Ford · Known Issues
2014 Ford Focus Problems: 15 Known Issues
2014 model year · 24,886+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2014 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2014 model year · 24,886+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2014 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 24,886+ owner reports, the 2014 Ford Focus has 15 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Hesitation, and Failure ($0-$4,500 repair), Side Door Latch Failure - Door Opening While Driving (Recall 16V643) ($0-$0 repair), DPS6 Transmission Control Module (TCM) Internal Electronic Failure - Sudden No-Shift / Loss of Motive Power ($0-$1,400 repair), Focus Electric High-Voltage Battery Contactor Failure - Vehicle Will Not Charge ($600-$3,000 repair), Improperly Plated Fuel Pump Components - Stall Risk (NHTSA 15V005) and Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) Rack/Motor-Sensor Failure - "Power Steering Assist Fault" Message ($900-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Hesitation, and Failure with 18,500 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles. The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
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."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 24,886+ owner reports, the 2014 Ford Focus has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Hesitation, and Failure, Side Door Latch Failure - Door Opening While Driving (Recall 16V643), DPS6 Transmission Control Module (TCM) Internal Electronic Failure - Sudden No-Shift / Loss of Motive Power. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2014 Ford Focus has 15 known issues documented across 24,886+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Hesitation, and Failure and Side Door Latch Failure - Door Opening While Driving (Recall 16V643) and DPS6 Transmission Control Module (TCM) Internal Electronic Failure - Sudden No-Shift / Loss of Motive Power and Focus Electric High-Voltage Battery Contactor Failure - Vehicle Will Not Charge and Improperly Plated Fuel Pump Components - Stall Risk (NHTSA 15V005) and Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) Rack/Motor-Sensor Failure - "Power Steering Assist Fault" Message. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Focus issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Hesitation, and Failure, typically costs $0-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The DPS6 PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch automated transmission fitted to 2012-2018 Ford Focus (and 2011-2019 Fiesta) is widely considered one of the worst transmission designs in modern automotive history. The dry dual-clutch design was fundamentally unsuited for stop-and-go driv… Repairs typically run $0-$4,500. Severity: high.
The 2012-2015 Ford Focus is included in Ford's massive door latch recall (16V643 / 14S17) covering 2.38 million vehicles. The pawl spring tab inside the side door latches can fracture, particularly in hot and humid climates. A fractured pawl spring tab causes the door to fail to… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Separate from the clutch shudder that made the PowerShift famous, the DPS6's mechatronic Transmission Control Module - the electronic unit that drives the two shift actuators inside the case - suffers its own solder-joint and internal circuit failures. Failure is usually abrupt r… Repairs typically run $0-$1,400. Severity: high.
On the battery-electric Focus, the high-voltage pack's main positive and negative contactors (relays) fail - either welding stuck closed or burning their contacts open. When a contactor faults, the on-board charger cannot close the HV circuit, so the car reports a charging fault,… Repairs typically run $600-$3,000. Severity: high.
NHTSA lists the 2014 Ford Focus among the vehicles covered by recall campaign 15V005000, Ford's recall 14S30. The defect described in the recall is improper nickel plating of fuel pump components. When that pump fails, the engine loses fuel supply and the car can stall without wa… Severity: high.
The 2012 Mk3 Focus was the first Focus with a fully electric rack-mounted power steering assist (EPAS). The torque/position sensor and motor assembly inside the rack, and the power steering control module (PSCM) integrated with it, fail intermittently - often heat-soaked on long… Repairs typically run $900-$2,500. Severity: high.
The 2.0L GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) and 2.0L EcoBoost engines in 2012-2018 Ford Focus accumulate carbon deposits on the intake valves over time because direct injection fuel never washes over the valve faces. Oil vapors from the PCV system coat the intake valves and harden i… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.
The Mk3 Focus uses a three-mount layout: a fluid-filled hydraulic mount on the passenger side, a solid transmission mount on the driver side, and a rear torque strut ("dogbone"). The passenger-side hydraulic mount is the weak link - the rubber cracks, the damping fluid leaks out,… Repairs typically run $180-$450. Severity: medium.
The Mk3 four-cylinders use an RTV-sealed aluminum front cover rather than a gasket. The RTV bead fails at the cover-to-block joint and around the variable cam timing (VCT) solenoid bores, letting oil weep down the front of the block onto the subframe and, on the ST, onto the turb… Repairs typically run $600-$1,600. Severity: medium.
The washer reservoir and pump seal leaks, and washer fluid runs down the pump's wiring. Capillary action carries the fluid inside the wire insulation the full length of the harness to the BCM connector in the passenger footwell, where it corrodes the pins and the module itself. T… Repairs typically run $250-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) behind the center stack runs MyFord Touch / SYNC 2. Its internal flash memory and processor board fail, producing a permanently black screen, endless reboot cycles, freezing, or a system that boots but loses audio and the rear-view c… Repairs typically run $300-$1,200. Severity: medium.
On the 2.0L EcoBoost Focus ST the plastic charge pipe couplers between the turbo, front-mount intercooler, and throttle body are held by spring clamps and blow off or work loose under sustained boost, especially after any tune or intercooler change. The stock bypass/blow-off valv… Repairs typically run $60-$450. Severity: medium.
The 2012-2018 Ford Focus with the 2.0L GDI engine experiences frequent canister purge valve (CPV) failures that cause rough idle, stalling, difficulty starting (especially after refueling), and fuel-related DTCs. The purge valve sticks open, allowing fuel vapors to flood the inta… Repairs typically run $80-$250. Severity: low.
The Focus door ajar switch integrated into the door latch assembly fails, causing the dash to display a door ajar warning when all doors are closed. This also keeps the interior dome lights on, which drains the battery overnight. The latch switch corrodes or wears out, sending a… Repairs typically run $30-$200. Severity: low.
On non-MyFord-Touch Mk3 Focus cars the factory head unit has no switched 12V accessory wire; the Audio Control Module wakes and sleeps entirely on CAN bus messages. The CAN interface section of the ACM board fails - solder joints and the power-control circuit - so the radio never… Repairs typically run $120-$650. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.