What 2,641 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Focus

I started smelling gasoline coming from the rear outside part of the car. I took the car to the local Ford dealership and they found a canister purge valve stuck open. They fixed it and I paid $414. A few days later and still smelling gasoline, I took it to tire place so they can lift it up to check the bottom where the fuel tank is located and the immediately saw fuel/gasoline leaking from the tank. I took it back to the Ford dealership and complained how they missed it the first time. They checked it and told me the fuel tank was completely ruined from excessive vacuum effect of the previous canister purge valve issue and that I needed a new fuel tank. They put in a new fuel tank and I told them this issue had a recall on the same make and model of car in 2018 and from that recall, this issue had been fixed then but it just happened again. I paid $2,088 for the new fuel tank and power train control module reset. So the total I have paid to fix this issue over $2,500 and about two days later, Ford motor company issued a new recall 26S40 for this specific issue on this specific 2012-2018 make and model car. So I hope my car will be added and searchable for the recall on both Ford’s and government’s websites when they initiate it on July 6, 2026. I have all the repair receipts and will file for a refund as soon as I receive the recall letter. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11746187

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift into 2nd gear, causing the transmission to slip, and the vehicle shuddered heavily while accelerating forward. Additionally, the contact stated that the backup camera failed to function since the vehicle was purchased in 2022. The vehicle possessed a long history of identical transmission failures. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions for transmission failures. The vehicle was first taken to the dealer at 56,838 miles, where an electrical failure covered under Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 was addressed, and the dealer replaced the TCM assembly, performed adaptive learning, and installed a replacement clutch assembly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a second time at 69,000 miles, where the dealer replaced the clutch assembly due to the recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a third time at 90,000 miles, where it was determined that the clutch assembly had failed once more and required a third replacement. The dealer was notified of the current failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11746151

I have a 2014 Focus. I wasn’t aware that there was an issue with the Focus make for the years 2011-2016. There’s a PO9OC and loss of reverse issue. It’s a transmission. The car isn’t safe to drive. My car is at 52,496. It sounds like this was a known issue by Ford and I was not made aware of a Power-shift history.

NHTSA ODI 11745308

I was driving down the road when the car dinged and a yellow light came on the bottom of the dash and it said steering loss please pull over for safety reasons so I pulled over shut the car off waited a couple minutes and then turned the car back on and the light turned red and I had no power steering at all.

NHTSA ODI 11743118

My 2014 Ford Focus with a DPS6 dual-clutch transmission began experiencing severe shuddering and harsh shifting. A Ford dealership confirmed the concern and diagnosed DTC P07A3 — Transmission Friction Element A Stuck On — using Ford's prescribed pinpoint test. Recommended repair exceeds $4,000. Vehicle is available for inspection. This is a recurring failure on this specific vehicle. Ford's own warranty history documents six prior DPS6 repairs between 2016 and 2023, including two full clutch replacements, three TCM/PCM reprogramming sessions, and a full TCM replacement under program 14M02 — all at Ford dealerships. The current failure occurs just 35,000 miles after Ford's most recent transmission repair. Prior repair orders document dangerous safety events including sudden loss of drive while in motion, no-start conditions, and complete loss of throttle control on the highway — consistent with the known DPS6 failure pattern. Ford issued six Customer Satisfaction Programs covering this transmission over eleven years — 14M01, 14M02, 15B22, 19N07, 19N08, and 14M02 Supplement 7 — acknowledging a persistent design defect. Despite this documented repeat failure history on this specific vehicle, Ford has denied goodwill assistance. I am requesting NHTSA investigate Ford's continued denial of repair assistance on vehicles with documented repeat DPS6 failures and the ongoing safety implications of this transmission's known design defects.

