2014 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 2,657 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 69 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 47 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 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.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJun 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.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
Campaign 20V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V515000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hatchback/liftgate, lockSep 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 16V698000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchSep 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.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
Campaign 16V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringDec 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).
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 15V813000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJan 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.
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 15V005000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, deliverySep 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.
A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V525000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringDo not drive until repairedAug 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.
The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V514000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringAug 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).
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V495000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
2,657 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 22, 2014
HESITATION AND BUCKING WHILE ACCELERATING, GRINDING NOISE, AND ROUGH IDLE. *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
VEHICLE SHUDDERS UPON STARTING FORWARD MOVEMENT OR WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING AND THEN RESTARTING FORWARD MOVEMENT. DOWNSHIFTING INTO LOWER GEAR AND THEN ACCELERATING PRODUCES A SHUDDER, SEVERE LOSS OF POWER, MUST ACCELERATE HEAVILY OR VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY WHILE NOT ACCELERATING. FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO SHAKE OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 18, 2014, crash
YOUNG LADY TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD NO TIME TO STOP-HEAD-ON COLLISION. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. KNEE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2014 FOCUS SE WITH AN "AUTOMATIC" TRANSMISSION IN NOVEMBER, 2013. AT 8,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ACTING MORE STRANGELY THAN USUAL: 1. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM ONE SLOW SPEED TO A SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEED, CAR WOULD LURCH, HESITATE & ALMOST STALL. 2. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY FROM A SLOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL AFTER A TURN, CAR WOULD SHUDDER & MAKE A RATTLING, SOMETIMES GRINDING, NOISE. 3. WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY FROM A STOP, CAR WAS SLOW TO SWITCH GEARS. FORD SERVICE REPROGRAMMED SOME SOFTWARE & REPLACED THE CLUTCH. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION SEALS WERE LEAKY, BUT THAT FORD WOULDN'T HAVE THE REDESIGNED REPLACEMENTS UNTIL DECEMBER. A WEEK AFTER THE SERVICE THE CAR IS RUNNING MORE SMOOTHLY. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2014
FROM DEAD STOP ON SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR STARTS NORMALLY AND THEN JERKS AND HESITATES WHILE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WITH TRAFFIC. DURING THE SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A VERY DISTINCT GRINDING SOUND (SOME PEOPLE HAVE COMPARED IT TO THE SOUND OF ALUMINUM CANS CRUSHING). THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION OF THEIR POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION. I GUESS THE ENGINEERS DESIGNED IT SO IT MAKES THIS GRINDING SOUND DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 13, 2014, crash
I WAS ENTERING AN EIGHT-CAR PARKING AREA AND DECIDED TO PARK A FEW FEET AHEAD BY A HIGH CHAIN-LINK FENCE. THE CAR WAS ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I WAS ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO PARK WHEN I HEARD A "REVVING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR BOLTED. BRAKING HARD ,I SLAMMED INTO THE FENCE AND SMALL TREE. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.I SAT STUNNED. NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN ALL MY YEARS AS A DRIVER. I BELIEVE THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE WAS A "SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION".FIX THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE THE CAR OFF THE MARKET! *TR
