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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.

7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,510
Average Mileage:
25,200 miles
Total Complaints:
137 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. recall on transmission (21 reports)
  3. no solution (18 reports)
  4. clutch replacement (11 reports)
  5. install new clutch shaft (7 reports)
  6. transmission control module recall (6 reports)
2014 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2014 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #117

Jan 082018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,797 miles

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

I don't feel safe in this vehicle" 2014 Ford Focus"

these vehicles have consistently experienced transmission slips, kicking, jerking, harsh engagement, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed accelerations and the inability to accelerate.

- Jamal A., Brampton, ON, Canada

problem #116

Oct 202014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS ACTING NORMAL, I JUST NEED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY TO GET IT BROKEN IN. I TOLD FORD THAT MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING IN THIS JERKY WAY WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT, AND I WILL NOT STAND TO BE JERKED OR THE SLOW TAKING OFF ANY LONGER.

- Sheri M., Atlanta, US

problem #115

Feb 132015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,200 miles

THIRD TIME TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, AXLE WORKED ON AND I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER RENTAL TO USE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.

- Sheri M., Atlanta, US

problem #114

Jan 222015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

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

TRANSMISSION CLUTCH WORKED ON AND I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR FOR CLOSE TO A WEEK.

- Sheri M., Atlanta, US

problem #113

Aug 102015

Focus ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO Larry Hill Ford in Cleveland, TN twice for repair with warranty. Now the car is over 70,000 miles and I took it in and they wanted to charge me $172.00 for diagnostics for the same problem I have continuously had. They told me the clutches were no longer under warranty, but to determine if it is the computer module, I had to pay the diagnostic fee. They were willing to keep the car and give me a rental for another safety issues with latches, but I returned the rental and told them to forget about it.

I had already expressed concern of returning the same day with the rental and my car to be picked up, as I was undergoing chemotherapy. I told them I couldn't guarantee how I would feel at the end of the day. In reality I drove 45 miles for my car to be fixed and it did not get fixed. At the time I did not have the money, hence not working, on short term disability due to chemotherapy.

Very, very disappointed with how this issue was managed. Furthermore, Larry Hill Ford was a huge disappointment.

- Deb D., Rocky Face, GA, US

problem #112

Aug 152015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

My car literally stopped on the street. It was supposedly fixed by Ford yet the problem still exists. They act as if they don't care about consumers safety! Never will I buy another FORD!!!

- Paula C., Indianapolis, US

problem #111

May 032016

Focus 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,430 miles

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

ever since I purchased the vehicle the transmission has bothered me. When reported to dealer they told me it was just something these cars did, not to worry about it. I surely would like to be able to stop and start without it jerking on me. I do not believe any car should do this and I do not believe all of them do, as I was told.

- Annette A., Martin, TN, US

problem #110

Aug 222017

Focus V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,786 miles

This problem is unreal, been back to dealership three times for it and was told there was nothing they could do about it, we were told to take it out on the damn highway and floor it to clear the transmission out, it has gotten so bad that whenever we start up it feels like a damn bucking horse, when we have stopped on occasion on a slight hill like coming out of the hospital parking lot, with foot on brake it started to roll back for no reason, we are so fed up with this we want to junk the car, all we get from Ford is there is nothing wrong with our transmission. This thing is going on way too long, afraid it might cause us to have an accident when we can't start up from a stop sign or stop light, tired of having horns blown at us because car is so slow and bucking so bad at times.

Update from Nov 29, 2017: We are still having problems with the transmission, it is only getting worse, was on 93 North today and almost was re-ended because I tried to move forward when traffic started up again and the car just keep bucking, could only move about 10 miles phr. It has gotten so bad that my wife is afraid to drive the car and most of our traveling is done on the highway from Lowell, Ma to Boston, Ma. When it starts to buck it feels as though we are on a bucking horse. If I wasn't so polite I would use way different language.

- coleman, srpaul, Lowell, US

problem #109

Jun 012015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

it's the transmission, it jerks and sputters when trying to go

- Kristina E., Romulus, US

problem #108

Jan 142014

Focus LX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

MY CAR WAS AT 0 MILES AND WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY TOLD ME THAT PROBLEM WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE FIXED AFTER THE 5000 MILES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS AT THE DEALERS 4 OR MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SO THEY TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN AND I LOST A LOT OF MONEY. WHAT CAN I DO TO SUE FORD?

