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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-FORD-FOCUS NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2014 · Ford

Ford Focus problems

2,638 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Focus?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
1533 reports · fails ~53,981 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
225 reports · fails ~61,120 mi · avg $700
severe
electrical
172 reports · fails ~62,630 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
145 reports · fails ~56,550 mi · avg $3,100
severe
cruise control
65 reports · fails ~41,116 mi · avg $600
severe
fuel system
51 reports · fails ~95,270 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
body
44 reports · fails ~46,561 mi · avg $1,500
severe
airbags
18 reports · fails ~27,045 mi · avg $1,100
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Focus's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Focus?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Focus · engine
Car shudders on acceleration from a stop and jerks and lunges upon acceleration from a slowdown. Transmission slips gears and also hits a dead spot causing a lack of acceleration around gear 2-3. RPM's rev up with no acceleration and then drops quickly with a hesitation before a…
2014 Focus · powertrain
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and jerked while accelerating. The check engine warning light illuminated with the message “Transmission Failure" displayed. The vehicle was…
12/30/2024 · at 44,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11633056.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2014 Focus · powertrain
Customer experienced sluggish performance and failed starts along with computer error code P0456. Independent mechanic found open recall for canister purge valve associated with error code. Two different ford dealerships in Massachusetts indicated that the vin number associated…
2014 Focus · powertrain
The vehicle is having hard jerking/shuttering due to a clutch malfunction during first and second gear. For a while I've had the same jerking (sometimes very bad) that everyone else has had due to a clutch malfunction. I received a letter for the recall from Ford and when I…
View all 2,638 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 Ford Focus? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 14V514000 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 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.
severe NHTSA 14V495000 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

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.
severe NHTSA 15V813000 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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2014 Ford Focus reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 2,638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Ford Focus has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 Ford Focus?

The 2014 Ford Focus is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Steering: 225 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 34,000–81,000 mi; Electrical system: 172 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 22,600–90,000 mi; Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Ford Focus?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 1,533 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,981 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 53,981 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Focus has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Ford Focus?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,638 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Focus. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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