Car Problems by Year

2014 Ford Focus problems

NHTSA has 2,604 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Ford Focus, received from 2013 to 2026. The most-reported system is power train (1,576 complaints, 61%), followed by engine (448) and fuel system (354). Owners reported 68 crashes, 9 fires, 46 injuries and 1 death. Median mileage at failure: 48,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019, with 550 received that year. 12 safety recalls cover this model year; 1 carries a do-not-drive warning.

2,604NHTSA complaints
12safety recalls
68crashes reported
9fires reported
46injuries
1deaths

Quick answers

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Ford Focus?

Owners report power train problems most often: 1,576 of 2,604 NHTSA complaints (61%), followed by engine (448) and fuel system (354).

How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls for the 2014 Ford Focus. The most recent is 26V369000 (fuel system, 2026-06-09).

At what mileage do 2014 Ford Focus problems happen?

The median mileage at failure is 48,000 miles, across 1,938 complaints that reported mileage.

Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2014 Ford Focus?

Yes. Owners reported 68 crashes, 9 fires, 46 injuries and 1 death in NHTSA complaints.

Problems by system

SystemComplaintsShareCrashesFiresInjuriesMedian miles
Power train1,57661%
2331241,000
Engine44817%
1881151,000
Fuel system35414%
101868,000
Unknown or other27711%
70650,913
Electrical system2459%
91960,000
Steering2229%
121651,500
Speed control1646%
120419,500
Structure632%
72937,146
Latches, locks and linkages472%
10043,000
Electronic stability control371%
10048,000
Air bags321%
2201415,000
Service brakes321%
80541,500
Visibility and wipers321%
00142,500
Wheels211%
10024,177
Suspension191%
30144,501
Seat belts141%
50446,307
Exterior lighting10<1%
00051,000
Tires7<1%
0006,324
Equipment5<1%
0009,170
Backover prevention4<1%
000109,688
Forward collision avoidance4<1%
000173,640
Seats2<1%
10111,500
Traction control2<1%
00010,500
Lane departure1<1%
000125,000

A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints received by year

2013
72014
1432015
2612016
2942017
1982018
2492019
5502020
1822021
1182022
1702023
1832024
1052025
952026
49

Safety recalls (12)

26V369000 · Fuel system · 2026-06-09

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 257,868. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

26V011000 · Equipment · 2026-01-15

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.

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…

Units potentially affected: 116,672. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

20V331000 · Latches, locks and linkages · 2020-06-08

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 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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 2,147,323. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

19V515000 · Fuel system · 2019-07-05

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 57,488. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

18V735000 · Fuel system · 2018-10-22

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 1,282,596. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

16V698000 · Latches, locks and linkages · 2016-09-28

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 64,038. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

16V643000 · Latches, locks and linkages · 2016-09-06

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 2,046,297. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

15V813000 · Electrical system · 2015-12-02

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 9,017. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

15V005000 · Fuel system · 2015-01-09

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 manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to…

Risk: 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.

Units potentially affected: 54,543. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

14V525000 · Fuel system · 2014-09-02

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 301. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

14V514000 · Steering · 2014-08-22Do 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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 508. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

14V495000 · Electrical system · 2014-08-11

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.

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.

Units potentially affected: 133,227. Full recall on NHTSA.gov

Check a specific car with its VIN at NHTSA recall lookup.

What owners describe

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…

Power train · NHTSA complaint 11763818, received 2026-09-12

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…

Power train · NHTSA complaint 11761884, received 2026-09-03

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…

Engine · NHTSA complaint 11756250, received 2026-08-11

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was driven back to the residence. The check…

Engine · NHTSA complaint 11753298, received 2026-07-28

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 system · NHTSA complaint 11769171, received 2026-10-05

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.

Fuel system · NHTSA complaint 11763225, received 2026-09-09

Other Ford Focus model years

Source

Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.