Home · 2014 Ford Focus RS · Complaints

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)

1,589 of 2,644 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 62 of 64

Sep 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL I STEPPED ON THE GAS SO I COULD KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 15 MPH BEFORE THE TRANS MISSION KICKED IN AND THE CAR STARTED MOVING AGAIN. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL LUNG FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC ALSO WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL CONSTANTLY SHIFT UP AND DOWN AND JERK LIKE IT IS LOOKING FOR THE CORRECT GEAR. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT CONSIDERS THEM WITH SPEC FOR THIS TYPE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU BRING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THE FIRST THING THEY DO IS GIVE YOU A 2 PAGE HANDOUT DESCRIBING HOW THIS AUTOMATIC WORKS BUT MY PROBLEMS ARE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT THEY DESCRIBE YET THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING DO. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE SEEN THIS HANDOUT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AS I PROBABLY WOULDN'T OWN THE LEMON NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10640192

Sep 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING GEARS/TRANSMISSION. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT ACTED LIKE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON AND IT WASN'T. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR HESITATES, SHUTTERS, SLIPS GEARS AND STALLS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY STALL OUT IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. I'M AFRAID TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC UNLESS IT IS COMPLETELY CLEAR. I CALLED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD TO LEARN MY DRIVING HABITS. WELL I NOW HAVE 7000 MILES ON MY CAR BOUGHT IN FEB 2014 AND IT IS WORSE THAN EVER. TODAY I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP FOR A "COMPUTER UPDATE". THEN WAS TOLD IT'S MORE THAN THAT AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR BECAUSE OF CLUTCH. IT'S A NEW CAR AND I SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND GET HURT. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN THE CAR LUNGES OUT INTO TRAFFIC OR STALLS WHEN I PULL OUT BECAUSE IT HAS A "COMPUTER UPDATE" ISSUE AND I'M KILLED? THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT HE HIMSELF HAD OWNED ONE AND GOT RID OF IT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES. I WANT SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS ASAP. IT'S NOT NORMAL TO HAVE A NEW CAR THAT WON'T ACCELERATE AND STAY IN GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10640268

Sep 27, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine

I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW BACK IN FEBURARY 2014. IT DOES ALL KINDS OF THINGS!! IT DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT. IT JERKS, SLIPS, REVS HIGH. IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE IT DOESN'T EVER GEAR DOWN CORRECTLY, EITHER TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH. IT HAS COMPLETELY STALLED AT INTERSECTIONS AND WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WOULD NOT EVEN REV UP. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. IT HAS ACCELERATED INTO TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, TWICE!! AND EACH TIME DID NOT HAVE BRAKES. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND IT WAS A NEAR MISS. MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!! I HAVE HAD IT AT MY FORD DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES!!! YES 5 TIMES!!! EACH TIME IT RUNS FINE AND DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG WHILE THEY ARE CHECKING IT OUT. THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPT STATES IT IS LIKE A SMARTPHONE AND ONCE YOU CUT IT OFF IT RESETS SO THIS IS PROBABLY WHY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BY THE TIME THEY GET TO IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. BUT IT IS MY ONLY CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY DEALERSHIP STATE THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639486

Sep 26, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE SHUTTERS ON TAKE OFF AND RATTLES. THE SHUTTERING AT TIMES CAN BECOME SERIOUS TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD MOTOR IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH INVOLVES A FAULTY CLUTCH SYSTEM BUT YET WHEN CHECKED BY A COMPUTER, IF THE READING STATES CERTAIN NUMBERS, THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! THIS IS ABSURD! THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE YET FORD DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT TIMES, THE VIBRATIONS ARE SO SEVERE THAT I HAVE TO LET UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. THAT'S WHEN I'M AFRAID THAT I'LL GET HIT. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN 36 LAWSUITS FILED JUST IN ONE COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA ALONE FOR THIS PROBLEM NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MANDATE FORD FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639342

