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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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,131 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #160

Jul 292019

Focus

  • 61,000 miles

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

My car engine would not shut off!

- Mexico, NY, USA

problem #159

Mar 212018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
Upon take off my car jerks

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #158

Jul 082019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
Transmission is slipping car feels unsafe to drive once the car is on for about 30 minutes the reverse won't work on car

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #157

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 36,000 miles

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

I purchased this Ford w 15000 miles on it. It now has 37000 miles. I feel like the car is a lemon. I have had several issues requiring me to go Ford dealership. First the gas information was incorrect. It said I had 26 miles to drive but ran out of gas. Then when I was driving on the freeway the car got stuck in between gears. I could not accelerate. Then the I tried to back out of a parking spot and the I could not put car into reverse. As a result car was fixed under warranty and recall. The items fixed were gas tank recall, engine mount, clutch, transmission, and (reservoir tank that was not covered under warranty). I picked up car and next day I drove to work with the same issues. Gears are not shifting. Take bake to dealer and fixed transmission module. Now the power steering does not work. I took it to Ford and they charged me 160$ to look at it. It will cost 1800$ to fix steering. This not covered under warranty. The dealer also said that the suspension needs to be replaced soon. He stated that suspension needs to be replace at 50000 miles my car only has 37000 miles. I have never replaced suspension in any other car. It makes no's sense why this car is falling apart with 37000 miles on it. It's a lemon and I want my money back. I bought this car for my daughter and it is not safe to drive!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #156

Apr 082016

Focus

  • 21,961 miles
When test driving this 2014 Ford Focus I felt the car shudder on take off and when pulling out into traffic hesitation. I asked the salesman about this and just shrugged it off as no big deal. After purchasing the auto I had to return to the dealer in parsons, ks. And was told it was the way I was accelerating. No way there is something wrong with this vehicle. After 3 different returns and work done it still does the same thing. I am 82yrs old and do not feel safe driving this car. Ford motor knew they put out a faulty vehicle but sold it anyway. They extended the warranty to 100000 miles but each time you return for service they say they can't do anything unless the engine light is on. Ford supposedly put out a notice to repair these cars when they came in on 7-12-2019 to 7-19-2019 but when I called I was told by the service manager he knew nothing about this and could only do anything if told by Ford. I contacted pittsburg Ford on 7-19-2019 and asked to speak to the service manager but unable to locate him so I left my name and phone number and have yet to hear from him. This happens when driving, pulling out into traffic and when driving on the highway. On occasion the transmission slips/

- Parsons, KS, USA

problem #155

Jul 202019

Focus

  • 92,000 miles
Car was working fine most of the day. Got in my car and it would not start. I tried it three times, no luck. I shut everything off, pulled the keys, opened the door. I then tried again fo turn on car, came right on. Now however, the car is having over accelerating and decelerating problems which it didnt have two hours ago. Going up/down any type of hill is where its the worst at accelerating and decelerating randomly. Sometimes it over accelerating and I dont even have my foot on the gas at that moment. And it has a hard bucking problem between the two random accelerating/decelerating problems.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #154

Dec 222014

Focus

  • miles

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

Have had 2 clutches put in and have taken to dealership number of times to address poor acceleration. I have had issues with vehicle from purchasing it new told dealer I bought it from it ran wrong and was told they couldn't check til vehicle had 10000 miles. Feel I've been sold an unsafe lemon. Was told by one service manager to floor when car grabs from a stop. Also sync system works intermittently.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #153

Apr 212017

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
Since I've had the car, it has shuddered, jerked, made noises, lost acceleration, jerked forward without me giving it gas....it has been in for service many times, replaced clutch once already...continues to get worse and become a nuisance to drive....I always rent a car now when driving on the highway....called the dealership to have it looked at again, but they do not answer or return my calls....this is the newest, yet worst car I have ever owned....I now owe way more than the car is worth due to this issue.....

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #152

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 33,000 miles
Transmission: Shutters. Bucks. Shifts hard. When accelerating the transmission bucks and shutters which makes car to feel like it is bouncing. First time I had vehicle serviced they "flash rebooted" transimission was told to drive it 500 to 1000 miles so it can reset itself. Second time had same issues the clutches were replaced in transmission which my extended warranty I purchased covered. The transmission was shifting normal for awhile but now it is doing the same bucking, shuttering action it was doing a few days after purchasing it.

- Shickshinny, PA, USA

problem #151

Jul 232014

Focus

  • miles
I purchased the 2014 Ford Focus new in August 2013. Issues began almost immediately upon taking ownership of vehicle. I recall at 6,600 miles having problems with the transmission and shuddering. Ford technician explained that this was normal it would eventually adjust. Car shudders around 17 mph and accerlerating onto on ramps, etc. This car is unreliable and unsafe. I refrain from taking it on road trips even within Washington state, avoiding issues that could arise at anytime. At no time during the purchase of this vehicle did the salesperson explain what the DP6 powershift transmission feature was. I am beyond frustrated with Ford's unwillingness to recognize that this is a serious concern and expensive fix. This car is averaging a new clutch assemply at 5,000-7,000 miles. My extended warranty is no longer available at which point these clutch assembly replacements cost a minimum of $1800. I can't afford to continue to have to pay these repair costs. To date, this car has had 7 clutch assembly & seal replacements and car currently has $55,000. Ridiculous. I spent over $30,000 on this vehicle. See attachment below for list of repairs

