2014 Ford Focus UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
I was pulling onto the interstate when my car stop pulling an transmission went out I was in fear for my safety an others due to being on an interstate an couldn’t go into gear I finally got To the media or shoulder of the interstate to call for Help I was left stranded with high cost to get it to Ford Dealership in bowling green ky clutch kid 4,000$ to fix it I was in fear I was goin to get. Hit by a car it was scary
Transmission Clutch Shudder -transmission Clutch . I took my vehicle in before it would have severe issues to the Ashland Ohio Ford dealer and they told me that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle. And now my vehicle is not drivable due to this recall parked. Please help me it would be a blessing!
The primary issue is a shuddering or jerking sensation when accelerating from a stop or during low-speed maneuvers, especially during the 1st to 2nd gear shift. delayed shifting, slipping gears, and even the vehicle shifting into neutral at inappropriate times.
Transmission. It is available for inspection. It is not safe as the car can just stop anywhere. I got a diagnostics test and it’s the transmission. It has been inspected . The warning light popped on and said transmission fault.
I wish to file a complaint regarding my 2014 Ford Focus, which is experiencing transmission failures related to the known defective transmission system. Ford acknowledged widespread issues with this transmission in customer satisfaction program 14m02, which extended coverage for the transmission control module (tcm). The TCM module was replaced, under recall, in April 2025 and during that same visit at B & B Ford, Barnwell SC I was told that I needed to replace the Acutators and this would stop the car from shuddering during acceleration. This cost me $658.00 out of pocket. I noticed almost immediately that the car was still shuddering during acceleration and called B & B Ford back and I was told to drive it for 500 miles and then let them know if it continued. Due to an illness I did not drive the car that much but then in October 2025 I started noticing the shuttering again. I contacted B & B Ford again and they agreed to look at the car. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH/FORK SYSTEM AT A PRICE OF $3300.00 THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. I have filed a complaint, a lot of good that will do me, with Ford. They are fully aware of systemic failures in the transmission. Safety hazard: transmission hesitation, shuddering, and sudden loss of power create dangerous driving conditions, especially when merging or crossing intersections. Unfair limitation of remedy: the expiration of 14m02 leaves owners like me with out of pocket expenses that are outrageous. And again I will say - FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I am requesting that an inquiry be made into this matter immediately and that Ford make a recall that covers the issues that I am having along with many other Ford Focus owners. Take responsibility for the defect in this car
I have had problems with the tcm when I first got the car and now after having to deal with fixing the coolant reservoir my car is shuddering trying to go over 2 rpm. This makes me never want to have a Ford again. This car almost got me killed when the tcm failed and now I feel unsafe driving with the shuddering going on.
I originally purchased this car in June of 2022. Less than a week after I purchased it, the issues started. My check engine light came on and my vehicle revved high, but did not accelerate. When it did this, it made a mechanical humming/grinding noise. It did this for a few short trips, then the issue seemingly resolved itself...the check engine light never turned off. I got the following codes from my reader: P0420, P2782, and P07A3. This vehicle had multiple recalls regarding the TCM malfunctioning. I tried multiple times to have Ford do the repairs as stated in the recalls. They have refused every single time. I was told that the warranty did not apply to my vehicle, then that the parts were on a major backorder, and that I should leave my car with them for an undisclosed period of time. This is not feasible, as I have 2 jobs and a child. Within the last few months, my transmission has started doing the same thing as well as overheating. I am going through coolant much faster than I should. As the issue gets worse, Ford has been of no assistance. Despite my efforts to have the recall work done as legally required, I have been turned away and am now past the 10 year/150k mile replacement warranty. I had brought it in before it ever reached that point. I am terrified to take my child to school or make it to work. My vehicle stalled on the interstate last night and I almost lost my life. There isn't really a trigger, as it acts up like this at random. Some days I drive it with no issues at all. Others, it takes me nearly an hour to get home on an otherwise 18 minute commute.
I purchased a ford focus 2014 in 2018 and was told everything was OK with my car. Fast forward to 2024, my transmission is now slipping and making noise & shuddering when I drive. Ford refuses to fix my car because the extended warranty to fix the faulty transmission of the ford focus expired. I am now responsible to pay $4,000 if I want to replace it. I was not told that the car had any recalls when I purchased it. I don’t believe that I should be held responsible to fix it when the dual clutch transmission was a known problem with 2011-2017 ford focuses before I bought it. Please HELP to fix my issue. I feel as if I was scammed and no one can help me.
We had a nail that needed to be removed from a tire. Tire Discounters said that the lug nuts have swollen and they cannot tighten the lug nuts without us replacing them. They cannot tighten the lug nuts due to the nuts swelling and not fitting into the lug wrenches anymore. How can Ford sell a product that is inherently unsafe?
tHIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING. SO OBVIOUSLY NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED, AND FORD HAS CLOSED THIS RECALL ON IT. I CALLED OVER THE CONCERN THAT IT IS STILL NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY OFFER NO HELP OR SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN, TOO BAD IT ISN'T REPAIRED PROPERSLY BUT IF I WANT IT REPAIRED IT WILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT PROPERLY AND STILL CLOSE THE RECALL.
• DOOR LATCH REPEAT REPAIR INHTSA #20V331)
In heavy traffic, car slowed down and stopped. Got it started but it hesitated a few times until the next time I had to stop again.
