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:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,950 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.
In my 2014 Ford Focus, the radio is making awful sounds. It started off as music would stop playing then a loud bang would happen and the radio would cut back on immediately after. Now it is an issue where the radio and car is completely turned off and will make loud popping, static, screeching, and white noise. Currently, it is still having these same issues while driving and even when the vehicle is parked and the key is out of the ignition; I have also found the issue has progressed worse to where the car is making these noises after opening the drivers door with no key near and after not being driven for a couple of days.when the issue had started I was at a busy intersection and it sounded like cars were rear ending me. I am scared to drive my car because these sounds are sudden and as a young driver it is extremely dangerous, because these sounds are loud enough for me to potentially jerking the wheel and causing an accident. I have contacted Ford on multiple occasions about this issue because it is extremely concerning for me, they said that they could not do anything, and could not even tell me some plans to potentially fix it without having the dealership diagnosis the issue which is a lot of money when it is not an owner error. I have also looked at multiple online forms where hundreds of people with focuses ranging from 2012-2015 are also having this issue and are not getting help from Ford at all. All owners agree this is an extremely dangerous issue that needs to be resolved and it seems like we are getting pushed to the back-burner because it is not a safety issue, when it indeed is. I have also found where mechanics are telling people the fuses could be bad, which could start a fire which is extremely concerning. I also found where Ford issued a tsb for 2012-2013 models that are having the same issue.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine indicator kept randomly flashing. Crown Ford (256 swain St, fayetteville, nc 28303, (910) 920-9614) was notified of the failure several times, but was unable to determine a permanent remedy to repair the vehicle after it had been back and forth to the dealer more than three times. The vehicle shuttered and shook abnormally. While driving approximately 65 mph, the speed decelerated to 0 and the contact quickly maneuvered the vehicle to prevent a crash. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the contact was uncertain if the manufacturer had a permanent remedy. In addition, the diagnostic trouble codes flickered when checked by an independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 65,574.
The engine light came on stating that it is a O2 sensor issue. I've replaced the O2 sensor several times. I've had mechanics and the dealership look at it with no ability to figure out what it is. It is believed to be electrical, most likely the wire harness. My alternator was affected as well by this electrical issue. I have had to put in a few new O2 sensors, two new alternators, and a battery.
Takata inflators. This car was unsafe to drive, when you get to a red light, the car jerked you, when you place your feet on the brakes. Then when you press the accelerator to go it jerk back and pulled you forward. Changing geers would hard to shift and sometimes stick. The engine light would come on, the car was taken to Ford dealership 3 times and tested, they never fixed the problem. I almost crased at the stop sign trying to stop, the brakes got stuck. I had the car for one month, and filled a lemmon law complaint on line, and they insisted I had to wait a period of time, because I just purchased the car. After the 3rd, time visting the Ford repair shop, in one month time, I was disappointed and where I bought the car from at a Kia dealership, they would not give me my money back, only offered to trade the Ford Focus in back to them and buy a Kia car from them, I loss my down payment, and got stuck with a roll over fee of 4,500 from the remaining balance of the Ford Fusion added on to the new Kia. And a higher car payment. They sold E a lemon, and had a warranty and still refuse to fix the car. The transmission was bad and they sold the Ford to the auction to get it off their hands. I was stalled for 30 days believing they would fix the car, the lemon law couldn't help me after I faxed all the papers to them. The Ford Focus was on the recall list, and I don't have the car now, is there anyway I can get credited for the $4.500 in a law suit for buying the Ford under warranty and they refuse to fix the car right.
The car randomly stalls and dies while I am driving it. It has died on the interstate and on rural roads and highways. This is very dangerous and there is currently a recall out on a part of the 2014 Ford Focus which causes this problem. It dies when I am driving and coasting, when I accelerate, and when I have my cruise set.
- Tolono, IL, USA
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Takata recall electrical wiring is going in and out, radio is not saving stations that I save, display goes in and out and has static. Warning sign apperars every so often
This appears to be the same issue as the 14S17-S1 recall affecting the 2013-2014 Ford Focus St and escape models. Lost all power while driving and engine began stuttering while I was traveling on the highway at 65 miles per hour. I was barely able to reach to shoulder before the vehicle was immobilized. I was charged 830 dollars by my local dealership (inver grove Ford Lincoln in inver grove heights mn) to locate and repair chaffed and damaged wiring in the engine harness in the identical location to the St and escape models.
