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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 88 of 106

Jan 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND SHIFTING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPEEDOMETER DECREASED IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 10823009

Jan 29, 2016

THE CAR STALLS ON THE ROAD THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OUR CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH, SECOND TIME ON THE TRANSMISSION JERKING AND STALLING ON THE ROAD WHEN YOU WOULD BE STOPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN IN MOTION IT JERKED WHEN YOU INCREASED YOUR SPEED, VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NO ONE IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FORD CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL. CONTACTING OUR LAWYERS AND THE MEDIA. NOT JAPORDIZING MY FAMILY LIFE FOR A CAR THAT STALLS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 10823190

Jan 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

CAR SURGES AT TAKE OFF, LONG HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CLUNKING NOISE AT STOP. THERE HAS BEEN A PCM UPDATE, TCM UPDATE AND TCM RESET WHICH DID NOT HELP. THEN THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH IN THE R/R TRANSMISSION AND AFTER DRIVING 3000 MILES IT HAS STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10822962

Jan 23, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE HAD MY 2014 FORD FOCUS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW AND IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCHES. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT WAS A LITTLE AFTER 5 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT DIED ON ME SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS IN MOTION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. AFTER DOING THIS MY CAR WAS FINE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 2 MONTHS THEN IT STARTED TO SPUTTER, HESITATE WHILE TURNING AND IN MOTION AND ALSO NOT SHIFTING GEARS CORRECTLY. I TOOK IT AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME MY CLUTCHES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH MY TYPE OF CAR. I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT THEM TELLING ME THIS BECAUSE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE HAPPENING ALL THE TIME. I GO THE CAR BACK WORKED FINE FOR ANOTHER 3 MONTHS THEN THE SAME THING AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT I NEEDED THE NEW CLUTCHES IN MY CAR AND I SAID NEW CLUTCHES? WHY WAS I NOT GIVEN A RECALL ON MY OLD ONE OH BECAUSE WE ONLY CHANGE THEM OUT IF YOU COME IN AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE OLD ONES WHAT?? REALLY!! SO GOT MY CAR BACK AND THIS TIME 2 MONTHS LATER TODAY 1/23/16 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS MID U-TURN AND MY CAR TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MY U-TURN IN ON COMING TRAFFIC ALMOST KILLING ME!!! I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE DELAERSHIP YET BUT AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS WITH FORD CORPORATE TO FIX THIS NOTHING IS HAPPENING THEY ARE NOT TAKING BLAME FOR ANYTHING AND REFUSING TO RECALL THESE CARS. READING ONLINE I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THEY TELL THIS TOO AND IT REALLY MAKES ME UPSET, ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY BRAND NEW CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PLEASE HELP ME AND EVERYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI 10821901

Jan 22, 2016Body & structure

WE BOUGHT OUR 2014 FORD FOCUS IN MARCH 2015.NEVER AGAIN! AMONG OTHER SMALL PROBLEMS THAT COST A FORTUNE TO REPAIR WE NOW WERE DRIVING WHEN OUR REAR PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPENED. WE TOOK IT RIGHT THEN TO THE DEALER DICK'S MACKENZIE FORD IN HILLSBORO,OREGON AND THE PRICE TO FIX THE DOOR LATCH IS $560.WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR AND THEN SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. WE ARE APPAULED AT THE PRICE AND BECAUSE WE HAVE 40,000 MILESIT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 10821647

