Vehicle is equipped with Ford's 'automatic/manual hybrid' transmission. Vehicle began stuttering about a month after purchasing. Purchased vehicle brand new in January with 44 miles on it. When accelerating from full stop, vehicle shudders as if there were issues with the air intake, fuel, or transmission. Took vehicle back to two separate Ford dealerships (including where vehicle was purchased) and was told that that's just how it runs. Previous car was a manual. Whomever is operating the clutch under the hood, needs a lesson in driving! feels like vehicle is going to stall every time.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

The vehicle regularly shudders when accelerating from a dead stop and hesitates when accelerating from a low speed roll. Less frequently the transmission seems to lag and then lunge when the accelerator is applied while the vehicle is decelerating and the transmission is downshifting. The dealer representative indicated the problems are common for which there is no corrective action. The dealer explained that the vehicle has the most current transmission software update. When the complaint was brought to the attention of Ford, through a phone number provided by the dealer, the existence of a known problem was denied by Ford. During the complaint investigation the dealer representative denied stating that there is a known issue. The shuddering and hesitation characteristics present a safety issue when quick acceleration is required. The herky jerky nature of the shuddering and transmission shifting cause concern that, in the future, the parts in the transmission will wear and fail prematurely.

- Allentown, PA, USA

On August 2, 2014 purchased this vehicle new at ted britt Ford and fairfax Virginia on the way home felt the transmission slipping call dealer on August 4th 2014 was told the transmission was computer driven and needed to get used to the way I drove October 1st 2014 still having problems with transmission seems to be getting worse mileage 1,707 miles went to hagerstown Ford to have transmission check they informed me computer had the newest update for the transmission vehicle was driven by technician and service director service order says vehicle compares with similar vehicles ok at this time software is current and up-to-date no further action required at this time.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

While driving the vehicle, the transmission light came on and it began to sputter. While on the highway to take it to the dealership, it accelerated then jerked and dropped down to 50 mph while my foot was still on the gas. At times, it slowed nearly to a stop then would lurch forward. Took it to the dealership where when the vehicle was turned off then back on, the warning light went away. Having to Transport your children daily makes it a concern especially upon reading reports about other owners of this 2014 Ford Focus are having the exact problem for which nothing is being done.

- Louisville, KY, USA

In June of 2014 not even a full 6 months after I bought my 2014 Ford Focus it started to have transmission problems. It feels like it's having a hard time accelerating and when it finally gets moving it jerks all over the place. I feel like I'm driving a manual and it's an automatic. I have brought my car back into the dealership where they tell me that they can't find the problem.

- Minot, ND, USA

When I stop at a stop sign or light and then take off again my car shudders as I try to start driving. Then, when I try to accelerate it lags, and I have to put the peddle all the way to the floor before it will accelerate even the slightest bit. This occurs every single time I drive my car. Often when I attempt to drive off and I put my foot down on the gas pedal, the transmission slips midway through and after the initial take off the car stalls. This has almost caused me to get hit multiple times. This is not safe. Please do something about this because it is a serious hazard.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

The shuddering clutch/transmission issue seems to come standard with these cars. I bought a 2013 titanium for my wife and I and we both immediately noticed the shuddering on take-offs. We were told by the dealer that the shuddering is caused by our method of driving, and were actually told to accelerate more from stops. We were told that this car is like having a manual transmission and has to be driven similar, huh, but I bought an automatic transmission and after driving for over 30 years I have to retrain on how to drive this car. We paid alot for this car and hope that Ford takes care this problem and stop telling these dealership to tell the customer that they are driving the car wrong. The car occasionally jolts forward when shifting at low gear. Wife and I are afraid of rear ending someone.

- Union, NJ, USA

When taking off from a stop the car would jump/shudder at take off. When turning left in addition to a shudder you would hear a clunking sound. When the roads are wet and you try to turn the car shudders and slides on the road. Going down the road in rush hour you would be shuddering all the way down the road.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

Vehicle has a inherent problem with the automatic transmission. It seems to slip and cause the vehicle to jerk from a start. Dealer says it is normal and refuses to do anything about it. Vehicle was returned to service department a total of 3 times.this is a very dangerous situation and is unsafe.this vehicle needs to be recalled to have this addressed before someone gets killed.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

Gears started grinding between the 2nd and 3rd gear. When this happens, an error message pops up on screen and the car starts jumping. This happened in a new car with less than 1,000 miles. Taking to a dealership resulted in a cursory glance with no problems reported. But the incident happened twice after that. Difficult to reproduce, but is a persistent problem, as other owners of the same model have reported. A "fix" by Ford transfers the problem to a higher gear which increases the possibility of a crash at high speeds.

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

I picked up my repaired/replaced car yesterday at 2 pm. The service department replaced the clutch, seal and wiring assembly. I was told that the car would have to "re-learn" my driving habits and that would take about 2 weeks. I drove the car home and parked it. My husband came home from work and he started the car at 5:20pm. He placed the car in reverse and the car lunged forward with the car in reverse. He had to stomp on the brakes. He repeated this 3 times. I immediately called the service department and her response was "I will get the car towed back to the shop". so we decide to go back out and try it again. This time I had my video rolling. I have it documented that the car was in reverse ( the back-up lights are on camera) and the car is moving forward. Not only do I now have this issue my car is grinding and clanking and making all kinds of odd noises that weren't there before the repairs were done. I'm appalled that Ford is not doing something about all these issues. If a child or one of my pets would have been in front of the car they would have been ran over. This is totally unacceptable. Roadside assistance is coming to tow my car back to the service dept. And I once again will be stuck in a stinky rental car when I have a car with only 7000 miles on it and I can't drive it because it's not safe.

