10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
22 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,941 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1194

Aug 012022

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
One day when I went to go fill my 2014 Ford Focus up, my car started and stalled randomly. I could not get my car to turn back on. After a few tries, it finally came on. This issue would go on for two weeks every time I filled up my car. If my car only gets $10 in it, its fine though. only happens when I fill it up. Then my car gas gauge started acting funny and will fluctuate between empty and full while driving. I can't tell how much gas I have in my vehicle. Then my husband, who so happens to be a mechanic, took a look and noticed my fuel tank is now caved in and is deformed. There is a problem with my CPV which has now affected my fuel tank. Upon further investigation, I did see where there was a recall about the power train quite a few years ago and then not long after, another recall about the CPV failing and causing stalling, not accurate gas gauges, and deformed gas tanks. I called my local Ford dealership about this. When I typed in my VIN the only active recall was the door latch system. Which means it was either fixed in the past or for some reason my vehicle wasn't recalled when it should have been. My ford dealership said there was no current or past recalls on my specific vin and were refusing to fix my car. I feel like it is unfair my car was affected by a recall but I can't get it fixed just because my vin says my car wasn't affected. It definitely was. I am a poor college student just trying to make a life of myself. I will soon have no car, unless my husband finds a way to fix it without spending an arm and a leg. Thanks for listening and please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #1193

Jul 142022

Focus

  • miles
I recently purchased the vehicle second-hand with 57,000 miles on it. Six weeks later, while driving the engine light came on and the car would not accelerate properly- it hesitated severely and would not shift itself into higher gears. The local Ford dealer diagnosed the problem as a Transmission Control Module failure and informed me this is a known manufacturer defect covered by warranty. However, the part is back ordered 18+months. A car with a safety defect identified by the NHTSA, litigated in court, and unable to be repaired due to unavailability of parts should not be allowed to be sold. The Ford Customer Satisfaction Program provided no assistance to resolve the problem. The car is un-driveable and repairs cannot be made because the part is back ordered. The 2014 Ford Focus is a dangerous car that should not be bought, sold, or driven.

- Reeds, MO, USA

problem #1192

Jul 302022

Focus

  • miles
01/08/2019- Vehicle was checked for fuel tank deformation (18S32) Vehicle Mileage 65,162 the technician comments read as follows (check dtcs, check for available PCM software update, no available software update, no parts replaced) 07/26/2022- Vehicle was brought to Billy Howell Ford Lincoln Dealership for a permanant emmissions code PO442. Ford Corporate arranged the Diagnostic appointment. The technician comments read as follows (checked dtc's. found multiple DTC's set in various modules. PO442 is only fault set in PCM. checked OASIS, no relevant information found. performed EVAP system test, passed. performed EVAP purge and seal test, passed. connected smoke machine to test for leaks. EVAP smoke machine measured a leak of approxamitely.040", near acceptable range. visual inspection during EVAP leak test, found smoke emitting from vapor canister fresh air vent tube, indicating EVAP vapor canister vent leakage. recommend replacing EVAP vapor canister and retesting. 07/30/2022- I took vehicle to have the EVAP vapor canister replaced mechanic noticed that the fuel tank was slightly deformed. I drove the vehicle approxamitely 120 miles so the PCM would cycle and clear the permanent code. Fuel guage was on empty w/light on. I stopped at gas station I put 26 dollars of e-85 in vehicle. when i returned to car the fuel gauge was reading full DTE 418 miles. The gauge was reading innacurate. I drove the car about 40 miles before it stalled and it would not start. I waited a few minutes and tried to start the vehicle and it started. Iimmediately drove home and parked it in the garage. All of these symptoms point to the recall (18S32) Billy Howell Ford say's my recall was already completed and I cant recall it again. The vehicle has never received a PCM reprogramming for the fuel tank (19S22) Ford was supposed to reprogram the PCM software back in 01/08/2019 when they checked for the tank deformation. Withouty the software update and necessary repairs. its a risk.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #1191

Jul 272022

Focus

  • 50,700 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking aid malfunction warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,700.

- Logansport, IN, USA

problem #1190

Jul 312022

Focus

  • miles
I was at stop light. When I accelerated the car jerked then went into gear. It was fine until I had to stop and go again. Then an engine light came on. Then it said the trans is to hot, Pull over safely. Then it said to wait 5 minutes to let it cool down. Now I have to find a way to get it to a shop and try and repair it. It's a 2014 Ford Focus with 70.000 miles

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #1189

Jul 282022

Focus

  • miles
The transmission started not accelerating and I lost reverse then said my transmission was over heating

- Fremont, MI, USA

problem #1188

Jun 162022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission jerks and I think this is caused by fuel system cars got p1450 code unable to bleed fuel tank vacum this code was in the system august 24/2021 this vehicle has all the symptoms of a recall on these cars of recall 18s32 but this cars vin does not show up and it has been a problem since 62000 miles

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #1187

Apr 152022

Focus

  • miles
My car kept stalling with service engine soon light. Took it to a ford dealer and had a recall for the tcm. Upon them doing a diagnostic on them they stated I also needed a clutch on it but because I was just a little bit over mileage it was not covered under warranty. I never received a notice in the mail for the recall or I would of definitely took my car knowing that it in the transmission. I feel this is unfair to those whom have experienced this and there should be an extended warranty on this particular part.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #1186

Jun 242022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission control module failed after I got gas. Part is under recall by FORD. Ford does not have the part. 6-8 month wait. I need my car so I had to purchase a used part. Cost of part $486. Then I had to pay for labor. Ford charges $580 to install and program used part. I could not afford this. I had to pay another mechanic to install. Currently waiting for repair and paying for a rental car. It-??s been 2 weeks.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #1185

Jun 152022

Focus

  • miles
Put car in gear and upon take off the car shudders and shakes and then loses power and doesn't shift into higher gears. It's like it slips into neutral and will not go into reverse and the car has 90,000 miles on it and I am the second owner. It belonged to my mom who passed away 2 years ago. She had the same issues with the transmission. I called a Ford dealership and they told me to drive it like I stole it to help with the shudder and shifting issues, instead of trying to help resolve the issues. Has almost caused me to get re- ended several times and twice but emergency vehicles on a two lane road because of the shifting issues and loss of power. Ford needs to recall and fix the transmission issues before it gets someone killed.

- Dixon, MO, USA

problem #1184

Jul 082022

Focus

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle in March, 2022 knowing it had been bought back by Ford from the original owner under the Lemon Law because of repeated issues of balky transmission performance or no drive and time out of service. I purchased this car from the second owner in Georgia. According to the Ford service documents obtained with the vehicle, several major repairs were performed. The vehicle performed well the time of purchase. I had confidence that Ford Motor Company had corrected the original defects.Now, 4 months after purchase, the transmission control module failed, resulting in a no drive/no start condition, two tow truck calls to remove the vehicle from precarious traffic situations adjacent to busy major highways. The Ford service writer indicates that while my vehicle is covered under Ford 's extended powertrain warranty as a result of the class action lawsuit concerning the DPS6 transmission, the current TCM replacement parts backlog is 45,000, with vehicles out of service sitting at my dealer since February, 2022. There is no question that Ford dodged the bullet by skillfully avoid a full recall to replace these failed DPS6 transmissions. What good is an extended warranty if no replacement parts are available??

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #1183

Jul 102022

Focus

  • miles
Bought this car in May 2022. After about 2 weeks the car was slipping gears and would not reverse in some cases. Had it diagnosed by the Ford dealership and was told it needed a new TCM. After a few months we managed to get the part ourselves and replace it. Now the car is shifting roughly and says complete transmission failure but will still drive. I cannot believe Ford didn't recall the part, but rather issued an extended warranty on a part that is otherwise impossible to get ahold of.

- Rayland, OH, USA

problem #1182

Dec 012015

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and had the recall repair completed. The contact stated that two years after the recall repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed speed, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral(N). The contact stated that the transmission was hot and a message to -??Pull Over-?? was displayed. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for 15 minutes and then continued driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch plates and an unknown sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experience the failure two years after the second repair. The contact took the vehicle a third time to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the sensor to be reset. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an unknown sensor replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure 15-minutes after the repair. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Madison, ME, USA

problem #1181

May 302022

Focus

  • miles
The transmission shakes violently at take off and while driving it accelerates and acts as if the transmission is slipping. It has gotten worse since I bought it. The shimmy at start up was brought to the attention of the dealership at the time of purchase but I was told there was nothing wrong it was just a common thing with this transmission. The message center says Transmission fault and the dealer says it is a covered problem TCM but the part is not available due to being back ordered. It has been parked fir 5 weeks and have been told to expect a year before the part is available

- Malden , MO, USA

problem #1180

May 122015

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, after coming to a stop, the vehicle started jerking and sputtering. The contact stated that she thought the vehicle was going to lose motive power however, the vehicle remained running. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under an unknown recall 2 years ago for the fuel injection or fuel tank. The contact stated that recently while driving, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle was sputtering. The contact stated that she had to depress the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to remain running. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The DTC reading stated power train system and reprogram transmission control module. The Auto Zone employee advised her to contact a Ford dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #1179