Jan 22, 2016Body & structureSeatsCrash1 injury

WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT APPX 50MPH. MY WIFE SAW THE IMMINENT IMPACT A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE IT HAPPENED & TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE SO AS NOT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER (APPX 20-25 FEET AWAY). NONETHELESS, THE IMPACT WAS TOO GREAT. IT TOTALLY DESTROYED THE REAR OF OUR CAR AND BLEW OUT THE BACK GLASS. IT ALSO PUSHED OUR CAR INTO THE CAR IN FRONT WHICH DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT, BENT THE HOOD IN THE FRONT MIDDLE SECTION, MADE THE UNDERCARRIAGE POP OUT, AND BROKE THE RADIATOR. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN ADDITIONAL FRONT END DAMAGE BUT THE HOOD WAS NOT OPENED AT THE TIME. WHAT'S WORSE, IN ALL OF THIS, THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! SO, MY WIFE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE. MOREOVER, THE SEAT BACK BROKE WHICH CREATED A POTENTIALLY PARALYZING AND/ OR DEADLY CONDITION DUE TO HER BODY'S MOMENTUM AS OPPOSED TO THE CAR'S MOMENTUM (I.E., SHE HAD NO BACK STABILITY)! LASTLY, HER KNEES WERE JAMMED INTO SOME PORTION OF THE DASH/ STEERING COLUMN. MY WIFE HAS SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES AND WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING HER TREATED.

NHTSA ODI 10821711

Jan 20, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT IS SHUDDERING HESITATING JERKING SURGING. HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP APPROX. 8 TIMES NOW AND ONLY HAS 12500 MILES ON IT PROBLEM STARTED AT 5000. THE SHOP KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS NORMAL WELL IT GOT WORSE WAS ALMOST T-BONED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT DECIDED TO HESITATE IN THE MIDDLE, TOOK BACK TO DEALER AGAIN THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS THEY WERE GETTING READY TO SEND IT BACK TO ME WHEN IT FINALLY ACTED UP ON THEM, THEY ALMOST WRECKED IT IN AN INTERSECTION AS WELL. THEY REPROGRAMMED IT SEVERAL TIMES, PUT A TCM IN IT WHICH MADE IT A LITTLE BETTER FOR AWHILE NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN THE DEALER IS FINALLY GOING TO PUT CLUTCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT WAS TOLD IT WILL BE A FEW MONTHS TO GET THE PART SINCE THEY JUST DID THE 16TH REDESIGN OF THE CLUTCHES. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND RECALL THE FOCUS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 10821221

Jan 20, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

OUR FOCUS SHUDDERS/STUTTERS ON ACCELERATION. THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WE WERE TOLD THAT PARTS COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR BECAUSE OF BACK-ORDERS. IT'LL WORK OK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT'S BACK TO SHUDDERING. IT'S CURRENTLY WORSE THAN IT'S EVER BEEN. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO RE-LEARN OUR DRIVING HABITS! WE DIDN'T REALIZE THE FOCUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT IT NEEDS TO RE-LEARN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING HABITS. WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. "TWEAKING" THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US ALL THAT HAVE OBVIOUSLY SOLD VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THE NEXT QUESTION ON THIS FORM ASKS WHEN DID THIS OCCUR? FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT BUT DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE FEELING OF A SHUDDER. THINKING IT WAS JUST THE SURFACE OF THE ROADS.

NHTSA ODI 10821315

Jan 15, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AUGUST 2, 2014. I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. MY VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIRS AT 13,399 MILES. THEY RESET TCM/PCM AND ORDERED A NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. 2 MONTHS LATER IT FINALLY CAME IN AND WAS REPLACED WITH A LITTLE OVER 17,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS SINCE MESSED UP AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ON JANUARY 4, 2016 AND THEY HAD IT FOR A DAY. I PICKED IT UP AGAIN ON JANUARY 5, 2016 AND WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND REQUESTED A BUY BACK AND THEY REFUSE. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING.

NHTSA ODI 10820388

Jan 14, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION HAS AN ISSUE THROUGH ALL GEARS WHERE IT SLIPS. BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU CAN'T GET POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT. PASSING VEHICLES AND STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN CAUSES THE CAR TO REV UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES UP AND APPLIES POWER TO THE WHEELS. THERE IS A TWO TO THREE SECOND DELAY FROM HITTING THE GAS UNTIL THE POWER REACHES THE WHEELS. THE ENGINE WORKS FINE BECAUSE IT'S REVVING RPM'S AND YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM IS IN THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE YOU CAN FEEL IT SLIPPING LIKE IT'S A MANUAL CAR WITH A BAD CLUTCH. THIS HAPPENS FROM STOP TO GO, AND WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY OR NORMAL STREET WHEN THE SPEED LIMIT CHANGES FROM SLOWER TO FASTER. THE PROBLEM IS MORE PERSISTENT THE WARMER THE CAR IS. WHEN I SEND IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER 100 MILES OR LESS AFTER THE RESET. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO WAY TO ACTUALLY FIX IT UNLESS THEY CHANGE THE DUEL CLUTCH SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION OUT COMPLETELY AND THEY WILL ONLY DO THIS IF THE SLIPPAGE REACHES A CERTAIN POINT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN PAST THAT POINT FOR A WHILE BUT THE PROCEED TO ONLY RESET THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI 10820283

