Print this page

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:
39,086 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 69)

problem #1368

Nov 112014

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission failed to shift as intended and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM module was reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that two clutches needed to be replaced inside the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Little Rock, SC, USA

problem #1367

Jun 292024

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated, and the transmission hesitated while shifting gear. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally slightly rolled backwards. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer retrieved DTC codes: P0783 and P2872. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Wheeler, MI, USA

problem #1366

Mar 012024

Focus

  • miles
The general information I have is my transmission is not working, and it causes the car to stall and jerk unexpectedly, it will be driving fine then aggressively slow down almost to a stop, then launch forward, which could cause an accident to the person in front of me or behind. When these events happen it-??s on and off, and the stalling will follow multiple times during a driving period. The engine light will come on, and many mechanics we have talked to have said to either replace the transition or sell the car, and the transmission is the same price I paid for the car. It-??s ultimately unfortunate because it is a great car, low miles, in great condition, and I am young into college with big loans and can-??t afford to fix this car.

- York, ME, USA

problem #1365

Jun 182024

Focus

  • 84,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and then decelerated independently, surging several times before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #1364

Jun 102024

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The service engine soon warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02, and Technical Service Bulletin: 16-0129 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #1363

Jul 012023

Focus

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving on four occasions at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into neutral(N) inadvertently and would not shift into any other gear. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed again, and the transmission eventually shifted into the desired gear. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering with an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while changing gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly and shift motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #1362

Jun 172024

Focus

  • miles

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

I have been trying to get my car fixed but they will not honor the recalled part. I took it to another garage bc Ford is saying it's my clutch but I seem for my own eyes the only code was for the tcm. And then Ford told me they do not honor another mechanics diagnostics.

- Hurricane, WV, USA

problem #1361

Jun 142024

Focus

  • 149,127 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was stalling and jerking. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated when the transmission was shifted into gear and attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 149,127.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #1360

May 282024

Focus

  • miles
As I have stated before, this seems to be an issue with all cars like this and the year! I am very disappointed that I heard NOTHING back from the first time I sent this. Spending over $4000 on a $4000 car is ridiculous

- Rockmart, GA, USA

problem #1359

Jun 102024

Focus

  • miles
This is for a shuttering clutch. I was not put in an unsafe position. The problem was found by the dealer when the car was in having a TCM replaced. There was no warning lamps or any other indication. I was told from the dealer I purchased the car from that it was an automatic but had a clutch and would feel like a manual transmission when it shifts. The dealer told me there was a Consumer Satisfaction Program 19N08 but it had expired and there is nothing they could do. Ford-??s Customer Care told me the same thing. My car is over the 7 years but has 77,200 miles which is way below the 100,000 to qualify for 19N08. This program only ran from 2019-2020 before it expired. A car like mine has low miles and didn-??t see the problem until now but is left out of a known problem because of the short program time frame. Now after only owning the car for 6 months I have to pay approximately $2700 to fix this known problem. This program needs to be opened back up or allow every vehicle with this problem to use the program one time without the time restriction.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #1358

May 212024

Focus

  • miles

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

When the transmission went out, it shuddered so hard it broke the motor mounts. This is a serious problem and needs to be one recall list! I just had to pay $4000 to have the clutch, nigh shift levers engagement bearing and bearing support tube replaced. The dealership can almost do this car with his eyes closed because he has done so many! This should not be the case!!!

- Rockmart, GA, USA

problem #1357

May 172024

Focus

  • miles
It did the exact same thing it did in April! Driving in traffic this time. The jerking, and not wanting to excelerate... then jumps from drive to neutral doing 70 mph! On hwy 59! THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AT THIS POINT! MAKE FORD FIX THIS

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #1356

May 182022

Focus

  • miles
Car shudders and bucks because of a faulty clutch brake as stated by the dealership that diagnosed it.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #1355

Feb 152024

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated the clutch had been replaced on several occasions. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign the vehicle hesitated to come to a full stop. Additionally, under rainy conditions, the vehicle failed to fully respond to the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #1354

Feb 012015

Focus

  • 50 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated, and the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired six times, but the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #1353

May 202024

Focus

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved significantly while the transmission was in 1st gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift to a higher gear. The contact stated that upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shifted to the next gear; however, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The message "Service Transmission Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was recalibrated twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission slave cylinder, the levers A and B and the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000. The VIN was not available.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #1352

May 022024

Focus

  • miles
I believe the defective TCM cause all kinds of havoc on the other systems. And Ford KNOWS they can not fix this issue. Cause car to accelerate an come to a stop in the street! No way safe

- Hattiesburg , MS, USA

problem #1351

May 172024

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle is a 2014 Ford Focus equipped with a PowerShift dual-clutch transmission-named DSP6. The vehicle exhibits a Faulty automatic transmission/shift malfunction and is unable to shift properly; causing intermittent engine deceleration coming to a stop; this indicates there is a shift malfunction and a faulty transmission. This problem has been confirmed by the dealer.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #1350

Aug 172021

Focus

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. In addition, the failure occurred while the contact was driving from a stop sign or driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the clutch had previously been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #1349

May 162024

Focus

  • 213,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After jumpstarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 213,000.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?