NHTSA ODI 11743241

The Transmission Controm Module (TCM) has gone bad on my car. Ford has recalled other cars of the same Make, Model and Year, but they refuse to repair the same problem on mine, because my VIN was not included in the initial recall

NHTSA ODI 11741994

Lost steering

NHTSA ODI 11742008

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing transmission and Transmission Control Module (TCM) issues with my 2014 Ford Focus. In October 2022, the transmission was replaced, yet I continue to experience serious transmission-related failures. Most recently, the vehicle would only start in neutral and would not reliably shift into drive or reverse. These recurring issues have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe. I have contacted Ford Customer Service three separate times seeking assistance and a permanent resolution. Despite these efforts, I have not been provided with a fix that addresses the root cause of the problem. Ford has long been aware of widespread TCM issues affecting certain Ford Focus models, making the continued failure of this vehicle especially concerning. My greatest concern is safety. During a recent incident, the vehicle unexpectedly slammed into gear with significant force while my son and I were inside. The sudden engagement nearly caused me to lose control of the vehicle and almost sent us into a ditch. Had road conditions or traffic been different, the outcome could have been much worse. I have dash camera footage documenting the incident and am willing to provide it upon request. A vehicle that has already undergone a transmission replacement should not continue experiencing severe transmission-related failures, particularly failures that create a risk of loss of vehicle control. This ongoing issue places not only my family at risk but also other motorists sharing the road. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into the recurring transmission and TCM failures affecting my vehicle, including a review of the October 2022 transmission replacement and Ford's response to these repeated issues. I also request that Ford provide a permanent solution and appropriate assistance given the history of repairs and the known defects associated with this model. I have made every effort to work with Ford and they could care less.

NHTSA ODI 11741322

hello my name is [XXX] and I bought this 2014 Ford focus from a private dealer without being told what was wrong with the car for 4100 dollars and since I have had it it's been giving me problems it has a salvaged title.also it sounds like the inside of the hood is gurgling water ,sometimes it won't go in to reverse,it has a hard start the tcm module needs to be replaced and I guess it has something to do with the check engine light going off and turning back on every other day something about the clutch keeps popping up.i looked it up the first time and it said that it was a recall now it doesn't show any recalls anymore can you please help me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11739649

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle with the powertrain and clutch warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738801

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while entering a highway from an off-ramp at 50 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the RPM's began to rev to a high level as the "Transmission Fault Service Now" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. In addition to the transmission failure, the contact stated that an abnormal, swishing sound would emit from the engine while driving at various speeds. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle back home at a low rate of speed. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA ID Number: 13V523000(Power Train). The contact was then informed if the failure were to occur for the second time, the dealer would cover the parts and labor fee under warranty. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where the transmission control module was repaired. Recently, the contact stated that the abnormal, swishing sound returned in addition to a slight hesitation upon depression of the accelerator pedal as a "Park Aid Fault" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective Transmission Control Module(TCM). The independent mechanic notified the contact that the vehicle needed to be repaired before the TCM ruined other parts of the vehicle. The manufacturer was alerted of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11737276

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact received the manufacturer's customer satisfaction number: 14M02 in the past. However, when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the dealer refused to work on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was worsening and took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the customer satisfaction was closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had seized while driving, and it would take several attempts to start. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to accelerate intermittently. Due to safety concerns, the vehicle had not been driven. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11736575

March 27th I went to have my focus recalled March 31st there was still one unopened recall. I did not go back to them to fix it the my documentation was falsified there's still an open recall on my Ford there's no documentation that I have it replaced. In fact it'd be easier to prove that they falsified information nths. It is a simple way to prove you need to remove the door handle and see if the door lock has been repaired and it hasn't

NHTSA ODI 11733734

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated before shifting to the next gear and jolted into gear while upshifting. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic lights, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was warmed up, and attempting to shift to reverse(R), the transmission failed to respond. The contact had to wait for the transmission temperature to drop and then shift into reverse(R). The ABS, ESC, and transmission warning lights were illuminated, and the message “Hill Start Assist Unavailable” was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while the A/C was activated, there was water accumulating in the passenger’s side footwell, causing the carpet to become saturated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were several major failures with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,300.

NHTSA ODI 11731865

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under Manufacturer Recall Number: 14M02. However, after the repair was completed, the vehicle started stalling while driving at various speeds, and the transmission failed to shift above second gear. The failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who scanned the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0606 and P0702. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11731661

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power and unexpectedly came to a stop. The message that the transmission was hot was displayed. The vehicle was restarted and driven back to the residence, but then failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with fuel system and clutch failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11729988

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, but no diagnostic trouble code was found, and there was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,500.

NHTSA ODI 11728225

My 2014 Ford Focus with approximately 145,000 miles is experiencing a failure of the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle hesitates, jerks, and has difficulty shifting, which creates a safety concern when driving in traffic. The issue was diagnosed by a dealership, and I was quoted approximately $1,800 for the TCM replacement. I contacted Ford for assistance, but they stated the vehicle is “outside of their programs” and refused to help, despite this being a widely known issue with Ford Focus transmissions. This defect affects the safe operation of the vehicle and should be investigated.

NHTSA ODI 11725168

Windshield wipers won't move and I got caught in the rain on the highway so its definitely unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11724863

Complaint Description: This complaint involves a 2014 Ford Focus with VIN [XXX] . The vehicle experiences severe transmission shuddering, slipping, delayed acceleration, and hesitation when attempting to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle sometimes struggles to move forward normally when entering traffic or crossing intersections. These symptoms appear consistent with the widely documented PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch transmission defect affecting 2012–2016 Ford Focus vehicles. The hesitation and delayed engagement create a potential safety hazard when merging into traffic or attempting to accelerate normally, as the vehicle does not respond immediately to throttle input. The vehicle also appears to have electrical irregularities associated with the transmission control system, which may be related to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) failures previously reported in these vehicles. Although there are currently no open recalls associated with this VIN, the vehicle continues to exhibit transmission behavior that creates an unsafe driving condition. This complaint is being submitted so that the issue can be documented as part of the ongoing safety record regarding PowerShift transmission failures in these vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11723055

Transmission failure, lots of jerking. Also I think there are some electrical components messed up. As when my car is off no keys in the ignition, it sounds as if the engine try to turn over. Also when no keys in the ignition loud clicking noise comes from down by the transmission. Received multiple information dashboards messages started about 2 years ago.”Trasmission Failure” Only happened once each year in the past 2 years. I’d let the car sit for the weekend and then it would be fine to drive. Also related to this issue when the loud clicking noise comes from the Transmission while the car is off when I go to start the car it won’t turn over have to pump the gas pedal or put it in neutral and it will turn over. Also have had other dashboard messages a lot recently, but haven’t drove my car in 2 weeks as it’s unsafe as will stall up at stoplights. These include “Transmission overheated”. Brought it to Advanced Auto part to try getting codes to see what’s wrong, but all that would pop up on their reader was “Error”. Date below is when i received the first Transmission failure message. Happened again in May 2025, and now the car is undrivable as of February 10 2026. Video I’m attaching is the noise the transmission makes when the car is turned off with no keys in the ignition. Will not let me upload it. Can send it in an email when you respond. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11720830

I was pulling onto the interstate when my car stop pulling an transmission went out I was in fear for my safety an others due to being on an interstate an couldn’t go into gear I finally got To the media or shoulder of the interstate to call for Help I was left stranded with high cost to get it to Ford Dealership in bowling green ky clutch kid 4,000$ to fix it I was in fear I was goin to get. Hit by a car it was scary

NHTSA ODI 11720062

The transmission is over heating while driving and jerking back constantly once it hits mph on 3. It doesn’t drive properly because of the transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11719248

Transmission Clutch Shudder -transmission Clutch . I took my vehicle in before it would have severe issues to the Ashland Ohio Ford dealer and they told me that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle. And now my vehicle is not drivable due to this recall parked. Please help me it would be a blessing!

NHTSA ODI 11718179

Problems with dual clutch automatic transmission Ford Focus Class action lawsuit of 2013.

NHTSA ODI 11717626