2014 Ford Focus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1284) · Steering (197) · Vehicle Speed Control (161)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Focus model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,934 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (12)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister 2026-06-09 · campaign 26V369000 · 257,868 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater 2026-01-15 · campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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. For
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2020-06-08 · campaign 20V331000 · 2,147,323 vehicles
Defect: 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 beli
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister 2019-07-05 · campaign 19V515000 · 57,488 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister 2018-10-22 · campaign 18V735000 · 1,282,596 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 kee
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hatchback/Liftgate:lock 2016-09-28 · campaign 16V698000 · 64,038 vehicles
Defect: 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."
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2016-09-06 · campaign 16V643000 · 2,046,297 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Electrical System:wiring 2015-12-02 · campaign 15V813000 · 9,017 vehicles
Defect: 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).
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2015-01-09 · campaign 15V005000 · 54,543 vehicles
Defect: 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 manufac
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery 2014-09-02 · campaign 14V525000 · 301 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Steering 2014-08-22 · campaign 14V514000 · 508 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
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.
Electrical System:wiring 2014-08-11 · campaign 14V495000 · 133,227 vehicles
Defect: 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).
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.
Service bulletins (147)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-29 · 25H05 S1 · Other
harvest program 25h05 – supplement #1 certain 2011-2021 model year vehicles software verification harvest program
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-19 · 25H05 · Other
this is a proactive investigation program by ford motor company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-04 · 24N07 · Other
certain 2012 – 2018 model year focus vehicle line one-time canister purge valve replacement
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Showing the 6 most recent of 147 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-23 · Unknown Or Other“checked out car for traction control light staying doen scanned car on computer-received code u0-0100-00 abs computer may have to be re-programmed checked out rubbing noise in rear of car-no start and/or transmission engagement loss of power with dtcs u0100 intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no star…”
2026-10-22 · Steering“the bolt that holds the steering wheel is not tight which causes the steering wheel to wobble and eventually come off…”
2026-10-15 · Steering · 145,145 mi“the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "steering wheel alert malfunction" message displayed on the instrument panel, and the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was rendered inoperable. upon research, the contact associated the failure with customer satisfaction program: 15n01 (epas steering effort…”
2026-10-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the vehicle has a recurring fuel-level/distance-to-empty (dte) malfunction that has caused it to run completely out of fuel and lose motive power while the instrument cluster indicates substantial remaining range. this has occurred four times. on the first three occasions, the vehicle ran out of fuel while displaying approximately 28-30 miles dte. …”
2026-09-12 · Power Train“the transmission control module (tcm), within the powershift dps6 automatic transmission, failed completely on a 2014 ford focus (72,000 miles). the failed component is no longer physically available for inspection as it was retained by the independent service facility as a core replacement, but full repair invoices and diagnostic documentation are…”
2026-09-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car has been cutting off while idleing, or at a stop light. it has also cut off while driving. it has also lost a form of power while going down the highway. the car doesn’t cut off, but pressing the gas does nothing and the rpm’s go crazy, then eventually it catches and the gas peddle works again.…”
2026-09-08 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 27,665 mi“the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. the contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the vehicle jerked and shuddered abnormally. additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the rpm fluctuated. the contact believed that the engine was going…”
2026-09-03 · Power Train · 133,283 mi“the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph and coming to a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, and the transmission was slipping with the message “transmission overheated - stop vehicle” displayed. there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle while stopped. the contact stated that the ve…”
2026-08-24 · Power Train“the transmission over heating light comes on and says stop safely or wait 5 mins you can be going down the road and it jumps out gear and want go anywhere and it very dangerous.and i want no if ford fixes the problem.…”
2026-08-11 · Steering · 83,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. the contact stated that upon reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. the message "see the dealer" was displayed, and the check engine warning light remained illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced a slight loss of automotive power while driving uphill and the steering became…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.