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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,888 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 7 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #30

Nov 202014

Focus

  • 11,000 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 that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and accelerated in excess independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
When I step on the gas pedal the car jerks quite a few times before accelerating. During that time it feels as if the car will stop working. This happens sporadically during every time I drive.

- Portland , OR, USA

problem #28

Feb 142015

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
This is the second time that my car accelerated on its own, once while stopped, the second time while driving. The first occurrence of occurred while stopped at 0 miles per hour at a drive-through, I had to push on the brakes harder to prevent the car from hitting the car ahead of me. A second occurrence occurred yesterday on February 14 of 2014. I was driving at 35 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone when the car automatically without warning accelerated; I had to steer the car into a snow bank and I almost hit a large tree I am very concerned about the above occurrences and I will get in touch with my Ford dealership tomorrow to see what can be done after the first incident I took the car to the Ford dealership wart was evaluated and I was advised that there is nothing wrong with the car.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #27

Feb 172014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 3,000 miles

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

2014 Ford Focus the transmission stutters, grinds and is very shaky. Upon acceleration its very jumpy and stutters and followed by a grind noise. I took the car into the dealership, they replaced all the individual clutches. They told me drive it a bit. The stutter has stopped a little but it still stutters and grinds. I tried to ignore this for a while because it is very inconvenient for your vehicle to be in shop. They should really make it standard for all Ford dealerships to provide a rental car if your vehicle is under warranty. I bought a new car so that there would not be any problems and now I am always having to bring it in. The second time I took it in they told me that they re programmed it. The third time I took it in they told me that they reprogrammed it again and a week later it is still happening. This is very concerning and unsafe. I do not recommend this care to anyone I know, nor will I.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 092014

Focus

  • 12,000 miles
The vehicle has idle problems so I took it in 1 mount after I bought the car Ford said they fixed it but 2 mounts later same problem the car actually jumped speed all the sudden and ran into divider the bumper was wrecked I took it to Ford dealer in san jose they took the car in again I try to get another car because it's not safe but Ford denied me, I have so much issue with Ford vehicle I had 2 Ford diesel trucks with 6.0 engine I spent around 8,000 thousands dollars fixing it now my brand new car nothing but problem. I hurt my neck when I hit the divider but all I ask is Ford to back up there mistake on vehicles I also bought a new F150 that truck runs great back in 2001. I just don't want to drive that car no more it's very dangerous. Good thing my kids was not in the car that day.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Jose , CA, USA

problem #25

Jan 222015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 14,500 miles
I have a 2014 Ford Focus that shakes when it accelerates, at times is feels like there is not enough power. I got a software update yesterday and the car still shakes, Ford says its "normal" due to their power shift technology. I don't feel comfortable with their excuse and they should find a fix for Focus' asap.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #24

Jan 302014

Focus

  • 1,000 miles

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

I bought this car brand new. I'm a single mom with a tight budget so I was looking for a very dependable car. I started noticing acceleration problems after the first few weeks of buying the car. When I would go drive up the ramp on to the freeway, I wasn't able to speed up with the flow of traffic. This caused extreme safely issues as drivers would honk and get backed up because I wasn't able to accelerate. I also noticed a clicking sound when within the first few seconds of accelerating after a stop. It sounded like something was loose or broken in the engine. My mom came to visit after 2 months of having the car. She drove the car and said this doesn't seem right, take it in. So I brought it to my Ford dealer. I said this car does not drive safe. I don't feel safe driving with my 5 year old daughter. They said they would fix it at no cost. They had the car for 10 days. Once I got the car back, I still noticed some of the same problems, but the mechanic told me "it will take about 1000 miles more before the engine starts to run normal." That wasn't very satisfying to hear. Presently, I still have the car. It still has safety issues. I don't drive long distances in it, because I don't feel safe. I am very disappointed with Ford Motor Company. I've saved up hard earned money to have a dependable/safe car for my daughter and I and I have the exact opposite. I will never purchase a Ford again.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #23

