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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 1 of 13)

problem #260

Mar 012024

Focus

  • miles

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

The general information I have is my transmission is not working, and it causes the car to stall and jerk unexpectedly, it will be driving fine then aggressively slow down almost to a stop, then launch forward, which could cause an accident to the person in front of me or behind. When these events happen it-??s on and off, and the stalling will follow multiple times during a driving period. The engine light will come on, and many mechanics we have talked to have said to either replace the transition or sell the car, and the transmission is the same price I paid for the car. It-??s ultimately unfortunate because it is a great car, low miles, in great condition, and I am young into college with big loans and can-??t afford to fix this car.

- York, ME, USA

problem #259

Jun 102024

Focus

  • miles
issues with (i'm guessing transmission) vehicle lurching forward when applying brakes, as if brakes aren't being applied at all. I was in traffic and trying to stop, and multiple times while my car tried to switch gears it lurched me forward and almost into the car in front of me. I'm now having to double following space between me and vehicles because I can't predict when the lurching will overpower my brakes. Unknown what is actually causing it as dealers are booked a bit far out and I'm waiting for my appointment to bring it in.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #258

May 022024

Focus

  • miles
I believe the defective TCM cause all kinds of havoc on the other systems. And Ford KNOWS they can not fix this issue. Cause car to accelerate an come to a stop in the street! No way safe

- Hattiesburg , MS, USA

problem #257

Dec 132023

Focus

  • miles

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

We had a nail that needed to be removed from a tire. Tire Discounters said that the lug nuts have swollen and they cannot tighten the lug nuts without us replacing them. They cannot tighten the lug nuts due to the nuts swelling and not fitting into the lug wrenches anymore. How can Ford sell a product that is inherently unsafe?

- Alexandria, KY, USA

problem #256

Oct 302023

Focus

  • miles
Transmission programming recall, clutch recall, fuel cap recall and many more recalls were not performed at ford dealership! Had to pay out of pocket at dealer for -??labor-?? task was never performed at dealer for all recalls!

- S El Monte, CA, USA

problem #255

Sep 042023

Focus

  • miles
I know it-??s the transmission because it gears just goes and the car doesn-??t go anywhere. Now I have my car parked

- Dallas , TX, USA

problem #254

Sep 212023

Focus

  • miles

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

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!

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #253

Aug 042023

Focus

  • miles
I am writing to express that ford issued an extended customer satisfaction program (19N08) to get transmission issued fixed within a specific window or time and mileage. Unfortunately that time has passed and the opportunity for smoother, safer driving has been missed by many people including me. Ford is unwilling to extend the warranty and fix the transmission issues which I feel is a concern. The car rattles and shakes when I go at a slower speed which I imagine could be dangerous. This fix is over $3,000 and not attainable for the average American to pay out of pocket. Ford needs to extend the warranty for the transmission clutch shift motor to keep the roads safe.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #252

Jul 212023

Focus

  • 126,383 miles
as I am not 100% sure where the problem comes from. And I know that this car and other Ford vehicles are infamous for these issues. My Ford focus-??s transmission will spontaneously without warning completely shut off while driving which has caused me to almost get into crashes multiple times. I have brought my car to a ford dealership to get inspected in hopes of being included in a program which makes ford pay for a rental car while the part that causes the issues is delivered (there is large back order on the TCM) but when my car was done being diagnosed they claim my clutch needs to be replaced for 3200 which is ridiculous first of all but the main problem with this is that the broken TCM is what is causing the clutch to break creating a never ending cycle of replacements I have to pay for and even if i get a clutch replacement it won-??t fix my overheating issue. These problems that are caused by ford have caused me to almost get into mulitple crashes and is restricting me from getting to work and I am getting no help from ford customer service and the individual dealerships try and scam me any chance I get so this is my last resort at getting any help

- Ivoryton, CT, USA

problem #251

Jul 142023

Focus

  • miles
tHIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING. SO OBVIOUSLY NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND FORD HAS CLOSED THIS RECALL ON IT. I CALLED OVER THE CONCERN THAT IT IS STILL NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY OFFER NO HELP OR SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN, TOO BAD IT ISN'T REPAIRED PROPERSLY BUT IF I WANT IT REPAIRED IT WILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT PROPERLY AND STILL CLOSE THE RECALL.

- Franklinville, Ny, NY, USA

problem #250

Jun 152022

Focus

  • miles

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

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.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #249

May 312023

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
There was a recall several years ago on my 2014 Ford Focus in regard to the dual-clutch system. The system has been replaced once already. The vehicle is now showing the same symptoms. I feel that Ford should be replacing the system again at no cost to me. I am afraid to drive the vehicle. I am a cancer survivor and also work full-time. I need access to a functional vehicle that is safe to drive. The contact stated Ford replaced the clutch once and the car is doing the same thing again.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #248

May 172023

Focus

  • miles
In heavy traffic, car slowed down and stopped. Got it started but it hesitated a few times until the next time I had to stop again. ?

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #247

May 052020

Focus

  • miles
-?? door latch repeat repair inhtsa #20V331)

- Randolph , MA, USA

problem #246

Mar 292023

Focus

  • miles
2014 Ford Focus transmission has been giving me problems for years, It shudders badly. I am afraid to drive the car, It has been diagnosed.with needing a transmission. Ford has told me that that is how it supposed to run, Please take a look at all the transmission problems of the ford focus that people continue to have today. This is truly a safety issue. The cars are still on the highway. Having zero recalls doesnt make the road safe if someone doesnt listen and solve the problem of ford focus transmission.

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

problem #245

Jun 012022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission and engine failure Available for inspection Failure on highway Inspection by others: yes mechanics warning indicators failed

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #244

Dec 302022

Focus

  • miles
Car just stopped on a 5 lane highway while waiting at traffic light. Car just stopped and would not go forward. All lights came on. Police officer helped get car off of highway and pulled Into a business parking lot. Mechanic looked at vehicle, police officer also looked as well as a few others. Noone could get car started. Friend ended up having to take my 16 yr old son home. This is holiday weekend so dealership not open until next year. Car will need to be towed to dealership for repairs. Car is not recognizing any drive reverse etc...is not safe to drive. All lights came on on the dashboard. Check engine oil light etc...

- Lewisburg , TN, USA

problem #243

Dec 292022

Focus

  • miles
When trying to accelerate, it hesitates. Not sure if it-??s a transmission problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #242

Sep 202019

Focus

  • miles
The entire car is a a safety issue. From the breaks and door latches, to the fuel system, electrical system, to the transmission. The 2014 Ford Focus SE needs to ne recalled aand taken off the roads.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #241

Nov 292022

Focus

  • miles
Car does jerking on initial gears and stall, Rpm increases/decreases suddenly. Engine lights on. Air bag error for driver seat.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

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