I am writing to express that ford issued an extended customer satisfaction program (19N08) to get transmission issued fixed within a specific window or time and mileage. Unfortunately that time has passed and the opportunity for smoother, safer driving has been missed by many people including me. Ford is unwilling to extend the warranty and fix the transmission issues which I feel is a concern. The car rattles and shakes when I go at a slower speed which I imagine could be dangerous. This fix is over $3,000 and not attainable for the average American to pay out of pocket. Ford needs to extend the warranty for the transmission clutch shift motor to keep the roads safe.
2014 Ford Focus transmission has been giving me problems for years, It shudders badly. I am afraid to drive the car, It has been diagnosed.with needing a transmission. Ford has told me that that is how it supposed to run, Please take a look at all the transmission problems of the ford focus that people continue to have today. This is truly a safety issue. The cars are still on the highway. Having zero recalls doesnt make the road safe if someone doesnt listen and solve the problem of ford focus transmission.
Car just stopped on a 5 lane highway while waiting at traffic light. Car just stopped and would not go forward. All lights came on. Police officer helped get car off of highway and pulled Into a business parking lot. Mechanic looked at vehicle, police officer also looked as well as a few others. Noone could get car started. Friend ended up having to take my 16 yr old son home. This is holiday weekend so dealership not open until next year. Car will need to be towed to dealership for repairs. Car is not recognizing any drive reverse etc...is not safe to drive. All lights came on on the dashboard. Check engine oil light etc...
Car does jerking on initial gears and stall, Rpm increases/decreases suddenly. Engine lights on. Air bag error for driver seat.
Transmission Control Module has failed on the car. The car is currently in the car dealership and can take months to receive the part.
While in heavy traffic, the car started to "shake". At one stop point I removed feet from brakes pedal to move forward, but car did not reacted and stayed in same spot as if car was parked. I then put the par in "P" and then "D" and then I was able to continue driving. Car has been "shaking" and "pulling" after that. That happened two week ago, I call Ford, but they hang up, I leave voicemails and they have not responded.
Transmission has failed. It’s available for inspection. Car wouldn’t drive up an incline. The problem has been reproduced at 2 mechanics. In the first 2 years of owning the car I had taken it to 2 Ford companies and the dealership that it was bought from. Jerking, slowing down between 15-25 miles, car wouldn’t start the first time after turning the key, when opening the door I heard noise coming from under the hood, the radio would turn on when opening the door.
When Ford looked at my car during a recall for the locks I informed them of some problems I noted and they informed me that there were several reports with Ford Focus's concerning the Clutch and The Transmission control module. They said there were no known recalls regarding it. However my car once the RPM hits below a certain point like going to a stop light or going speeds below 35 the car starts to either drag when I accelerate or outright refuse to accelerate. This has happened on several frightening occasions on my way to and from work and almost caused an accident because of the drag. There were no lights or indications that there is a problem with the car.
When pulling into a parking space a few weeks ago all of the sudden my steering became extremely difficult, and an error code came up on the dash. I turned the car off, waited a few minutes, then turned it back on and everything was normal again. Then a week later while pulling out of my driveway it happened again. I pulled back in and shut the car off again, waited a few moments, turned it back on and it was normal again. The following Monday I took it to Crouse Ford in Taneytown, MD to have it evaluated. The service dept determined that the power steering electric rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced. My car is a 2014 and has just under 67,000. This is not normal wear and tear, and this is definitely a safety hazard as it is extremely difficult to control the car, and there is no warning when it happens. I am very lucky the problem happened to occur while driving very slowly in a relatively safe place with no pedestrians or other vehicles in vicinity. The fact that it is a common problem in this make and model (well documented online) and has not yet been validated as a safety recall is unacceptable. This is a dangerous situation that could cause injury or death.
Tried to reverse the vehicle and reverse gear was inoperable. Had to have help pushing car in reverse. A light came on the dashboard that read "Transmission Fault Service now." Car would not reverse, and it began to stutter. This was the only warning light that came on at that very moment. Had to have car taken to dealership. No update on the resolution just yet.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus Electric. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an alarm alerted the driver to cease driving the vehicle immediately. The contact stated that shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. The contact would coast the vehicle to the side of the road and shift the vehicle to PARK. The contact would then open then close the vehicle, followed by pressing the start button to regain proper function. The failure occurred several times. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle however, the contact was not completely sure if the battery pack was replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
hello, I have more than a month to review the RECALL that was done on this car but Ford ignores me, I've sent several emails and got in touch but I'm simply ignored by the manufacturer, I can't rent or sell this one car because of the RECALL that was not finalized, so that's why I'm opening this complaint
The SYNC system is malfunctioning. The SYNC system controls radio/media and phone functions in Ford vehicles. It has an A.I. component to it. It will, without warning, stop working and will then begin to make loud booming, screeching and crackling feedback-like noises without warning while driving, which is a danger. The visual screen that displays the SYNC system stops working, and the buttons and A.I. controlling it stop working. The first time it happened was on the interstate and was very unsafe with all the loud random noises. It has been happening off and on for two weeks and I cannot drive my vehicle safely. I am reporting this because have found many others in online forums complaining about the same thing about their SYNC/Ford vehicles and believe it may be a widespread issue with SYNC. I contacted my local Ford dealer, but they did not seem to have a protocol for dealing with this problem, and estimated 500 to 1000 dollars to address it with a several day wait time for repairs.
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Quick Summary
The 2014 Ford Focus has 125 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.