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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 44 of 71)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #544

Nov 012017

Focus

  • miles

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

At times the car won't start, then after a few minutes it starts. Cuts off while driving at any speed as if it is out of gas. Cuts off on the interstate while driving at high speed or low speed. First the batter and oil light appears in red on dash when pushing the gas nothing happens and it cuts off. It stalls more and more, the fuel gage somes goes past full or fluctuates when driving. After putting gas in car it stalls more. Also, as I pull off after stopped or initially, the car hesitates and skips and the tires skip when until it gets past 15 -20 miles then the transmission is steady when it's not salling.. when it rains the passenger side floor and roof leaks water constantly when I am driving in water the passenger side floor gets wet. When it rains and the car is parked water leaks and the passenger roof is wet from front to back as well as about 2 inches of water on the passenger front and back on the floor.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #543

Oct 162014

Focus

  • 15,000 miles
Transmission at highway speed jumps out of gear. Had Ford look at it and they would not even drive it just put it on the computer and said its fine. Also it slips when pulling out. Worst car that I've owned never buy another had 2007 with no issues

- Monroe, GA, USA

problem #542

Oct 272017

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
When starting from a stopped mode the car jerks through 1st and 2nd gears. When accelerating quickly it is hard to control the car. Took to dealer (max Ford harrisonville, mo) and he said it was the electric clutch. The 2012 and 2013 had a campaign with an extended warranty of 7 years or 100K miles to replace the clutch. He did not know why my 2014 was not covered since it is the same engine and clutch. My car has 67K miles so is out of the basic warranty. I called Ford and they could not give a reason as to why it was not covered. Short of spending 1500 dollars to have clutch replaced I am stuck. I was told by dealer this would only be a temporary fix anyway because the clutch only lasts about 30K miles.

- Garden City, MO, USA

problem #541

Oct 012017

Focus

  • 60,000 miles

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

Vehicle has an automatic transition but does not transition from one gear to the next properly. When accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerks before the transmission switches gears. The "clutch" has been replaced by the dealership one already as "defective". this was approximately a year and a half ago. Now the problem is happening again. Vehicle is at dealership having the exact same repair done. Major devalue to vehicle and concerned this will just happen again since the car is less than 3 years old and is already having the third clutch installed (including original).

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #540

Mar 102017

Focus

  • 1 miles
When vehicle is in a stopped position at for ex: A red light and you give it a little gas to move - the vehicle will lunge forward out of control - the vehicle will also accelerate on its own and decelerate on its own - and gears are sputtering - this is a serious safety hazard - was taken to Ford dealership for repair and was told its operating normally. And these problems continue to happen - there are current class action suits against Ford for faulty transmissions - my dealership and Ford Corp refuse to do anything to remedy this issue -

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #539

Oct 232017

Focus

  • 63,700 miles
I noticed that my Ford Focus automatic was driving hesitantly/ shuddering/ delayed gear shifting, the same set of problems for which my car got a recall repair 13 mos. Ago in which the clutch and seals were replaced. I took my vehicle in to the dealership service dept. Where they discovered the same replacements need to be done again. Cost quote: $1500. They claim it's not covered by the recall and not under extended warranty.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #538

Oct 032017

Focus

  • 16,481 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked and the clutch failed to shift out of gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to anderson Ford (124 S sangamon ave, gibson city, il 60936, phone number: (217) 784-4119) where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 16,481.

- Louisville, TX, USA

problem #537

Oct 032017

Focus

  • 42,000 miles
5 speed manual transmission, loss of power at 3K RPM in all gears. This occured on the highway at 60 mph, speed slowly decreased to 45 mph and I was able to exit the highway safely. No check engine lights or warnings. Called dealership and they suggested using a fuel injection cleaner.

- Mukilteo, WA, USA

problem #536

Aug 152017

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
The clutches in the Ford automatic 6-speed power shift transmission fail within a year timeframe. Currently on my third set of clutches. A recall extending the warranty on these clutches was issued for the same transmission used between 8-1-10 and 6-5-13. My car was build on 12-8-13 and does not have the extended coverage but certainly has the same problem. Clutches fail within a year and exhibit a chattering jerking condition. Ford will not extend the warranty on my vehicle. I filed a complaint #cas-12870770-Q5T9F0 with Ford customer service.

- Dauphin, PA, USA

problem #535

Sep 182017

Focus

  • 78,800 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle hesitated and jerked without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to western avenue Nissan (7410 S western ave, Chicago, il 60636) from where it was purchased. The contact was informed that the transmission malfunctioned and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to metro Ford sales and service (6455 S western ave, Chicago, il 60636 (773) 776-7600) where the contact was informed to call the manufacturer. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced on July 28, 2016 per tsb number: 15B22 (transmission control module reprogramming for overty tcm failure warning- 2011-2015 Ford fiesta and 2012-2014 Ford Focus) at fox Ford Lincoln (2501 N elston ave, Chicago, il 60647 (888) 380-8568). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,800.

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

problem #534

Sep 292017

Focus

  • 89,354 miles

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

Excess clutch shudder during acceleration in lower gears. Causes vehicle to accelerate unpredictably which could cause traffic accidents. Ford replaced the clutch a few times. But won't do it again. They say tsb 15-0120 was superseded and no longer applies to my vehicle. This problem is getting worse over time. Vehicle is at 89,354 miles over two and a half years and is driven carefully and safely, and should not have needed so many clutches in such a short time.

