Your vehicle report
2014 Ford Focus
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 2,606
- Received Sep 2013 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates605 complaints · 23% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips232 complaints · 8.9% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds201 complaints · 7.7% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #14V514000Do not driveFord 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.
- Recall #26V369000Ford 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitatesFirst signal: Jul 2014
- Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slipsFirst signal: Jun 2014
- Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speedsFirst signal: Jun 2014
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 68 crashes, 9 fires, 46 people injured, 1 death.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
- Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates
- Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips
- Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds
8 more problems
- Transmission fails or loses power while driving
- Manual clutch wears out or fails early
- Engine suddenly shuts off while driving
- Unintended acceleration despite braking
- Transmission will not engage reverse gear
- Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline
- Check engine light comes on repeatedly
- Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed
Brakes
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
- Power steering cuts out while driving
- Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly
- Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed
1 more problem
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 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 (to Oct 2026) | 51 |
| Total | 2,606 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates | 605 | 23% | 40.4× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jul 2014 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.6% |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 232 | 8.9% | 2.2× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jun 2014 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.7% |
| Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds | 201 | 7.7% | 10.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jun 2014 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.3% |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 169 | 6.5% | 5.3× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jul 2014 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.6% |
| Manual clutch wears out or fails early | 119 | 4.6% | 31× | |
| Power steering cuts out while driving | 83 | 3.2% | 1.1× | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 77 | 2.9% | – | NHTSA recall #26V369000 |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 73 | 2.8% | 1.7× | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 68 | 2.6% | 3.4× | NHTSA recall #14V514000 |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 58 | 2.2% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 43 | 1.7% | – | NHTSA recall #16V643000, #16V698000, #20V331000 |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 33 | 1.3% | 1.5× | |
| Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its own | 28 | 1.1% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 27 | 1.0% | – | |
| Horn fails with airbag warning light | 26 | 1.0% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 21 | 0.8% | – | |
| Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail | 20 | 0.8% | – | |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 20 | 0.8% | – | |
| Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed | 19 | 0.7% | – | NHTSA recall #26V369000 |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 18 | 0.7% | – | NHTSA recall #14V514000 |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #14V514000August 22, 2014508 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
steering
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.
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 recall #26V369000June 9, 2026257,868 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
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.
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 recall #26V011000January 15, 2026116,672 vehicles affected
equipment: electrical: engine block heater
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.
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 recall #20V331000June 8, 20202,147,323 vehicles affected
latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
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.
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 recall #19V515000July 5, 201957,488 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: storage; fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
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.
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 recall #18V735000October 22, 20181,282,596 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: storage; fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
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.
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 recall #16V698000September 28, 201664,038 vehicles affected
latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock; structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
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.
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 recall #16V643000September 6, 20162,046,297 vehicles affected
latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
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.
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 recall #15V813000December 2, 20159,017 vehicles affected
electrical system: wiring
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.
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 recall #15V005000January 9, 201554,543 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
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.
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 recall #14V525000September 2, 2014301 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery
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.
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 recall #14V495000August 11, 2014133,227 vehicles affected
electrical system: wiring
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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2014 Ford Focus.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN