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.
Good afternoon, my family and I have a 2 year old 2014 Ford Focus that we bought brand new off the lot to avoid the problems associated with used cars. 2 weeks ago in the middle of the highway the vehicle began to shudder and lose power and then eventually turned off while in motion. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership and quickly began to try and figure out what is going on. A quick google search revealed we were not the only ones. Experiencing this issue. There appears to be a major issue with the Focus transmission. The dealership state they can find nothing wrong with the car and suggested we drive more aggressively to solve the problem. Immediately we contacted Ford Motor Company as this is clearly a bigger issue than just my car. Fmc states there is nothing they can do because they can't prove that anything happened and there are no codes. No codes=no problem. They have refused to investigate any further. Then next time my car stops could be in front of another car and can kill someone. Ford is refusing to do anything to rectify the issue and is putting my family and many other family's lives in danger. Please help me. Do a search online about the Focus and you will see that I am not the only one. Please. I am scared to drive my own car but I do not feel safe. It lurches forward, stops responding and shudders.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the transmission slipped and caused the vehicle to hesitate before accelerating. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission module and clutch were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Low tire pressure light appears every two to three weeks. At least one tire needs to be inflated, sometimes more than one tire needs to be inflated. The Ford dealer inflates them usually. Tire pro has also inflated tires. Ford doesn't tell me what problem is, they just keep inflating the tires. Light appears when vehicle is being driven on a city street, highway, turning and stationary. Also, vehicle shudders on acceleration from the moment I purchased vehicle. Took vehicle to Ford service department. Vehicle doesn't shudder as bad as before but still has issue.
I would like to file a complaint about a defective transmission control module for my 2014 Ford Focus. I have had it worked on or replaced three times, and am still experiencing issues. After replacement, the transmission control is very sluggish, and then it starts experiencing substantial clutch shudder (shaking with shifting) within a few thousand miles. This has happened every time, and the dealership has not proposed any alternative solutions. I see there is a class action suit about this, and also a recall. Attempting to find out what the next steps should be to resolve this safety issue.
- Rosharon, TX, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My transmission shudders, does not shift properly, hesitates to go, and jerks while shifting. I took it to mt dealership and they said that this is within the specs of Ford recent repair to the transmission which was recalled. I have taken my car to the dealership several times for this issue and have gotten nowhere! this issue started in April of 2014 and has continued even after the recall repair.
Automatic transmission shutters when starting from a standing stop and when advancing through the gears. Vehicle will drift forward or backward when setting on a slope after releasing the brake but before applying the accelerator. This is supposed to be an automatic transmission but is very dangerous. Dealer refuses to fix the car under warranty.
My vehicle has only 57K miles and the vehicle flutters when accelerating from a stopped position. It does not speed up normally. I fear that when switching lanes or leaving a stop sign/red light I could possibly get rear ended due to the car not speeding up like it should. It shakes and rattles when trying to take off as if it doesn't want to go anywhere. While depressing gas pedal is also makes a loud noise. When on highway, it won't speed up at times or it goes way below speed limits. Cars honk their horns at me as it appears that im not trying to go anywhere. It's been happening since I purchased the vehicle 09/2016.
This a copy of thecomplaint I filed with Ford who responded I should bring it back for service for the 6th time. Hi catherine, #1 when I spoke to your customer relationship center on Wednesday I told daniel who answered the call that I had the car to bill currie Ford 3 times and to parks Ford in wesley chapel twice. He said all he needed was the last place we took it to which I told him parks of wesley chapel. I never even heard of parks Lincoln tampa #2 no the car is not there at the it is in my possession at the moment. #3 the reason as you may well know already is the shifting problem that has been going on for some years in the Ford Focus. This past new years eve with were almost broadsided trying to cross a 6 lane intersection which was the final straw. Here is the history of the car which we acquired on Feb 26th 2015 brand new 5/7 at bill currie Ford re-calibrated transmission a few months later took it to parks Ford, they said they tested and could find anything wrong did not receive a statement but they must have it on record 1/5/16 bill currie Ford said they reprogrammed the clutch 2/18/16 bill currie Ford said they installed new clutch 9/19/16 parks Ford said they tested car and found nothing wrong. 12/31/16 almost got killed because car would not shift correctly.
The vehicle le transmission slips during takeoff from a stop. The vehicle lunges forward then feels like it will stall. Attempts to change driving habits has no effect. It feels unsafe when trying to turn from a stop. This occurred mostly during city driving in all weather conditions. It has also happened while accelerating during merging into freeway traffic.