Power train, Aug 12, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ABRUPTLY AND ENGINE RUNS ROUGH WHEN STOPPED. THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR LOOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING TO SLOW DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR BINDS UP AND GRINDS AS THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS. UPON ACCELERATING FROM AT STOP THE CAR HAS LOSS OF POWER THEN RPM GO UP BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY SHIFTS CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP TOO FAST OR ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BEING OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP TWICE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A THIRD DEALER SHOP. *TR
Engine, Aug 12, 2014
I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO CROSS THE ROAD AND MY CAR HESITATE TO GO WHEN PRESSING THE GAS . IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL I WAS VERY AFRAID. THEN FINALLY IT WENT AND STARTING JERKING REAL BAD. I TOOK IT TO THE BONDY FORD IN DOTHAN AL TO GET IT CHECK OUT BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND THE SERVICE WAS SO RUDE THEY DIDN'T OFFER ME A LOANER CAR AND LIE TO ME SAYING MY PLATINUM WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER A RENTAL CAR !!!!! WOW I TOLD THE SERVICE GUY THAT I WILL CALL MY WARRANTY CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER THEN HE REPTILE COME IN LET ME SEE WHAT I CAN DO I WILL CALL FOR YOU . HE WAS SO RUDE UNTIL HE SEEN ME GETTING VERY UPSET . *TR
Steering, Aug 12, 2014
2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION AND REQUESTS VEHICLE COMPENSATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS SHE WAS PARALLEL PARKING ON A BUSY ROAD. *JB
Power train, Engine, Aug 11, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE IS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AT LOW GEARS. WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ON ACCELERATION, OR BACK THE VEHICLE IT STALLS OUT AND THEN THE VEHICLE JERKS/ SHAKES TO GET BACK INTO GEAR. IT IS TERRIBLY DANGEROUS. FORD HAS NOW ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE 3 TIMES AND HAS FAILED TO DO SO. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE-SEALED AND ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THEY HAVE TAKEN MY TRANSMISSION APART TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AT JUST OVER 6500 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3 TIME, RETURNING WITH THE ISSUES THAT WERE ALLEGEDLY "REPAIRED". THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ON ACCELERATION, OFTEN TIMES - IN TRAFFIC - I HAVE BEEN ALMOST RAN OVER OR REAR ENDED BY OTHER VEHICLES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE FIRST, BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A NICE, NEW, RELIABLE AND SAFE VEHICLE.. IT HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A LEMON THAT CAN VERY WELL END UP COSTING MY LIFE. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE THIS VERY POPULAR VEHICLE, FORD IS NOT ALERTING ANYONE TO THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE SELLING THESE VEHICLES WITH. THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT GOING DOWN THE ROAD.. AND TO AN UNSUSPECTING DRIVER FOLLOWING BEHIND ME, I COULD END UP REAR ENDED AND SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THE REVIEWS FROM OTHER FORD FOCUS DRIVERS MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS TRIED AND FAILED OVER AND AGAIN TO FIX THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SOME REVIEWS MENTION HOW THE TRANSMISSION HAVE CAUSED THEM ACCIDENTS, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED INTO GEAR CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. HOW CAN FORD CORPORATE GET AWAY WITH THIS? *TR
Power train, Aug 7, 2014
MY 2014 FORD FOCUS HAS MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES FROM GRINDING GEARS, HESITANT TRANSMISSION, NON-WORKING AC FROM TIME TO TIME (MORE OFTEN IT DOES NOT WORK THEN WORKS). THE VEHICLE TENDS TO NOT SHIFT OR ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND THEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDDLE TO MOVE FORWARD, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND MAKES GRINDING NOISES WHEN SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), ON DAYS THAT ARE HOT THE AC TENDS TO NEVER WORK - WHEN DRIVING 30 MILES BACK AND FORTH FROM WORK TO HOME IT ALMOST NEVER BECOMES COOL AND ONLY PUTS OUT HOT AIR. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO FORD 5 OR 6 TIMES NOW, THIS LAST TIME I WAS JUST INFORMED (ABOUT 20 MINUTES AGO) THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT IT OPERATES UNDER FORDS GUIDELINES AND THAT THE TECH'S FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN I LEFT FREMONT TODAY BEFORE I TOOK IT INTO FORD IT HAD THE SAME ISSUES, GRINDING, SHAKING WHEN STOP AND GO AND THE AC DID NOT WORK. AND NOW, LESS THEN 4 HOURS OF BEING IN THE SHOP THEY CALLED ME SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT IS. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION ON MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER FROM THE FIRST TIME IT WENT INTO THE SHOP. FORD CORP WHO I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH (WILL NOT GIVE HER INFO UNTIL YOU REQUEST DUE TO ABOVE DISCLOSURE) HAS TOLD ME THAT BASICALLY IT OPERATES UNDER THEIR GUIDELINES SO NOTHING IS WRONG. I AM ASKING FOR HELP - SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS BRAND NEW CAR AND FORD IS FAILING TO ADDRESS ANY AND ALL ISSUES. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2014
PURCHASED A 2014 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC IN JULY OF 2014. ABOUT 1 MONTH AND 1400 MILES LATER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. VEHICLE WILL IMMEDIATELY LOOSE POWER TO ACCELERATOR WHILE STILL MAINTAINING POWER TO BRAKING AND STEERING. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING SINCE THE 31ST OF JULY (TODAY IS 5 AUG 2014). ATTEMPTED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TODAY. HOWEVER, THE ONLY CERTIFIED EV TECHNICIAN IS ON VACATION UNTIL NEXT WEEK. FORD WEBSITE SAYS VEHICLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CURRENT RECALLS. I WILL ATTEMPT TO BRING VEHICLE TO SERVICE CENTER NEXT WEEK. *TR
Steering, Aug 5, 2014
I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT "TRACKING" WELL ON HIGHWAYS AT THE RECOMMENDED CRUISING SPEED OF 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO "DRIFT" FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITHIN THE LANE IN WHICH WE ARE TRAVELING. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION AND CONCENTRATION IN CONTROLLING THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT IS LESS NOTICEABLE AS THE HIGHWAY CURVES IN EITHER THE RIGHT OF LEFT DIRECTION. ONE GETS THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH "PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN RELATIVE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TRAIN MECHANISM. IN ADDITION, THE PROBLEM SEEMS EXAGGERATED DURING HIGHER WIND VELOCITIES. I ASKED MY WIFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND SHE TOO NOTICED THE PROBLEM. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, AT THE TIME OF MY FIRST SCHEDULED SERVICE APPOINTMENT, AND ASKED IF THEY COULD DRIVE THE CAR AND "TIGHTEN" THE STEERING WHEEL TO REDUCE THE "PLAY" IN IT. HE TOLD ME THAT THE TEST DRIVE WAS PRETTY NORMAL, THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE STEERING MECHANISM AND THAT THE "SPORT" SET-UP FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL RESULTS IN THAT "FEEL" DURING DRIVING. AS AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER OF 56 YEARS WHO HAS OWNED NUMEROUS AUTOMOBILES, INCLUDING SOME RATHER HIGH END SPORT CARS, THIS EXPLANATION MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHAT-SO-EVER. HE OFFERED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST DRIVE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL TYPE, BUT I DECLINED AS I SAW NO POINT TO THE EXERCISE. I HAD SEEN AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON THE ABC NATIONAL NEWS PRESENTED BY [XXX] RELATIVE TO REPORTED PROBLEMS BY OTHERS IN THIS REGARD. UPON ACCESSING THIS SIGHT, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE REPORTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. MY PURPOSE IN SUBMITTING THIS NARRATIVE IS TO PLACE ON THE RECORD A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THIS FORD PRODUCT IN THE EVENT THAT SOMEONE IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE STEERING PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2014
I BOUGHT MY FOCUS IS LATE APRIL OF 2014. AFTER ONLY A MONTH I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING FOR A LIGHT OR SIGN, MY CAR WOULD DO THIS "PUTTERING" THING. THEN I GOT CAUGHT IN RUSH HOUR DRIVING HOME AND WOW, ANYTIME I WOULD START TO ACCELERATE IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL FOR THE FIRST TIME. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS STILL "LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE" AND THAT ONCE I REACHED 1500 MILES THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY. WELL, HERE I AM 4 MONTHS LATER AND 4000 MILES UNDER THE HOOD AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I'VE KIND OF LEARNED TO DRIVE WITH IT DOING THAT, BUT IT'S EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN MY CAR AND IT'S JERKING AND JOLTING ALL OVER THE PLACE. FORD KEEPS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL GO AWAY, I EVEN HAD ONE GUY TELL ME IT WAS JUST HOW THE CAR DRIVES AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT'S BOLOGNA. HOPEFULLY FORD DOES THE RIGHT THING AND FIXES THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES EVEN WORSE. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 5, 2014
