2014 Ford Focus transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

I own a 2014 Ford Focus Titanium with approximately 75,000 miles and the DPS6 automatic transmission. The transmission has developed a serious and recurring problem. The vehicle began violently jerking/shuddering while moving forward and suddenly would not go into reverse. A transmission warning light came on. After the battery was recharged, reverse temporarily returned, but the same transmission problems came back while driving. The vehicle was diagnosed with trouble code P090C:68, related to the clutch actuator system. Ford has known about recurring DPS6 transmission problems in these vehicles for years and has issued multiple technical service bulletins and customer programs addressing transmission clutch shudder, shifting problems, loss of engagement, and related failures. Ford’s own documentation has acknowledged conditions that can result in loss of transmission engagement, loss of power, and other driveability problems. My Ford dealer told me Ford has known about this problem for a long time but considers it not to be a safety issue and therefore will not pay for the repair. The dealer estimated the repair at $6,077.31, and I was charged $159 for the diagnosis. I believe this is a serious safety concern. Sudden jerking, unpredictable transmission engagement, inability to reverse, or unexpected loss of propulsion can create a dangerous situation when entering traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, accelerating from a stop, or attempting to move out of the path of another vehicle. I am concerned that Ford has known about these recurring transmission failures for years, yet affected vehicles can still experience potentially dangerous transmission failures without a permanent safety remedy. I request that NHTSA investigate the DPS6 transmission in 2014 Ford Focus vehicles and determine whether these known defects constitute a safety-related defect and whether a safety recall or other corrective action is warranted.

NHTSA complaint #11755617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking erratically, and the vehicle stopped independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle restarted; however, the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,400.

NHTSA complaint #11755542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While the contact’s son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed from the scene of the failure. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a transmission module failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with an unknown recall associated with the powertrain; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance with repairing the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The hazard lights were activated, and the vehicle was driven back to the residence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted from neutral(N), to park(P), and then to drive(D) for the vehicle to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #11751912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Purchased 2014 Ford Focus from a private dealer. The vehicle had 75k miles on it and needed a reliable vehicle for my daughter who is in college. The same day as the purchase, the engine light came up as well as the transmission light. Had to tow it to ford and was advised the TCM needed replacement. Apparently this is a well known issue but the vehicle wasn’t covered under a recall for the issue. Paid $1960 to get that repaired as well as $135 for a tow. Ridiculous and Ford will not do anything about it.

NHTSA complaint #11750441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The contact used an OBD scanner to retrieve DTC: P06B8. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #11750043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift into 2nd gear, causing the transmission to slip, and the vehicle shuddered heavily while accelerating forward. Additionally, the contact stated that the backup camera failed to function since the vehicle was purchased in 2022. The vehicle possessed a long history of identical transmission failures. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions for transmission failures. The vehicle was first taken to the dealer at 56,838 miles, where an electrical failure covered under Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 was addressed, and the dealer replaced the TCM assembly, performed adaptive learning, and installed a replacement clutch assembly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a second time at 69,000 miles, where the dealer replaced the clutch assembly due to the recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a third time at 90,000 miles, where it was determined that the clutch assembly had failed once more and required a third replacement. The dealer was notified of the current failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11746151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I started smelling gasoline coming from the rear outside part of the car. I took the car to the local Ford dealership and they found a canister purge valve stuck open. They fixed it and I paid $414. A few days later and still smelling gasoline, I took it to tire place so they can lift it up to check the bottom where the fuel tank is located and the immediately saw fuel/gasoline leaking from the tank. I took it back to the Ford dealership and complained how they missed it the first time. They checked it and told me the fuel tank was completely ruined from excessive vacuum effect of the previous canister purge valve issue and that I needed a new fuel tank. They put in a new fuel tank and I told them this issue had a recall on the same make and model of car in 2018 and from that recall, this issue had been fixed then but it just happened again. I paid $2,088 for the new fuel tank and power train control module reset. So the total I have paid to fix this issue over $2,500 and about two days later, Ford motor company issued a new recall 26S40 for this specific issue on this specific 2012-2018 make and model car. So I hope my car will be added and searchable for the recall on both Ford’s and government’s websites when they initiate it on July 6, 2026. I have all the repair receipts and will file for a refund as soon as I receive the recall letter. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11746187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My 2014 Ford Focus with a DPS6 dual-clutch transmission began experiencing severe shuddering and harsh shifting. A Ford dealership confirmed the concern and diagnosed DTC P07A3 — Transmission Friction Element A Stuck On — using Ford's prescribed pinpoint test. Recommended repair exceeds $4,000. Vehicle is available for inspection. This is a recurring failure on this specific vehicle. Ford's own warranty history documents six prior DPS6 repairs between 2016 and 2023, including two full clutch replacements, three TCM/PCM reprogramming sessions, and a full TCM replacement under program 14M02 — all at Ford dealerships. The current failure occurs just 35,000 miles after Ford's most recent transmission repair. Prior repair orders document dangerous safety events including sudden loss of drive while in motion, no-start conditions, and complete loss of throttle control on the highway — consistent with the known DPS6 failure pattern. Ford issued six Customer Satisfaction Programs covering this transmission over eleven years — 14M01, 14M02, 15B22, 19N07, 19N08, and 14M02 Supplement 7 — acknowledging a persistent design defect. Despite this documented repeat failure history on this specific vehicle, Ford has denied goodwill assistance. I am requesting NHTSA investigate Ford's continued denial of repair assistance on vehicles with documented repeat DPS6 failures and the ongoing safety implications of this transmission's known design defects.

