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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.

9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
32,000 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace fuel pump/computer (2 reports)
  3. injectors faulty (1 reports)
2014 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #11

Mar 012016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

This car left me within two inches of death stalled on a bridge incline, when it stalled I immediately activated the emergency lights and tried to restart it. I dialed the ford service department where I just picked it up for the second time in a week for repairs because the engine light came on, it smells like gas mixed with ammonia and makes me choke and have breathing problems. I cannot tell how much gas is in the car because the gas needle goes all over the place, and the car is constantly sputtering, jerking, stalling and stopping. I called the service desk to ask what can I do to just get it started,I am on the top of a bridge stalled in a dangerous spot, I need to just start it and move it to the side asap. He told me to keep turning the key and pressing the accelerator, but it just would not start. I look in the rear-view mirror and someone was barreling behind me and apparently was temporarily distracted, I had just a few seconds to toss my cell and run from the car on top of the bridge. When they realized the car was stalled they did not brake, just swerved erratically and almost lost control of their vehicle, while I was traumatized on top of the bridge with a car that I pay $325.00 a month for and many repairs and can hardly drive it. This is pathetic and I really believe the dealership was aware of this hazard when they sold it to me two years ago.

- abigai121l, New Roads, US

problem #10

Feb 012018

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

This car is a true death trap, it shutters and cuts off while driving. The fuel line ruptured, causing me to run out of gas and had to have someone push the car out of traffic. I could have been in a car accident. The car does not hold any fuel. When putting gas in, it just comes splashing out from under the car, where the fuel line is. This is scary and horrific!! I am not able to drive the car now! Also, after putting gas in car it stalls more. Car transmission jerks, sputters, accelerates and stalls. In addition now having issues with fuel tank not gauging and now it hesitates, stalls out and is not safe to drive.

- seeker4, Indianapolis, US

problem #9

Jun 142014

Focus SFE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 240 miles

This car was a death trap, too dangerous to drive on public roads.

- Robert F., Show Low, AZ, US

problem #8

Aug 172016

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

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

Engine runs rough. Sent a message thru My Sync,and there is no indication of a problem. My gas milage has declined since I got the car,from 34.8 mpg to 28.5 now. This car is a piece of crap. If I could trade it off, I would have months ago.

- wilsonkelly3, Corsicana, TX, US

problem #7

Oct 152016

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This car will stall going down the road at 75 miles per hour or if you sit and idle it for about 10 minutes it will stall out and it takes about 45 minutes for it to start. Ford has had two recalls on this type of problem but because our VIN # is not on the list they will do nothing to change it. We have had problems with this for some time. It has happened a lot of times. We took into Phil Long Ford Chapel Hills on July 23,2015 for this very reason. They replaced a Low Pressure Fuel Sensor and charged us $306.15. It still does the same stalling it was doing before that and they said that was all they could find that was wrong at the time. However their fix did not fix the problem.

I did file a complaint with safecar but I was told they probably wouldn't do anything. What if anything can you do for us on this problem? We should be under the recalls that they have.

- Elaine C., Colorado Springs, CO, US

problem #6

Nov 262015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

2014 Focus is a dangerous vehicle. More dangerous on wet or icy pavement because you never know when or how fast it will accelerate due to lag of throttle.

- Fred P., Danville, IL, US

problem #5

Sep 242014

Focus LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

The reason why I got this car was because my mom found out that she had cancer and I needed a reliable car to get her to and from her doctors. I was so happy to get my first new car at 45 years old, I feel like it was a blessing. never did I realize that I would have so much trouble with my first car. I had taken it back to ford to see why I'm still having the same problems and they keep it give it back and now they said they extended the warranty. I'm so unhappy because I pay a car note and still my dream car do not run right. I love to take road trips and scared to drive anywhere with how this car jerks. And I know they can take this car back and give me something else or take this one back .I'm so mad that I keep getting the run around

Update from Oct 4, 2016: My car is still doing the same thing and all they can tell me is it not a hazard to drive b/s are they kidding me the car is a new car and no way should I have these problems.

Update from Dec 23, 2016: Had my car looked and they replaced a couple of things on it so far ever things run good

Update from Nov 14, 2017: Ford end up letting me out my contract my car back because they kept having to fix the same problems

- Tawana T., Westland, MI, US

problem #4

Mar 292014

Focus Trend 1.6L

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,864 miles

I bought the vehicle new and it was not even three months old with and between 3 000 and 4 000 km on it. The engine light came on and the car just cut out, I contact the dealer Een Stop Ford where I bought the vehicle, they gave me a telephone number to phone (road assistance) and they just did not come and assist me. We got the car to the nearest town Swellendam, it was checked by the Ford Dealer and he gave me a printout (ABS malfunction and injector no 4 ) the vehicle was then taken to Een Stop Ford in Oudtshoorn. Een Stop Ford phoned me and said I must pay R8,000 for the new injector to get it fixed, when I replied by saying no they said they will make a cheaper quite. They phoned me again and said it is R2375.27 and it is not the injector, the petrol is dirty. They removed the tank cleaned it and put it back and delivered the vehicle. But still it's not fixed

- Leon E., Caledon, South Africa

problem #3

Feb 112015

Focus LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

This car has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I have owned, driven more than 15 vehicles in my driving experience. This car has had problems with a sound, rattle in the left front wheel well area since I bought it. It has also had problems with the clutch. Currently I have a issue with it turning off while driving.

I have been told many things by the dealers that have looked at it and have been lied to repeatedly. I was told that they cannot do anything to fix this problem until the car dies and the check engine lite comes on. I have taken this car to fix the clutch three times and seems to be ok but after 5000 miles it seems to be going bad again.

When I took it in the first time to fix the fuel problem, I was told that it was not covered, I had purchased extended coverage and they still did not cover the rental car while being fixed. I am taking it in again today, 4/4/2015, to have them look at the issue with why the car dies while driving. I drive 118 mile to work everyday, one way, and do not need this problem in the back of my mind...I will be asking for further coverage in writing. If not I will be filing with my attorney and enacting the Lemon Law against the dealership.

This car only has 54,000 miles and has been nothing but problems since I bought it new in March 2014. Sure, vehicles do have issues but when they do, these should be addressed and corrected. We do not need to be lied to about the issues and should be compensated for the HOURS that we spend getting the car "fixed" repeatedly, especially when it is for the same issue! The dealership, knowing that these vehicles have these problems, have a responsibility to inform the buyer as to what to expect with the vehicle. They told me that they sent out recall letters and this was a lie.

Needless to say, I will not purchase another Ford again after this experience!

- David W., Roanoke, IN, US

problem #2

Sep 102014

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 720 miles

We have only had this car for 16 days, and the last 8 days has been scary. because you don't know if the car is going to stall or not. It first started when you put it in park it would stall. Then if you touched the key to shut it off, it would stall. We took it to the dealership today, they checked it out. And they said there is nothing wrong.But our sales guy tried it and found out if you just barely touched the key it would stall. It even does it when it is in drive. He even tried another new one and it is the same. So you can not have any other keys on the key ring. Because just the other keys swinging just a little could shut the car engine off while driving down the road.I am very scared driving this new car.I feel that it is very unsafe the way it is.

- Roland R., Jay, ME, US

problem #1

Apr 082014

Focus ST 4 Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 7,000 miles

Problem was unfixable, it spent a total of 90 days in the shop!

- T. G., San Jose, CA, US

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