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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:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,373 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #14

Sep 272023

Focus

  • miles

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

Unable to control vehicle in light rain conditions. Steering took me straight off the highway into a steel wire fence. Totalled the car with massive front end damage. Seat belt did not lock. Knocked window out with head during impact. The ONLY airbag to deploy was the knee airbag, shooting the hard plastic straight into my kneecap.

- Pontiac, IL, USA

problem #13

Oct 222019

Focus

  • 174,000 miles
Check engine light came on yesterday out of nowhere. Car started jerking bad as I took off. Slowly but getting worse til I had to stop. Then didn't wanna crank back up. Strange. So we hear a loud ticking noise.. this is with keys out of the car ignition.... I put keys in, still nothing. Eventually it crank but no reverse. God help me!!!!!!!!!!!

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #12

Aug 012019

Focus

  • 71,005 miles
The airbag sign comes on and there is nothing we with the vehicular, it also states the safebelt needs to be serviced

- Cotati, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 042016

Focus

  • 36,000 miles

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

When I first purchased the car I had issues from the start. I would press on the gas and the car would hesitate to go forward and then jerk. It felt like I was driving a manual car but I had an automatic. I found out that there was a recall on the car for this specific reason. I took the car to my local Ford dealer in clarksville in and had to wait over 3 weeks for the part to come in. I was not offered a loaner car or anything. Once I got the part it was ok for like literally maybe 1 or 2 months and the issues arose again. I took the car back and was told it was the last time I would be able to get the issue fixed for free. This all happened in 2016. It is now 2019 and I am still having the same issues. Also the passenger side seatbelt works intermittently. And the car doors do not always latch tightly when you shut the door. I have been told several times that there is nothing that can be done. Now I am stuck still making payments on a car that I do not feel safe driving. I did have a wreck in the car back in 2016 where I was pushing on the gas and it jerked really hard and then went forward violently and I hit a pole. The damage is still on my car which includes a busted front bumper and the car horn is not working.

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

problem #10

Jun 132018

Focus

  • miles
My seatbelt hardly ever buckles. I've had to jam it a few times in order for it to finally click. My stairwell has never been aligned with my tires, and my brakes were always janky

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #9

Mar 132019

Focus

  • 56,615 miles
Every time my Ford Focus shifts from 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd the entire car not only shutters but its extremely sluggish and seems like it's going to stall out. (automatic transmission) there are no warning light lit on my dash and the car barely has 56,000 miles on it. When I bought the car it had 35,000 miles and the problem existed then and has progressively gotten worse. Yesterday I was at a yield sign to enter the round about near my house and when I pressed the gass my car shuttered horribly and only went forward a few feet, I was nearly struck by a truck that had to suddenly swerve to keep from hitting us. I took my foot off the gas. When I pressed it again, this time with more force, it shuttered and jerked so hard it forcefully threw my head back against the seat! my 5yr old daughter that was in the back seat was crying uncontrollably, scared because we were almost hit by a truck! the seatbelts in the backseat of my car, have came unbuckled several times while my 2yr old and 5yr old children were in their carseats. When I attempt to rebuckle them it takes about 15- 20 minutes of my consistently trying to get the buckle to latch onto the seatbelts!

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #8

Sep 062018

Focus

  • 59,000 miles

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

30 mph car crash, in a city environment. The front end of my car was completely destroyed and airbags didn't deploy nor did my seat belts lock during hard braking, as I crashed into a truck. My body went forward and my head struck the streering wheel, resulting in a concussion. I provided a photo of the crash and have more including photos of inside of the vehicle with no airbag deployment.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #7

Oct 012018

Focus

  • 34,600 miles
I bought the car in March of 2018 with 34,600 miles. It was shifting oddly when I purchased the car, called the dealership value motors in new orleans, lawhere it was purchased. He said that it was normal due to the transmission type. A few weeks later I pulled the carfax report and saw that my transmission was serviced for the transmission control module.. while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle jerk sand stutters all the time. Theres no warning indicator illuminated.now shutters shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Rpms get really high before the car actually takes off. I brought the car to a Ford dealership (robinson brothers baton rouge) today 10/01/2018 was told I need a new clutch. My car has 46,417 miles and I was told it is not covered under any warranty because it was manufacured September 15, 2013. Its $1692.44 before taxes. I called Ford customer service and they said they couldnt do anything to help. This car is very scary to drive. To make matters worse, I have trouble buckling the rear driverside seatbelt at times &I have 3 small children and I feel like the car is unsafe for them and me.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #6

Jul 122016

Focus

  • miles
I contacted Ford local and corporate. Ford corporate told me that recalls were VIN specific. I told them that was concerning. I am still having problems with my puttering car. I took the car in for a recall previously and the problem was not fix. The general manager called me in response to my not being satisfied. He left a message. I did not return his call. Recently, I got another recall concerning door latch. I set up an appointment for that recall. The previously recall with the switch was not fixed properly. Now my car defrost system is not working. Sometimes my seatbelt won't buckle. Why want Ford take responsibility concerning their products. I am an avid Ford buyer. Please document my concerns concerning by engine stalling, defroster and seatbelt. I noticed that there were 8 recalls for the 2014 Ford Focus. I relayed this to Ford. They told me that recall were VIN specific. I have contacted you before concerning a complaint. I am schedule to visit local Ford service department for the door latch recall tomorrow. Thank you for your response and help. I really don't remember the dates of all these problems. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

problem #5

Nov 242016

Focus

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While attempting to buckle the passenger side seat belt, the seat belt would not retract and lock into a secured position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #4

Nov 112016

Focus

  • 13,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 12 mph, the contact paying attention to 3 pedestrians, a mother and 2 young children, when a vehicle came out of nowhere causing her to crash into the side of the vehicle. The steering wheel airbag failed to deploy but the knee bolster airbag did deploy and the seatbelt tensioner activated. The contact sustained bruises to the right breast caused by the pressure of the seat belt that retracted during the crash. The contact required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a gate collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

problem #3

Apr 112016

Focus

  • miles
Bought car brand new in June 2014. Have had transmission redone. Now having same issue again. Front seat belts replaced. Now need replaced again. Have had dealer repair outside door skin on front passenger door due to Transport damage. Had to take car in to have interior door repositioned due to poor dealer workamanship. I have had this car in for repairs more than any vehicle I have ever owned. Car currently has about 33,000 miles on it.

- Independence, KS, USA

problem #2

Dec 042015

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
Takata recall. I have a 2014 Ford Focus bought may of 14, today I was driving down road my check engine light came on & my transmission stopped pulling. Put it on computer at auto zone it says clutch sensor. Won't even go in gear now. I have 73,000 miles 13,000 past warranty. I am not happy. Also my drivers seatbelt sometimes won't latch.

- Malden, MO, USA

problem #1

Aug 282015

Focus

  • 22,000 miles
August 28, 2015. While heading westbound on a traveled highway; a vehicle pulled out in front of the westbound car and caused an accident wherein, the airbags did not deploy or the seatbelts did not lock. Vehicle was doing about 45 mph when accident occurred.

- Willard, OH, USA

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