- Wenonah, NJ, USA

problem #533

Sep 062017

Focus

  • 59,912 miles
The is a serious issue with this vehicle. It St-udders badly as you accelerate. However, upon bringing this into the Ford store in pueblo they are using some bullshit excuse saying that this is a 14M01 and therefore not covered as the 14M02 is. They are shysters and they don't want to cover their faulty product. This is a safety issue and should be resolved. The poor lady that bought this care from us carpros in pueblo Colorado is the victim here. Who can we contact to resolve this issue. Ford conveniently doesn't give you a number to hq. We don't really know where to go with this issue other than to you guys. Ford needs to handle this! this car reacts this way as soon as you hit the gas. It seems to be a very common issue with this model and year of Ford Focus and Ford in pueblo, co at least is trying to duck it.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #532

Nov 022014

Focus

  • 9,999 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact lost power steering and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the front passenger side fender to the rear quarter panel was severely damaged. Additionally, the transmission began to shudder. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to hagerstown Ford (1714 massey blvd, hagerstown, md 21740, (301) 733-3673) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced for the second time. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V514000 (steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 9,999.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #531

Sep 062017

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
Transmission chatters and shudders, and does not shift in correct RPM range (according to dealership test). PS6 clutch replacement necessary for second time on 2014 Ford Focus. First replacement after 55K miles. Second replacement after another 35K miles (total mileage on car 90K). Since clutch failure is common on 2014 Ford Focus, need Ford warranty extended to cover this expense. (Ford dealership price to replace the clutch is $1341 for 9 hours of labor plus $463 for clutch and $71 for the seal assembly oil.) clutch replacement is due to mechanical design; not due to normal wear and tear, not due to operator.

- Poway, CA, USA

problem #530

Sep 042017

Focus

  • 59,691 miles
My car has had mulitple issues in the past 2 years with over 7 visits pertaining to the transmission. From the beginning its had problems with stuttering and hesitating on acceleration.I'm currently without my car for the 5th time thia year due to problems which have been taken car of by warranty but is still coating me money due to rentals.

- Lemon Grove, CA, USA

problem #529

Aug 282017

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
While driving down the road at 30 mph my vehicle stalled and lost complete power. I was nearly involved in an accident, but fortunately the alert drivers around me were able to brake in time. A friendly samaritan helped to push my vehicle to the side of the road. Thankfully I was physically okay, but emotionally not so much. I purchased a brand new 2014 Ford Focus off of the lot and have since had nothing but issues. I'm still paying on the vehicle today and now it is not in use unless I can come up with $2,500 to repair the entire fuel system. This system should not have failed at only 67,000 miles. There is an issued recall on similar Ford vehicles manufactured from 2013-2015 which is the same time frame in which my vehicle was manufactured. After repeated attempts to come to a resolution through Ford customer service, they won't even offer information on the type of fuel system used on the vehicles with the recall because they don't want to be liable for this defect. I'm out of a vehicle at 67,000 miles and have no consumer protection. It's scary to read about the 100's of people who experienced the exact same fuel system malfunction at similar mileage. This is a serious safety issue that Ford needs to address immediately. In addition, since I have had the vehicle the transmission has been jerky and I can't even accelerate onto a highway. Ford had vehemently denied that it was anything wrong with the manufacturer transmission and yet since they have issued a recall on the transmission, but now tell me I'm too far past my warranty(which was only 7,000 miles ago) I'm heartbroken because I don't have the money to repair this sort of system, especially knowing it is a defect on their part.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #528

Aug 312017

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
The vehicle was purchased new and the problem with the clutch (which has been replaced twice) begin to occur shortly after the purchase. While driving on the highway or on main roads with a stop light the car would jerk when I would begin to excel. This problem was noted every time I took my car in for an oil change. I was then notified that there was a recall on the part. The part was then replaced once the back order shipment came in. The module was eventually updated because my concern with the jerking continued. In July, my car began to hesitate while driving and then completely cut off while in reverse. The car was then towed to the dealership and the module was replaced. Today as I write this notification the problem with the hesitation while the car is placed in reverse has begun again. I am very unhappy with the car and was told that I was $10,000 upside down on the car if I traded it in. I do not trust driving the car and daily my commute to work is over 65 miles on the highway.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #527

Jul 032017

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic was able to reset the check engine indicator and the vehicle operated for several days before the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to upper marlboro Ford (located at 5701 crain highway, upper marlboro, md 20772, tel: (301) 627-5600). The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure on several occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #526

Aug 222017

Focus

  • 24,000 miles
Received a warning on the freeway to pull over when safe. When slowing to a stop the vehicle lost all power and had to be pushed off of the freeway. A power cycle of the car restored power.

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

problem #525

Aug 182017

Focus

  • 36,000 miles
This vehicle shutters on acceleration from a stop so bad you have to hold on to the steering wheel tightly. Has already had the clutch replaced. This occurs every time the vehicle is at a stop. I marked the date as August 18th, but it happens every day.

- Rochester, PA, USA

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