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

I was on the highway on my way home from work when the steering wheel got really stiff and i could not move it. I dont even know how i was able to pull over im lucky im alive!

NHTSA ODI 11449994

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, she made a sharp turn to the right into a parking space and the power steering was still functional. The contact stated that when she went to restart the vehicle to leave the parking lot, she saw that the "steering assist fault service required" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had loss power steering functionality. The contact contacted a dealer but did not have the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The contact then had an independent mechanic diagnose the vehicle but did not repair the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to her home state and then contacted the local dealer. The local dealer informed her that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was driven back to the residence. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449729

I have the ford Focus 2014. And I noticed that the low battery is associated with warning signs such as low brake fluid, malfunctions of the wheel bearing resulting in too much noise of the vehicles. Causing the car to shake and off the speed limit your are driving.

NHTSA ODI 11449273

The contact's wife owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle had been shuddering, hesitating, and lunging while driving. The vehicle was taken to several unknown dealers and the dealers informed the contact that it was a known failure and that the TCM was reprogramed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission clutch was replaced in 2019; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light and the warning message "Service transmission immediately" illuminated. The contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes and veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer - Pacifico Ford (6701 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153) who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer repaired the vehicle under an unknown extended warranty; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was then taken to Lawrenceville Ford Service (2920 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648) who diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the repair because the transmission clutch was not covered by the extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11448882

Mid August last year my 2014 Focus lit up on the dash “service transmission immediately”. The car hesitated and shuddered through the gears and the automatic transmission wouldn’t go through all the gears. It is still under warranty. Took it to a local Ford dealer, they said the Transmission Control Module is out. This is the second time this has happened. My car has 65,000 miles on it. The dealer said the part was on back order, and could take months, and they could not offer a rental/loaner. They said I could “still drive the car until it finally just stops moving.” I tried driving it, it REALLY “stops moving” like when you’re trying to merge onto the interstate and semis are coming. It took the dealer 5.5 MONTHS to get the part. No loaner car could be offered from Ford or the local dealer. Just “sorry the part is ordered but that’s all we can do.” Almost 6 months without a car that I was still paying on, that was under warranty. It’s fixed now, but this is the SECOND TIME this issue has happened and when you’re driving it is EXTREMELY dangerous to both those in the vehicle and other commuters as well. The car will literally shift out of gear when you’re going 70+ miles per hour and you lose all control. It won’t accelerate from a stop when you need it to. It won’t slow down smoothly so that you can stop on time. It’s extremely dangerous and it’s apparently a common issue in these vehicles that hasn’t been properly addressed. If I could trade my car in I would before this issue recurs again but I owe on it a little more than its trade in is valued. This issue needs addressed asap, Ford should honestly offer a lemon buy back for those vehicles affected. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11448450

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and shudder upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact would be forced to restart the vehicle in order to resume normal driving operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that the clutch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11448396

On January 14, 2022, at approximately 5:20 P.M. my wife was traveling southbound on Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette, California towards the freeway entrance when the Ford Focus Electric she was driving displayed a Stop Safely Now message and almost immediately thereafter lost motive power at the busiest intersection in the City of Lafayette. She was able to steer the car to the shoulder since she was in the right hand lane. The vehicle would not move and the steering wheel locked up. She called for assistance and I drove down and exchanged cars with her within approximately 15 minutes. After approximately 10 minutes of trying, I was able to get the vehicle to turn off and to turn on again without the Stop Safely Now warning and was able to return the approximately 1.5 miles to our residence. The sudden unexpected loss of motive power and loss of ability to accelerate is extremely dangerous and frightening and that danger can be extreme when traveling on roads without shoulders or in any lane except the right lane on a freeway.

NHTSA ODI 11448059

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.

NHTSA ODI 11447859

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the fuel tank was warped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was warped. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 115,600.

NHTSA ODI 11447873

On 08/18/2021, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) on our 2014 Ford Focus failed completely in a parking lot with NO ADVANCE WARNING. This failure of the transmission could have happened while driving in a dangerous location such as an entrance ramp, a busy highway or other location where it would have been impossible to move out of the traffic lane. THIS LACK OF ENGAGEMENT OR LOSS OF POWER COULD HAVE POSSIBLY ENDANGERED OUR LIVES OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. The car was towed to a nearby Ford dealer who diagnosed the problem as a failed TCM. Ford sent us a letter in August 2016 titled as “Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02” for our specific 2014 Focus, with our specific VIN # that Ford was extending the warranty of the TCM, to a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. The Ford dealer ordered the TCM, but it is STILL ON BACKORDER with no estimated arrival time. The car has been unusable & sitting at the dealer’s lot WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT TCM FOR 4-1/2+ MONTHS! According to the Detroit Free Press article of 07/11/2019 (“Ford knew Focus, Fiesta had flawed transmission, sold them anyway”), Ford was aware of the problem. The serious transmission reliability issues with my 2014 Ford Focus go beyond just the TCM. The original TCM was reprogrammed after 30,000 miles. In the 126,728 miles the car has been driven, I have had the CLUTCH REPLACED FIVE TIMES due to SHUDDER DURING SHIFTING. In my opinion, it is a BREACH OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS WHEN FORD DOES NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY IN A TIMELY MANNER. That indicates to me that Ford hasn’t taken ownership of these transmission problems and has DELAYED/NEGLECTED ITS DUTY TO REPAIR & MAKE THE CAR SAFE & RELIABLE. NHTSA should launch an investigation and force Ford to fix this transmission design failure before we and/or others become seriously injured or die because of the inadequate performance of this car’s transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11447559

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact's son stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective canister purge cylinder and canister purge valve assembly. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447343

In September 2021, I contacted Allan Vigil Ford in Morrow, Georgia, to make an appointment for a recall transmission service of a 2014 Ford Focus. Recall transmission repairs have been done at this same dealership in the past. I was unable to drive the car and was given an appointment to drop the car off on October 18, which I did. I immediately requested a loaner vehicle and was told one wasn’t available. After, several weeks I was approved to receive a rental through Enterprise but cannot use that rental care company due to owing a balance. I had a similar issue in the past with Geico, who immediately allowed me to rent a car through Hertz. I was eventually informed I could rent with another car rental company and receive reimbursement. However, I did not receive this information in writing, and it would incur thousands of dollars upfront with no clear standard on the rental process or when I will receive reimbursement. This is not feasible considering I am still paying the monthly note to Navy Federal Credit Union and the insurance while the car is inoperable. I would also like to make it known I am a Registered Nurse and frontline worker and must travel from Locust Grove to Decatur to work, at least 40 miles one way. This hardship has created tension at my workplace because I cannot take any time off due to the pandemic. There is also tension in my relationships as I beg for rides and provide them cash, increasing my debts. I have done an online buyback quote with Carmax, and in working condition, they will pay $8000 for the vehicle, which will cover the remaining loan balance. Since it has been almost three months with no anticipated end date due to the needed transmission module, suitable options include Ford to buy back the vehicle, provide compensation, and a rental car.

NHTSA ODI 11447259

My vehicle has been sitting at a Ford dealer needing a TCM for months neither Ford Motor Company nor the Autonation Ford Dealer has made any real attempts on getting it repaired. the car has already stopped on the interstate and slowed down without warning numerous times will not go into reverse and limps along at like 20 miles per hour Ford knows about this problem and keeps blaming the dealer and saying they let the part ticket expire the dealer will not return either of my phone calls. This is car has been in and out of the shop for this same problem for years and started having problems @ less then 1000 miles and Ford put this car back up for sale and thus putting my families life in danger

NHTSA ODI 11446890

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but found no issues. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the engine mounts were replaced however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact was informed that the canister purge valve was stuck. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the automatic dual-clutch was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11444501

The service technician at local authorized Ford dealership (Bill Alexander Ford) informed me that during the service today they were not able to rotate my tires because the aluminum lug-nuts had swollen to such an extent that they could not get a socket on the nuts. The technician advised me to purchase steel lug-nuts and then the dealership could break off the aluminum nuts and replace them with the new ones. Of course I am concerned that breaking off lug-nuts may damage the wheel. Several years ago I replaced several lug-nuts with locking nuts and found covering them with the correct sized socket was so difficult that I have been concerned ever since about whether I could remove a flat tire in case of an emergency. Now I am hesitant to drive the car in case I get a flat.

