Model Year Problems

Ford Focus · model year 2014

2014 Ford Focus problems, complaints and recalls

NHTSA data checked October 31, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated

Summary

NHTSA's public complaint database lists 2,661 owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Focus, and its recall database lists 12 safety recall campaigns for it.

Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is power train (1,597 complaints, 60%), followed by engine (458) and fuel/propulsion system (310). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

69 complaints say a crash happened and 10 mention a fire; together the complaints report 47 injuries and 1 death.

Among Ford Focus model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2014 has the 2nd-most complaints (2,661, against a median of 970 for the other years).

The newest recall is 26V369000, received June 9, 2026, for fuel system, gasoline.

1 of these recalls carry a "park it" or "park outside" warning from NHTSA; see the recall table.

2,661owner complaints
12recall campaigns
69complaints reporting a crash
10complaints reporting a fire
47injuries reported
1deaths reported

Park-it warning. NHTSA marks 1 recall for this model year (14V514000) with "park it" or "park outside" advice until the repair is done. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 2,661 complaints that name the group.

Component group (NHTSA label)ComplaintsShare
Power Traintransmission, axles and driveshafts: slipping, hesitation, harsh shifts1,59760%
Enginethe engine itself: stalling, oil use, knocking, failure45817%
Fuel/Propulsion Systemfuel delivery and propulsion: fuel pumps, leaks, loss of power31012%
Unknown or Otherowner did not pick a component group28011%
Electrical Systembattery, wiring, alternator, lights on the dash, infotainment faults27410%
Steeringsteering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander2299%
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottle and cruise control: unintended acceleration or surging1696%
Structurebody and frame: hood, doors, rust, mounts632%
Fuel System, Gasolinegasoline fuel system: pumps, tanks, lines, leaks532%
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks472%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)stability control engaging or failing unexpectedly391%
Air Bagsair bag deployment, sensors and warning lights (including the Takata inflator recalls)321%
Visibility/Wiperwipers, windshield and mirrors321%
Service Brakesthe main brakes301%
Wheelswheels, lug nuts, hubs23<1%
Suspensionsprings, struts, control arms19<1%
Seat Beltsbelts, buckles and pretensioners14<1%
Exterior Lightingheadlights, tail lights, turn signals11<1%
Engine and Engine Coolingengine and cooling parts: overheating, coolant leaks, water pumps8<1%
Tirestires7<1%
Back Over Preventionrear-view camera and rear sensors4<1%
Forward Collision Avoidanceautomatic emergency braking and collision warnings, including false braking4<1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulicthe main hydraulic brakes: pedal feel, ABS, brake lines4<1%
Equipmentadd-on equipment3<1%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility2<1%
Seatsseats and seat frames2<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control2<1%
Fuel System, Diesel1<1%
Fuel System, Other1<1%
Lane Departurelane-keeping assist and lane departure warning1<1%
Visibilitywindshield, mirrors, defrosters1<1%

Recalls (12)

Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.

NHTSA campaign 26V369000

Received June 9, 2026 · Fuel System, Gasoline (storage: evaporative emissions: canister)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 26V011000

Received January 16, 2026 · Equipment (electrical: engine block heater)

What's wrong: 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 became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 20V331000

Received June 8, 2020 · Latches/Locks/Linkages (doors: latch)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V515000

Received July 5, 2019 · Fuel System, Gasoline (storage)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V735000

Received October 23, 2018 · Fuel System, Gasoline (storage)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V698000

Received September 28, 2016 · Latches/Locks/Linkages (hatchback/liftgate: lock)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 16V643000

Received September 6, 2016 · Latches/Locks/Linkages (doors: latch)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15V813000

Received December 2, 2015 · Electrical System (wiring)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15V005000

Received January 9, 2015 · Fuel System, Gasoline (delivery: fuel pump)

What's wrong: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V525000

Received September 2, 2014 · Fuel System, Gasoline (delivery)

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14V514000Park it

Received August 22, 2014 · Steering

What's wrong: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14V495000

Received August 11, 2014 · Electrical System (wiring)

What's wrong: 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.

When the complaints were filed

By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.

Year filedComplaints
20138
2014157
2015280
2016303
2017202
2018253
2019553
2020182
2021118
2022171
2023183
2024105
202595
202651

Other Focus years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsMost-named component
20102870Vehicle Speed Control
20111130Electrical System
20123,8038Power Train
20132,11212Power Train
2014 (this page)2,66112Power Train
20151,0349Power Train
20161,19510Power Train
201790610Power Train
20188377Power Train

All Ford Focus years compared →

Quick answers

How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2014 Ford Focus?

2,661 owner complaints as of October 31, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2014 Ford Focus?

Power Train is named in 1,597 of 2,661 complaints (60%); NHTSA's group covers transmission, axles and driveshafts: slipping, hesitation, harsh shifts.

How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?

12 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 26V369000 (June 9, 2026). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is 2014 a bad year for the Ford Focus?

By complaint count, 2014 ranks 2nd of 9 Focus model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.

How to read these numbers

Sources

  1. NHTSA Complaints API (complaintsByVehicle): FORD FOCUS 2014 checked 2026-10-31
  2. NHTSA Recalls API (recallsByVehicle): FORD FOCUS 2014 checked 2026-10-31
  3. NHTSA: Datasets and APIs (what the APIs contain)