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What 2,644 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Focus RS

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,644)Crash / fire / injury (89)Transmission & drivetrain (1,589)Engine (455)Fuel system (360)Electrical system (274)Steering (225)Speed control (169)Body & structure (62)Latches & locks (47)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (39)Brakes (34)

455 of 2,644 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 13 of 19

Nov 1, 2017SuspensionEngineFuel system

LOWER ARM W/BALLS AND JOINTS X 2 MOTOR MOUNT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR P0420 CATALYST AND CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION JERKING AND HESITATION AND RADIO NOT WORKING AND I CALLED 1800 NUMBER TO FORD AND AT THIS TIME COULD NOT HELP ME AND WOMAN STATED SHE REPORTED TO NHTSA #CAS13448516 AND ALSO STATED TO CALL DEALERSHIP WHICH IS BALISE READY CREDIT IN SPRINGFIELD MASS

NHTSA ODI 11041983

Oct 21, 2017EngineFuel system

RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. CAR JERKS, WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP, LURCHES FORWARD. IN MOTIONS BOTH CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY, STARTING UP FROM A STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11035446

Oct 16, 2017Engine

WHILE DRIVING, OR WHILE GOING FROM A COMPLETE OR PARTIAL STOP TO ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES THEN BUCKS. NO MATTER HOW MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE IS, THE LEVEL OF GAS IN THE CAR, OR THE TYPE OF ROAD BEING DRIVEN, THE CAR HESITATES AND STALLS FOR A MINUTE BEFORE ACCELERATING. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME WHY THE VEHICLE DOES THIS, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11033952

Sep 7, 2017EngineFuel system

VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKING, GAS TANK DISFORMED. DANGER TO MY SELF AND EVERYONE AROUND MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER IN NAPA DOESN'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED. BUT THEY REPLACED THE PARTS. THIS CAR IS DANGER TO EVERYONE AND PUBLIC. PLEASE MAKE THEM REPLACE THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE DEATH. IT CAN EXPLODE DISFORMED GAS TANK AND FUMES MAKES THIS CAR A BOMB. PLEASE HELP THE DEALER WONT RETURN PARTS TO ME. OR TELL ME THE CAUSE. MY NUMBER IS [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 11022217

Aug 31, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LONGMONG FORD IN LONGMONT, CO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE AND CANNISTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11020937

Jul 31, 2017Engine

WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, IT SHAKES AND HESITATES AND JUMPS/SHUTTERS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL IT GETS UP TO A CERTAIN SPEED. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AND BASICALLY EVERYWHERE I AM STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAS ALSO STARTED HESITATING WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. MY SON DRIVES THIS CAR SOMETIMES AND I'M AFRAID FOR HIS SAFETY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO GO OR NOT WHEN YOU PULL OFF FROM A STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11011610

Jul 24, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MONACO FORD, 767 NEW LONDON TURNPIKE, GLASTONBURY, CT, 06033,) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE E-VAP CHAMBER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11010188

Jun 21, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

BOUGHT A 2014 FORD FOCUS 1/17/16AND 6 MONTHS AFTER OWNING IT, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WHEN TAKING OFF AT A GREEN LIGHT, HAD LOST POWER AROUND CORNERS. GOT A RECALL NOTICE JUNE 2016 GOT A NEW CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION POWER TRAIN. JANUARY 2017 PROBLEM PERSISTED BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID ITS OVER 60,000 WARRANTY AND HAVE TO PAY CASH FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR . COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. BROUGHT IT BACK WITHOUT RECALL NOTICE JUNE 20, 2017, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY WILL FILE A 360 ON REPAIR OF THE CLUTCH. WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO CALL NOW 6/21/17 . I NEED A RELIABLE CAR FOR WORK AND MY FAMILY AND CAN NOT DRIVE THIS CAR. SO SCARED DRIVING IT 3/4 CLOSE CALLS AND REAR ENDS. IT SITS AS I PAY FOR IT EVERY MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11000472

Jun 6, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP AND I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, MY FORD JERKS RAPIDLY. IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS FORCIBLY IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE TO A NORMAL SPEED LIMIT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO COMPLAIN TO THE ORGINAL DEALERSHIP METRO FORD ON NOLAND ROAD OF THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SHUDDER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH THEY STATED THEY RESET THE ISSUE THEY TRY TO CONVINCE ME THAT IT IS NORMAL WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THIS VEHICLE IS AN EXTREME HAZARD AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN. I AM AFRAID IT WILL STALL AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI 10993493

