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

The radio made unpredictable loud booming and crackling noises even with the radio turned off and including when the car engine was initially turned off until all courtesy lights were off. These jolting noises scared me, caused me to be a tense and distracted driver and potentially prohibited me from hearing outside sounds I should have been aware of. The independent service center confirmed this was a recognized problem with this vehicle. Other than the repair center, the problem has not been inspected by others. There were no warning signs of the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11512560

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gear as needed or accelerate properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power and stalling while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 56,161.

NHTSA ODI 11512392

Transmission fault!!! Once I noticed the previous recall on the gas tank valve it ultimately stopped my vehicle. I cannot drive it due to first running out of gas from fault in miles to empty. Car would out of nowhere stop driving as well as barely start. The gas already reading incorrect, the. Now the transmission light continues to come on. I almost crashed more than once with kids in the car due to it after 2hours of driving fine, immediately stopping and not allowing the car to drive. Gas tank recall when sent into the dealership yet the issue is still there. It is obvious because the miles to empty are still wrong cause me to possibly put too much has not enough gas. It is very unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11512171

Transmission on these fords are bad!!!!not only me but everyone I know with a ford focus has had some issue with their transmission. My car has spontaneously stopped driving while kids in car. Transmission fault service light and engine light will immediately come on when car starts or it will give you about 1 mile to drive before it shuts car down. Recently dealership “fixed recalls” fuel tank. It is not fixed. I also believe it is the reason my transmission fault come on. I have had the car since April 2022 drove for a few month ran out of gas, because I believed it was wrong because it always is ultimately I only ran out of gas. Since that day I’ve had major issues. The transmission light was never on until a few months ago, it did use to stall when attempting to start. It would show up spontaneously and once it happens there is nothing you can do. It is very dangerous! I have gotten recalls “fixed” drove the vehicle for 2hours the miles to empty were still reading wrong, dealership said give it a few miles. It never changed, it is still wrong I’m pretty sure this issue of the fuel tank has brought on transmission issues that are very alarming and costly. The dealership did not successfully fix the issue with the fuel tank because of the obvious of the miles to empty, also engine light came back on, and ultimately did shut the car back down.

NHTSA ODI 11512177

Car stuttered and stalled while driving

NHTSA ODI 11511914

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. While attempting the accelerate from being stationary, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate. The cause of the failure was not yet available. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was available. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511918

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the engine remained running. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been draining the battery. The contact’s husband had to disconnect the battery after turning off the vehicle in order to prevent the battery from being drained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15C06. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11512026

The transmission slips and shudders, when taking off from stop, also when driven a long distance transmission with slip and shudder. Yes it is available for inspection upon request Safety is that could be rear ended causing severe injury to myself or other driver. No the vehicle has not been inspected No warning lights

NHTSA ODI 11511619

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511238

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the wrench symbol warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an internal coolant leak and that the high voltage battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,305.

NHTSA ODI 11510805

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to shudder. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure for a second time in May 2022. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a second local dealer, Ed Morse Ford Lebanon (260 W Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536: 417-532-3146) and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510615

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shift into neutral, causing the contact to pull over and wait until the failure was self-corrected. The transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that for the past three months the vehicle remained inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch assembly failed and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510036

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the transmission overheated and failed to allow the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and produced code: P0805 P0809. The contact was informed of Manufacturer Recall Number: 19N08 (PCM). The vehicle was repaired; however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired a third time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a different dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509893

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the message “Transmission Fault. Service Now” was displayed. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. The contact was able to drive to her nearby residence at 5 MPH. The vehicle was then taken to the nearby dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) sensors had failed. The dealer replaced the TCM; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that she would hear abnormal dragging sounds coming from underneath the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that upon attempting to drive from a complete stop, she vehicle would shudder and fail to respond. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping. The The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle experienced an internal transmission failure, which caused a hole in the output shaft, and the hole extended to the transmission case. The contact contacted the manufacturer for assistance with repairing the vehicle under an unknown extended warranty, but the manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11509289

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated after placing the vehicle into drive(D) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would hesitate and shudder and eventually begin to gain forward momentum. The contact stated that once the vehicle went through all the gears, at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle would operate normally. However, the contact stated that once the speed was lowered, he would depress the accelerator pedal and the vehicle would hesitate and shudder. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a constant failure and would occur at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Transmission Control Module and the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the dealer that there were two manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Programs Numbers: 14M02 (Power Train) and 19N08 (Power Train) had been issued but that the warranty coverage period had been exceeded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ODI 11508792

