Home · 2014 Ford Focus · Complaints

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

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 (2,641)Crash / fire / injury (89)Transmission & drivetrain (1,587)Engine (454)Fuel system (359)Electrical system (274)Steering (225)Speed control (169)Body & structure (62)Latches & locks (47)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (39)Brakes (34)

28 of 2,641 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Jan 8, 2024EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact received a call from a family member who was driving by the contact's residence. The family member informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The local fire department was contacted and arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000.

NHTSA ODI 11564200

May 11, 2022EngineFire

The contact owned a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle overheated, lost power, and caught on fire. The contact stated that the warning "HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE STOP SAFELY" was displayed. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from the front of the hood. The contact stated that she opened the hood and flames were seen coming from the driver's side rear of the engine. The contact stated that the police and fire department was notified. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that a fire department report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to the police impound lot and then towed by the dealer. The contact stated that she had purchased the vehicle 2 days prior to the failure. The vehicle was at the dealer awaiting diagnosis. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the dealer. The failure mileage was 90,537.

NHTSA ODI 11464281

Oct 21, 2021Electrical systemBrakesEngineCrash1 injury

I'm being persecuted by Ford Motor. I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus SE Jan. 26th 2018 from Rocco Degregorio at 6701 Essington Ave. told no recalls or safety issues.The car was brought back next day, driving improperly. Many problems found, was told all fixed.The car malfunctioned April 23rd 2018 accelerating forward disabling me for life! UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. Former attorneys, Rosenbaum &Associates mishandled my case, filed suit in 2020. Honorable Judge New gave me a stay. I'm representing myself for justice, in severe pain & more needed surgery.I have documents to prove all I say. How can I face trial alone?! I suffer physically, emotionally,financially going without medical supplies, medication. I pay $209.97 a mo.for a car that almost killed me, sits at auto collision where malfunction codes were obtained since 2018 to date, its evidence. A state investor detective said its the worse case of auto fraud she ever saw. Ford is blaming 3rd party suppliers for the defects on the suit. No inspection was done on my car from incompetent deceitful former attorneys. They blame me! I didn't do this! Read article, Watch the NBC nightly News 15 minutes in Links below. I was lied to, deceived from salesman,former attorneys, & Ford. The NBC nightly news aired 2019 Ford knew car was assembled dangerously,but put it in production! Ford took my life, identity,trust, mobility! This is injustice and inhumanity. Permanent injuries deteriorate my body, stress causes further health issues. Ford is killing what life I have left by torturing me. I wont give up on Justice! Please help! Speak with me, my witnesses, read my evidence auto fraud,product liability, personal injury, attorney malpractice, and Intervene! I want an end to the unhealthy involvement with Ford with Justice. Respectfully. Case ID 200102572 https://suddenacceleration.com/how-ford-concealed-evidence-of-electornically-caused-ua-and-what-it-means-today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJRG7MLR5GU Nightly News Broadcast

NHTSA ODI 11437628

Jun 11, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel systemCrash1 injury

Jan.26th 2018 I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus SE from Pacifico Ford. I was told by salesman No Recalls and No safety Issues. The car was on the lot with new inspection stickers. I was given a clean car fax. I was deceived. The car was returned the next day for driving improperly. It gave too much gas or not enough, was shuddering and sticking, steering issues, drifted to the right, and steering wheel had to be crooked to park to adjust the wheels, and car had a burn smell. Ford found transmission problem, engine leaking oil, clutch problem, cpu issues, failed road test and leaky seals. A week later, I was told all was fixed as new. April 23rd 2018 the car malfunctioned disabling me for life. While I was parking, the car accelerated forward, slammed into a barrier, roared up in the air, slammed down a slope and into a tree. Malfunction codes from an auto collision center were it was towed were achieved, one of which is an acceleration malfunction code. No air bags deployed, no warning. I found out after the malfunction there were many safety issues and recalls that I was not told of day of sale. Ford, a once trusted company, disabled me for life.

NHTSA ODI 11420602

Sep 17, 2020Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngineCrash1 injury

MY 2014 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK HAS HAD CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO THE DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGH THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2015. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR LURCHES MULTIPLE TIMES AND I'M UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED MANY CAR ACCIDENTS AND TERRIFIES ME EVERY TIME I DRIVE.THE LURCHING HAS ALSO LOOSENED PARTS OF MY CAR AND FEELS LIKE PARTS OF MY CAR COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. MY ENGINE ALSO HAS ISSUES AND I'VE HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT LEAST TWICE NOW DUE TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE NEVER FELT SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I'VE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES SINCE THE FIRST WEEK I BOUGHT THE CAR COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE EMPLOYEES KEPT TELLING ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD CAR AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11355671

Feb 19, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel systemCrash2 injuries

THE EXCESSIVE VACCUUM MAY RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. VERY DANGEROUS. CONSTANTLY BATTLING WITH THIS CAR DAILY.

NHTSA ODI 11310191

Dec 20, 2019EngineCrash2 injuries

MY FORD FOCUS HAD TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS LOOK AT IT BEFORE PURCHASING PESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO. PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS CAR WAS FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULDNT START AT ALL. ALTENATOR AND BATTERY CHECKED. TO START CAR, I HAD TO TAKE EXTENSION CORD FROM HOUSE TO CAR TO USE A BATTERY CHARGER. I COULD DRIVE IT FROM PLACE TO PLACE BUT COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF BC IT NOT STARTING AGAIN. I DROVE LIKE THIS FOR TWO MONTHS. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO WEIRD SOUNDS. I TRIED REPLACING BATTERY AND PROBLEM CONTINUED. REPLACED BATTERY. WAS DRIVING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, CAR WOULDNT GO. ALMOST WAS HIT. CARS HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS ME. WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN CAR WOULDNT ACCELERATE QUICKLY AT.LIGHT. HIT FROM BEHIND AND PASSENGER HAD TO BE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE. RECEIVED TWO RECALL LETTERS IN THE MAIL. ONE REGARDING EMISSIONS AND ONE REGARDING THE CLUTCH. WHEN I TRIED TO BACK CAR OUT OF LOT, WOULDNT GO IN REVERSE. THEN THE TRANS LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE PUSHED IT OUT OF SPOT AN IT DROVE UNTIL I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, CAR WOULDNT GO. CAR HAD ALL TUNEUPS, OIL CHANGES,ALL MAINTENANCE ROUTINELY DONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH UNIVERSITY FORD ON A RECORDED CONVO, TOLD ME THE RECALL EFFECTED MY CAR & THAT THEY INSTALLED A NEW TRANS MODULE BUT THE TRANS ITSELF HAD TO BE REPLACED. QUPTED 7,000$. WARRANTY ACCORDING TO FORD IS FOR CLUTCH PROBLEM. THEN WHY REPLACE TRANS MODULE? TOLD ME TO CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE. TOLD ME TO MAKE CLAIM &GET A TRANS EXTENDED COVERAGE CLAIM. I'VE CALLED BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK. NOW IHAVE CAR AT DEALERSHIP DONT HAVE 7,000$ OR $ TO EVEN TOW IT AWAY FROM THERE. I'M ON DISABILITY AND HAVING SEVERE MEDICAL PROBLEMS & A7 YR OLD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EOTH LIMITED RESOURCES. FOR A COMPANY THAT STANDS AMERICAN VALUES, THEY FALL SHORT. VERY ANGRY. (SHOULD'VE BOUGHT A CHEVY)

NHTSA ODI 11290269

Jul 23, 2019Seat beltsBrakesEngineCrash

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I HAD ISSUES FROM THE START. I WOULD PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD HESITATE TO GO FORWARD AND THEN JERK. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL CAR BUT I HAD AN AUTOMATIC. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR FOR THIS SPECIFIC REASON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE IN AND HAD TO WAIT OVER 3 WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER CAR OR ANYTHING. ONCE I GOT THE PART IT WAS OK FOR LIKE LITERALLY MAYBE 1 OR 2 MONTHS AND THE ISSUES AROSE AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE LAST TIME I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED FOR FREE. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN 2016. IT IS NOW 2019 AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. AND THE CAR DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS LATCH TIGHTLY WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. NOW I AM STUCK STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING. I DID HAVE A WRECK IN THE CAR BACK IN 2016 WHERE I WAS PUSHING ON THE GAS AND IT JERKED REALLY HARD AND THEN WENT FORWARD VIOLENTLY AND I HIT A POLE. THE DAMAGE IS STILL ON MY CAR WHICH INCLUDES A BUSTED FRONT BUMPER AND THE CAR HORN IS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11234136

Jun 4, 2019Body & structureEngineFire

2014 FORD FOCUS SE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. HEARD A LOUD SOUND. CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. WITHIN SECONDS SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM ENGINE. FRONT END WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES. CAR HAD BEEN TO THREE SHOPS PRIOR AND NOTHING WAS EVER SAID ABOUT THERE BEING A PROBLEM. EVEN WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11217911

Apr 12, 2019Latches & locksEngineCrash1 death

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AND WAS PULLED OUT FROM THE WINDOW. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, STOMACH, LEG, AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER LATER DIED DUE TO THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SOUND FORD (LOCATED AT 101 SW GRADY WAY, RENTON, WA 98057, (425) 235-1000), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 11195927

Dec 3, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE "TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE IN OCTOBER OF 2018. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. MORRIE'S MINNETONKA FORD (13400 WAYZATA BLVD, MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55305, (952) 546-5441) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,542.

NHTSA ODI 11155756

Sep 17, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

TAKATA RECALL AMONGST THE KNOWN RECALLS, IS A LOT OF UNSAID ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH THE TCM. WHEN I HAD THE DEALER FIX IT, THE CODES WERE SHOWING OK BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DISPLAY THE SAME ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. FOR SOME REASON WHEN DRIVING, IT SEEMS AS IF I'M DRIVING A MANUAL VEHICLE INSTEAD OF A AUTOMATIC. THE CLUTCH IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS. IT TEND TO GET STUCK IN THE HILL ASSIST MODE. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY CAR JUST DIED. IT SEEMED TO BE THE BATTERY. WHEN REPLACED IT WAS OK FOR A DAY OR SO. I HAD IT CHECKED TO SEE IF MY ALTERNATOR WAS BAD. IT BOTH PLACES STAYED IT WAS FINE. PERIODICALLY IT WOULD STOP. IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE THERE WHERE ANY DETERMINING FACTORS ON WHEN (LIKE COLD OR HOT WEATHER). SO I DROVE IT LESS. ONE DAY WHEN DRIVING, GOING 46 MPH, IT JUST SHUT DOWN. THE SCREEN SHOWED 'NOT IN PARK', STARTING SYSTEM FAULT AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. IT THEN BEGAN TO START AND STOP WHENEVER. THE GROUNDS WERE CHECKED, THE STARTER, THE ALTERNATOR, THE FUSE AND ORHERS. MY HORN WOULD SOMETIMES GO OUT FOR DAYS, UP TO WEEKS. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY FLASH 'NORMAL MODE'. IT'S SO MANY THINGS GOING ON HERE! I FEAR ALL THE TIME WITH THIS CAR. WHEN THE TCM STARTED ACTING UP, IT STOPPED WHILE DRIVING TOO. I'M A MOTHER OF 5, I'VE HAS THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS AS FOR THE PAST 2YRS I'VE BEEN LIVING IN FEAR OF MY CHILDREN AND I DYING IN THIS CAR. I'VE SPENT MORE MONEY BUYING RENTALS AND HAVING OTHERS ASSIST WITH TRANSPORTATION WHEN THIS CAR ACTS UP, I COULD'VE PAID HALF OF MY LAST 2YRS OFF. THIS IS NOT FAIR BECAUSE EVERYONE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO JUST GET UP A GO TRADE IN A CAR OR WALK AWAY. I'VE BEEN HAVING DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FOR OVER 2 YRS NOW BUT WHEN IT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER 2018 (THIS MONTH) IT GOT WORST AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11130028

May 16, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel systemCrash

VACUUM SEAL ON GAS TANK IS FAULTY AND GETS AIR BUBBLES AND THE CAR CUTS OFF AT RANDOM. IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION YESTERDAY AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I'VE REPORTED THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES. SEVERAL OTHER ONES WERE RECALLED BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER BUT IT'S THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11094075

Jan 10, 2018EngineFuel system1 injury

THE CAPLESS GAS TANK IS TRAPPING AIR, CAUSING THE CAR TO "BURP" AND SOMETIMES TURNING ENGINE OFF EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. BUT MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY ENGINE CUT OFF FROM IT. WENT TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THE SERVICE CENTERS KEEP GIVING ME THE SAME RESPONSE EVERYWHERE.

NHTSA ODI 11061968

May 23, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE FROM THE COOLANT RESERVE BOTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DUPHY FORD LOCATED IN PHILADELPHIA, PA), BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI 10991244

May 8, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE "HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE STOP SAFELY" ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS12243967. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 07/19/17*LJ ..UPDATED 07/21/17 *BF *CN *AS

NHTSA ODI 10984270

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

Apr 5, 2016SteeringElectrical systemEngineFire

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVING, SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, ETC. RECENTLY, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND PULLED OVER. UNDER THE HOOD, THE FUSE BOX HAD CAUGHT FIRE, BUT WAS BLOWN OUT BY THE WIND WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD. 20,500 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10853592

Dec 14, 2015Speed controlEngineCrash

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN NEUGEBAUER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENTS OF THE 19TH DISTRICT OF TEXAS RE FORD SAFETY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS SE WITH THE OPTIONAL DPS6 POWER SHIFT TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A SEVERE, ERRATIC MOVEMENT, ALONG WITH SHUDDERING/JERKING, WITH THE MOST SEVERE BEING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, PARK OR DRIVE ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ON TWO OF THOSE OCCASIONS, IT HAPPENED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS; ONCE HITTING A PEDESTRIAN AND LEAVING SCRATCHES ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WITH A DENTED LICENSE PLATE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND APPLYING THE BRAKE DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. LAST YEAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT A CURB, IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE LEAKS WHERE SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO PARK WHILE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING 65 MPH/ THE VEHICLE SHOOK, AND REVVED AND THE RP'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED THAT SAID TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10816138

Nov 4, 2015Transmission & drivetrainEngine1 injury

THE VEHICLE HAS WENT INTO REVERSE ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE THE GEAR STICK SELECTOR IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. ONE INCIDENT IT WENT INTO REVERSE, STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN CAUSING INJURY. ON ANOTHER IT WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE ON A FREEWAY, THEN CAME TO A CRAWL AND STOPPED. FORD SENT OUT THEIR FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND SAID THAT AN ENGINE CRANKSHAFT SEAL WAS LEAKING (IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH SEALS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED FOR LEAKAGE EARLIER). THE DEALER SAYS THAT THESE LEAKS ARE COMMON AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO EXHIBIT ERRATIC BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING GOING INTO REVERSE. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DISPUTE RESOLUTION DEPARTMENT, THEY COULD FIND NO ABNORMAL CODES IN THE COMPUTER OF THE CAR - WHICH COULD BE A WHOLE OTHER DEFECT IN ITSELF. FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME PAPERWORK ON THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT/REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, NOR WILL THEY VERIFY THAT THE FIXES ARE SAFE. FORD WAS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE TRANSMISSION GOING IN REVERSE DURING THEIR 7 MILE TEST DRIVE. A PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY TRY NOT TO DRIVE THE CARS VERY FAR AND WITH A COLD TRANSMISSION SO THAT THE ISSUES ARE NOT PREVALENT AND CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AND THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO DIAGNOSE ANYTHING. THEY ALSO VERIFIED THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND WITH FORD IN GENERAL TRYING TO AUTHORIZE REPAIRS. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE "DUPLICATED" IN ORDER TO HAVE A FIX LOOKED INTO. I WISH WE WERE ABLE TO FORM A PETITION WITH THE NHTSA TO FILE A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY PRACTICES OF FORD AND THE SAFETY OF THESE PARTICULAR DPS6 TRANSMISSIONS. SEARCH FORD FIESTA 2011-2014 AND FORD FOCUS 2012-2014 ON THE NHTSA - THEY ARE ALL MADE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY. I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT WITH MY STATE, WHO SEEMED VERY FRUSTRATED WITH FORD.

NHTSA ODI 10788323

Aug 26, 2015Speed controlEngineCrash

BEGINNING AT 6000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OPERATION, MY 2014 FORD FOCUS BEGAN OPERATING ERRATICALLY. THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED PHYSICAL SHUDDERS, LURCHING WHEN COMING OUT OF 0MPH, AND BOGGING DOWN/FAILING TO SHIFT TO ACCELERATE WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRST AND MOST NOTICEABLE TIME, IT RESULTED IN MY HITTING THE BUMPER OF THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND A MORE THAN $5000 REPAIR TO THEIR CAR. AT THE TIME, I WAS A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY AT A DRIVE-THRU AND APPLIED GAS TO MOVE FORWARD. AT FIRST, NOTHING HAPPENED, THEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD SUDDENLY. I TAPPED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME-- NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR, BUT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THEIRS. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL NOW THE CAR EXHIBITS VIOLENT SHUDDERING COMING OUT OF FIRST AND SECOND AND HAS PROBLEMS ACCELERATING, TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS NEARLY GOTTEN ME HIT GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND CAUSED ISSUES MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ODI 10759337

May 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngineCrash1 injury

AFTER DRIVING INTO HOUSTON LAST YEAR, CAME TO A STOP LIGHT ON THE TOLLWAY. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINED REVVED HIGH FOLLOWED BY A METAL "CLAPPING/CLANKING" NOISE WHEN VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, BUT CAR STILL ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I ENDED UP RUNNING INTO A CURB TO KEEP FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. THE NEXT DAY, GOING UP A PARKING GARAGE AT 2-5MPH, TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED ERRATIC MOVEMENT AND HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN REVERSE (GEARSHIFT WAS IN THE "DRIVE" SLOT). A GIRL WAS PASSING BEHIND ME AND WAS STRUCK AS I WAS REACTING TO THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN DIRECTION TRYING TO BRAKE. SHE PUT HER HANDS OUT TO PUSH HERSELF AWAY AND HER RING SCRATCHED MY BACK BUMPER AND HER HAND DENTED IN MY BACK LICENSE PLATE. HER HAND WAS TURNING RED AND BRUISED, BUT SHE REFUSED TO LEAVE HER INFO WITH ME (SHE LOOKED TO BE ABOUT 15). SERVICE DEALERS IN HOUSTON COULD NOT "REPLICATE" PROBLEM AND SAID THIS IS "NORMAL." AFTER THIS INCIDENT, MY HIGHWAY MPG'S HAVE DROPPED FROM 35-42MPG TO NO MORE THAN 27MPG. CITY WENT FROM 26-30 TO NO MORE THAN 24MPG. DROVE TO AUSTIN IN APRIL, STRONG HESITATION AND "STUTTERING" FROM A COMPLETE OR NEAR STOP. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT FEELS JUMPY. VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN BETWEEN 5-20MPH, AND 45-55MPH. I DRIVE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS WHERE SPEED IS 20MPH AND I WILL HAVE TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO KEEP IT FROM ACCELERATING. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT AROUND 100 MILES - THEY GAVE ME A PRINTOUT FROM FORD SHOWING WHY THIS BEHAVIOR IS "NORMAL" AND WILL GET BETTER WITH MORE MILEAGE. AT AROUND 6000 MILES AT THE DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON AFTER INJURING SOMEONE, THEY SAID IT WAS "NORMAL" FOR THIS VEHICLE TO EXHIBIT "UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS" AND I JUST NEED TO FURTHER BREAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE PROBLEM IS EVEN WORSE, AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 10715891

May 11, 2015Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngineFire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH IN FIFTH GEAR AND SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE BLEW. I STARTED BLOWING OIL AND SMOKE OUT THE REAR, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" CAME ON, AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST ALL POWER AND POWER STEERING, SO I MADE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER. I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH AND STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I WITNESSED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE BAY. I BACKED UP AND WATCHED THE FRONT OF THE CAR FULLY ENGULF INTO FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 10715769

Mar 30, 2015Speed controlEngineCrash

WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CAR ACCELERATED, LURCHING FORWARD, INSTEAD OF STOPPING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAUSING ME TO STRIKE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CAR TRANSMISSION REVVED AND GAVE THE SOUND OF A CAR SHIFTING GEARS, AND CONTINUED TO REV FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10702561

Mar 17, 2015Body & structureEngineCrash

MY FORD FOCUS SHUTTERS, GRINDS EVERY TIME I GO FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CAR STARTS TO SHUTTER BADLY AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND JUMPS WHEN I GAVE IT GAS. I HIT ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE FOOD DEALER 2X WITH THE COMPLAINTS THAT THE CAR, SHUTTERS, GRINDS LIKE IT WONT GO INTO GEAR. THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694747

Older →

Working with the data? Download all 2,641 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 7, 2026

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 verdict →