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

The steering gear assembly fails making a grinding noise. Is an internal issue and is not covered by recall 14S18. Arms are intact but steering assembly failed internally. Can feel gritty vibration from concerned part as I turn wheel

NHTSA ODI 11479120

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11478974

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 35-40 MPH, the suspension of the vehicle started shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road and inspected the tires but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the transmission clutch was replaced. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact became aware of Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced and reprogramed, and the transmission position sensor and the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. However, the manufacturer declined to cover the transmission clutch replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478859

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.

NHTSA ODI 11478172

One day when I went to go fill my 2014 Ford Focus up, my car started and stalled randomly. I could not get my car to turn back on. After a few tries, it finally came on. This issue would go on for two weeks every time I filled up my car. If my car only gets $10 in it, its fine though. only happens when I fill it up. Then my car gas gauge started acting funny and will fluctuate between empty and full while driving. I can't tell how much gas I have in my vehicle. Then my husband, who so happens to be a mechanic, took a look and noticed my fuel tank is now caved in and is deformed. There is a problem with my CPV which has now affected my fuel tank. Upon further investigation, I did see where there was a recall about the power train quite a few years ago and then not long after, another recall about the CPV failing and causing stalling, not accurate gas gauges, and deformed gas tanks. I called my local Ford dealership about this. When I typed in my VIN the only active recall was the door latch system. Which means it was either fixed in the past or for some reason my vehicle wasn't recalled when it should have been. My ford dealership said there was no current or past recalls on my specific vin and were refusing to fix my car. I feel like it is unfair my car was affected by a recall but I can't get it fixed just because my vin says my car wasn't affected. It definitely was. I am a poor college student just trying to make a life of myself. I will soon have no car, unless my husband finds a way to fix it without spending an arm and a leg. Thanks for listening and please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11478265

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it had shifted to a lower gear and then to neutral. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine revved; however, the vehicle did not respond. The contact stated that the vehicle would slip back into gear independently. Additionally, the contact stated that when placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle would stall causing her to have to shift the vehicle into park and restart the vehicle. The vehicle would drive normally after a restart. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure became recurring and eventually the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was on backorder and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477804

I recently purchased the vehicle second-hand with 57,000 miles on it. Six weeks later, while driving the engine light came on and the car would not accelerate properly- it hesitated severely and would not shift itself into higher gears. The local Ford dealer diagnosed the problem as a Transmission Control Module failure and informed me this is a known manufacturer defect covered by warranty. However, the part is back ordered 18+months. A car with a safety defect identified by the NHTSA, litigated in court, and unable to be repaired due to unavailability of parts should not be allowed to be sold. The Ford Customer Satisfaction Program provided no assistance to resolve the problem. The car is un-driveable and repairs cannot be made because the part is back ordered. The 2014 Ford Focus is a dangerous car that should not be bought, sold, or driven.

NHTSA ODI 11477272

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking aid malfunction warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,700.

NHTSA ODI 11476840

01/08/2019- Vehicle was checked for fuel tank deformation (18S32) Vehicle Mileage 65,162 the technician comments read as follows (check dtcs, check for available PCM software update, no available software update, no parts replaced) 07/26/2022- Vehicle was brought to Billy Howell Ford Lincoln Dealership for a permanant emmissions code PO442. Ford Corporate arranged the Diagnostic appointment. The technician comments read as follows (checked dtc's. found multiple DTC's set in various modules. PO442 is only fault set in PCM. checked OASIS, no relevant information found. performed EVAP system test, passed. performed EVAP purge and seal test, passed. connected smoke machine to test for leaks. EVAP smoke machine measured a leak of approxamitely .040", near acceptable range. visual inspection during EVAP leak test, found smoke emitting from vapor canister fresh air vent tube, indicating EVAP vapor canister vent leakage. recommend replacing EVAP vapor canister and retesting. 07/30/2022- I took vehicle to have the EVAP vapor canister replaced mechanic noticed that the fuel tank was slightly deformed. I drove the vehicle approxamitely 120 miles so the PCM would cycle and clear the permanent code . Fuel guage was on empty w/light on. I stopped at gas station I put 26 dollars of e-85 in vehicle. when i returned to car the fuel gauge was reading full DTE 418 miles. The gauge was reading innacurate. I drove the car about 40 miles before it stalled and it would not start. I waited a few minutes and tried to start the vehicle and it started . Iimmediately drove home and parked it in the garage. All of these symptoms point to the recall (18S32) Billy Howell Ford say's my recall was already completed and I cant recall it again. The vehicle has never received a PCM reprogramming for the fuel tank (19S22) Ford was supposed to reprogram the PCM software back in 01/08/2019 when they checked for the tank deformation . Withouty the software update and necessary repairs. its a risk.

