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)

Newest first · 2,644 complaints · page 80 of 106

Oct 10, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

REPEATED ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION, SHUTTERING WHEN DRIVING. ALSO HAVE HAD THE CARE HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED LOCATION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER TO GET FIXED AND THEY STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CORPORATE OFFICE REQUESTING A BUYBACK DUE TO THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS, THEY DID AN "GOOD FAITH REVIEW" AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BUY BACK MY CAR. THE WOULD NOT EXPLAIN THE REASONING OR ISSUE AND PAPERWORK SHOWING THE REVIEW, "FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO RELEASE THE FINDINGS SINCE IT WAS A GOOD FAITH REVIEW".

NHTSA ODI 10915113

Oct 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR OR RECALL ITS WORSE THAN BEFORE THEY WORKED ON IT. EVERY TIME I TAKE OFF IT JUMPS & JERKS, EVERY TIME I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR IT DOWN SHIFTS.

NHTSA ODI 10914898

Oct 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

SINCE I BOUGHT A USED 2014 FORD FOCUS, THIS YEAR, THERE HAS BEEN A GRINDING STUTTERING SHAKING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED BUT MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD FROM PARK. FORD ATTEMPTED TO UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL TIMES WHICH HAS NEVER WORKED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD AND THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NORMAL ACTIVITY. THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT AND WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD APPROPRIATELY AND I HAVE COME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT CATCH UP WITH THE ACCELERATION. I AM ASKING FORD FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRADING THE CAR IN SINCE THE VALUE IN THE CAR DEPRECIATED SO MUCH BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME. MY THIRD FORD, NEVER AGAIN!!!

NHTSA ODI 10914919

Oct 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JUMPED AS IF IT WOULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10914513

Oct 7, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10914812

Oct 6, 2016Body & structureLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 10914219

Oct 6, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT JERKING AND HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD ITS SOFTWARE UPDATED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.

NHTSA ODI 10914246

Oct 6, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10914302

Oct 6, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI 10914320

Oct 5, 2016Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI 10913923

Oct 4, 2016Steering

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING "STEERING ASSIST FAULT". . WE LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A REST AREA OFF THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE CAR. THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 36,900 MILES AT A COST OF $2,121.74. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NO HELP AT ALL TO ME. THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO RETURN CALLS WITHIN 4 HOURS AND IT TOOK ME 10 DAYS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET A CALL BACK.THERE CURRENTLY IS NO RECALL BUT 900 MILES PAST WARRANTY I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10913576

Oct 3, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I'VE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THREE UPDATES DONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I ALMOST GOT KILLED PULLING ONTO A COUNTRY HIGHWAY, DUE TO INABILITY TO PICK UP POWER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. TODAY, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO LACK OF POWER, HESITATING, AND ODD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR ISN'T 2 YEARS OLD, AND IT'S BEEN CONSTANT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10911301

Sep 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

CLUTCH IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STALLING, CAR SHUTTERS AT 24,000 MILES. CAR DOESN'T WANT TO GO UP HILLS, AND ACTS MINE IT'S STALLING OUT WHEN YOU PULL OUT. THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND I DO NOT FEEL SHE IS SAFE.

NHTSA ODI 10910128

Sep 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE ON MY 2014 FORD FOCUS. IT SHUDDERS, JERKS, AND HESITATES WHEN I START ACCELERATING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE CLUTCHES WHICH TAKES THEM 8 DAYS! THE CAR HAS ONLY 27,500 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10910190

Sep 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

POWER LOSS TO DRIVE TRAIN AND VEHICLE DISPLAYS "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. THIS HAD HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON PUBLIC ROADS.

NHTSA ODI 10910197

Sep 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.

NHTSA ODI 10910231

Sep 28, 2016Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (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 CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER WAS ONLY AGREEING TO REPAIR THE DOOR LATCH THAT FAILED DUE TO A PART SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,400.

NHTSA ODI 10910426

Sep 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. FORD NEEDS TO BUY ALL THESE VEHICLES BACK! THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ON A DAILY BASIS. IT'S BEEN IN FOR REPAIR TWICE AND A RECALL ONCE. STILL NOT FIXED. I WOULD SELL THIS CAR IF I COULD BUT THE VALUE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO THIS KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10910446

Sep 27, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

WITHIN THE FIRST 10,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2014 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN REBUILT AND THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REBUILT/FIXED AS WELL AS MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES APPLIED, AND WE HAVE COMPLAINED EVERY TIME WE TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL BROKEN. IT SHUDDERS, JERKS, RUMBLES, HARD SHIFTS AND EVEN COMES CLOSE TO STALLING WITH NO ACCELERATION/MOVEMENT AT TIMES. I FEAR DRIVING IT THAT I CANNOT TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SAFELY WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AND I WILL END UP BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT. THIS TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS AND WILL RESULT IN ACCIDENTS. WORST TRANSMISSION I HAVE EVER OWNED AND FORD WILL NOT FIX NOR BUY US OUT OF THE CAR...ITS A LEMON!

NHTSA ODI 10909919

Sep 26, 2016AirbagsBody & structureEngineCrash

GOING LESS THAN 10 MPH THE CAR WAS MAKING A WIDE TURN ON MY STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE WHEN FOCUS ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH A WIRE FENCE, TAKING DOWN A METAL STAKE, OVER LIMESTONE BOULDERS BEFORE HITTING A TREE, STUMPS, AND BUSHES ON MY PROPERTY. AIR BAGS DID NOT EMPLOY. WINDSHIELD TOTALLY SHATTERED WITH HOLES FROM TREE BRANCHES. BODY OF CAR SEVERELY DAMAGED IF NOT TOTALED. INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL DETERMINE ON WEDNESDAY 9/28/2016

NHTSA ODI 10909741

Sep 26, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SINCE SINCE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND-NEW IN 2014 THERE HAS BEEN A GRINDING STUTTERING SHAKING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED BUT MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD FROM PARK. FORD ATTEMPTED TO UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL TIMES WHICH HAS NEVER WORKED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD AND THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS NORMAL ACTIVITY. THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT AND WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD APPROPRIATELY AND I HAVE COME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT CATCH UP WITH THE ACCELERATION. I AM ASKING FORD FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRADING THE CAR IN SINCE THE VALUE IN THE CAR DEPRECIATED SO MUCH BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME.

NHTSA ODI 10909748

Sep 23, 2016

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2014 NEW. A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I HAD THE CAR, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SYNC SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS ME TO USE MY CELL PHONE HANDS FREE. IT WILL STAY PAIRED WITH MY PHONE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS AND THEN WILL DROP THE CONNECTION WITH MY PHONE. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER OF FORD CORPORATE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO GIVE ME A BUYBACK OPTION SO I CAN GO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WILL ACTUALLY WORK WITH MY CELL PHONE. IT IS THEIR PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI 10908860

Sep 23, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 10909319

Sep 16, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2014 FORD FOUS HAS A SHUDDERING AND SHIFTING ISSUES ON ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. FORD KEEPS TELLING ME THAT IS NORMAL AND TO BRING THE CAR IN IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN IN A INTERSECTION CAUSING A ACCIDENT. FORD IS JUST DRAGGING THIER FEET ON THIS ISSUE UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES AND CONSUMERS LIKE ME ARE LEFT WITH THE BILL. FORD KNOWS THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. DOES IT TAKE THE MOTORING PUBLC TO LOSE LIVES BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE?

NHTSA ODI 10907259

Sep 16, 2016

REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE WHILE IN MOTION; DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE OR LOCK.

NHTSA ODI 10907305

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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 →