- Cynthia N., El Paso, US

problem #107

Nov 202016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

When I purchased to vehicle, I had bad vibes because someone had return the car with only 12,000 miles. I should have followed my feelings, when I called to report that they car was skipping and jumping, I was told that it was normal. However, after my brother drove the vehicle he told me it was a transmission issue and to take in back to dealership. I did and they replaced the part. Here it is not a year later and I am having the same issue problems. I received a post card several months ago indicating that a Class Action settlement was in progress. I am so angry because I have car notes for 2 more years. This is not fair. I begin researching and found hundreds of complaints online...Are we suppose to accept this and just continue to go back to the dealership for replacement once or twice a year. I DON'T WANT THIS CAR ANYMORE! HELP PLEASE!

- brownru30rb, Bellwood, US

problem #106

Feb 062017

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,000 miles

my problem with my ford focus my tried of all the recalls and the notices

- Amy G., Los Lunas, NM, US

problem #105

Feb 102015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Transmission (in addition to crappy blue tooth, a persistent awful smell since it was new, and the back up alarm not working ever) is terrible. Transmission is jerky and has little power. Super unsafe for pulling out in front of other cars, even when they are a distance away.This has been an issue since it was new and FORD is not interested in fixing the problem for consumers. Got the car brand new on a lease and started noticing problems within a few months - since Feb 2015. Ongoing issues. Its at the dealer again and last time the excuse was that it has computer issues (the computer navigation system or something), this time it is supposedly the clutch. If FORD is aware of the problem why am I still forced to drive a car that is unsafe? The dealer assured me it was just going to be annoying but safe to drive until they get the part in! This is a known issue and the cars are still on the road. Anyone else filing a claim for the lemon law in CA? I think we need a group action claim against Ford.

- defg, Sacramento, CA, US

problem #104

Jan 172017

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,807 miles

My husband bought me this car because the car I was driving was a 2007 Ford Focus and was a very dependable car. I bought it new and loved it so he wanted to buy me a newer one and bought the 2014 Ford Focus. The problem started the day we got it. It was hesitating, shuttering, just pretty bad. We took it to Ford and they replaced something on it but it still hesitates pretty bad at times. I don't feel like I have dependable transportation. It seems like the problem keeps getting worse.

- Shelly S., Woodlake, CA, US

problem #103

Nov 152015

Focus ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I have a 2011 Ford Fiesta SES. Had transmission problems beginning in 2013. Dealer said it was a computer chip problem. Left car for 2 days while repairs were made. Door lock recall completed in 2014. Had to replace both rear shocks because they had leaked all fluids. Cost $400 +. Got no response from Ford when I asked if this was a common problem.

Also have a 2014 Ford Focus hatchback. Both of these cars were bought new from Ford dealers.

Transmission started having problems in 2015. Dealer had car for 3 days and replaced entire transmission.

Have door lock recall to be completed on my next trip to dealer for regular service.

Both of these cars have been meticulously maintained since new.

- sbright817tb, Phoenix, US

problem #102

Jan 312017

Focus 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Well when I stop at light it jerks and I have not had it fixed. Do not have money fix it,so what do I do?

- Barbara B., Slaton, TX, US

problem #101

May 012017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I used to like Ford, but this was the first decently new car I bought. I have learned my lesson. Better to buy a car with 170k tested miles than a new piece of junk. The transmission problem is so irritating. They have all these new fancy transmissions that aren't worth anything. I would rather have no computer and a dependable car than all these fancy, useless, items in a shop. I really hope they do something to help. I stepped out on a huge limb to get this car, and am very disappointed.

- Andrew T., Beech Grove, IN, US

problem #100

Apr 122016

Focus LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,600 miles

CAR JERKED TO THE LEFT PARTIALLY CROSSING INTO PASSING LANE. jerked AND BUCKED UNPREDICTABILITY. Serviced by Day Ford in Monroeville Pa.'and Schultz Ford in Harmarville, Pa. The last repair in Harmarville, Pa. involved clutch replacement. The repair improved gas mileage, but the transmission became very noisy and unpredictable jerking, slipping. I believe I paid the balance of my lease and leased a 2016 Ford Cmax. I probably paid too much, but I got a safer car. I do not have any of the paper work, the dealership made the problem sound rare, until I got this letter I had no idea. I am 74 years and don't interact with many people the longer I am retired.

Update from Jul 19, 2017: Added vin number

- Chuck M., New Kensington, PA, US

problem #99

Feb 042015

Focus ES 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Have had five trips to have the transmission worked on. Having the power shift replaced in my car every eight months, missing work five times due to this.

Update from Jul 26, 2017: Have had work done five times , on Transmission , was told this time , that they would see me again in 12 weeks

- Mitchell M., Wilmington, US

problem #98

Jan 012015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Ford dealer said not to worry about the transmission issues from online reviews. They stated the issue was resolved by a Firmware updated. The issue started within weeks of the purchase and continues to get worse and is very annoying. They will not do anything to fix the situation stating that it is normal.

- Shawn B., South Milwaukee, US

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