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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 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

Jun 012015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

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

We noticed the stalling/jerking/hesitation problem when we were test driving the car but the dealer said they didn't notice it when they test drove it. We didn't think too much about it because the dealer didn't seem to be concerned. After about a week we checked online to see if others were having the same problem and sure enough TONS of people were having similar issues. Some said they had taken their cars in multiple times and they were left without a car for a month. Others have said they took their car in and the problem supposedly was fixed but now it seems worse than before. I don't want to take the chance with either of those happening.

I am afraid to take it in to have it serviced due to the fact it's bad now but I don't want it to get any worse. When you buy a new/used car you expect it to drive smooth and be a reliable vehicle. This one is not so much. I am glad that I just use it back and forth to work. I don't even put my children in it because it's not a reliable vehicle.

- Katie M., Cedar Rapids, IA, US

problem #56

Jan 112016

Focus SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,818 miles

I have a new title on my used 2014 Ford focus because it had been in a previous accident. Almost immediately after purchasing the car I began noticing jerking and hesitation she proceeding from a stop. Twice the dealership attempted to eliminate this problem with the PowerShot dual clutch by replacing the transmission control module. However the problem still persisted.

I decided to contact Ford customer service and was given the okay to take my car to McCarthy Ford dealership at 11400 S. Pulaski Rd in Chicago. I was told it would be covered under the extended warranty because of the many complaints even though I had a new title on a used car. However after leaving my car, I received a call stating it wasn't covered but that it indeed needed a new transmission clutch. All I received was a sorry after all of the time and gas wasted. These PowerShot dual clutch transmissions are a nightmare and should be recalled and fixed at no charge.

- brendadefourneau, Chicago, IL, US

problem #55

Mar 012015

Focus Hatchback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Another frustrated Focus owner with a jerking transmission.

- sal6078, Pinson, AL, US

problem #54

Jul 012015

Focus 2.Ol. I4 Di

  • Automatic transmission
  • 485 miles

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

I have owned 3 Fords and will NEVER purchase another. Even though it's a 2014, I bought it new from a Ford dealership. Several people told me how much Ford had improved their vehicles and how great the Focus is-----BUNK!!! Started having problems months after buying it.

- Fran G., Jamestown, NY, US

problem #53

Oct 302015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT 2015 IT STARTED GETTING WORSE FROM DAY ONE. THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN OXNARD TOOK IT TO VISTA FORD IN OXNARD, I'VE BEEN WAITING EVER SINCE FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT. THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE NO ANSWER FOR THE DELAY MANAGERS AND FORD CONTINUE TO DENY A PROBLEM OR PROVIDE ANSWERS. THIS IS FORDS ABSOLUTE FAILURE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE SHUTTER AND SHAKE GETS WORSE THE LONGER WE DRIVE IT SO WE DONT DRIVE IT MUCH. I CANT SELL THE CAR BECUZ THE RESALE IS SO LOW BECUZ OF THIS ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERZ NOW AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR.

- akuna, Ventura, CA, US

problem #52

Apr 022014

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

Maybe the problem is half my fault for not doing my homework on this blue turd, but when the salesman from EXCEL FORD of CABOT ARKANSAS in case you missed it I stated EXCEL FORD of CABOT ARKANSAS told me that he would put his daughter in this car and trust it across America and never fear that anything would go wrong with it. I took it back when the jerking and shuttering of the transmission started and they said that is what it is because of the new improved auto/manual transmission, now being very upset I turned to another ford dealership Crain Ford of Jacksonville Arkansas, they took the car and had it for 2-3 days and gave me a loaner as well. A few days later they called and said the car was ready, when asked what was the problem they said it was to do with the oil to the clutch problem and it was bad, the car ran fine for another few months and started again to do the same thing, took it back and once again they took it and loaned me a loaner car while EXCEL FORD of CABOT ARKANSAS still claimed it was fine. The car has been back 3 times for the same problem that can only have a Band-Aid put on the problem since ford has no fix. The car in my mind is 17,000$ piece of trash only because of the great transmission that some over paid design team came up with.

- Paul A., Cabot, AR, US

problem #51

Mar 012015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

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

This is the second ford focus I have leased and I should have learned my lesson. Had a 2013 and there was a lot of jerking, hesitation. No pick up in first gear. When I took it in they said they had to replace something in the transmission. They said it was not safe for me to drive but they would have the car at least a week. When I got it back within a month back the same way. The really wanted me to get a new car. Well I did 2014 ford focus again. Auto Manuel trans. Doing the same crap. Took it in once and they said the just updated the system. Its was good for a week. I don't have time to keep hanging out at the dealership for them to really not fix it. They just tell me a computer should not be trying to tell the transmission to go. I may give the cars back because I lease them but totally ridiculous that they know it doesn't work right but do nothing about it. No more fords for me unless the are older models.

- Barbara D., Southgate, MI, US

problem #50

Aug 312015

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

It is starting to have the same problem again, so I will have to waste another day getting it fixed.

- pmelvin, Port Richey, US

problem #49

Sep 182014

Focus S 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

Took it to the dealer 3 times already. Now they're telling they ordered a clutch and it will be 8 weeks or more because of back order. I told them that the next I come in, I will call to Ford Motor directly to get this situation taken care of.