NHTSA complaint #11743241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The Transmission Controm Module (TCM) has gone bad on my car. Ford has recalled other cars of the same Make, Model and Year, but they refuse to repair the same problem on mine, because my VIN was not included in the initial recall

NHTSA complaint #11741994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing transmission and Transmission Control Module (TCM) issues with my 2014 Ford Focus. In October 2022, the transmission was replaced, yet I continue to experience serious transmission-related failures. Most recently, the vehicle would only start in neutral and would not reliably shift into drive or reverse. These recurring issues have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe. I have contacted Ford Customer Service three separate times seeking assistance and a permanent resolution. Despite these efforts, I have not been provided with a fix that addresses the root cause of the problem. Ford has long been aware of widespread TCM issues affecting certain Ford Focus models, making the continued failure of this vehicle especially concerning. My greatest concern is safety. During a recent incident, the vehicle unexpectedly slammed into gear with significant force while my son and I were inside. The sudden engagement nearly caused me to lose control of the vehicle and almost sent us into a ditch. Had road conditions or traffic been different, the outcome could have been much worse. I have dash camera footage documenting the incident and am willing to provide it upon request. A vehicle that has already undergone a transmission replacement should not continue experiencing severe transmission-related failures, particularly failures that create a risk of loss of vehicle control. This ongoing issue places not only my family at risk but also other motorists sharing the road. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into the recurring transmission and TCM failures affecting my vehicle, including a review of the October 2022 transmission replacement and Ford's response to these repeated issues. I also request that Ford provide a permanent solution and appropriate assistance given the history of repairs and the known defects associated with this model. I have made every effort to work with Ford and they could care less.