- Pleasant View, TN, USA

I have the same issue as everyone else with the stuttering shifting. I complained about it within a day of first purchasing the vehicle and was told that is how the car is supposed to shift, they would not even look at it. I was told that I just have to accelerate through it. I have learned not to put myself in a position where this may threaten an accident for me but it is still a huge safety concern where I have to constantly think about how the vehicle will perform pulling out into traffic and typically wait for a larger opening just in case the car wants to act up.

- Crestview, FL, USA

The vehicle on acceleration shutters, this is a know problem. I know that Ford and the NHTSA have known about this problem with the 2014 Ford Focus. I don't know why a recall has not been issued, this is a safety hazard, when pulling into oncoming traffic. I have had the clutches replaced once, and the vehicle still shutters, not a much, and I am being told that it falls within the limits set by Ford Motor Company. I am not happy with this alternative, and the problem should be fixed altogether. The vehicle is still making noise, I have been told by ruidoso Ford that this noise is normal. I have my doubts. I am looking at this arm of the us government to make sure that the vehicle I am driving is safe and that recalls are done efficiently and promptly.

- Ruidoso , NM, USA

I immediately noticed that the car seemed to be slipping gears/transmission. I put the car in reverse and it acted like the emergency brake was on and it wasn't. when accelerating the car hesitates, shutters, slips gears and stalls. I have had the car completely stall out in drive and in reverse. I'm afraid to pull out into traffic unless it is completely clear. I called about the issue and was told that it had to learn my driving habits. Well I now have 7000 miles on my car bought in Feb 2014 and it is worse than ever. Today I took it into the shop for a "computer update". then was told it's more than that and that they would have to keep my car because of clutch. It's a new car and I shouldn't be afraid to drive my car and get hurt. What are you going to do when the car lunges out into traffic or stalls when I pull out because it has a "computer update" issue and I'm killed? the service tech told me that he himself had owned one and got rid of it because of the issues. I want someone to contact me about this asap. It's not normal to have a new car that won't accelerate and stay in gear.

- Pleasant View, TN, USA

While driving up a hill I stepped on the gas so I could keep up with traffic and the vehicle bogged down and slowed to about 15 mph before the trans mission kicked in and the car started moving again. Also sometimes when you are taking off from a stop the car will lung forward into traffic also when driving about 10 mph the transmission will constantly shift up and down and jerk like it is looking for the correct gear. Was told by the dealer that Ford is aware of these problems but considers them with spec for this type of automatic transmission. When you bring the car into the shop the first thing they do is give you a 2 page handout describing how this automatic works but my problems are much worse than what they describe yet they can't find anything wrong. I am afraid to drive this car in traffic because you never know what it is going do. It would have been nice to have seen this handout before purchasing the vehicle as I probably wouldn't own the lemon now.

- Kent, WA, USA

I bought my car new back in feburary 2014. It does all kinds of things!! it does not shift right. It jerks, slips, revs high. If you need to accelerate it doesn't ever gear down correctly, either too much or not enough. It has completely stalled at intersections and would not move. It would not even rev up. I had to have it towed. It has accelerated into traffic at a red light, twice!! and each time did not have brakes. My children were in the car and it was a near miss. My children could have been killed!! I have had it at my Ford dealership 5 times!!! yes 5 times!!! each time it runs fine and does not do anything wrong while they are checking it out. The manager of the service dept states it is like a smartphone and once you cut it off it resets so this is probably why they can't find anything wrong with it by the time they get to it. I do not feel safe driving this car. But it is my only car. I don't know what to do. My dealership state they cannot do anything. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Ringgold, GA, USA

The transmission sputters when taking off from a dead stop. At a constant speed the car shifts into a higher or lower gear. Noises are made grinding noises when changing from 1-2-3 gears.

- Harrison, TN, USA

Vehicle shutters on take off and rattles. The shuttering at times can become serious to the point the vehicle acts like it wants to stall. I was told that Ford motor is very aware of this problem which involves a faulty clutch system but yet when checked by a computer, if the reading states certain numbers, they don't want to do anything about it! this is absurd! this vehicle is not safe to drive yet Ford does not want to fix the vehicle. When I drive this vehicle at times, the vibrations are so severe that I have to let up off the accelerator in order for it to stop. That's when I'm afraid that I'll get hit. A recall needs to be done on this problem. There have been 36 lawsuits filed just in one county in Pennsylvania alone for this problem NHTSA needs to step in and mandate Ford for a recall.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 10 mph and engaging the brakes, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The failure occurred four times. The dealer was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15. Updated 11/21/14 the consumer also experienced a transmission shifting problem. Updated 01/08/15

- Burkley, MI, USA

Ford Focus began leaking fluids due to a main seal issue. Automatic clutch/transmission shutters, jerks, vibrates and lurches at low speeds or on hills.

- Austin, TX, USA