NHTSA ODI 11444053

Transmission issues. Repaired multiple times but keeps coming back. Out of warranty but needs repaired again.

NHTSA ODI 11443587

when driving or just moving forward or back the vehicle jerks violently. seems that the transmission is not working properly. my research online has found many owners of this similar vehicle to have the same issue. this began happening at 56k miles, I use this vehicle less than 5k miles a year. many people online claim that this type of vehicle has a poor/bad transmission design. This should not be occurring this soon in a young vehicles life. I am reporting this because there is a chance that a pause or jerk hesitation while in traffic or freeway can cause a serious accident.

NHTSA ODI 11443540

Transmission is overheated, burning smell, the car lost control, start zigzagging on the high way , and got into an accident, I was injured, and lost my job. The CarMax dealership, refused to take care of a car, or even take it back, because of the safety issues. Then, second time, the transmission slips on acceleration at starts and on highways. It feels like it's the transmission is in neutral. For the third time, the car was jerking and going forward and backward , that the transmission would slip badly, even totally disengage. I was getting on a very busy road and accelerated and suddenly the car decelerated; the car behind me almost rear ended me, honked his horn, but there was nothing I could do. As you can see, the problem been reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center as a non-safe to drive. But CarMax dealership ignoring the issues regardless.

NHTSA ODI 11442970

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle it shuddered. While driving uphill the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A financial assistance claim was submitted on the contact's behalf. The transmission clutch assembly and fuel assembly were previously repaired under warranty in July 2020 at approximately 66,421 miles. The manufacturer was notified and offered to pay half of the cost of the repair. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442859

I went to Oxford ME to buy a part on the way back to Augusta, ME the shift module shifted itself from (D)drive to (N) and the car was Rolling backwards as I was on a hill I pump the gas peddle until it shifted back into (D)drive this happened 3 times, I think it's the TCM also, the transmission began slipping after this problem and then the computer shut off the motor and I had to pull over to the side of the road and call a flatbed driver to pick me up at my house that's where I could use the phone 10 miles away! The tow was $127.00 The TMC Shift Module is $298.00 plus 5.5% Tax. This car Is Very Dangerous To Drive In Traffic or Anywhere!!! I took it to Quark Ford Dealership in Hallowell, Maine and there they said they can do a safety check on the doors & trunk the transmission check would cost me $126.00 an Hour to do! So, I left!

NHTSA ODI 11442504

This vehicle is experiencing a relapse of the same issues that led to a previous recall. It is experiencing fuel tank issues where the fuel gauge is unreliable and acts as though it is out of fuel despite reporting 1/4 tank. This has put the safety of occupants at risk as we were barely able to get off the highway in time before the vehicle came to a sudden and complete stop. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer as to do so will result in exorbitant out of pocket expense since Ford claims to have fixed the recall issue. That however, is not the case when it reoccurs a year later. Neither police nor insurance have inspected the vehicle as I was unaware that was a possibility The warning lamps that displayed were similar to a vehicle stalling out, which should not happen in an automatic transmission vehicle. It needs to be noted that this is a reoccurring issue of an allegedly fixed recall and Ford refuses to take any action on the matter.

NHTSA ODI 11442374

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. She also mentioned that the vehicle would fail to immediately start up after refueling. Additionally, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal while at a complete stop. The contact stated that the check engine warning light would intermittently flash on the instrument panel after each failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she informed them of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which she linked to her failure. The dealer informed her that the recall had been serviced prior by another dealer. The first dealer determined back then that the purge valve did not need to be replaced. The contact was then informed that the purge valve was now defective and was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11442436

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that a year ago the clutch fell inside the transmission. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The transmission was replaced with an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. There was no further assistance provided. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign number 14V514000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442469

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

NHTSA ODI 11441885

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.

NHTSA ODI 11441868