Started hearing crackling/popping noises from my radio, sometimes even with the key off. Sometimes very loud, which surprises me while driving. Which is obviously extremely dangerous.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was idling, it failed to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle also experienced hesitation when accelerating and shut off on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure and a faulty transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.
When turning left or right it would make a grinding noise at all speeds on backroads or highway speeds. Also, when going straight it was difficult to maintain a straight path and takes resistance. When I took it to the Ford dealership they stated it was an electrical issue in the computer for the steering system causing it to malfunction.
Car has stalled six times in one week transmission has shift to neutral while in drive when car stalls have to pull to side of road and put in park and restart transmission shudders no power very dangerous situation almost rear -ended by truck an engine malfunction service now message will display on message screen yesterday was by far the worst day engine dies pull to side of road put in park restart put in drive like it was in neutral turn car off restart put in drive very little power to transmission pull back over to side of road restart put in drive had power to transmission.will park vehicle until situation is resoved
Ever since we had the tcm reset by the dealership I've had a problem with my car starting and shutting off while at a stop but not it not even starting anymore and I've replaced fuses and the ground wire on it which made it work for a day or two than nothing and it's been like this for a few months now please help me to figure out what I need to do to fix it or let me swap for another thank you for looking into this for me so please let me know
After the recall "repair" my car began exhibiting the issues described in the recall. This system caused my clutch to burn up and now Ford will not repair issue. Stepping on the gas either floods engine or stalls engine. Issue is especially noticed when leaving a stopped state.
I have had absolutely nothing but problems with this car. Haven't been able to drive it for two years because it's problem after problem. First the transmission went out and we spent 3000 to fix it just for it to get home and start knocking in the engine. Now the car won't even turn over or even turn on. I've heard of so many recalls on this car and it's extremely unsafe and I'm too scared to even take it back in to fix it further because I do not feel safe driving this car. I've contacted Ford multiple times with absolutely no help. No one should buy this car at all.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shuddered when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the fuel gauge failed to display the correct fuel level. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called lafontaine Ford of birch run (11661 N beyer rd, birch run, mi 48415, (989) 652-6157) and was informed to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 108,980.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, it operated in limp mode. Varney Ford Inc (located at 237 moosehead trail, newport, me 04953, (888) 460-7356) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle diagnosed on April 12, 2019. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was also made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Electrical wiring malfunction, internal computer is malfunctioning not giving detailed on info for my car if anything is wrong. Fuel line malfunction. Small leak and smell
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact was unable to start the vehicle and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000.
Every time my Ford Focus shifts from 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd the entire car not only shutters but its extremely sluggish and seems like it's going to stall out. (automatic transmission) there are no warning light lit on my dash and the car barely has 56,000 miles on it. When I bought the car it had 35,000 miles and the problem existed then and has progressively gotten worse. Yesterday I was at a yield sign to enter the round about near my house and when I pressed the gass my car shuttered horribly and only went forward a few feet, I was nearly struck by a truck that had to suddenly swerve to keep from hitting us. I took my foot off the gas. When I pressed it again, this time with more force, it shuttered and jerked so hard it forcefully threw my head back against the seat! my 5yr old daughter that was in the back seat was crying uncontrollably, scared because we were almost hit by a truck! the seatbelts in the backseat of my car, have came unbuckled several times while my 2yr old and 5yr old children were in their carseats. When I attempt to rebuckle them it takes about 15- 20 minutes of my consistently trying to get the buckle to latch onto the seatbelts!
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was faulty and the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle would also shudder and hesitate while driving. Furthermore, the battery was faulty and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to terry hendricks Ford (904 stryker St, archbold, oh 43502, (419) 445-7460) where it was diagnosed that a new clutch needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the new clutch failed. Shortly after, the vehicle was repaired again by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 89,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Scottsville, VA, USA