Mar 242014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The car stumbles and hesitates on take off, when turning corners there is a noise when accelerating and when turning corners it stumbles and hesitates.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #22

Dec 252014

Focus

  • 7,000 miles
Traction control issue.... during snowstorm, trying to drive up a hill with a left hand turn, tires lost traction and car electronically reduced RPM speed... loss of speed almost sent car sideways into ditch. Had to turn around and get run at hill 4 more times.... each time when traction with tires was broken...rpms were dropped to nothing leaving car stopped near stalling in middle of hill. Will be dealing with dealership soon.. I feel that the fix for this is going to be remove fuse for traction control.....or disable traction control system.. this car is a stick shift... I can see how another 120 reports on this page with auto transmissions, may be the same issue.....

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #21

Nov 202014

Focus

  • 9,544 miles
The vehicle lurches rapidly after nearly stalling when transitioning between 1st and second gear and it nearly caused me to rear-end a driver in front of me. I have a great fear of this happening again.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #20

May 162014

Focus

  • 5,000 miles

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

Car began to make a grinding noise when turning corners and when I'm driving slowly. It sounds also like I am dragging something, like tin cans. It also shudders when I press on the accelerator, almost like it is going to die. This is not a safe situation. The clutch on my car has already been replaced and the car is a 2014!

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #19

Aug 012014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 16,160 miles
Upon acceleration, car hesitates, stutters, shakes and makes a grinding noise. When entering the highway, it really hesitated and took longer than usual to get to the speed limit. Hence, someone was coming up quickly behind me and was very irate with me. This could have caused an accident or something other... like road rage by the other driver.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

problem #18

Jul 312014

Focus

  • 4,000 miles
On 7/31/14, my Ford Focus hatchback accelerated while parking and crashed into a high chain-link fence. Significant front end damage to the vehicle was repaired. The airbags never deployed when I hit the fence and small tree and I was lucky that no one was near the car when it malfunctioned.subsequently, the car has been parked! I have tried to communicate with Ford Motor Co. By fax, letter and phone over the last 2 months.the dealership wants nothing to do with this car. We are reluctant to sell and want this car off the market. We have no voice. I continue to read all complaints on your site. When are you going to do anything about it! I can't put my grandkids in this car and I don't want anyone's child in this car.please call me. We need to get this car off the market before someone is injured or worse!

- Plainville, CT, USA

problem #17

Apr 012014

Focus

  • 7,500 miles
The transmission sputters when taking off from a dead stop. At a constant speed the car shifts into a higher or lower gear. Noises are made grinding noises when changing from 1-2-3 gears.

- Harrison, TN, USA

problem #16

Mar 052014

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 10 mph and engaging the brakes, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The failure occurred four times. The dealer was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15. Updated 11/21/14 the consumer also experienced a transmission shifting problem. Updated 01/08/15

- Burkley, MI, USA

problem #15

Sep 132014

Focus

  • 10,200 miles
My car has been shuttering and not shifting smoothly for a few weeks as well as loss of power when taking off from a stop or very slow speed. This incident: Car shifted into neutral for a few (5?) seconds before engaging in higher gear while I was on freeway.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 102013

Focus

  • 0 miles
2014 Ford Focus SE. The car has always shuddered and jerked when starting off from stop. I am afraid to pull out into traffic unless it is totally clear. My daughter has a 2012 Ford Focus and it does the same thing. I run premium gas and the top grade oil.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #13

Jul 072014

Focus

  • 3,500 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While accelerating from a stop at 5 mph, the vehicle surged forward and the speed increased to 15 mph without warning. The vehicle jerked and the speed accelerated beyond 20 mph. The failure occurred ten times. The dealer stated that the clutch and seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500.

- Trenton, TX, USA

problem #12

Feb 112014

Focus

  • 400 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate intermittently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would make a grinding noise while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired since the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 400.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 152013

Focus

  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would either independently accelerate or hesitate to accelerate. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100.

- Taylor , MI, USA

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