Since new, this car surges, jumps, and stalls for several seconds when starting from stop. It does not do it all the time but occasionally. This is especially dangerous when entering fast moving highway traffic. The car has stalled several times in the last 3 years almost causing an accident when entering fast moving traffic from a stopped position. I believe several models of the 2014 Ford have this problem. It definitely has a transmission problem but I believe there may also be a fuel problem, perhaps the fuel pump. It is just a matter of time before this problem kills someone. Can"T we require Ford to fix this problem? I have had this car in two different dealerships trying to get it fixed on several occasions. One Ford employee told me that Ford would only fix the transmission if it is making a loud grinding metallic sound. I had the car tested at one dealership and they said the transmission failed their test and they would repair it. I left the car with them for several days and when I came to pick it up they said it had passed their test this time and they would not repair the transmission. The employee that had told me they would fix my car was no longer with them. I am not sure of the exact dates when the car stalled almost causing an accident so I will give you my best estimate on your form. As an individual, I obviously have no power to require Ford to do what is right and fix my car. You are the only entity with this power. Won?T you please require Ford Motor Company to fix this problem before someone is killed" thank you for your assistance. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The transmission causes the car to shudder and jerk on acceleration, and has caused a miss-shift while turning left, shifting into a high gear and stalling in on coming traffic multiple times. The transmission has been replaced twice, with the same faulty design, and is failing a third time with 50,000 miles. Car was bought brand new
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the gear shifter was jerking when attempting to shift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch transmission control module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred numerous time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,908.
I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus with a salvage title. I noticed the transmission was slipping when accelerating. I was told that there was a recall from Ford about this issue so I took the vehicle to mathews Ford dealership in sandusky, oh. They said that in fact there was a recall. They test drove it and said they would order the parts for repair at no cost to us. We received a call from mathews Ford on 1-9-17 saying Ford would not cover it because it being a salvaged title. There are a couple of concerns we have with this. First, Ford admitted this was a recalled vehicle. Selling and buying a salvaged vehicle is not illegal. And now I have the expense of fixing a problem Ford has had with these cars since 2012.
I bought the car in Feb 27 2015. The car would shutter climbing hills and on take off. We took it to the service dept. And we were told there was nothing wrong 2 times. Finally on 09/2015 they did a software update and was told it was fixed. The problem started up again took it back in 11/15 and they replaced the clutch assembly. The problem came back again 5/2016 they did another software update. The problem persisted so they installed updated clutches and software update.the problem came back again on 12/2016 wheel speed sensor failed, they replaced the sensor and once again was told the problem was fixed. It is now 01/2016 and once again the problem is back. Took it to the service department again.the service tech that test drove the car with me told me yep it is shuttering again and told me to stop on the side of the road and come to a complete stop then press the gas pedal to the floor until it hits 4th gear then let up and repeat it one more time and that would clean the dust off the clutches. So one again I have an appointment to have this transmission serviced again. We have contacted Ford numerous times and the first time they were more than willing to try to fix the problem. Now when we contact them we are treated like we are making this up.we called them a week ago and a woman by the name of [xxx] at [xxx] ext [xxx] was supposed to contact me within 24 hours. I still have not talked to her and I called numerous times ad left messages. Instead someone else contacted us and proceeded to tell us the shuttering was normal. When I told them this was not normal and has almost caused at least 2 accidents and I was ready to get a lawyer I was told if I got a lawyer my case would be closed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The vehicle was repaired per a recall for the transmission and the computer was reprogrammed. The vehicle received another recall repair regarding the transmission; however, the contact was unable to remember the recall repair. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift properly without depressing the accelerator pedal with immense force. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer did not indicate a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.
My transmission will slip out of gears lose power while accelerating and stops completely when that happens dealership replaces tcm twice and clutch once but the jerking gears slipping out and sudden loss of power has never been resolved also my A/C lines have had holes rubbed into them from serpentine belt another problem is electrical the sync and radio stopped working at 30000 miles was fixed under warrenty and stopped working again at 70000 miles told not under warrenty any more it is very dangerous because out of nowhere the speakers will crack at full volume startling driver. Another problem at 40000 miles a car pulles into my path causing me to slam into the side of there car at 45 mph with no time to stop my airbags did not deploy causing me to smash face of windshield and seat belt was fastened told dealership about this they said the car has a smart airbag that calculates the rate of deceleration of when to deploy airbags not sure how 45 mph to 0mph is not enough deceleration.
Transmission fault: As I was driving the vehichle began to swerve and slow down. As I tried to maintain control I attempted to give the car gas but it would not move. Luckily I was able to hit the flashers and cars behind me went around. Transmission fault appeared in the info screen. The car was purchased in 2014 and has always had a stutter and shake during acceleration and deceleration. Also when putting it in gear a grinding sound is heard. I have taken it to the dealership several times and they say "oh it just takes getting used to". they have also claimed to "reset" it. With the car stopping and swerving I was very fortunate not to be in a sever accident. This happened right near the turnpike and large semis and heavy traffic were around. I was able to get to the roadside and call for help. Ford knows there is a problem. They have extended the warranty on transmission until 100,000. But this problem is dangerous. It needs to be recalled asap. Several thousand complaints and lawsuits have been filed. (see attachment)
Traction control is a hazard, when you need power to the wheels and the traction control engages you have zero power. While going up a slight incline with snow on the surface the wheels spun briefly and engaged the traction control, lost all power to the front wheels and had to back down. Talking with the dealer they said it is normal, not safe, but normal. Now, you can turn the tc off but requires multiple steps with programming switch in the steering wheel, plus, every time you turn vehicle off it resets tc to on. There needs to an easy access switch to turn tc off while driving or at the very least, Ford needs to reprogram the vehicles so when you turn tc off, it stays off until you turn back on. Loosing power in traffic on a hill could be very dangerous and at the best causes you to back down.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cleveland, TX, USA