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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)

Newest first · 2,644 complaints · page 77 of 106

Dec 21, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSeat beltsVisibility & wipers

I CONTACTED FORD LOCAL AND CORPORATE. FORD CORPORATE TOLD ME THAT RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS CONCERNING. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PUTTERING CAR. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL PREVIOUSLY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIX. THE GENERAL MANAGER CALLED ME IN RESPONSE TO MY NOT BEING SATISFIED. HE LEFT A MESSAGE. I DID NOT RETURN HIS CALL. RECENTLY, I GOT ANOTHER RECALL CONCERNING DOOR LATCH. I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT RECALL. THE PREVIOUSLY RECALL WITH THE SWITCH WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY. NOW MY CAR DEFROST SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. SOMETIMES MY SEATBELT WON'T BUCKLE. WHY WANT FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY CONCERNING THEIR PRODUCTS. I AM AN AVID FORD BUYER. PLEASE DOCUMENT MY CONCERNS CONCERNING BY ENGINE STALLING, DEFROSTER AND SEATBELT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE 8 RECALLS FOR THE 2014 FORD FOCUS. I RELAYED THIS TO FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT RECALL WERE VIN SPECIFIC. I HAVE CONTACTED YOU BEFORE CONCERNING A COMPLAINT. I AM SCHEDULE TO VISIT LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DOOR LATCH RECALL TOMORROW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE AND HELP. I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER THE DATES OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10936644

Dec 20, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,343.

NHTSA ODI 10936507

Dec 19, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10936213

Dec 19, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 10936267

Dec 17, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

ENGINE OVER REVVING TO SHIFT. NO ENGINE REVVING OR ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING. ROUGH SHIFTING. ENGINE HESITATION. CANNOT MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED.GEARS SLIPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND CLUTCH PACK (THEY LAST ABOUT 10K MILES) ON A VEHICLE WITH 21,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER.

NHTSA ODI 10936020

Dec 13, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I FILED A COMPLAINT UNDER THE MN LEMON LAW DUE TO REPEATED TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON MY CAR. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE I'M DRIVING A VERY SENSITIVE MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND WILL CAUSE A SHUDDER FEELING AT SHIFT. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO NORTH COUNTRY FORD IN COON RAPIDS, MN ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DATES WERE 8/27/15, 10/16/2015, 2/18/16 AND 8/21/16. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE ISSUE AND MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATED PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND THAT IT COULD BE COSTLY TO ME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10934954

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 10, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE BRAKING, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARS AND ONCE STOPPED, THE CAR LOSES ALL MOTIVE POWER. OCCURRED FIRST IN NOV 2015 AND DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS. PROBLEM RECURRED IN OCT. 2016 AND DEALER PERFORMED RECALL TSB. PROBLEM RECURRED A 3RD TIME IN NOV 2016 AND DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE FAILURE WHILE IN FOR SERVICE. "REPAIR" IMPLEMENTED DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AS THE CAR HAD 4TH INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING OFF THE DEALER LOT. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AND IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH FORD.

NHTSA ODI 10934479

Dec 9, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 03/29/17LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10934142

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

Dec 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHILE CHANGING GEARS. HAD BOMMARITO FORD DEALERSHIP IN HAZELWOOD, MO INSPECT ON 12/7/2016. WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 19,674 MILES WHEN INSPECTED. CLUTCH IS BACKED ORDER AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 10933982

Dec 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

MY CAR HAS BAD HESITATION INCREDIBALLY JERKY WHEN STARTING GRINDING NOISES TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FORD MECHANICS HAVE ADMITTED TO KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HAS TOLD FORD THAT IT IS DANGEROUS. HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ESPECIALLY AT LOWER GEARS. MAKE SIT VERY DANGEROUS TO CROSS BUSY INTERSECTIONS. CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE ANY PICTURES BUT PLAN TO START RECORDING MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10930365

Dec 5, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE PCM/TCM CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE RE-LEARNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,300.

NHTSA ODI 10929951

Dec 5, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 02/07/2017*CT CONSUMER STATE VEHICLE IS STILL STALLING AT TIMES. UPDATED 7/13/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 10930011

Dec 1, 2016AirbagsCrash

2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FOUR VEHICLE COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SMD

NHTSA ODI 10927935

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 29, 2016Body & structure3 injuries

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V643 RECALL DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 16S30 A DOOR LATCH WITH A FRACTURED PAWL SPRING TAB TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A "DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE" CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 10928672

Nov 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,999.

NHTSA ODI 10928197

Nov 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

JERKING, SHUTTERING TRANSMISSION FROM STANDSTILL... SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW.

NHTSA ODI 10928265

Nov 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED OR ACCELERATED AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE ISSUE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED 1,000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME WHERE THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER CSP:14M01 TO HAVE THE WARRANTY EXTENDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10928357

Nov 28, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND LOCK INTO A SECURED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI 10928368

Nov 25, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

FROM THE FIRST WEEK I HAD THE CAR SOMETHING HAS BEEN WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT JERKS AND DOESN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD, MAKES A HORRIBLE CRUNCHING SOUND. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN IN THE TURNING LANE AND HAD AMPLE ROOM TO TURN BEFORE A CAR GOT TO ME BUT THE CAR JERKS AND STALLS SO THAT I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BECAUSE IT HAS NO POWER. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK, SAID THEY "COULDN'T REPLICATE" WHAT I REPORTED. IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME BUT IF THEY REALLY DROVE IT FOR A WEEK, IT WOULD HAPPEN. EVERYONE WHO EVER RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME ASKS WHY IT CHUGS LIKE IT DOES. I'M GOING TO GET INTO A WRECK ONE DAY BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE MY TURN BUT THE CAR STALLS AND CHUGS SO MUCH THAT IT TAKES MUCH LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TO GET SAFELY INTO WHERE I AM TURNING. IT MAKES ME PICK A DATE BELOW, BUT THIS IS A SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK FOR 3 YEARS OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI 10927837

Nov 23, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V643000 AND 16V698000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/14/17*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10927675

Nov 21, 2016Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND/OR BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN, WATER WOULD FLOOD THE CABIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR INSULATION; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 01/10/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TOLD WEATHER STRIPPING HAD FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 7/9/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 10927147

Nov 21, 2016AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH, THE CONTACT PAYING ATTENTION TO 3 PEDESTRIANS, A MOTHER AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, WHEN A VEHICLE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY BUT THE KNEE BOLSTER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT TENSIONER ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT BREAST CAUSED BY THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT THAT RETRACTED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GATE COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. *SM

NHTSA ODI 10927222

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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 →