Car Yearsto Avoid

2014 Ford Focus Problems

What owners have reported about the 2014 Ford Focus, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2014 Ford Focus a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Focus. Owners have filed 2,603 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 11 Focus model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, engine and fuel system.

2,603 complaints 12 recalls, 1 fire risk 2nd worst of 11 Focus years

Top 2014 Ford Focus problems

1

Transmission problems

1,576 complaints (61%) name the transmission, most often the clutch assembly and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).

Complaints 1,576 · Usually at 15,000–82,000 miles

2

Engine problems

448 complaints (17%) name the engine, most often the exhaust system and engine control module (ECU / ECM).

Complaints 448 · Usually at 15,000–87,000 miles

3

Fuel system problems

354 complaints (14%) name the fuel system, most often the fuel injection system and canister.

Complaints 354 · Usually at 40,000–95,000 miles · Recall 26V369000, 19V515000, 18V735000, 15V005000, 14V525000

4

Electrical problems

245 complaints (9%) name the electrical system, most often the horn and wiring.

Complaints 245 · Usually at 30,000–90,000 miles · Recall 15V813000, 14V495000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 17%
Unknown or Other 11%
Body 2%
Door Locks and Latches 2%
Stability Control 2%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (1,873 of 2,603). The amber line is the middle value, about 50,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2014 Ford Focus recalls

Canister

Can stall

The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.

Recall 26V369000 · Jun 2026

Block heater can crack and short circuit

Fire risk

The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When it is plugged in, the leak can cause an electrical short circuit, which raises the risk of a fire.

Fix: Do not plug in the block heater until it is fixed; the dealer will replace the block heater free of charge.

Recall 26V011000 · Jan 2026

Latch

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. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V331000 · Jun 2020

Storage, Canister

Can stall

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. 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V515000 · Jul 2019

Canister, Storage

Can stall

0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V735000 · Oct 2018

Hatchback / liftgate, Lock

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." 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.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge.

Recall 16V698000 · Sep 2016

Door latch may break and not hold

Injury risk

A part inside the door latch can break, so the door may not latch or may look closed when it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is moving and injure someone inside.

Fix: The dealer will replace the door latches with an improved part free of charge.

Recall 16V643000 · Sep 2016

Wiring splice can cause engine stall

Can stall

Poorly crimped wiring connections to the manifold pressure sensor can send incorrect signals to the engine computer. This can make the vehicle hesitate or the engine stall, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the crimped wiring splices with new ones at no cost to you.

Recall 15V813000 · Dec 2015

Fuel pump

Can stall

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. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.

Recall 15V005000 · Jan 2015

Cracked fuel module can cause engine stall

Can stall

The fuel delivery module may crack between its filter body and filter cap, which can lower fuel pressure. Low fuel pressure can make the vehicle stall while driving, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the fuel delivery module at no cost to you.

Recall 14V525000 · Sep 2014

Steering gear may be incorrectly assembled

Crash risk

Some vehicles may have steering gears that were assembled incorrectly. This can impair steering, including loss of steering control, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: Your dealer will replace the steering gear free of charge, and Ford will notify you by mail.

Recall 14V514000 · Aug 2014

Wiring

Can stall

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). The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.

Recall 14V495000 · Aug 2014
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2014 Ford Focus gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2014 Ford Focus, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Focus years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2012 Focus 3,769
2014 Focus 2,603
2013 Focus 2,112
2016 Focus 1,183
2015 Focus 1,022

2014 Ford Focus problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2014 Ford Focus a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Focus. Owners have filed 2,603 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 11 Focus model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, engine and fuel system.

What are the most common 2014 Ford Focus problems?

Owners most often report problems with the transmission, engine, fuel system and electrical system. 1,576 complaints (61%) name the transmission, most often the clutch assembly and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).

At what mileage do 2014 Ford Focus transmission problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 15,000–82,000 miles, with a middle value near 43,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?

12. Canister (26V369000); Block heater can crack and short circuit (26V011000); Latch (20V331000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2014 Ford Focus?

Ask for service records covering the transmission, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2011, 2009 and 2008 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.