Jan 11, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THIS CAR HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS SINCE 3000 MILES TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND LOOSES POWER ON TAKE OFF FORD HAS REPLACED CLUTCH 2 TIMES ALSO TCM TWICE THE TCM IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN OR REPROGRAMMED .THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THE CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF LACK OF POWER GOING INTO TRAFFIC. I HOPE THEIR WILL NOT BE A DEATH BECAUSE OF IT. GOING ON HIGHWAY CAR VIBRATES BADLY IN CITY TRAFFIC CAR HESITATES

NHTSA ODI 10819555

Jan 11, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

A FEW WEEKS AFTER WE PURCHASED A NEW 2014 FORD FOCUS IT SHUDDERED A LITTLE A FEW TIMES UPON STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. DEALER SAID CAR HAD A MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION & THIS WAS NORMAL. THE CAR WAS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR & AFTER A BREAK IN PERIOD IT WOULD STOP. AROUND 7,000 MILES WHILE THE CAR APPEARED TO BE RUNNING OKAY A SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON WITH A RED TRIANGLE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO SEE IF THE MESSAGE WOULD STILL APPEAR. IT DIDN'T BUT ALTHOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO REVERSE THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE BACKWARD EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED IT DID BACK UP BUT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT THE 55 MILES TO MY HOME. TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD SEE THAT THERE WERE WARNING MESSAGES BUT COULDN'T GET THE COMPUTER TO SHOW THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WARNINGS. AFTER IT WAS TOWED HOME I TESTED IT AGAIN & IT WENT BACKWARDS OKAY. I DID TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHO ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM & SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. THEN WHILE GOING FROM STORE TO STORE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER, PRETTY VIOLENTLY NOW, UPON ACCELERATION FROM DEAD STOPS AT ALMOST EVERY RED LIGHT. I THOUGHT THE CAR WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH A FEW INTERSECTIONS ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS ONLY SHUDDERED ONCE. SO BECAUSE IT'S SO INTERMITTENT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. I ALSO SHARE THE SAME FEAR THAT OTHERS HAVE ABOUT PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR ACCELERATING TO PASS BECAUSE I ALSO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER ALMOST DAILY. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT DROPS DOWN A GEAR OR CAN'T KICK INTO A GEAR. THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE DANGEROUS & AFTER READING MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS BRUSHING THEM OFF. HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER AS WELL. OUR FIRST NEW CAR & IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO THINK WE HAVE A LEMON. THINKING OF CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY.

