KnownCarProblems2014 Ford Focus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 2,604 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Focus, most often about the transmission (61% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Focus model year since 2000 and has 12 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2014 Ford Focus problems
Transmission
1,576 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The mechanic informed that the vehicle functioned as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The vehicle on acceleration shutters, this is a know problem. I know that Ford and the NHTSA have known about this problem with the 2014 Ford Focus. I don't know why a recall has not been issued, this is a safety hazard, when pulling into oncoming traffic. I have had the clutches replaced once, and the vehicle still…
Engine
448 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
I purchased my first brand new 2014 Ford Focus about the end of september 2013. Being that I was driving a prior clunker and then I started to drive this new fancy and exciting car, I figured I wasn't too familiar with driving something new! As soon as I drove it the transmission or as I say the front of the car would…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving at 70 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken a to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump assembly, fuel line pressure sensor, and the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was…
Fuel system
354 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system.
I was driving my 2014 Ford Focus se and the engine light came on. I took my car to the repair shop and was told that my fuel tank, fuel pump and vapor management valve needs to be replaced and it will cost 2000 dollars. This was not covered by warranty. Ford refuses to do a recall even knowing there were issues with…
Vehicle stalled while traveling 30 MPH, same fuel system that is under recall on Ford vehicles manufactured through 2013-2015. It is obviously the same exact issue. I nearly lost my life driving a 3 year old car that I'm still paying on. The fuel system completely failed while the vehicle was in motion. I had just…
Other or unspecified
277 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
While at a full stop on an incline, my brake pedal went back to a neutral position when I took my foot off, but the car stayed fully stopped. Also, when I go to press the pedal again, it is locked up. It is not locked in any kids of pressed position or falling to the floor, but in a fully unbraked, neutral position.…
Yes I just recently financed a 2014 Ford Focus se from the dealer ship in hagerstown md after two days of driving it started shifting funny I loose power it bucks and acts like it's going to stall I have children I told Ford in hagerstown they knew about the transmission problem and didn't tell US they say the…
Electrical
245 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring, propulsion system, ignition.
My car has had mulitple issues in the past 2 years with over 7 visits pertaining to the transmission . From the beginning its had problems with stuttering and hesitating on acceleration.I'm currently without my car for the 5th time thia year due to problems which have been taken car of by warranty but is still coating…
On may 6, 2017 while driving on the highway at approximately 55-60 miles per hour, the engine suddenly propulsion, and effectively stalled. The check engine light came on simultaneously. (it was not on before). The vehicle slowly lost power. I was able to get it off the highway and safely into a parking lot. I had it…
Steering
222 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, linkages, electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist system.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while getting the vehicle serviced, the technician informed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v514000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the…
Following my low tire pressure indicator coming on, I noticed the power steering issue as I was pulling into a parking spot, and my steering wheel made a squeaking or whining sound. Later, while driving on a city street, as I began to make a turn, my steering wheel started hesitating, and making a gear stripping…
Speed control
164 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 19,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission jerked between first and third gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on more than three occasions where the failure was undetermined. When shifting gears into drive or reverse, the vehicle independently surged. The brake pedal was depressed…
Ever since around 10,000 miles, my 2014 Ford Focus has been experiencing delayed acceleration and deceleration, grinding noises coming from the transmission, shaking, rough starts, and shuttering. It's caused the vehicle to lurch forward rapidly after not initially accelerating, with a few close calls in traffic. Ford…
Body and structure
63 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving, the front end of the vehicle shook and vibrated before the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact discovered that the engine mounts failed and caused the engine to fall from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to yreka motors Ford (1545 s. Main st, yreka…
The rear passenger side door lock has malfunctioned. Causing door not being able to relock or close. I have 38292 miles on my car that I'm still paying on. I cannot drive my car unsafely with my two grandchildren (who live with me). The door could open at anytime.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Ford Focus recalls
Fuel system: canister
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 b
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: canister
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: canister
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: lock
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
On september 15, 2023, the office of defect investigation (odi) opened this recall query (rq) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (my) 2012-2018 ford focus vehicles. The rq focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of recall 18v-735 and 19v-515. In october 2018, ford issued recall 18v-735, which updated powertrain control module (PCM) software in my 2012-2018 ford focus vehicles equipped with 2.0l gdi engines built prior to april 13, 2017, and those with 2.0l gtdi engines built prior to february 2, 2018. The recall addressed vehicles experiencing a malfunctioning canister purge valve (cpv) that can stick open and PCM software that does not ad
Door latch failures
Summary
In december 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 235 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (my) 2012-2014 ford fiesta, and 2013-2014 fusion and lincoln mkz. Some voqs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other voqs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? Condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu
Door latch failure
Summary
In january, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (my) 2012-2013 ford focus vehicles (subject vehicles).odi has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.one consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.in response to odi's information request, ford motor company (ford) provided 500 unique repo
Questions about the 2014 Ford Focus
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Focus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (1,576 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); engine (448 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); fuel system (354 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?
- 12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 9, 2026 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Ford Focus?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Focus model year since 2000, with 2,604 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.