NHTSA ODI 11477015

I was at stop light. When I accelerated the car jerked then went into gear. It was fine until I had to stop and go again. Then an engine light came on. Then it said the trans is to hot, Pull over safely. Then it said to wait 5 minutes to let it cool down. Now I have to find a way to get it to a shop and try and repair it. It's a 2014 Ford Focus with 70.000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11476759

Cars check engine light comes on sporadically and the engine runs rough and cut off in traffic and transmisson jerks

NHTSA ODI 11476285

Transmission jerks and I think this is caused by fuel system cars got p1450 code unable to bleed fuel tank vacum this code was in the system august 24/2021 this vehicle has all the symptoms of a recall on these cars of recall 18s32 but this cars vin does not show up and it has been a problem since 62000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11476293

The transmission started not accelerating and I lost reverse then said my transmission was over heating

NHTSA ODI 11476411

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.

NHTSA ODI 11475233

My car kept stalling with service engine soon light. Took it to a ford dealer and had a recall for the tcm. Upon them doing a diagnostic on them they stated I also needed a clutch on it but because I was just a little bit over mileage it was not covered under warranty. I never received a notice in the mail for the recall or I would of definitely took my car knowing that it in the transmission. I feel this is unfair to those whom have experienced this and there should be an extended warranty on this particular part.

NHTSA ODI 11475027

Transmission control module failed after I got gas. Part is under recall by FORD. Ford does not have the part. 6-8 month wait. I need my car so I had to purchase a used part. Cost of part $486. Then I had to pay for labor. Ford charges $580 to install and program used part. I could not afford this. I had to pay another mechanic to install. Currently waiting for repair and paying for a rental car. It’s been 2 weeks.

NHTSA ODI 11474520

My daughter opened the passenger side rear door. When she pulled it shut it would not catch. Because the door would not shut the door ajar warning is staying on. We were out so I had to drive it home and it came open. So we tied it with a rope. I'm taking it to a dealership tomorrow.

NHTSA ODI 11474392

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474109

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter intermittently failed to shift to the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the actuator fork shift; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: 19N08 (Transmission Clutch) had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11473913

The contact's son owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,317.

NHTSA ODI 11473755

2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TCM MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE WARRANTY REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11473372

Put car in gear and upon take off the car shudders and shakes and then loses power and doesn't shift into higher gears. It's like it slips into neutral and will not go into reverse and the car has 90,000 miles on it and I am the second owner. It belonged to my mom who passed away 2 years ago. She had the same issues with the transmission. I called a Ford dealership and they told me to drive it like I stole it to help with the shudder and shifting issues, instead of trying to help resolve the issues. Has almost caused me to get re- ended several times and twice but emergency vehicles on a two lane road because of the shifting issues and loss of power. Ford needs to recall and fix the transmission issues before it gets someone killed.

NHTSA ODI 11473404

Bought this car in May 2022. After about 2 weeks the car was slipping gears and would not reverse in some cases. Had it diagnosed by the Ford dealership and was told it needed a new TCM. After a few months we managed to get the part ourselves and replace it. Now the car is shifting roughly and says complete transmission failure but will still drive. I cannot believe Ford didn't recall the part, but rather issued an extended warranty on a part that is otherwise impossible to get ahold of.

NHTSA ODI 11473212

I purchased this vehicle in March, 2022 knowing it had been bought back by Ford from the original owner under the Lemon Law because of repeated issues of balky transmission performance or no drive and time out of service. I purchased this car from the second owner in Georgia. According to the Ford service documents obtained with the vehicle, several major repairs were performed. The vehicle performed well the time of purchase. I had confidence that Ford Motor Company had corrected the original defects.Now, 4 months after purchase, the transmission control module failed, resulting in a no drive/no start condition, two tow truck calls to remove the vehicle from precarious traffic situations adjacent to busy major highways. The Ford service writer indicates that while my vehicle is covered under Ford 's extended powertrain warranty as a result of the class action lawsuit concerning the DPS6 transmission, the current TCM replacement parts backlog is 45,000, with vehicles out of service sitting at my dealer since February, 2022. There is no question that Ford dodged the bullet by skillfully avoid a full recall to replace these failed DPS6 transmissions. What good is an extended warranty if no replacement parts are available??

NHTSA ODI 11473239

Transmission service failure comes on car runs like it is going 90 miles when it's just going at 25 and the car only has 30,000 miles. The system doesn't bring any codes of what's wrong with it and it keeps on doing it. It goes away and it comes back on and acts the same way all over again

NHTSA ODI 11473248