10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,379 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #127

Aug 072019

Focus

  • 76,318 miles
Doesn't drive or go in reverse was at a red light it didn't want to drive off almost caused a wreck

- Gray, LA, USA

problem #126

Jul 302019

Focus

  • 144,050 miles
The factory radio shorts out and fries parts of the main wiring harness. This causes the car to make loud popping noises that sound like gun shots. Scaring the driver. It also shut the car off while I was driving.

- Nitro, WV, USA

problem #125

Jul 292019

Focus

  • 61,000 miles
My car engine would not shut off!

- Mexico, NY, USA

problem #124

Dec 222014

Focus

  • miles
Have had 2 clutches put in and have taken to dealership number of times to address poor acceleration. I have had issues with vehicle from purchasing it new told dealer I bought it from it ran wrong and was told they couldn't check til vehicle had 10000 miles. Feel I've been sold an unsafe lemon. Was told by one service manager to floor when car grabs from a stop. Also sync system works intermittently.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #123

Jan 062014

Focus

  • miles
Since buying the car new I have had multiple issues with the transmission jerking, slipping, loss of take off power and feelings of unsafe driving situations. My vehicle one time felt like someone threw on an emergency brake and nose dived on the highway when it lost power during acceleration off entrance ramp. Most of the time the surging, bucking, slow to respond happens when the vehicle is warmed up and have to move after a stop light or sign. Also had to bring it in to dealer to have wiring fixed due to vibrations of vehicle. Last few trips to the dealer I had to pay out of pocket and never got any solid answers to the problem or any fixes, just told it is within limits. With no fixes in the plans I quit taking it in to the dealership due to no issues being covered under warranty.

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #122

Nov 012017

Focus

  • 29,000 miles
I bought the car used with around 28K miles. I have had to have the transmission serviced twice already, and it continues to act up intermittently. Symptoms include shuddering and jerking, especially in the first two gears, unexpected acceleration in both forward and reverse (throttle input gives different results in different conditions) failure to accelerate in a many circumstances: Often reverse takes a few seconds to engage, and if you need to accelerate quickly, such as to avoid an accident or hazard, too heavy of an input causes the engine to rev very high but the car doesn't go anywhere. The unit also has delayed or "sticky" downshifts, especially in an emergency stopping situation. And over the first 3 years of ownership, fuel economy seems to be decreasing. The vehicle has been exclusively serviced by Ford dealers under my ownership. I understand what the transmission is, how it functions, and I drive accordingly, including trying to rev match shifts. It continues to act up mildly every day, and severely on occasion. It is both the newest and least trustworthy vehicle I've ever owned, and I expect an expensive and catastrophic failure before I've paid it off. In addition, the horn has failed several times and will now need to be replaced.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #121

Jul 112019

Focus

  • 52,154 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 20-30 mph, the instrument cluster gauges fluctuated and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the hill assist and ABS warning indicators illuminated and the instrument cluster became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced the failures prior to being repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). Castle Ford (located at 3930 franklin St, Michigan city, in 46360, (219) 879-5381) and the manufacturer were informed of the failures via telephone. The failures were intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,154.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #120

Apr 162019

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
Upon "check engine" light illumination, I took car to garage to have codes read. They showed me what they believed to be the issue and said I should check with Ford for recalls or compensation to have what is clearly a manufacturing defect fixed. I googled my situation and was stunned to see how common a problem it is. One example of this can be found at: Https://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/MK3-Focus/517737-tsb-14-0215-chafing-wiring-harness.html. in my situation the wire harness has cut through from rubbing on the manifold and there is obvious corrosion to the wiring. This causes sporadic loss of acceleration and has caused the engine to not start upon two occasions. Loss of acceleration when traveling can be extremely dangerous and accident causing. And the cost to fix this manufacturing flaw seems dependent on how many wires are involved, and if any circuits were actually fried and non-working as a result of the wiring issue. I was quoted upwards of $1000 for the full wiring harness alone with no labor (worse case scenario). I am also unable to pass nys inspection until the issue is fixed and the codes are cleared. I have spoken to a representative from Ford and was informed that no programs are in place at this time to deal with this issue. Ford has obviously been aware of this flaw for several years now. If I had been made aware of this issue, it could have been easily corrected before it became destructive and dangerous and a major repair job. I feel ignoring this issue is negligent on the part of Ford.

- Latham, NY, USA

problem #119

Jun 192019

Focus

  • 26,000 miles
In the course of less than a month, the car's problem progressed from intermittent starting issues that left me stranded to a full-on failure of the transmission control system. The clutch of the vehicle had been replaced and the transmission repaired in June 2018. On May 30th, 2019, the car was taken in due to transmission starting issues. The lights would turn on when turning the key, but the engine would not crank. The car was returned after the transmission control module was replaced. On June 11, 2019, the car was returned to the dealership for the same issue. Car would not start and took about 50 tries after having been stranded for several hours. Car was returned to me several days later because nothing was found. On June 19, 2019, I was driving down the highway, I was in the left lane going about 60 mph. I tried to accelerate to pass someone, and my car would not accelerate. When I looked down, my check engine light was flashing, my battery light was on, and my oil light was on. The car downshifted and started to rapidly decelerate. Engine shut down, and car was rolling to a stop. I had to rush to the right lane in rush hour traffic, and I managed to roll my way up the exit ramp, where my car shut down completely at the top of the exit ramp. Car would not restart, and I was stranded there for over an hour in a dangerous place and situation. I called a tow, and after trying to start my car intermittently for over an hour, the engine finally started. I drove it straight to the dealership to be checked out again.the same issue with transmission control has persisted, resulting in me having to take the car in on three separate occasions in about two weeks. It started of from intermittent starting issues to the car shutting down completely while traveling at a high speed. This car has done nothing but put me in danger, and I haven't even paid it off yet.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

problem #118

Mar 012019

Focus

  • 72,000 miles
The radio making a loud unexpected popping noise. Dangerous while driving. Even with vehicle off, it's making the noise. This is a Ford problem.

