10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 18 / 8
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 11 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 41,648 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Since I purchased the vehicle (new), I have had problems with the engine. I have taken it to be repaired to an authorized Ford deal during the 3 years I have owned it - once, they replaced/rebuilt the clutch, twice for updates to the computer, and a separate time for the tires and wheel well (the dealership said some of the problems were caused by unevenness in tires, the wheel well also needed repair after my tires were rotated). The car consistently struggles to accelerate after coming to stop, such as at a yield, merge, stop sign, stop lights, or from slowing down. It shakes, jerks, stutters, makes a creaking metal sound, and most concerning, stalls. I have been told by the dealership the vehicle needs to learn my driving style, however, three years is an unacceptable amount of time. I take the car to the dealership for all maintenance. I have my oil changed and tires rotated regularly, in addition to the inspection done by the dealership at that time. When I press on the gas from a slowed or stopped position, the car should accelerate, but it stalls. It consistently stalls every time I drive it. This is not safe, especially since this is a brand new car. I have continued taking it for repairs to a Ford authorized dealership only, leaving the vehicle for days at a time, and the problem has not been resolved. Additionally, the mileage I get with the car is lower than expected and a Ford employee asserted to me it is due to the engine issues.
- Mays Landing, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shuttered when the brake pedal was released. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch and seal needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 73,500.
- Iowa Falls, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. After attempting to drive, the vehicle reached first and second gear, stalled, but continued to roll. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was operating as designed. The contact mentioned that the failure was progressing and felt unsafe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 40.
- Corinth, MS, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 58,858.
- Niagra Falls, NY, USA
The vehicle shudders when the automatic transmission shifts between first and second gear. The problem occurs when accelerating from a standing stop.
- Key Biscayne, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving at low speeds. The vehicle hesitated while at a stop sign. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer replaced the clutch module, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000.
- Blairsville, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. Shortly after, the check engine and tire pressure warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred at least four times per week since the vehicle was purchased. The dealer was notified several times. The failure mileage was 100.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. Whenever the vehicle accelerated from a stop, it vibrated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
- Deli, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle jerked violently without warning. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Tuskegee, AL, USA
Repeated issues with transmission, shuttering when driving. Also have had the care hesitate when accelerating from a stopped location almost causing an accident two different times. Took car into dealer to get fixed and they stated they were unable to find issue. Contacted Ford Motor Company corporate office requesting a buyback due to the unsafe conditions, they did an "good faith review" and informed me that they would not buy back my car. The would not explain the reasoning or issue and paperwork showing the review, "Ford does not have to release the findings since it was a good faith review".
- Moses Lake, WA, USA
Power loss to drive train and vehicle displays "stop safely now" message. This had happened repeatedly while vehicle was in motion on public roads.
- Alameda, CA, USA
Going less than 10 mph the car was making a wide turn on my street in front of my house when Focus accelerated and went through a wire fence, taking down a metal stake, over limestone boulders before hitting a tree, stumps, and bushes on my property. Air bags did not employ. Windshield totally shattered with holes from tree branches. Body of car severely damaged if not totaled. Insurance adjuster will determine on Wednesday 9/28/2016
- Dripping Springs, TX, USA
When stopped at a light or something, car hesitates like it's gonna die. The RPM's shoot way up and if I go to brake, they like almost get stuck in high RPM. Transmission shutters. Tire pressure warning light stays on when I've checked the tires pressure and everything
- Shelbyville, KY, USA
When I put it in drive mode it goes back words.when I'm driving for about 20 min it shows my E brake is on and says transmission at fault and engin at fault
- San Antonio, TX, USA
We are experiencing exactly the same issue as many other people (41) reported on this website and more people on other websites on internet. NHTSA conducted official investigation on this issue (NHTSA action number: PE13031). We have to unfortunately report that Ford has not addressed this issue till this date (9-3-2016). Our car was multiple times in different Ford dealerships but none of them were able to resolve the issue. The replaced battery, high voltage harness, reprogrammed PCM and tpm modules several times but the serious safety issue is still present. We have experienced this issue more than 10 times since 2014 (we stopped counting), even 5 times in one day. Issue: The vehicle, while in motion, suddenly loses power and driver receives a red triangle indicator and the message "stop safely now" in the instrument cluster. Driver unfortunately cannot stop safely because the vehicle losses all engine power and is decelerating very fast so the driver doesn't have time to pull over while in traffic or driving on a freeway. We would like NHTSA to take action again as the issue was not addressed in 2013 as stated under NHTSA action number: PE13031. This is safety issue not only for the driver and vehicle occupants but also for other people in surrounding vehicles.
- Concord, CA, USA
When starting from a start, the vehicle frequently jumps, surges, and occasionally stalls for several seconds. My wife was nearly hit from behind when entering an interstate highway when the vehicle stalled for several seconds.
- Ennis, TX, USA
The transmission is defective, it stalls and has issues changing from 1st to 2nd gear but it was an automatic. It hesitates to go causing safety issues. Countless times I have felt unsafe as the car heisted to turn or cross lanes.
- Davenport, FL, USA
Almost immediately after purchasing I noticed the vehicle had difficulty shifting properly. It seemed to be jumpy when I accelerated after a complete stop. Then, I began to notice the car struggling to accelerate while I merged into traffic. I felt what could be best described as a frog hopping when I was in stop and go traffic. Turning corners also made my car launch forward then backwards suddenly. Car was repaired. Condition slightly improved but I could still feel a constant hesitation upon acceleration. I became used to having to mash my foot onto the gas to get the car to accelerate normally, then taking my foot off as it violently jumped into each gear. After a few weeks, the problem began to occur upon deceleration too, lunging forward suddenly after I had come to a complete stop. I then began experienced a loss of acceleration while sitting at red lights, or in the middle of intersection, while merging onto a on highway, or going around corner. This annoying condition quickly became a serious safety issue when was almost hit on two occasions because of a failure to accelerate. Clutch was then replaced again. Immediately upon receiving my 'fixed' vehicle for the second time, the sputtering continued. This time it was worse. The vehicles rpms seemed to be out of sync with the gear shifts. The car was constantly revving up and down when I was at a consistent speed. When I accelerated the vehicle jerked, skipped, and seemed to lose power before suddenly kicking into drive. When I came to a stop my vehicle always jerked forward before completely stopping. There were several occasions where I nearly rear ended the car in front of me because it suddenly lunged forward after I braked. Just received my car back after the third fixing and I am still experiencing the same shaking, grinding, jolting, and jumping. I have never felt more unsafe in a vehicle.
- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA
While I was driving my Ford focuse SE it lost the power at the red light. The car died on me, it was the scariest moment, I almost lost my life getting hit by another car trying to push the car to the side. Very unsafe car, would never drive that car again !
- Encino, CA, USA
- Peoria, AZ, USA