Jun 272022

Focus

  • miles
On June 27,2022 I was running errands w my car. After filling the tank w fuel my car would not go into gear! I had a hard time getting it to go into drive then it finally started to move. The car was shaking and shuttering when I tried to Accelerate. The car would not shift gears and was reved very high. It would start to drive then it wouldn-??t kick into gear and was jerking all over the road. I was able to get home and call a Ford dealership. The service department said that it was probably the transmission however they couldn-??t diagnose it until the end of August! I started googling issues w ford 2014 transmission which is when I found out about the class action lawsuit and issues with the faulty transmission. Apparently Ford had installed these transmission knowing that they were faulty and could cause issues while driving. Rather than issuing a recall and noticing customers of these hazardous issues they instead extended the warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles. My cars vin number is part of the cars that were installed w faulty transmissions however Ford has so many service issues my car cannot be diagnosed for at least a month and I was told that the part is on back order and will take several months to replace. I am now making payments on a car that will be out of commission for months. Had ford issued a recall I would have been able to replace this part before this issues happened and would not have lost control of the car while driving! Ford did not notify me of the issue and even when I called to explain what was going on the did not tell me of the lawsuit or the extended warranty. Had I not been off that day and running errand around the neighborhood I typically drive the highway 40+ miles to work. If I would have lost control of the car on the highway rather than a side street I would have almost certainly had an accident and possibly lost my life !

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #1178

Apr 122022

Focus

  • miles
The "automatic" transmission jerks you forward as it switches gears. Makes the car slow down rapidly and jerks itself into gear which could cause a driver behind to rear end you. If this were to happen on the freeway, a major accident could occur. Problems diagnosed by transmission shop is actuator motors needing replacement along with the TCM. No one with any official capacity has inspected the car but this can be accomplished. An engine light came on after the transmission failed. Just purchased this car on April 5, 2022. Within one week of purchase this problem began. This car is available for inspection upon request.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #1177

Jan 012016

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Over the years, the contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for multiple repairs; however, the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the transmission control module was the cause of the failure. The dealer then informed her that parts were on back order and that due to a limited amount of parts available, the transmission control module might never become available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #1176

Mar 182022

Focus

  • miles
On 3/18/22 while driving on I-95 in stop and go traffic the the car shuddered, shook, lurched, lunged from a compete stop and the RPM needle was going crazy. Then an emergency message came on my dashboard telling me the transmission was overheating and to pull over immediately in a safe area. I had the car towed from a shopping area parking lot to Apple Ford in Columbia Maryland. They had it for two weeks, told me they road tested it and found nothing wrong. Meanwhile I researched and found reports all over the internet about these faulty Powertrain transmissions and TCM's Ford knew about from 2014 on in those cars that they rolled out anyway. When told them what I found, out after two weeks they said they couldn't replicate the problem and come get the car off their lot. I said they had to drive the car in high traffic and they'd see, but but they were done. They were rude and dismissive. I previously reported this to you in Complaint #1147296. I picked up the car and because I'm retired don't drive much it wasn't until stuck in another rolling backup on I-95 on 5-26-22 it did it again. I managed to make it home and the next day took it to AAMCO in Laurel, MD. They confirmed an internal failure in the Dual Clutch, Actuators and TCM module. The exact problem that's going on with all these Ford Focuses nationwide. Total cost of repairs $3,626.61 and a 4-8 week wait for parts.

- Highland, MD, USA

problem #1175

Oct 062021

Focus

  • miles
I took car the get it service at Ford dealer In Nov 15 2021 after many months and many car dealers refusing or not having time to look at car and a few stalls. This being the second Ford focus same year and same problems that left us with bills that ford Corp refused to honor. Have names off peole but will leave it out. The advisor whom I was given and appt was made for transmission testing Ford said that iif I had it tested they would cover cost due to no parts to fix it due to shortages and backorders. The advisisor refused to have it tested since she said she tells all customers not to have them inspected I asked her what would be beneficial to that she got upset and limited any questions. I reported issue bt service Manger was gone for the day at 230pm. The latches and valves for tank deformations had not been started yet. Next morning after a messege and assurance issues would be dealt and advisor had said she would not deal with me service Manger tried to bully me into staying quiet. He said he would make sure advisor would help she didnt and very short time to do work which the fuel readings were worse then before. Shop foreman gave me his word that he woukd get transmission to be tested to keep agreement which he didn't follow thru after several messages and calls. And after car began to stall. Zero help from service dept. Ford Corp makes excuses never one solution to get it seen. Said i had to pay to have it seen. Zero help with dealers that refused to do recall and ford Corp work. After over 200 days and after reaching to owner of dealership that promised to make it right but service Manger refused to follow thru and after he told me to move on and go elsewhere. I got another dealer to check it but they only wanted the most expensive non covered work so I would have to say so. Not the top issue car went in. after 4 days and after ford Corp again making promises with worker not involved at all. So far 3500 bill Ford wants time but said

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »