2014 Ford FOCUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,598 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,933 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,493 of 2,598 complaints (57.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1,345 | 51.8% |
| Engine operation | 506 | 19.5% |
| Steering behavior | 231 | 8.9% |
| Braking behavior | 136 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 133 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 122 | 4.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 1493 |
| Engine | 442 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 297 |
| Unknown Or Other | 277 |
| Electrical System | 237 |
| Steering | 215 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 162 |
| Structure:Body | 53 |
Power Train: 1,493; Engine: 442; Fuel/Propulsion System: 297; Unknown Or Other: 277; Electrical System: 237; Steering: 215; Vehicle Speed Control: 162; Structure:Body: 53
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 660 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 333 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 364 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 283 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 234 |
| 150,000 and above | 59 |
Under 25,000: 660; 25,000 to 49,999: 333; 50,000 to 74,999: 364; 75,000 to 99,999: 283; 100,000 to 149,999: 234; 150,000 and above: 59
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (660). 665 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 143 |
| 2015 | 261 |
| 2016 | 294 |
| 2017 | 198 |
| 2018 | 249 |
| 2019 | 550 |
| 2020 | 182 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2022 | 170 |
| 2023 | 183 |
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 43 |
2013: 7; 2014: 143; 2015: 261; 2016: 294; 2017: 198; 2018: 249; 2019: 550; 2020: 182; 2021: 118; 2022: 170; 2023: 183; 2024: 105; 2025: 95; 2026: 43
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1,345 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 506 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 231 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10543338 · 2013-09-12 (September 12, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,323. RETURNED BY USPS ON 11-13-2013. SECOND ATTEMPT ON 11-19-2013 FAILED. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,323 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548997 · 2013-10-22 (October 22, 2013)
LOW GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF CAR AFTER TURNS, INCLINES, ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. SOUNDS LIKE ALUMINUM CANS GRINDING. ALSO, LOSS OF POWER IN CAR ACCELERATION FOR BRIEF PERIODS WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550460 · 2013-11-01 (November 1, 2013)
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW 2 MOS AGO , IT HAS ALWAYS HAD WEIRD STEERING. AS YOU'RE DRIVING IT GETS VERY STIFF AND '"DARTEY" AND IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT CONSTANT CORRECTION AND IS VERY SENSITIVE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, YOU CHANGE LANES QUICKLY AND WITH LITTLE EFFORT. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THEY CAN LOOK AT IT BUT HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS,BUT I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT, THANK YOU. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551643 · 2013-11-09 (November 9, 2013)
WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP IT ROLLS BACKWARDS BEFORE YOU CAN PLACE YOUR FOOT ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO PULL ITSELF FORWARD OR BACKWARD FROM THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND CLEARS THE HILL WITHOUT MANUAL ACCELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND CAUSES A JERKING MOVEMENT WHILE PULLING OFF. IN ESSENCE, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE ROLLING WHEN THE FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE WHICH SERVES AS A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT RISK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER TO TAKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 653 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551884 · 2013-11-12 (November 12, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FUSION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE ALSO SPUTTERED AND SHOOK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INCREASE SPEED AND ALSO SPORADICALLY EMITTED A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BROKEN IN AND CALIBRATIONS WERE UP TO DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552587 · 2013-11-16 (November 16, 2013)
SIMILAR TO OTHERS GRINDING NOISE , CLUTCH IS SLIPPING . VERY BAD IN THE BEGINNING , GRINDING NOISE IS COMING JUST BECAUSE THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING . IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE CITY OR ON THE HWY , WILL YOU PASS SOMEONE WITH A SLIPPING CLUTCH ? WILL YOU TURN SOMEWHERE QUICK LIKE RIGHT ON RED ? NO . IS THAT SAFE ? NO FORD HAS ITS OPINION , SOUNDS LIKE SOON ALL CARS WILL HAVE A SLIPPING CLUTCH SOON AND THAT IS NORMAL AFTER TBS UPDATE ITS LITTLE BETTER BUT NOT ENOUGH . YOUR CAR IS LEARNING THE WAY YOU DRIVE !!!! MMMMM HOW OFTEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554049 · 2013-11-28 (November 28, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE, GAS PEDAL WAS NON RESPONSIVE. TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH IN 5TH GEAR. DECELERATION OCCURRED IN 5TH GEAR. WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN 4TH GEAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GO ANY FASTER THAN 50- 55 MPH WITH GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE DISPLAYED SOME SHUDDERING AND SLIGHT SPUTTER EFFECT. IF VEHICLE WAS PLACED BACK INTO 5TH GEAR DECELERATION WOULD CONTINUE. TACHOMETER SHOWED 3000 RPM REGARDLESS OF GEAR PLACEMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS, OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE HAD…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,148 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558466 · 2014-01-04 (January 4, 2014)
I HAVE A 5 DOOR HB. ON THE DAY OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PROBLEMS (AND NO PRIOR PROBLEMS) AND THE CAR WAS FULLY WARMED, INSIDE AND OUT. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND SUNNY, THE TEMPERATURE HAD CLIMBED FROM 17F THE PREVIOUS NIGHT TO 36F BY 11AM WHEN THIS INCIDENT REPEATEDLY OCCURRED. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED NORMALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE WHEN I PULLED THE HANDLE, BUT WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT WOULDN'T LATCH (IT BOUNCED BACK FROM THE DOOR JAMMED AND REMAINED AJAR) AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,022 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558466 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
12 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V495000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V514000 · Steering
Reported: 2014-08-22 (August 22, 2014)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.
Consequence: The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S18.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V525000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Reported: 2014-09-02 (September 2, 2014)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
Consequence: A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S20.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V005000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V813000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2015-12-02 (December 2, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V643000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V698000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
Reported: 2016-09-28 (September 28, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V735000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2018-10-22 (October 22, 2018)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2019-07-05 (July 5, 2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
Consequence: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V331000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2020-06-08 (June 8, 2020)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V011000 · Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater
Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V369000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister
Reported: 2026-06-09 (June 9, 2026)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