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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:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,248 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 7 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #170

Jun 072014

Focus

  • 21,964 miles

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

Purchased 2014 Focus on 6/7/14, clutch asy replaced 11/30/15, clutch asy replaced 9/12/16, install new etb 9/14/16 (throttle body), replace battery 12/20/16, given extended warranty w/$100 deductable 11/11/16 - warranty expired 6/7/19, replaced clutch asy 6/9/19 - 7/3/19. Three clutch assemby's in 5 years - very unsafe. Also 6/9/19-7/3/19 replaced side door latch (safety recall) and fuel tank deformation - replaced tube asy - fue. With this many clutch repairs Ford new they had an issue. Even though Ford gave me an extended warranty in 2016 due to the issues with my car, they backdated the warranty to the date the car was purchased. This also seems deceptive. Numerous times I was traveling on instertate roads, when I pulled out to pass a semi, the car would cut out. When accellerating in the city or on instertates, there would be no acceleration when pushing the accelator. Just the opposite would happen. The car would caugh and choke before finally catching to accelorate. I believe both Ford and the dealer should be held accountable with all the safety issues this car has had, and continues to have.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #169

Jan 012015

Focus

  • miles
Ford Focus has had transmission replaced, and it still shakes, jerks, shudders, etc. What Ford knowingly did is outrageous. I bought my car brand new. This has been an ongoing issue and I don't feel safe driving my car.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #168

Dec 102018

Focus

  • miles
I received a notice from Ford (12/2018) about a recall 18V-735. This involves a "stuck purge valve"(cpv) with in the fuel vapor system. The letter said I would be notified when the part would be ready for the repair. It said the parts were to anticipated to be available by 1st quarter, 2019. We are now into the 3rd quarter of the year and I have yet to receive notice of the part being ready to make the repairs.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #167

Jul 112019

Focus

  • 62,000 miles

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

This car hesitates and jerks from a stopped position. There is a rattle as the car starts moving. On two occasions, while merging uphill into traffic, the car stalled. On several other occasions, it came close to stalling. I've taken it to the dealer several times over the years and they tell me there is nothing wrong. When I get the car back from being repaired, the 'check engine' light comes back on after a week or two. I can't answer your question below about when it happened. It happens all the time.

- North Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #166

Dec 312018

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
NHTSA contacted Ford back in May 2018 about the purge valve that sits on top of the fuel tank. Ford issued recall 18S32 back in December 2018. My car was supposed be fixed, according to the letter I received from Ford, in January 2019. Ford has provided no updates for this fix. When I contact Ford, I am told there is no time table for a fix. This is ridiculous. I am told by Ford to not drive under half a tank of gas and not trust the gas gauge. This needs to get fixed asap.

- Benbrook, TX, USA

problem #165

Jul 062019

Focus

  • 132,000 miles
I had the recall fixed on 5/17/2019 and my car continues to stall. I keep my tank above half or full and it continues to stall with even a full tank. My car was stalled on I 294 in Illinois one of the busiest tollway near the Chicago airport.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #164

Dec 012018

Focus

  • miles

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

Ford Focus gas recall. Part was supposed to be in for repair December 2018

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #163

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle failed to move forward as the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to korf motors Ford Lincoln (located at 520 E chestnut St, sterling, co 80751, (970) 522-1500) where the failure was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the part was not available for the repair. The failure mileage was 85,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Crook, CO, USA

problem #162

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 25,000 miles
Ford Motor Contacted me last year about a recall, 18V735. Each time I contact them, the date available for replacement parts has been delayed farther out into the future. It is now December 2019. I feel that Ford is stringing me along, and that parts will never be available. The longer they delay, the less unsafe vehicles they will have to fix. I think action, in the form of large fines, needs to be taken, in order to get Ford to fulfill their obligations.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #161

May 012018

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
My 2014 Ford Focus has run hit it will say the transmission is overheating and it will cut itself off. I have had it cut off on me twice.I can have a full tank off gas and only run my car like 40 miles and it will say its empty. I have had were my car will not go into reverse or drive the only gear I have would be the sports mode I have literally had to push my car.when it cools down it would go into gear but as soon as the motor and transmission would get hot it wouldn't have any gears anymore. I have received a letter from Ford months ago that stated they would have my part by the end of march2019 here it is the end of june2019 and it still hasn't been fixed

- Timberville, VA, USA

problem #160

Dec 102018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles

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

Ford Motor Company (fmc) issued a recall (18S32) in December of 2018, copy attached with notes of dates I followed up with them. The issue is "on your vehicle, the engine may stall due to a stuck canister purge valve (cpv) within the fuel vapor system." Their recall letter indicated that "parts are anticipated to be available by 1st quarter, 2019." I have followed up with fmc three times, the last of which was on 6/24/19 when I "chatted" with lacy. That chat was totally unsatisfactory. Basically all I heard was the canned response and no real indication that fmc has placed any priority on fixing the unsafe condition. My hope is that you can "encourage" fmc to take this issue seriously and make the necessary parts available on an expedited basis. I do not know how many cars are subject to this recall, but I know that I do not feel comfortable driving my car on the street or highway where it can unexpectedly stall and potentially cause harm to me, my family, or some other innocent person. Any "encouragement" you can provide fmc to resolve this issue in a more timely manner would be appropriate and appreciated. Thank you. Dave