NHTSA complaint #11741322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

hello my name is [XXX] and I bought this 2014 Ford focus from a private dealer without being told what was wrong with the car for 4100 dollars and since I have had it it's been giving me problems it has a salvaged title.also it sounds like the inside of the hood is gurgling water ,sometimes it won't go in to reverse,it has a hard start the tcm module needs to be replaced and I guess it has something to do with the check engine light going off and turning back on every other day something about the clutch keeps popping up.i looked it up the first time and it said that it was a recall now it doesn't show any recalls anymore can you please help me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11739649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle with the powertrain and clutch warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11738801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while entering a highway from an off-ramp at 50 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the RPM's began to rev to a high level as the "Transmission Fault Service Now" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. In addition to the transmission failure, the contact stated that an abnormal, swishing sound would emit from the engine while driving at various speeds. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle back home at a low rate of speed. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA ID Number: 13V523000(Power Train). The contact was then informed if the failure were to occur for the second time, the dealer would cover the parts and labor fee under warranty. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where the transmission control module was repaired. Recently, the contact stated that the abnormal, swishing sound returned in addition to a slight hesitation upon depression of the accelerator pedal as a "Park Aid Fault" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective Transmission Control Module(TCM). The independent mechanic notified the contact that the vehicle needed to be repaired before the TCM ruined other parts of the vehicle. The manufacturer was alerted of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11737276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact received the manufacturer's customer satisfaction number: 14M02 in the past. However, when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the dealer refused to work on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was worsening and took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the customer satisfaction was closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had seized while driving, and it would take several attempts to start. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to accelerate intermittently. Due to safety concerns, the vehicle had not been driven. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11736575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated before shifting to the next gear and jolted into gear while upshifting. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic lights, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was warmed up, and attempting to shift to reverse(R), the transmission failed to respond. The contact had to wait for the transmission temperature to drop and then shift into reverse(R). The ABS, ESC, and transmission warning lights were illuminated, and the message “Hill Start Assist Unavailable” was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while the A/C was activated, there was water accumulating in the passenger’s side footwell, causing the carpet to become saturated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were several major failures with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,300.

NHTSA complaint #11731865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under Manufacturer Recall Number: 14M02. However, after the repair was completed, the vehicle started stalling while driving at various speeds, and the transmission failed to shift above second gear. The failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who scanned the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0606 and P0702. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA complaint #11731661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power and unexpectedly came to a stop. The message that the transmission was hot was displayed. The vehicle was restarted and driven back to the residence, but then failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with fuel system and clutch failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11729988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, but no diagnostic trouble code was found, and there was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,500.

NHTSA complaint #11728225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My 2014 Ford Focus with approximately 145,000 miles is experiencing a failure of the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle hesitates, jerks, and has difficulty shifting, which creates a safety concern when driving in traffic. The issue was diagnosed by a dealership, and I was quoted approximately $1,800 for the TCM replacement. I contacted Ford for assistance, but they stated the vehicle is “outside of their programs” and refused to help, despite this being a widely known issue with Ford Focus transmissions. This defect affects the safe operation of the vehicle and should be investigated.

NHTSA complaint #11725168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Complaint Description: This complaint involves a 2014 Ford Focus with VIN [XXX] . The vehicle experiences severe transmission shuddering, slipping, delayed acceleration, and hesitation when attempting to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle sometimes struggles to move forward normally when entering traffic or crossing intersections. These symptoms appear consistent with the widely documented PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch transmission defect affecting 2012–2016 Ford Focus vehicles. The hesitation and delayed engagement create a potential safety hazard when merging into traffic or attempting to accelerate normally, as the vehicle does not respond immediately to throttle input. The vehicle also appears to have electrical irregularities associated with the transmission control system, which may be related to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) failures previously reported in these vehicles. Although there are currently no open recalls associated with this VIN, the vehicle continues to exhibit transmission behavior that creates an unsafe driving condition. This complaint is being submitted so that the issue can be documented as part of the ongoing safety record regarding PowerShift transmission failures in these vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11723055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The transmission is over heating while driving and jerking back constantly once it hits mph on 3. It doesn’t drive properly because of the transmission.

NHTSA complaint #11719248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Problems with dual clutch automatic transmission Ford Focus Class action lawsuit of 2013.

NHTSA complaint #11717626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I am requesting an investigation into a vehicle I purchased on November 28, 2025, in a transaction conducted using the business name RideTime LLC. After taking possession of the vehicle, I noticed inconsistencies related to the title and odometer reading. I titled the vehicle on December 1, 2025, prior to full confirmation of these discrepancies. Subsequent investigation through Experian AutoCheck, consultation with the Virginia DMV, and inspection by a licensed mechanic revealed evidence consistent with title jumping and possible odometer tampering. Additionally, a mechanic identified indicators consistent with prior flood damage that were not disclosed at the time of sale. I acted in good faith and relied on representations made during the sale, including the use of the business name RideTime LLC. Once the discrepancies were confirmed, I immediately ceased any attempt to sell or transfer the vehicle and am reporting the matter for investigation and guidance on proper resolution.