I HAVE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THAT IT STUTTER AND MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN I AM GOING UP INCLINES AND WHEN I AM BRAKING. I NOTICED MY CAR IS WILL BE JERKING AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS BOUT TO GIVE AWAY WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON WITH MY CAR. THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MY ISSUES WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR. I ASKED HOW COULD THIS BE NORMAL THAT A BRAND NEW CAR STUTTER, GRINDS, SHIFT GEARS ON IT OWN, JERKS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OR ACCELERATION, AND FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT MY CAR AND HE SAID THAT MY MODEL CAR IS LIKE IT HAS A MANUAL ENGINE IN AND AUTOMATIC CAR. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURES STATES BUT ACTUALLY THIS IS NOT NORMAL. CARS SHOULD NOT BE SHIFTING GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. THIS ISSUES THAT MY CAR IS HAVING ARE VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY IN STOP IN GO TRAFFIC AND ON INCLINES, JUST DRIVING PERIOD , IN THE END I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS WITH THIS MAKING MODEL CAR ESPECIALLY BEING THAT THIS IS A NEWER MODEL CAR (2014). *TR
Engine, Aug 4, 2014, crash
ON JUNE 23, 2014 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE 'STALLED' WITHOUT WARNING. DESPITE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. *TR
Power train, Wheels, Aug 3, 2014
OCCASIONALLY WHEN BACKING UP GOING FORWARD OR TURNING THE WHEEL THE CAR MAKES A SUTTLE GRINDING NOISE. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 30, 2014
I DO NOT KNOW IF IT'S BRAKES. MY CAR DOES THE GRINDING SOUNDS TOO HOW IS THIS NORMAL ON A NEW CAR REALLY!!!! I JUST PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY NEVER REALIZED IT WAS THAT NOW WITH NO RADIO ON I HEAR IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I SERIOUSLY JUST LEFT THE SHOP FOR MY STUTTERING SLIPPING GEAR ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HERE AND THERE IT HAS HESITATED TO GO AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT IS OUT OF GEAR. WHEN IT STARTS TO GO IT STUTTERS. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. TWO DAYS AGO I WAS IN TRAFFIC GOING 35 AND MY CAR WENT FROM RPM RAISING AS I HIT GAS PEDAL TO MY SPEED DROPPING. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN OUT OF TRAFFIC SHUT MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. IT NOW HAS DONE THIS TWICE. I TO HAVE TAKEN IT AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE NORMAL JERKING THE DRIVER OR HESITATING IN TRAFFIC WHEN TRYING TO GO. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN TRANSPORTING CHILDREN. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS TRYING TO GET USE TO MY DRIVING SO IT CAN ADJUST TO HOW I DRIVE. REALLY!!! IT IS NOT NORMAL TO FEEL LIKE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND YOU ARE GETTING WHIP LASH JUST DRIVING A CAR NORMAL. I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE OR GOD AS MY WITNESS I WOULD NEVER OF BOUGHT IT. IT IS SCARY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED OR A NEW VEHICLE ISSUED!!! *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 30, 2014
EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND START TO GO BETWEEN 5-10 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER. ITS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 2-3 TIMES ALREADY AND THEY HAVE ONLY PUT A "BANDAID" ON THE SITUATION. THEY HAVE ONLY RESET THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER BACK TO ITS DEFAULT SETTINGS. I AM WANTING SOMETHING TO BE REPAIRED - ACTUALLY REPLACED UNDER MY WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Visibility, Jul 28, 2014
FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW, WHEN I DRIVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS (USUALLY 15-25 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO GRIND WHEN CHANGING GEARS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, FORD IS CLAIMING THIS IS SLIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IS "NORMAL" FOR THE CAR. BRAND NEW CARS SHOULD NOT MAKE NOISES LIKE THIS. GLAD I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM MY CREDIT UNION. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE AS QUICKLY AS THE OTHER WINDOWS. *JS
Power train, Jul 26, 2014