- Faulty windshield washer pump pushing liquid into the Body Control Module and harness - Damaged electrical communications communications controlled by the Body Control Module including: 1) functionality of the wipers resulting in obscuring the windshield from clear visibility of the road 2) vehicle will not reliably shut off after removing the key. It continues to run. 3) vehicle will not reliably shift into different gears due to the disruption of the electronic transmission signaling. 4) electrical system drains the battery after a few hours of sitting idle. - The problem has been identified by a dealership - A dealer has inspected the problem. - Washer pumps would intermittently function and then randomly would not.

NHTSA ODI 11508155

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after a rainstorm, the shift selector would no longer shift from park to drive, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the PCM was on back order and unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507589

The contact's wife owns a 2014 Ford focus. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle then decelerated to 5 MPH with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted, and the vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH while driving. The contact's wife was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was on back order for 16 months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,972.

NHTSA ODI 11507590

Transmission Control Module went out on my 2014 Ford Focus that I had just purchased March of 2022. The vehicle had only 40,000 miles wen the TCM went out and luckily it happened while I was in my driveway. I had the car towed to Owen Ford in Jarratt , VA. Of course, we had to wait for the part to come in which took a few months. At first we were told that we would have to pay for the TCM and the fee to do the work. Later we were called to tell us that Ford had made it a recall. So they finally repaired the TCM and called my husband to come try it out. My husband drove 7 miles up the road and back and went to the little store next to the dealership. When he got back in the car, the car would not go forward or in reverse. He walked back over to the dealership and told them the issue. They went and got it. Said they didn't know what was wrong with it because no code came up. So they said they would have to rebuild the whole transmission and it would cost me $3900. I'm sorry but I had no transmission problem until the TCM went out. And the dealership can't tell me what exactly is wrong but wants to charge me $3900. Ford should be responsible for fixing my vehicle. It was running just fine until the TCM went out.

NHTSA ODI 11507241

Transmission and engine failure Available for inspection Failure on highway Inspection by others: yes mechanics warning indicators failed

NHTSA ODI 11506890

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507031

I started having problems the minute I drove off the lot they told me my transmission was fine when I knew it wasn’t 2020 started going in to be repaired transmission needed rebuilt rear main seal needed to be replaced that’s when the tech realized my transmission needed to be rebuilt it’s been in the shop three or four times for the transmission and the clutches then I think my transmission started messing up again 2021 then found out it was misfiring replaced spark plugs and coils all of it now on top of all my other problems my check engine lights back on it’s flashing I’ve done the spark plugs again just replaced my O2 sensors going to take it back to a mechanic and have it looked at don’t know what’s going on I’m really worried that my coolant is leaking because it’s went down and done and now I just filled it up again and it looks like it’s dropping again i’m hoping it’s nothing because I just found out that the eco-boost motors are leaking coolant into the cylinder heads they’re saying trucks right now I think it’s in Canada in California I know I have a eco-boost your car flex fuel or whatever you wanna call it so I’m really hoping it’s nothing but problems after problems with his car and Ford doesn’t wanna do anything about it they gave me some money as a good faith thing but that’s it I got a hold of Ford and they will the lady called me once she says she called three times she won’t return my phone calls I was told that they wanted to buy my car back now they won’t do anything and like I said I’m having problems with it again these cars are crap they need to take all of them back and I’m sitting here reading even more people having issues that’s not OK and I don’t even know what’s wrong with my car right now

NHTSA ODI 11506808

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and failed to shift gears as needed. The contact stated that the transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the PCM, TCM, and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506377

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the "transmission fault, service now," warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective transmission control module (TCM). The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession for 9 months before the TCM was replaced. Despite the initial repair, the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer after the most recent failure and remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11506252

The steering assist went out at approximately 27000 miles without any warning. I was heading out to work and the steering locked up and I had to manually turn the wheel but I needed a lot of strength to get it to turn. The vehicle went to a mechanic to be diagnosed, and I was told the steering rack and pinion had failed and needs replacing.

NHTSA ODI 11505733