- Harold K., Lorain, OH, US

problem #48

Aug 262014

Focus SE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 256 miles

This has been a problem since I bought my new Ford Focus 2014 SE.

- Bill W., CLEMENTS, MD, US

problem #47

Dec 032015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,919 miles

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

Bought car as an emergency replacement for another vehicle so I did not have much time to do research. Had this car to three different dealers for terrible jerking problem when taking off. Also while turning in a tight turn the car vibrates. One dealer had motor mounts replaced the other two gave me a pamphlet to explain the clutchless transmission operation. I have had new and used cars before and I have never had a car jerk and vibrate as badly as this car. Ford do the right thing and recall these vehicle, you know you have a problem here.

- Mario C., Staten Island, NY, US

problem #46

Oct 142015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I took my 2014 Ford Focus to the dealership in October 2015 regarding this issue. At that time I was informed they would have to order a part which would take 6-12 weeks. As of today it has been 18 weeks and I was informed today that it would be another 6 weeks before the part would be in. The more time that passes without this problem being fixed makes me concerned what other affects could this unresolved issue be creating.

I can guarantee one thing that I will never buy another Ford vehicle or recommend a Ford vehicle to anyone.

- Amy C., Middletown, DE, US

problem #45

Mar 062014

Focus SE 4 Cilinder

  • CVT transmission
  • 100 miles

TRANSMISSION GIVES A BIG SHOT WHEN STARTING TO MOVE. ALWAYS NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPERY WHEN SWITCHED AT THE BEGINNING OF MOVE. THE CAR STALLS AND NEARLY CRASHED IN THE BACK. VERY DANGEROUS THIS LEMON CAR. NEVER AGAIN AN AMERICAN CAR.

- Fouad M., Longueuil, QC, Canada

problem #44

Feb 132016

Focus SD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

This is a used car. Got the car first week of Feb.2016. By the second week took car to Ford Dealer. The trans. shifts "FUNNY" from a dead stop to second gear. Ford checked it out and said it "Shutters" a little If get's worse bring it back. HEY FORD If something "HAPPENS" because of this transmission to my wife in this car, WELL YOU WILL FIND OUT !!! PISSED OFF IN PA.

Update from Dec 21, 2016: Well here it is Dec. 2016 "TWO CLUTHES LATER" and The Gas Gauge Goes UP & Down...This is "With Out A Doubt the "WORST CAR WE EVER HAD"... SICK & TIRED in PA.

- dlove69$, Phoenixville, PA, US

problem #43

Aug 012015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

Took car to dealer where purchased (Kerry Ford - Springdale, OH), to check why car was jerking & wouldn't shift correctly. They gave me a loaner, took a couple of weeks to test it, and told me the clutch needed to be replaced. They told me it would take 8 weeks to get the part(s) in...after about 10 weeks, I called to check status, and they told me it was taking more like 12-15 wks to get them in (they told me there was a major shortage getting replacement parts).

I called in late December, and they told me to call back after the beginning of this year. It is now FEBRUARY, and THEY HAVEN'T CALLED ME ONCE!!...not even to give me an update. I think this is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! I don't care if it IS warranty work, they should at least let me know what's going on!! My ex used to swear by Ford Trucks, so I figured I'd give Ford a try (never owned one myself).

Now, I'm regretting that I didn't buy a Toyota or Nissan for the same amount of money. It wasn't like this car was significantly less expensive than the others....

- Denise M., Crestview Hills, KY, US

problem #42

Feb 012016

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Ford needs to stop making Dual Clutch Transmissions. The car jerks into second and third gear, and if i have to cross a busy street into traffic this car cant be TRUSTED. The transmission shakes, and vibrates and sometimes will not even shift into second gear and Ford dealer doesn't give a sh*t. Can't wait to get out of this lease in November.

- Robert S., Deer Park, NY, US

problem #41

Sep 302015

Focus 2.0L Gdi

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Automatic transmission responded like a 16 year old learning how to drive a manual transmission car-- shuddering all the way to 35 MPH.

Also it tended to rev to high rpms before shifting.

Local Dealer did the recall work and replaced the clutch.

- sanuk.sanan, Fountain Valley, CA, US

problem #40

Sep 142014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

I seem to be having the same problem that everyone else is having. I bought my car September 2014. About a week later, I noticed that the car started jumping a lot. I took it in to get checked out, they told me that it has an "internal clutch" & that I need to break it in & that around 3k-5k miles, it should run fine. I'm at approx 14k now, and my car is in the shop for the 3rd time for the same problem. I'm stuck with this car.. My old car that I traded in for this new one, ran better with 200k+ miles. This is the biggest financial mistake I've made in my life.

- jcrod, Buena Park, CA, US

problem #39

Aug 312015

Focus 1.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,600 miles

I do not like driving this vehicle because of the stop....start with the transmission! This car is a dog. It is getting to the point that it stutters when going to 2nd gear. That,s what I get for not researching though I am contracted by Ford. It is not a good idea to take your extra manual transmissions and try to get them to perform properly as an automatic. #throwthemanualtransleftoveraway

- Terri H., Trenton, MI, US

problem #38

Jun 202014

Focus ES 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,233 miles

I bought a brand new Ford Focus 2014 the car starts to shudder when take off after a complete stop. 2 times I took my car back to the dealer and I was told the it was out of calibration. Keep for 5 days. Problem still not fix.

- barkerga, Lithonia, GA, US

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