WHILE VACATIONING IN MYRTLE BEACH THE WEEK OF JULY 4TH, MY CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC STARTED JUMPING AND JERKING LIKE I HAD A CLUTCH AND WAS MISSING GEARS. THIS CONTINUED THE WHOLE TRIP. GOING UP HILLS THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS REALLY BAD. I CARRIED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN WE GOT BACK AND THEY DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT FORD WAS USING. THE MAN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE BREAK ACTS LIKE A CLUTCH AND IT WOULD JUMP AND JERK LIKE THIS. THEY DID A COMPUTER UPDATE AND SAID THAT IF THIS CONTINUED TO BRING IT BACK. I HAVE SMALL GRANDBABIES IN MY CAR ALL THE TIME AND MY DAUGHTER DRIVES BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL. THEY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN A PARKING LOT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I WANTED HIM TO TAKE IT DOWN TOWN IN TRAFFIC AND HE DECLINED AND SAID THE PARKING LOT WAS BETTER. THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP AND A COMPUTER UPDATE IS NOT WORKING. A DIFFERENT GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY (FORD) WERE TRYING THE COMPUTER UPDATES FIRST AND IF IT DIDN'T FIX IT TO BRING IT BACK. HE SPOKE LIKE MINE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD PROBLEMS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. ME AND MY DAUGHTER SHARE THE CAR AND I AM REALLY CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN YOU DRIVE SLOW OR START OFF. MY SON IN LAW DROVE THE CAR IN MYRTLE BEACH AND HE SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND I NEEDED TO CARRY IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND DEMAND THEY FIX IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD DEPENDABLE CAR, NOW I AM SCARED TO GO ANYWHERE IN IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2014
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, FIRST TIME I NOTICED A LURCH OR JERK. ABOUT THAT TIME I BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT OPERATING AS IT HAD BEEN IN THE PAST. THE LOWER SPEED SHIFTS ARE NOT SMOOTH AND SOMETIMES WHEN DE-ACCELERATING IF FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED QUICKLY, 'TRAILER HITCHING'. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR AT THE INCORRECT TIME, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND POOR PERFORMANCE. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DO NOT OCCUR ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE A FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE SERVICE MANAGE ACTUALLY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE CLUTCHES BUT IT WILL JUST DO IT AGAIN IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND SPOKE TO A REGIONAL SERVICE MANGER WHO ALSO SAID NOTHING WILL BE DONE. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2014
MY ISSUE WHICH I CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I HAPPENED TO BE DRIVING IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY AND THAT IS WHEN I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS THAT WHEN YOU SLOW THE CAR DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP (BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP) AND YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CARS TRANSMISSION STARTS MAKING A CLANGING/GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AS IF THE CAR DID NOT KNOW WHETHER TO GO INTO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY SELECTED THE GEAR IT WANTED TO BE IN THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD RAPIDLY. I CONSIDER THE LURCHING FORWARD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER MY BIGGEST SAFETY CONCERN IS (HESITATION) THE SECOND OR TWO IT TAKES FOR THE CAR TO START FORWARD. SINCE YOU HAVE REMOVED YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO START FORWARD I AM CONCERNED ABOUT BEING REAR ENDED BY THE CAR/TRUCK BEHIND ME. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. THE CAR SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE A SMOOTH SHIFTING TRANSMISSION IN ALL INSTANCES. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL BECAUSE OF ALL THE CLANGING/GRINDING AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL ISSUES AND COST ADDITIONAL MONEY THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT MAY BE A PROBLEM, THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DOES NOT RESPOND AS ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN, THE STEERING SEEMS VERY LOOSE AND CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO BE CONTROLLED (MORE THAN NORMAL), ALSO WHEN CHANGING LANES IT TAKES MORE EFFORT ON THE DRIVERS PART TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IF YOU ENCOUNTER A ROAD WITH INDENTED PAVEMENT (LIKE SOMETHING A HEAVY TRUCK WOULD LEAVE) IT TAKES MORE EFFORT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THEN IT DOES WITH A HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM. *TR