Still the PowerShift years, with fuel and electrical recalls on top
Transmission complaints alone make up more than half of 2014 Focus reports, and its rate is still about 1,200 per 100,000 sold. Many cars have had the clutch done two or three times.
Updated November 2026 · based on 2,661 owner complaints and 12 recalls
1,212 1.4x the Focus average
12 free to fix at a dealer
Every Focus year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2014 Focus
Top problems and what they cost
PowerShift transmission shudder
Stutter and judder between 5 and 10 mph, grinding, and loss of drive.
Fix: Clutch pack $1,200 to $2,000
Transmission and drivetrain
Stalling and check engine light
Rough running and stalling, often linked to the purge valve.
Fix: Purge valve $150 to $300
Engine
No start after refueling
The car will not start right after filling the tank.
Fix: Free under recall 18V735
Fuel system
Recalls
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 c...
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 cr...
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show all 12 recalls
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2014 Ford Focus
- Ask how many clutch replacements the car has had and when.On a manual car the clutch connects the engine to the wheels. A pedal that sticks, sinks or a gear that will not engage means a repair that can cost $1,000 or more.Owners filed 542 complaints about PowerShift transmission shudder and failure on the 2014 Focus, one of the worst years for it.
- Confirm the steering (14V514) and fuel recalls show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2014 Focus has 12 recalls on record, listed below.
- Fill up during the test drive if you can and check it restarts.On some models the tank stops filling early or the engine stumbles right after refueling. Filling up on the test drive shows whether this car has the problem.Owners filed 55 complaints about purge valve stalling and hard starts on the 2014 Focus.
Questions
Is the 2014 Ford Focus reliable?
Still the PowerShift years, with fuel and electrical recalls on top. Transmission complaints alone make up more than half of 2014 Focus reports, and its rate is still about 1,200 per 100,000 sold. Many cars have had the clutch done two or three times.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?
12 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Focus problems?
PowerShift transmission shudder; Stalling and check engine light; No start after refueling.
Crash rating shown for the 2014 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.