2014 Ford Focus Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Focus. Part of Generation 3 — 2012–2018.

20132015
Complaints
3,591
Crashes
140
Fires
17
Injuries
91
Fatalities
2
Recalls
11

Worst 2014 Ford Focus Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#11,474 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:51,198 mi
Crash-related:23
Fires:3
#2437 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:56,685 mi
Crash-related:18
Fires:8
#3294 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:68,009 mi
Crash-related:10
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2014 Ford Focus.

Transmission / Drivetrain
1,474
complaints
Crashes
23
Fires
3
Avg Miles
51,198
Engine Problems
437
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
8
Avg Miles
56,685
Fuel System
294
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
1
Avg Miles
68,009
Electrical Faults
234
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,983
Steering Defects
211
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,078
Unintended Acceleration
160
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
Avg Miles
37,587
Body Structure
52
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Avg Miles
50,884
Gasoline Fuel System
46
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,652
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
44
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,442
Electronic Stability Control
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,884
Latches / Locks
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,168
Airbags
32
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
Avg Miles
28,346
Wipers & Visibility
31
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,458
Brakes
28
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
47,394
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,722
Wheel Issues
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
37,722
Suspension Failures
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
152,805
Automatic Transmission
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,658
Seat Belt Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
55,122
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Clutches/Bands
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,222
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
77,784
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
53,883
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
7,716
Electrical System:Horn
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,106
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2014 Ford Focus

11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,912,010 vehicles.

26V011000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~116,672 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

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.

19V515000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
~57,488 affected

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.

18V735000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
~1,282,596 affected

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.

16V698000Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
~64,038 affected

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."

16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,046,297 affected

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.

15V813000Electrical System:wiring
~9,017 affected

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).

15V005000Fuel Pump
~54,543 affected

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.

14V525000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
~301 affected

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.

14V514000Steering
~508 affected

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.

+ 1 more recalls

Other Ford Focus Years

2014 Ford Focus — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2014 Ford Focus reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2014 Ford Focus has 3,591 NHTSA complaints, 140 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 1,474 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2014 Ford Focus?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (1,474 complaints, avg 51,198 mi); Engine Problems (437 complaints, avg 56,685 mi); Fuel System (294 complaints, avg 68,009 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Ford Focus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 55,796 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2014 Ford Focus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2014 Ford Focus include 140 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 91 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2014 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,912,010 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2014 Ford Focus?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (transmission / drivetrain) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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