May 23, 2017Engine

COOLANT LEAKING FROM BOTTLE RESERVOIR; ONTO ENGINE CAUSING SMOKE

NHTSA ODI 10991205

May 23, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE FROM THE COOLANT RESERVE BOTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DUPHY FORD LOCATED IN PHILADELPHIA, PA), BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI 10991244

May 8, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE "HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE STOP SAFELY" ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS12243967. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 07/19/17*LJ ..UPDATED 07/21/17 *BF *CN *AS

NHTSA ODI 10984270

May 3, 2017EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED A LEAN CONDITION IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE OXYGEN SENSOR TO FAIL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER, DURING THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE IDLED AT VERY HIGH RPMS AND AN OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WARNED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CHAFED WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THE CONTACT'S INFORMATION AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 10983254

Mar 27, 2017Electrical systemEngineFuel system

FIVE TIMES THIS CAR HAS COMPLETELY STOP AT 60MPH DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY 494 MINNEAPOLIS,MN. STALLED 5 TIMES. THIS CAR HAS ALMOST KILLED ME 5 TIMES. ITS BEEN SERVICED 5 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. I WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A NEW CAR THAT WONT KILL ME. EVERY TIME ITS SERVICED THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES ME A FEE.

NHTSA ODI 10968609

Mar 26, 2017Speed controlEngine

ONE OF THE MANY INCIDENTS: WHILE AT A CITY STREET STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE GAS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE (THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT MOVING) I LET OFF THE GAS AND REAPPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SLOWLY MOVED, THE VEHICLE GAVE A HARD JERK THEN THE VEHICLE MOVED AT A REASONABLE SPEED WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS STUTTERED AND SHOOK WHILE DRIVING SINCE I OWNED THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I MENTIONED THE STUTTERING, JERKING AND SHAKING TO 3 FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE PAST. I WAS TOLD "THAT'S THE WAY THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE DRIVES", "THAT'S HOW THE TCM OPERATES" AND "THE VEHICLE SHIFTS LIKE A MANUAL CAR BUT OPERATES AS AN AUTOMATIC". MY QUESTION EACH TIME WAS "SO IT'S NORMAL THAT MY CAR SHAKES AND STUTTERS WHILE I'M DRIVING? THIS CAR JERKS TOO MUCH." I WAS TOLD EACH TIME "YES." THE INCIDENTS OF STUTTERING AND SHAKING HAVE BEEN VISIBLE FROM THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE. THE HARD JERKS ARE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 10968550

Feb 23, 2017Speed controlEngineFuel system

WHILE ACCELERATING, VEHICLE FREQUENTLY STALLS AND/OR HESITATES TO CONTINUE ACCELERATION CREATING A JERKING AFFECT UNTIL IT CAN ACTUALLY CATCH AGAIN OR PROVIDE FUEL TO ACCELERATE. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN PRESSING ON THE PEDAL BOTH WHEN STOPPED/START OR IF IN MOTION AND ACCELERATE TO GO ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON A DAILY BASIS.

NHTSA ODI 10956441

Feb 19, 2017Engine

ENGINE VIBRATES ON BLOCK AND IS VERY NOTICABLE WHILE SITTING IDOL AT STOP LIGHT IN EITHER DRIVE OR NUETRAL. I HAD TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND LAST TIME THEY REPLACED STABLIZERS THAT THE ENGINE SITS ON AND IT DID HELP A LITTLE BUT STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IT IS THE BEST THEY CAN DO. THE PROBLEM BECAME NOTICABLE ABOUT 10,000 MILES INTO OPERATION.

NHTSA ODI 10955486

Dec 23, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE HESITATES/STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ROUGH ACCELARATION.THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 65MPH AND NOTICE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING WEIRD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN I SLOWED DOWN THE CAR WOULD SHAKE WHEN TRYING TO GAIN SPEED AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF OF THE FREEWAY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO LOOK THE CAR OVER. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO CALL SOMEONE, TRIED TURNING THE CAR BACK ON WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED DOWN, HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW TO DEALER CAR HAD 21,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER STATED THE ISSUE WOULD BE FIXED SOME TYPE OF UPDATE NEEDED DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE UPDATE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER STATES EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR STILL HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY TEEN DRIVER BUT I AM AFRAID TO LET HIM DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW SAFE THE CAR IS. THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH HOW THIS CAR OPERATES ON ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937280

Dec 11, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 10934546

Dec 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10933973

Nov 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10928525

Nov 16, 2016Engine

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10926378

Nov 5, 2016Engine

THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STANDING STOP.

NHTSA ODI 10924445

Oct 26, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10919089

Oct 20, 2016Engine

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 10917617

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Working with the data? Download all 2,644 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Ford Focus RS verdict →