can be investigated as it is not the first. This vehicle has had the spark plugs, coils replaced and still no difference. This is a danger for anyone driving or near this vehicle while driving.
Transmission: While driving the vehicle the transmission in some cases will shift very rapidly giving the vehicle no acceleration power. The vehicle feels sluggish and vibrates. Also, while driving over speed humps or through an intersection in almost every instance the vehicle starts to vibrate after going over the speed hump or through the intersection. Fuel pump: While driving the car the car lost all power while driving in las cruces, New Mexico. The car did not stall completely however when depressing the accelerator the car would just now increase in RPM's. I took the car into a mechanics shop and they were not able to duplicate problem. I drive the car for another year and this time the car again started to sputter. It turned out to be the fuel pump.
The vehicle does a studdering and stalling. In 2015, Ford said they fixed it and that some of the studdering is because it's a 4 cyl vehicle. In May 2018 I brought the car back stating the same issue but worst. They said it's the tcm and it would cost me $1850. I complained to Ford Motor Company and they extended the warranty. Ford said they fixed it. The next day I had to bring the car back because the dashboard said "transmission overheating please stop" then it stall on me in the middle of traffic. I took it back to them and asked what did they fixed. They had the car for 2 days then called me to tell me it's the clutch and it's not covered under the warranty and it costs $2400. The clutch is part of the transmission so why isn't it" they are now telling me because my car has 94000 miles on it that it is normal wear and tear. Who buys a brand new vehicle for it to conk out on them at 94000" they will not fix my car without me paying for it. This is a defective part that Ford has and they refuse to take ownership of the matter and resolve it. I had to participate in a class action suit against Ford regarding this. Several others are now being compensated but they are residents of ca which has stricter lemon laws. The suit is now on hold.
The dual clutch powershift transmission has begun to fail on me. It jerks suddenly at highway speeds, has RPM flares and will not shift into reverse. When brought to sayville Ford, lenny told me that this particular model 2014 Ford Focus was not covered by any extended warranty and would therefore cost me 2200 to repair. He did explain to me that the tcm was under warranty, but this was apparently not the issue with the vehicle. I continue to have these issues.
I have a 2014 Ford Focus that has a dps6 transmission that needs to have the clutches replaced. I bought used in Dec 2015 and in early 2016 I started to have shuttering problems. I took the car to the dealer and they told me that this was normal. About 6 months later I had the same issue again. Took my car back to the dealer and they told me that the transmission is learning how you drive and this was normal. About 6 months after that my engine stalled because my transmission would not go between gears. I finally got my car started and took it to the dealer and they reflashed my tcm. My car ran alright for awhile and then I started to have problems again with shifting and shuddering. Took my car back to the dealer and was told my clutches were out of specs and needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,000 which I cannot afford. At no time did the dealer give me any paperwork. Even after I asked for paperwork. Now I continue to have problems with shuddering and the engine light will come on and the go away after the car sits overnight. When the engine is cold everything works fine until the engine gets warm and then I start having problems again. After doing some research. I notice there is a technical service bulletin 16-0109. However Ford will not fix. They tell me my car is not on this list. Whatever this means. I am truly frustrated with Ford and I am afraid that I may cause a accident. Apparently I am not the only one having these problems. Why is there no recall on these vehicles? Ford knowing knew about these problems and continued to sell these vehicles and not forced to fix.
Tramission fault service now error recieved while vehicle was in motion on the highway during heavy rain travelling the speed limit of 60 mph. The car jerked and decelerated rapidly.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the transmission slipped when the gears changed. The vehicle was taken to race skillman Ford (1250 us 31 South, greenwood, in 46143) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping and needed two unknown parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: Chs-14864865. The failure mileage was 86,437.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the transmission slipped when the gears changed. The vehicle was taken to race skillman Ford (1250 us 31 South, greenwood, in 46143) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping and needed two unknown parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: Chs-14864865. The failure mileage was 64,208.
2014 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to fuel vapor system malfunction. The consumer stated the vehicle would shutter when stopped, the RPM increases then decreases. The consumer was advised the gas tank was deformed and needed to be replaced.
Vacuum seal on gas tank is faulty and gets air bubbles and the car cuts off at random. It cut off in the middle of an intersection yesterday and I almost got hit. I've reported this issue multiple times. Several other ones were recalled but not my VIN number but it's the exact same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Winston Salem, NC, USA