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #159

Jan 072016

Focus

  • 100 miles
The car hesitates every time you try to accelerate. It does this when you are stationary and first starting out and when you are already in motion. Sometimes it's so pronounced that I'm afraid it's going to stall completely. This has happened since the 1st day I bought it and the dealer where I bought it said there was nothing wrong with it that's the way it's supposed to be. Something about a different kind of transmission.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #158

Jun 192019

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
Takata recall. I took my 2014 Ford Focus to a Ford dealership because my car gas gauge was showing erratic mileage and because I knew I had a recall. I received my vehicle with the same problem as I took it in. My gauge still kept showing erratic mileage.I went back 5 days later tto tell them what was going on and I asked what procedure they had done. They told me that they had only reprogrammed a module. I told them if they could check it out again and they told me that they could but they were going to charge me a diagnostic fee because they had already performed the recall. The diagnostic came out and it turned out that my car needs a new fuel pump, canister purge valve, and fuel tank. I told them that those things were supposed to be fixed the first time I brought it because it was part of the recall. They transferred me to Ford internal something and Ford said that the recall was already performed and that it was my responsibility now. I mean how does a company like Ford can be so unprofessional about somebting like this. I mean part of the recall is to take your vehicle to get those things fixed that the Ford assembly line failed to address when making the model. Now I am even more scared because I don't know when I will get stranded somewhere because I'm not sure what gas mileage it has.

- Lake Placid, FL, USA

problem #157

Jun 082019

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
In December 2018 I was on the highway going 70 mph and suddenly my car would no longer accelerate. It would not start either until hours later. Took it back to Ford after telling them what had happened and they said it was because of a fuel pump recall. I got a letter later that month after my car had been to Ford and checked out, saying the part was recalled in October. I was not notified prior and it is very dangerous to stall on highway. Then a few weeks ago I had the same thing happen on the highway again. Whenever my fuel is kind of low the car just stalls and I can't start it. I was able to get gas and jump my car and get it home and has been fine since, but I went into Ford the next day and told them that the same issue happened and they told me that back in December when they 'fixed' my vehicle they actually just looked at it and said it was fine, but told me they replaced/fixed the part. So the part was never fixed or resolved. Not to mention I have only have this car since September 2017 and have had the clutch replaced 3 times and now am feeling the signs of it failing again for the 4th time. This car is unsafe and unpredictable and Ford has lied to me and not informed me of the dangers of the vehicle I'm paying them for.

- Bernardston, MA, USA

problem #156

Oct 222018

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact called crossroads Ford of South boston at 434-572-6926 (located at 1011 commerce ln, South boston, va 24592) and was informed that the parts were not available. While the vehicle was at a stop, it shut off without warning and then restarted. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- South Boston, VA, USA

problem #155

May 052019

Focus

  • 109,925 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. Afterwards, the contact parked the vehicle. When she placed it in reverse, the vehicle failed to move backwards. The contact stated that helfman Ford (located at 2220 southwest fwy, meadows place, tx 77477, (281) 240-3673) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and stated that the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The part was not available for the repair. The failure mileage was 109,925. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Stafford, TX, USA

problem #154

Jun 052018

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
When in drive does not want to shift from first to second, car acts as if it is in neutral while driving causeing a a serious saftey hazard as this occurs while car is inmotion.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #153

Jun 142019

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
I have a 2014 Ford Focus. I had issues with the gas tank filling starting at the end of 2018. I also stalled out on the highway prior to this. I informed the dealer of this issue prior to the completion of the recall which is associated with this defect (safety recall notice 18S32 /NHTSA recall 18V-735). The dealer completed the software update related to the recall. The gas tank still exhibited issues filling (which only emerged around the stalling ' this is related to the recall). The next day after the software update was completed, I received a P1450 error code related to an evap cannister error. According to the dealer, the repair associated with this should have been covered under the recall. However, the dealer (who has been extremely helpful) stated that Ford was unwilling to provide reimbursement to this for this repair. Ford, on their website states, 'dealers will inspect and replace the canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module, as necessary. There will be no charge for these services.' Further efforts to speak to Ford directly about this have been unsuccessful. The dealer stated that this is a technical issue with billing that Ford refuses to address. As a result, I have had to replace the evap cannister at my own expense ($331.39). The P1450 code came back on after this repair. Therefore the issue is still not resolved. I have been told that any further recall related repairs will be at my expense because Ford refuses to provide appropriate reimbursement. The dealer expressed that they were very frustrated with the situation.

- Nevada, MO, USA

problem #152

Feb 142019

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 60 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated, the fuel gauge fluctuated between full and empty, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle ran out of fuel. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed to a fuel station and filled with fuel; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to al packer's white marsh Ford (located at 9801 pulaski hwy, middle river, md 21220, (443) 777-5000) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed due to a stuck canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available to verify if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Nottinghan, MD, USA

problem #151

Jun 052019

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
While driving my 2014 Ford Focus on the highway, the car almost stalled during a backup in traffic. While normal driving the car lost power and the RPM gauge started dropping as the accelerator was been depressed further. While traffic to overtake on the highway the car actually slowed down while trying to go faster. The car behave like the transmission is having problems switching to lower gears.

- Uniondale, NY, USA

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