Sep 26, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

THE TRANSMISSION SPUTTERS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. AT A CONSTANT SPEED THE CAR SHIFTS INTO A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR. NOISES ARE MADE GRINDING NOISES WHEN CHANGING FROM 1-2-3 GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639469

Sep 24, 2014Transmission & drivetrainCrash

IN JULY I PURCHASED A NEW 2014 FORD FOCUS FOR MY SON. IMMEDIATELY HE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT BEING SLUGGISH AND IT SHIFTED WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AND DIDN'T SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. IN AUGUST HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN HE BACKED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE EVENT COST ME $525. HE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT HIS CAR KEPT ROLLING BACK UNTIL IT STRUCK A CAR. LAST WEEK WAS THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE OR I DROVE HIS CAR. WHEN SHE RETURNED SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD NEVER DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. SHE REPORTED THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS MY SON HAD MENTIONED. WHEN I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER I WAS IN THE STREET AND TOTALLY STOPPED I PUT THE CAR IN FORWARD AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. NOTHING HAPPENED. I CHECKED THE GEAR INDICATOR AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN. NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER SITTING IIN THE THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THE CAR FINALLY MOVED. IT WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND WITHIN THE FIRST 100FT. IT SHIFTED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. PERFORMANCE LIKE THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME I STARTED FROM A DEAD STOP. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE REP ABOUT WHAT I HAD JUST EXPERIENCED. HE SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING EXACTLY WHAT FORD SAYS IT WAS DESIGNED IT TO DO. HE SAID HE HAD PERSONALLY SCHEDULED OVER 20 2014 FOCUS CARS INTO THE SHOP TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. HE SAID FORD HAS A SET OF TESTS AND IF THE CAR PASSED THOSE TESTS THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. HE SAID EVERY 2014 FOCUS HE AND THE OTHER 7-8 REPS HAD SCHEDULED FOR THE TESTS HAD, BY FORD'S INSTRUCTIONS, PASSED THE TESTS. I SINCERELY REQUEST THAT YOU FORCE FORD TO DO A RECALL ON THESE CARS. NOTING THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THE CARS OBVIOUSLY HAVE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES, ESPECIALLY THEIR FAILURE TO SHIFT WHEN THE DRIVER TAKES THE ACTION TO MAKE THEM SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638707

Sep 24, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

FORD FOCUS BEGAN LEAKING FLUIDS DUE TO A MAIN SEAL ISSUE. AUTOMATIC CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS, JERKS, VIBRATES AND LURCHES AT LOW SPEEDS OR ON HILLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638708

Sep 24, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15. UPDATED 11/21/14*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/08/15

NHTSA ODI 10638726

Sep 18, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2014 FORD FOCUS HAS ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS BEING REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS SUCH AS JUMPING FORWARD, ENGINE RPM RACING UP AFTER BOGGING DOWN TO RECOVER FROM A STALL. THE TRANSMISSION SOUNDS LIKE A BUCKET OF ROCKS BEING SHAKEN AROUND. CRACKS, BANGS AND WORST OF ALL WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A LIGHT IT JUST TAKES A BIG GASP, BANGS DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR AND JUMPS FORWARD. GETTING ON THE FREEWAY SAFELY REQUIRES PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR NEAR THE FLOOR AND HOPING IT WILL DOWNSHIFT BEFORE THE TRUCK BEHIND YOU GETS THERE. THIS CAR IS NOT EVEN SAFE IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE HAD TO STOMP THE BRAKE DOWN HARD TO KEEP FROM HITTING OTHER CARS IN THE LOT AT WORK. THIS HAPPENS AFTER IT NEARLY STALLS THE ENGINE AND RECOVERS BY RACING UP. MY 2014 FOCUS SPENT TWO WEEKS AT GERMAIN FORD AND WAS RETURNED WITH A HORRIBLE RUMBLING SOUND AND IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT TO ACCELERATE. THE RUMBLING, THOUGH FELT THROUGH THE CHASSIS, WAS LATER REPORTED TO BE AN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AIR INTAKE? THIS MADE NO SENSE TO ME. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE ENGINE BEING HEAVY LOADED BECAUSE THE FOCUS WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO GERMAIN FORD WHERE THEY KEPT IT FOR ONE DAY AND REPORTED THERE WERE NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR. AFTER THIS TWO WEEK REPAIR I WAS PRESENTED WITH A DOCUMENT EXPLAINING THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE FOCUS, NOT BEFORE. THE DOCUMENT DOES NOT MENTION THE BANGING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. IT DOES NOT MENTION THE CAR JUMPING IN REVERSE OR THE ENGINE BEING LOADED TO A RUMBLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO DOWNSHIFT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK FROM THE LATEST SERVICE ATTEMPT FOR AS LONG AS THE "GREEN CLUTCH", BREAK IN TIME IS SUPPOSED TO REQUIRE. THE CAR NOW JUMPS IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND ACCELERATION IS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER DANGEROUS. I RAN OUT OF CHARACTERS BUT WOULD WELCOME A REPLY OR CALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10637317

Sep 17, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

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

NHTSA ODI 10637121

Sep 16, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE IN A MEDIAN TURN LANE, I ACCELERATED FORWARD TO TURN LEFT FROM A COMPLETE STOP. AS SOON AS I REACHED THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THE AUTOMATIC CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND IN TO NEUTRAL, LEAVING ME AT ALMOST A DEAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY, UPHILL ROAD. WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK IN GEAR, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TWO CARS COMING UP THE HILL. LUCKILY THEY WERE PAYING ATTENTION, BUT HAD TO SWERVE IN THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID ME. I PUT MY CAR IN "SELECT SHIFT" MODE AND MANUALLY SWITCHED TO 2ND GEAR. IT WAS THE ONLY WAY THE CAR WOULD GO BACK IN GEAR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS IT NOW, NEEDLESS TO SAY, AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING A GRINDING NOISE AND SHAKING/SURGING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633581

Sep 15, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

2014 FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION NOISE, 38,000 MILES. CAR HAS A GRINDING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS ( UNDER 40 MPH ) CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION ON AN INCLINE. VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE RESALE /TRADE IN VALUE OF THIS CAR IS DECLINING WITH EVERY BAD REPORT ISSUED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORD RECALL THESE CARS AND CORRECT THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT DRIVING ONE OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633451

Sep 13, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2014 FORD FOCUS IS A PIECE OF JUNK! THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND SHUDDERS ALL THE TIME. IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN AT LOW SPEEDS. TO ME THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR. VERY UNPREDICTABLE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632927

Sep 10, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

2014 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS SHUDDERED AND JERKED WHEN STARTING OFF FROM STOP. I AM AFRAID TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC UNLESS IT IS TOTALLY CLEAR. MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2012 FORD FOCUS AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. I RUN PREMIUM GAS AND THE TOP GRADE OIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632250

Sep 8, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

PURCHASED CAR 8/27/14. NOTICED IMMEDIATE STUTTERING, AND SHIFTING WHENEVER IT WANTS TOO. WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE FROM A FULL STOP. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR DX TEST AND WAS TOLD COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. CAR DOWNSHIFTS NOW BUT STILL SHIFTS ERRATICALLY AND STILL WILL NOT ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE SHUTTERING IS WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10631536

Sep 8, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 15 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE SPEED ACCELERATED BEYOND 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

NHTSA ODI 10631609

Sep 7, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

CAR STUTTERS AND ALMOST STALLS OUT WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THE HOTTER THE TEMPERATURE (IE 90 TO 100DEGS BAD STUTTERS). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10631338

Sep 5, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE HAS EXTREME SHUTTER/LURCHING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE FOCUS HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND COMPUTER UPDATES HAVE BEEN MADE. WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME JERKING DURING ACCELERATION BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND ALSO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR THE FORD FOCUS. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT LURCHES FORWARD ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY (BUMPER TO BUMPER) TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10630962

Sep 5, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10631018

Sep 3, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2014 FORD FOCUS HAS A 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION THAT LURCHES AND/OR SHUDDERS AND/OR HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE - ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE DRIVING A STICK SHIFT THAT NEVER HAS ONE BEFORE. THIS HAPPENS IF YOU ARE STOPPED AND TRY TO VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATE - COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE CREEPING UP TO WHATEVER MAY BE IN FRONT OF YOU. OR - IT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE GOING AT A SLOWER RATE (LESS THAN ABOUT 15 - 20) AND WANT TO JUST SPEED UP A LITTLE. THESE PROBLEMS CAUSE MANY HAIR-RAISING EVENTS FOR ME - ESPECIALLY IN TIGHT, RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC........... >>>>>>> THE ABOVE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 16 MILES (AND THE OTHER 2014 FORD FOCUS 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION CARS THAT I TEST DROVE ACTED EXACTLY THE SAME). I ASKED MY SALESMAN ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE HOW THE TRANSMISSION WORKS. I HAVE 4,000+ MILES ON IT NOW AND THE SAME THINGS ARE STILL HAPPENING. I WILL COMPLAIN TO THE SERVICE WRITER ABOUT THIS "PROBLEM" WHEN I TAKE IT IN FOR ITS FIRST VISIT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE........ >>>>>>> AS A P.S. - THIS FORD FOCUS GETS LESS OF AN AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (28 MPG SINCE FIRST FILL-UP) THAN MY 2010 FORD FOCUS (31 MPG SINCE ITS FIRST FILL UP). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10630490

Sep 2, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THE CAR HAS SEVERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED TWICE FOR BEING THROWN OUT INTO TRAFFIC ONCE AND TRYING TO PULL OUT ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT IS A NIGHTMARE, MY CAR WILL STOP FINE, BUT WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF IT JUMPS AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS LEAVING YOU BASICALLY SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGH WAY BARELY GETTING ANYWHERE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR CAR WILL TAKE OFF AND MAKE YOU LOOSE CONTROL. THE RPMS ARE ALL MESSED UP IF I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RPM HAND JUST DANCES ALL OVER THE PLACE THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!! THANKS FORD FOR RUINING MY LIFE AND STICKING ME WITH THIS TRUE LEMON OF A CAR... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10629989

Aug 27, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR HESITATES THEN MAKES A GRINDING SOUND AND LURCHES AS THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES, EACH TIME WE GET IT BACK THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AS WE USE IT FOR A DRIVERS EDUCATION CAR!! THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE JUST AS CULPABLE AS FOR IS FOR PUTTING OUT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628830

Aug 27, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED A MONTH AGO FOR SERIOUS SHUDDERING AND STALLING. WITHIN A WEEK THE ENGINE WOULD RACE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO STALL. IN INTERSTATE TRAFFIC THIS IS A SCARY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CLUTCH IS OUT. I FILED A CASE WITH FORD AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGER WAS TO CALL ME BY THURSDAY..NO CALL...FRIDAY A CALL WAS PROMISED..NO CALL. MONDAY A PROMISE..NO CALL. TUESDAY A PROMISE OF A CALL..NO CALL. WEDNESDAY NO CALL..GET THE PICTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628974

Aug 26, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

CAR IS JERKY WHEN ACCELERATING. FEELS AS IF I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A CLUTCH PROBLEM. CAR SHUDDERS AT LOW SPEED AND ALSO OCCASIONALLY HESITATED WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY. THIS PUT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628607

Aug 25, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WITH CAR IN CRUISE GOING DOWN GRADE TRANS WOULD DOWN SHIFT IN LOWER GEAR CAUSING CAR TO SLOW AND ENGINE TO OVER REV. HAD TO SLOW TO 45 FOR TRANS TO CORRECT IT`S SELF. HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH IT IN REVERSE JUMPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. IT ALSO JUMPS WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS SEARCHING FOR THE CORRECT GEAR TO BE IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10627989

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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 →