- Maybrook, NY, USA

problem #117

May 292019

Focus

  • 139,000 miles
In my 2014 Ford Focus, the radio is making awful sounds. It started off as music would stop playing then a loud bang would happen and the radio would cut back on immediately after. Now it is an issue where the radio and car is completely turned off and will make loud popping, static, screeching, and white noise. Currently, it is still having these same issues while driving and even when the vehicle is parked and the key is out of the ignition; I have also found the issue has progressed worse to where the car is making these noises after opening the drivers door with no key near and after not being driven for a couple of days.when the issue had started I was at a busy intersection and it sounded like cars were rear ending me. I am scared to drive my car because these sounds are sudden and as a young driver it is extremely dangerous, because these sounds are loud enough for me to potentially jerking the wheel and causing an accident. I have contacted Ford on multiple occasions about this issue because it is extremely concerning for me, they said that they could not do anything, and could not even tell me some plans to potentially fix it without having the dealership diagnosis the issue which is a lot of money when it is not an owner error. I have also looked at multiple online forms where hundreds of people with focuses ranging from 2012-2015 are also having this issue and are not getting help from Ford at all. All owners agree this is an extremely dangerous issue that needs to be resolved and it seems like we are getting pushed to the back-burner because it is not a safety issue, when it indeed is. I have also found where mechanics are telling people the fuses could be bad, which could start a fire which is extremely concerning. I also found where Ford issued a tsb for 2012-2013 models that are having the same issue.

- Scottsville, VA, USA

problem #116

Aug 102018

Focus

  • 65,574 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine indicator kept randomly flashing. Crown Ford (256 swain St, fayetteville, nc 28303, (910) 920-9614) was notified of the failure several times, but was unable to determine a permanent remedy to repair the vehicle after it had been back and forth to the dealer more than three times. The vehicle shuttered and shook abnormally. While driving approximately 65 mph, the speed decelerated to 0 and the contact quickly maneuvered the vehicle to prevent a crash. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the contact was uncertain if the manufacturer had a permanent remedy. In addition, the diagnostic trouble codes flickered when checked by an independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 65,574.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #115

Jan 012019

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The engine light came on stating that it is a O2 sensor issue. I've replaced the O2 sensor several times. I've had mechanics and the dealership look at it with no ability to figure out what it is. It is believed to be electrical, most likely the wire harness. My alternator was affected as well by this electrical issue. I have had to put in a few new O2 sensors, two new alternators, and a battery.

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

problem #114

Jul 252018

Focus

  • 47,029 miles
Takata inflators. This car was unsafe to drive, when you get to a red light, the car jerked you, when you place your feet on the brakes. Then when you press the accelerator to go it jerk back and pulled you forward. Changing geers would hard to shift and sometimes stick. The engine light would come on, the car was taken to Ford dealership 3 times and tested, they never fixed the problem. I almost crased at the stop sign trying to stop, the brakes got stuck. I had the car for one month, and filled a lemmon law complaint on line, and they insisted I had to wait a period of time, because I just purchased the car. After the 3rd, time visting the Ford repair shop, in one month time, I was disappointed and where I bought the car from at a Kia dealership, they would not give me my money back, only offered to trade the Ford Focus in back to them and buy a Kia car from them, I loss my down payment, and got stuck with a roll over fee of 4,500 from the remaining balance of the Ford Fusion added on to the new Kia. And a higher car payment. They sold E a lemon, and had a warranty and still refuse to fix the car. The transmission was bad and they sold the Ford to the auction to get it off their hands. I was stalled for 30 days believing they would fix the car, the lemon law couldn't help me after I faxed all the papers to them. The Ford Focus was on the recall list, and I don't have the car now, is there anyway I can get credited for the $4.500 in a law suit for buying the Ford under warranty and they refuse to fix the car right.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #113

May 262019

Focus

  • 105,000 miles
The car randomly stalls and dies while I am driving it. It has died on the interstate and on rural roads and highways. This is very dangerous and there is currently a recall out on a part of the 2014 Ford Focus which causes this problem. It dies when I am driving and coasting, when I accelerate, and when I have my cruise set.

- Tolono, IL, USA

problem #112

May 242019

Focus

  • 154,325 miles
Takata recall electrical wiring is going in and out, radio is not saving stations that I save, display goes in and out and has static. Warning sign apperars every so often

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #111

May 082019

Focus

  • 52,000 miles
This appears to be the same issue as the 14S17-S1 recall affecting the 2013-2014 Ford Focus St and escape models. Lost all power while driving and engine began stuttering while I was traveling on the highway at 65 miles per hour. I was barely able to reach to shoulder before the vehicle was immobilized. I was charged 830 dollars by my local dealership (inver grove Ford Lincoln in inver grove heights mn) to locate and repair chaffed and damaged wiring in the engine harness in the identical location to the St and escape models.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #110

May 132019

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
Started hearing crackling/popping noises from my radio, sometimes even with the key off. Sometimes very loud, which surprises me while driving. Which is obviously extremely dangerous.

- Galesville, WI, USA

problem #109

May 012019

Focus

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was idling, it failed to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle also experienced hesitation when accelerating and shut off on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure and a faulty transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #108

May 052019

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
When turning left or right it would make a grinding noise at all speeds on backroads or highway speeds. Also, when going straight it was difficult to maintain a straight path and takes resistance. When I took it to the Ford dealership they stated it was an electrical issue in the computer for the steering system causing it to malfunction.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

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