- Covington, WA, USA

problem #150

Jul 052017

Focus

  • 30,000 miles

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

2014 Ford Focus transmission clutch went out 3 times since I have own the car. Stopped at traffic light foot. On break car in drive car goes flying backwards. Car lose of power will not go in reverse.setting waiting to pull out in main road foot on break car in drive car shot me out in front of a pepsi truck car control it's self. Took car to police station in N barboursville West Virginia to report it they laughed at me. Car jump's will not go. Then sends you flying backwards or forward. Car is trying to kill me driving the car in the streets is when this happened or waiting to pull out on the streets in going from 2017 to 2019

- Barboursville, WV, USA

problem #149

Jul 132019

Focus

  • 94,000 miles
Since owning this vehicle brand new, there have been consistent transmission issues. While the vehicle is in motion, regardless of speed, it feels like it slips into neutral gear even though it is an automatic. We have to pull over as quick as we can to avoid getting hit by other moving vehicles. Our vehicle has been back to the dealership numerous times for this issue to where they have replaced parts related to some clutch system. The dealership did not provide repair order documents for these repairs. The most current issue was this past Saturday when the vehicle again lost power while driving, had to pull over and sit for a while. Start the vehicle back up and it works normal again. This is extremely dangerous. We are the original owners and still owe $ on it. Would like Ford to just buy back the car.

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #148

Jul 152014

Focus

  • miles
I bought the car with 23 miles on it in 2014. I asked about the precious Focus issues of engine issues, transmission issues, and the air bag defect. I was told "all of those issues have been fixed in the 2014 model." Shortly after my purchase the clutch and tm module went out. When I questioned why it needed this already I was told "it is just a slight issue, but that 1 replacement is all it will need." Since this time the car has required clutch replacement 7 time and module replacement 3 times. I now need to take it in for the 8th clutch, but have been told I will be responsible for payment of this manufacturer defect. I was lied to by the dealership, Ford corporate informed that I should not have any issues with my purchase, and when I ask about permanent fixes/buyback I am told that there's nothing abnormal with my car.

- Pryor, OK, USA

problem #147

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 10,000 miles
The Ford Focus stutters when taking off. Everytime I go to get on highway it wont accelerate and shakes. It's scary I always feel like it will cause an accident and Ford service shops refuse to do anything about it even though my vehicle has been under warranty.

- Bunker Hill, IL, USA

problem #146

May 062019

Focus

  • 117,500 miles
I was driving on the left lane of highway I-495N suddenly as I had my foot on gass the vehicle stall and started to slow down, I turn off the radio and put my hazard lights on and as soon as I pull to the side of the road the vehicle shut down completely all the lights when off, (if I wouldn't have been quick enough I would have gotten into a major accident) while waiting for the tow truck I found out there's a recall on my vehicle,

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #145

Jun 292019

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
I serviced my Focus on 5/29/19 for recalls. They performed a multi point inspection. Everything normal. 6/09/19, I was driving down city street 40mph driving straight the car down shifted suddenly and a warning " transmission faulty, service now" came on. I was able to drive it home, the car wouldnt shift into a higher gear. I attached both services done. After the second service was done to my vehical it still shuddered when accelerating. 6/29/19 this occured twice the same day, I was waiting at an intersection making a left hand turn into a gas station, when it was safe to turn, I let my foot of the brake and my car inched forward while I hit gas and my car did not move, I was nearly hit both times, the last second with my foot on the gas all the way down to the floor, the car jerks into gear. Ive called the dealership about fixing this issue, ive left messages with no call back, I finally got a service call set but not until July 30th. This has now occured almost everyday since 6/29/19. The car does not always do this, it seems to only do it if im below a half a tank, or the first 60 miles on a full tank. I fear for my safety driving this car that when I hit the gas the engine will just rev U[ and not move and get hit. The car always had a shudder when accelerating since we purchased it 1/12/16, but the sales person insisted with new fuel saving system that it was completely normal. I didnt have any major issues besides the shudder when accelerating, and when I would start my car up the first time after filling up, until I got the recall fixed, now ive had nothing but issues.

- Mishicot, WI, USA

problem #144

Jul 122019

Focus

  • miles
My car was not accelerating and a message about the transmission came up. The car would not turn back on and I can't reverse or drive.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #143

Mar 162019

Focus

  • 78,500 miles
When driving and/or stationary, the acm (audio control module) will cause the speakers or radio to make loud and sometimes unbearable popping, buzzing or no sound will come out of the speakers for a period of time.

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #142

Jul 112019

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
I have a 2014 Ford Focus titanium. My vehicle has just passed the 70,000 mile mark and continues to experience with the transmission to include bucking, kicking, jerking, and delayed acceleration. The vehicle has been in for multiple software updates and a new clutch. The problem continues and I do not believe the company has a solid fix for this. The issues with the transmission are for multiple years within the Focus and fiesta vehicles. Just today, the vehicle lost acceleration as I was going around a turn. Simply put, I do not feel safe in my Ford Focus and I want to know what is being done to resolve this so drivers are safe and secure.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #141

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

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