NHTSA complaint #11716083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Transmission has a shudder when shifting from first to second gear. The transmission exhibits a noticeable shudder during the transition from first to second gear, indicating potential issues that may need to be addressed. This shudder can affect the overall driving experience and should be inspected to ensure smooth and efficient gear shifts.

NHTSA complaint #11711586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally and was sluggish. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #11709885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

10/02/23. Recall repair 14M02B was performed by blue Springs Ford, blue springs MO. Milage on car 96,028. Car has had normal oil change by same dealer. Car now at 107,000 miles only slightly over 10,000 miles in two years has same TMC issue but code now is P07A5. Diagnosed by same dealership and because 1st time replacement done. They are not obligated to fix again. I would agree except for the lack of miles put on Car since repair. Asking for another repair due to faulty parts.

NHTSA complaint #11709679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

While has had the transmission recall work done x 2 and was told by the mechanics that to recync “drive it like you stole it” when you can prior to the last recall fix in Feb and just had the cpv recall replacement done in February it was not driven a lot and I am in my late 60’s so I do not drive it like a teenager. During that recall repair they said I needed to replace the engine bolts ( I would think would be related due to the “drive it like you stole it” to resync the transmission but had to pay for out of pocket and found a transmission bolts also needed replaced that I wasn’t told by the ford service guy. Recently in driving it would thunk when stopping and pinched forward and had major excelleration delay when trying to turn in traffic causing safety issues. Shifting was erratic and would stay in like 1st or 2nd when should have been going to 3/4th gear.Took in to service at ford again as the wrench showed up on dash finally thinking it was the auto shift transmission to be told I had a complete computer failure to replace at my cost of approx $2400. Isn’t this part of what controls the sync in the transmission in the first place? Isn’t this part of what they should have done on the other recalls like the 18v-735 or should it not be covered as the reprogramming apparently failed and at some point destroyed the computer module system?

NHTSA complaint #11706094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Here’s an overview of the transmission issues with the 2014 Ford Focus — and how many owners feel Ford Motor Company has repeatedly failed to properly fix them. 🔧 What’s wrong with the transmission The 2014 Focus (and many models 2012–2016) came with a dual-clutch automatic transmission system (PowerShift transmission). That system used “dry” clutches — rather than a traditional, fluid-cooled torque-converter — which turned out to be a flawed design in real-world use. Dry clutches tend to overheat, wear out prematurely, slip, and fail, especially under common driving conditions. [XXX] +2 [XXX] +2 As a result, owners of 2014 Focus vehicles reported a long list of recurring symptoms: rough or jerky shifting, shuddering when accelerating from a stop, slipping gears, delayed or harsh gear changes, grinding or clunking noises, hesitation before accelerating (especially dangerous when merging or pulling out), and in some cases failure to shift properly or unexpected behavior like popping out of gear. [XXX] + [XXX] m + [XXX] m +3 For many drivers, these issues didn’t appear once — but kept happening repeatedly. In some cases, transmission control modules (TCMs) were replaced; in others, clutch/seal assemblies were replaced. Yet—even after repairs—the problems often resurfaced. Ford Transmission Settlement +2 CarComplaints +2 Some complaints describe serious safety and reliability concerns: jerky or unpredictable acceleration or deceleration, failure to downshift when braking (in one complaint the car “lurch[ed] forward into intersections at red lights”), slipping unexpectedly — all of which pose danger to drivers, passengers, and others. [XXX] +2 ⚠️ Why many owners and lawsuits say there was a systemic defect According to class-action complaints, the problem isn’t just “bad luck” — it stems from fundamental design, manufacturing, and programming flaws in the PowerShift transmission. The dry- INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11703452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.