NHTSA ODI 10819568

Jan 10, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL AND DANGEROUS. FORD TRIES TO SAY "SLIGHT SHUTTERING IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRANSMISSION" AND THAT IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO GET USE TO. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT THEY ARE SAYING THIS. THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT IS GOING TO SHUDDER OR HAVE DELAYED ACCELERATION. WHENEVER YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BUCKS SHAKES AND STUTTERS TO THE POINT THAT IT'S JUST PLAIN EMBARRASSING AND NOT DRIVEABLE. IT DRIVES COMPLETELY FINE ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT ONCE YOU HAVE TO STOP AT ANY STOP LIGHT OR SIGN IT'S AWFUL. YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY FORGET BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO EXPLODE. ONE TOP OF ALL OF THAT IT CAN'T EVEN MAKE IT UP A PARKING GARAGE. IT WAS TERRIFYING WHEN I FOUND THIS OUT AND ALMOST CAUSED MANY ACCIDENTS. WHEN YOU GO TO PULL ONTO THE HIGHWAY OR TURN IN FRONT OF A CAR THE FOCUS WILL STUTTER AND STALL AND ALMOST CAUSED MANY ACCIDENTS THAT WAY AS WELL. ALL FORD DOES TO FIX THESE ISSUES IS RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAY THE CAR "NEEDS TO RELEARN YOUR DRIVING PATTERNS, AND NOT TO BRING IT BACK FOR AT LEAST 500 MILES." THIS IS A COMPLETE LIE AND THE CAR DRIVES GREAT FOR A WEEK AND THEN GOES BACK TO BEING AWFUL. THEN WHEN THE PROBLEM CONTINUES THEY WILL JUST SAY THEY NEED TO REPLACE PARTS BUT IT'S THE SAME AWFUL STOCK PARTS. WE DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE AND BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ALL THE TIME. WE TRADED IT IN FOR A SUBARU CROSSTREK AND LOST A TON OF MONEY, BUT IT WAS THE BEST DECISION WE MADE. I FEEL TERRIBLE FOR WHOEVER IS GOING TO END UP BUYING THAT DANGEROUS CAR. THE THING IS, AFTER YOU LET THE CAR SIT FOR A DAY OR TWO, THE FIRST 20 MINUTES YOU DRIVE IT, IT DRIVES GREAT! SO THE BUYER WILL DEFINITELY BE DECEIVED. WE ALSO JOINED THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND HOPE TO GET SOME MONEY BACK.

NHTSA ODI 10819233

Jan 9, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE WHEN I RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING FROM THE CAR. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND I WAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND UNABLE TO MOVE. LUCKILY THIS WAS ON A QUIET STREET BUT IF THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.

NHTSA ODI 10819108

Jan 8, 2016

THE TRANSMISSION STUTTERS ON STARTS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE GONE FOR REPAIRS, SECOND TIME THE DEALER NEEDS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THIS PART WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2015. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, PART IS ON BACK ORDER AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10818858

Jan 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I PURCHASED MY NEW 2014 FORD FOCUS IN FEBRUARY 2015 WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT. DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS WITH NO ISSUES, THEN IN JUNE I NOTICED A TERRIBLE SHUDDER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN. THE CAR JUMPS AND THEN SHUDDERS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP. IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHILE TRYING TO GET IN GEAR AND TAKE OFF. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINATING DEALERSHIP TWICE, SO FAR. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF WAITING ON A PART FROM FORD TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. PER FORD, THEY ARE APPLYING CLUTCHES TO THE TRANSMISSION TO RESOLVE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. THE CAR, IN MY OPINION, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND VERY EMBARRASSING TO MYSELF ON THE ROAD. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES IN MY LIFE BUT HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH ANYTHING SO FRUSTRATING AS THIS WITH ANY OF THE CARS. THIS IS THE FIRST FORD THAT I'VE PURCHASED AND I AM A VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER, TO SAY THE LEAST. IF THE PART/CLUTCH DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, I WILL BE FILING A LEMON LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD.

NHTSA ODI 10818857

Jan 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION DOE NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. CAR BUCKS AND LURCHES ON STARTING AND FEELS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE PROPER REMEDY

NHTSA ODI 10818883

Jan 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,200. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 10819037

Jan 6, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V005000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10818357

Jan 6, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES W/THE CLUTCH. HAS BEEN TAKEN 2 THE DEALER NOW 4X'S SINCE PURCHASE IN JAN. '15. HAS A CONSTANT SHUDDER/JERK WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP; DAUGHTER HAS NEVER DRIVEN A STICK SO SHE IS NOT FAMILIAR & SAYS SHE FEELS LIKE CAR IS ABOUT TO DIE. EVERY TIME WE TAKE TO DEALER ALL THEY SAY IS "ALL WE CAN DO IS REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION"; CAR IS GETTING WORSE. SHE BASICALLY HAS TO SLAM ON GAS PEDAL SOMETIMES TO GET IT TO GO. CAR IS DANGEROUS, AND IS IN A STATIONARY MOTION WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 10818561

