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:
18 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 1
Average Mileage:
42,241 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. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake uncontrollably, and the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also became aware that the clutch was slipping. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to start with a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 135,610.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger's side wheel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the tire but provided no diagnosis for the warning lamp. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who diagnosed failures with the rear passenger-??s side wheel bearing and clutch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and DTC code: P1450 (EVAP Emissions Control System) was retrieved. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V813000 (Electrical System) and 14V495000 (Electrical System) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall repairs. The contact stated that the transmission control module and the clutch had been replaced several times however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 91,000.
My clutch which we paid out of pocket for the first time we need to get it fixed and I only had the car for 6 months when the clutch went out the first time then only a year later I had to get it fixed again and got it under warranty and then the following year I had to get it fixed and it was covered again under warranty and now 2023 again a year later my clutch went out and even tho my clutch was covered under a two year warranty they are refusing to fix my clutch because it is a "transmission issue" even after running my diagnostic it clearly states it is a CLUTCH issue and since they are calling it a "transmission issue" my car can no longer be fixed and covered under warranty because it is not a "transmission issue" it is a CLUTCH issue. I have only ever gotten my car fixed from Ford and we cant understand why this is a recurring issue and there for WHY FORD CANNOT FIX THIS ISSUE.
The engine control module failure. I was on a busy two lane highway and my car stalled out almost causing me to get hit from the back. I had to be pushed off the busy road from a police officer so I wouldn-??t get hit by the heavy trucks. This is a dangerous for anyone whom experienced this. An investigation need to or process
My car has Direct Clutch Transmission that I am told has a design flaw so even after a $3,000 transmission repair the problem will re-occur. The car revs like crazy & doesn-??t move forward. It is so dangerous when I am transporting my grandchildren to & from school crossing 4-lanes if traffic in town to get to the other side & the transmission does this in front of oncoming traffic! And no - no fatalities yet!
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was hesitant while accelerating. The contact heard an abnormal sound before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The engine failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed away from the scene and deemed a total loss by USAA Insurance Company. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal, causing the contact to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, where unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notice of Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM and the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the TCM would be covered under the campaign; however, she would be charged a repair and labor fee for the transmission clutch replacement. 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 22,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with evap purge valve failure. The contact was informed that the evap purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had expired. The contact stated that there was two parts to the recall repair being completed and only one part was completed. The failure mileage was approximately 112,665.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-?"70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 1 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after an hour. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, she depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal and the vehicle slowly responded. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated while driving and the message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road to allow the transmission to cool off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions, and the grill shudder module assembly, the transmission fluid, and the transmission clutch actuator were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 19N07. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
There are 2 recalls listed for my vehicle, 1) the Transmission Control Module, and 2) the Transmission Clutch Shudder. I had brought my car in to the dealership a couple of years ago to ask about the two issues/recalls listed, as my transmission was overheating and I was unable to accelerate, and the engine shuttered when shifting between 1st and 3rd gear, and was told that the Transmission Clutch Shudder recall had expired and the active recall, the Transmission Control Module, could not be repaired due to parts being on backorder, and I was told that the parts for that specific recall were not longer being made. The clutch recall lasted for 7 years and/or to 100k miles, whichever came first. My car is under 100k, and I had gotten the car in 2017, but it is a 2014 model so that recall cannot be covered by the dealership. I have been informed, though, that the Clutch issue directly correlates to the function of the TCM (transmission), so without that issue being resolved, the TCM will continue to have issues. I understand that the warranty has expired for one recall, but since it directly correlates to the function of the other recall, it doesn't make sense to have one expire before the other. Without it resolved, my transmission runs the risk of overheating again, and in previous instances I have had to pull over on highways, on roads where there were no safe places to pull off, and delayed other drivers due to the cars inability to accelerate properly, which has occurred at stop signs and at traffic lights which poses a risk to my safety and others. The dealership has informed me that the issue is in relation to the two recalls, but again with one expired I am expected to cover it even though the issue lies with Ford.
Oil cooler failed forcing engine oil in cooling system. ECU did not indicate any overheat, low oil pressure or check engine light. By the time the vehicle was parked and shut off no oil was left in the oil pan. Oil/coolant covered the passenger wheel well and tire/rim. Probably a good idea to have a bigger OEM oil cooler rather than using coolant to cool the engine oil. Oil cooler failure was confirmed by ASE certified mechanics. Oil/coolant could possibly cause loss of traction, overheat condition and total engine failure with no oil providing lubricant to internal components and the turbo. Total repair costs are $1200 for a part that is $100 or $250 in the aftermarket world. Repair cost could have been much higher if vehicle would have been running any longer.
The part that failed was the dual clutch. I was in traffic and my car did not want to accelerate after the stop it began to sputter then went to accelerate this happened more then once. It has been inspected and diagnosed for a worn clutch but I bought the car like that. No check engine light or anything has came on. I am financing this car and it sucks that I am not able to drive it if it was an emergency then I risk it and drive the car but the whole time I am scared because of the way it is struggles on the freeway and streets
This car had transmission problems from the day I bought it. Then with less than 50,000 miles on it, it quit on the highway. I had it towed to the local Ford dealership where they charged me $150. to tell me the antifreeze had leaked into the engine and ruined the engine and it would cost me $9,000 to have it fixed.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,580.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving at various speeds or while idling, the vehicle was sputtering. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for a free repair. The approximate failure mileage was 86,476.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Diamond Bar, CA, USA