The Lemon Index2014 Ford Focus.
The 2014 Ford Focus is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 950 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 380, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, and it has 12 recalls. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2012–2018 Ford Focus, 34.5M views. The 2014 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.3M views
2012-2015 Ford Focus Battery ReplacementNoneMechanic101 · 623K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter1.2M views
How to Reset Transmission ford focus 2013YTLIFE · 531K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring748K views
How To: Change the Tail Lights on a 2011-2018 Ford FocusO'Reilly Auto Parts · 259K views · 4 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition651K views
2013 Ford Focus No Start/ Wont Start Issue SOLVED!Alek Timmons · 651K views
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors400K views
Do I REGRET buying a 2017 Ford Focus RS? 15 month UPDATERaiti's Rides · 400K views - Oil changes & service370K views
HOW TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL ON FORD FOCUS 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Auto Repair Guys · 238K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension323K views
How to Replace Front Lower Control Arm 2012-2020 Ford FocusTRQ · 211K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank268K views
2014 Ford Focus Low Fuel Pressure P0087 FixedL8R-HP · 268K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Focus Hatchback 2012-2020 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 850K views
Ford Focus ST 2015-2019 in-depth review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 311K views
Ford Focus Estate 2015-2019 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 271K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,659 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Focus year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 80K miles on the car (1,985 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 11K–80K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 12K–86K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 25K–86K miles
Recalls 12
- fuel system, gasoline 2026
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
- equipment 2026
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
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.
Show all 12 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
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.
- electrical 2015
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).
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
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 …
- fuel system, gasoline 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.
- steering 2014
The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.
- electrical 2014
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).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 147 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- An inaccurate distance to empty or inaccurate fuel gauge indication, on some vehicles, and…
- Transmission fluid leaked on clutch assembly and by using metal parts cleaner, containing 60%…
- Some vehicles can have a poor ground that causes low voltage in body control module (bcm) that…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus BEV 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–2450 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
Ford Focus began leaking fluids due to a main seal issue. Automatic clutch/transmission shutters, jerks, vibrates and lurches at low speeds or on hills.
2014 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10638708
More owner reports
Auto clutch surges, jerks, drags. Shifts into reverse when you are in drive.
NHTSA complaint 10713975
Shudder in first to second gear losing power with engine or transmission; loss of speed and shaking and no accerlation from stop to start; loss of power and auto jumps up and down without going anywhere.
NHTSA complaint 10810086
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Ford Focus reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 380; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (62%), engine (17%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?
12 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2014 Ford Focus safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,000 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 45,000 miles, from 1,985 complaints.
Does the 2014 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 62% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works