Jan 5, 2016Steering

OWNED CAR 6 MONTHS AND LOVE IT, ESPECIALLY THE HANDLING, UNTIL: AT ABOUT 8500 MILES, I STARTED THE CAR (ON A SUNDAY MORNING-WHY I DIDN'T CALL THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY) PUT IT IN GEAR, PULLED FORWARD IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I BACKED UP AND PULLED FORWARD AGAIN, AND STILL ZERO STEERING WHEEL TURN WAS POSSIBLE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, PULLED THE KEY OUT, PUT THE KEY IN AND STARTED IT AGAIN. SAME ACTIONS, SAME RESULT. I USED OUR PICKUP TRUCK FOR THE DAY INSTEAD. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN WHEN I GOT HOME AND THE STEERING WORKED NORMALLY-I PULLED FORWARD AND BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED IT. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR STARTED JUST FINE BUT AGAIN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ARRANGED A FLAT BED RIDE LATER THAT DAY. WHEN THE FLAT BED DRIVER STARTED TO CAR TO DRIVE IT ONTO HIS RIG, HE REMARKED THAT THE CAR WAS ACTING JUST LIKE A PROBLEM THEY'RE HAVING IN THE 2015 F150, AND TWO-HANDEDLY YANKED MY STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT, STILL WITH NO RESULT. THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE, AND I WONDER WHAT ELSE HE BROKE IN HIS "BIGGER HAMMER" APPROACH. HE ADJUSTED THE POSITION OF HIS TRUCK TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR ONTO IT WITHOUT ANY STEERING AVAILABLE. I REPORTED THE FLAT BED DRIVER'S ABUSE OF MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CAR NOW SITS AWAITING SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI 10818060

Jan 5, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE CONTACT ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS TO BE REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 10818167

Jan 3, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH SHIFTS IRREGULARLY AND "STUTTERS" ON STARTS AND OCCAISONALLY WHEN DRIVING AT RELATIVELY CONSTANT SPEEDS. ACCELLERATION IS UNEVEN WHEN IT DOES THIS AND THE PERFORMANCE IS HARD TO PREDICT. THIS MAKES MERGING ONTO FREEWAYS, ENTERING CROSS TRAFFIC, AND OTHER TIME/PERFORMANCE CRITICAL MANEUVERS UNCERTAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN SEERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAS HAD THE TRANSNMISSIONB REPROGRAMMED TWICE AND A CLUTCH IS ON ORDER.

NHTSA ODI 10817458

Jan 2, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

MY CAR IS HAVING A CLUTCH ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM, REPORTS I AM ON A LIST FOR A FIX, BUT THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY HAVE STATED THAT CURRENTLY, THEY ARE FIXING (THOUGH NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY) ISSUES DIAGNOSED IN MAY. DEALER REPORTS THEY CANNOT STATE THE CURRENT PROBLEM (THAT I CANNOT GET FIXED TIMELY) WILL NOT IMPACT THE CAR/CAR'S PERFORMANCE LONG TERM. THE CAR JERKS AND LURCHES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I WOULD COMPARE IT TO A PERSON TRYING TO DRIVE STICK SHIFT FOR THE FIRST TIME OR LEARNING BUT IT IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR. IT HAPPENS A LOT, WHEN IN MOTION. I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN REVERSE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE. THE JERKING ISSUES FEEL LIKE I AM GETTING WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ODI 10817424

Dec 30, 2015Electrical system

WHILE ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC YESTERDAY EVENING A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY PANEL "STOP SAFELY NOW". I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE ROADWAY IMMEDIATELY DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ENGINE OPERATING INDICATOR (A GREEN CAR WITH ARROWS POINTING FORWARD AND BACK) WAS NO LONGER ON BUT ACCESSORIES ON THE CAR WORKED PROPERLY (E.G. HEADLIGHTS, POWER STEERING, ETC) I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART BUT CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY PUSH THE CAR OFF OF THE ROADWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR'S IGNITION TURNED OFF ONCE I WAS BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND THE DOOR CLOSED. I POWERED THE CAR ON AFTER IT HAD FULLY SHUT DOWN AND IT RETURNED TO OPERATING NORMALLY. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE ALL-ELECTRIC FORD FOCUS. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 1/28/16 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10816989

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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 →