2014 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · PA

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)

Filed May 2, 2025 · MD

I originally purchased this car in June of 2022. Less than a week after I purchased it, the issues started. My check engine light came on and my vehicle revved high, but did not accelerate. When it did this, it made a mechanical humming/grinding noise. It did this for a few short trips, then the issue seemingly resolved itself...the check engine light never turned off. I got the following codes from my reader: P0420, P2782, and P07A3. This vehicle had multiple recalls regarding the TCM malfunctioning. I tried multiple times to have Ford do the repairs as stated in the recalls. They have refused every single time. I was told that the warranty did not apply to my vehicle, then that the parts were on a major backorder, and that I should leave my car with them for an undisclosed period of time. This is not feasible, as I have 2 jobs and a child. Within the last few months, my transmission has started doing the same thing as well as overheating. I am going through coolant much faster than I should. As the issue gets worse, Ford has been of no assistance. Despite my efforts to have the recall work done as legally required, I have been turned away and am now past the 10 year/150k mile replacement warranty. I had brought it in before it ever reached that point. I am terrified to take my child to school or make it to work. My vehicle stalled on the interstate last night and I almost lost my life. There isn't really a trigger, as it acts up like this at random. Some days I drive it with no issues at all. Others, it takes me nearly an hour to get home on an otherwise 18 minute commute.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Steering · 107,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while turning the steering wheel in either direction there was a grinding noise coming from the steering column. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Steering · GA

The steering gear assembly fails making a grinding noise. Is an internal issue and is not covered by recall 14S18. Arms are intact but steering assembly failed internally. Can feel gritty vibration from concerned part as I turn wheel

Filed May 20, 2022 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission was slipping with a grinding sound present while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the clutch was previously replaced but the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed May 20, 2022 · Transmission · 59,600 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, the contact noticed that another vehicle was coming up from behind when the vehicle began to shudder and failed to accelerate. The vehicle behind was able to stop before crashing into the rear of the contact’s vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times before while driving at various speeds. The vehicle failed to shift properly and made a grinding or a revving sound. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the dual-clutch shield had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 59,600.

Filed May 19, 2022 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that when driving forward the vehicle fails to change gears. The vehicle was emitting a cranking/grinding noise when being driven. The contact stated the vehicle is now inoperable due to it no longer being able to go past 1st gear. The transmission failure warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that they believed their failure related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V523000 (power train) however their vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a defective reciprocal clutch connected to the transmission. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her to the federal safety agency for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · 26,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 10 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal and pulled into the parking lot of her apartment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact to take the vehicle to a transmission specialist as they did not have a transmission mechanic or parts. The contact contacted other unknown dealers who advised as the first dealer. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist where the transmission was taken apart and the transmission assembly was replaced. The transmission specialist drove the vehicle to the contact's residence and informed her that the steering rack might have failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making abnormal grinding sounds while driving. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle did not qualify for the lemon law. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency for assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the manual transmission failed to properly engage while shifting gears. Additionally, a grinding sound was present coming from the transmission and the vehicle would suddenly slow down when driving from a standing start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer red mccombs ford located at 7111 northwest loop 410, san antonio, tx 78238 who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed May 15, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · TX

It clicks constantly - I have start the car with a battery charger although I just put a new battery in the car, I have had the transmission clutch and parts replaced twice. - its still slipping out of gear it sound like grinding metal. Im so done with this car.

Filed Mar 6, 2020 · Steering · 10,000 miles · WA

The car was difficult to drive from day one, hard to steer and keep on the road, along with the transmission problem, had it checked several times and told there wasn't a problem with the steering, then it it started making a grinding sound when the wheel was turned, kept getting worse until the car was not drive able, and it was stored. The transmission was recalled, but told the steering is not. Ford says it needs a new rack and pinon but is now out of warranty, as our complaint we turned in when it was under warranty had been wiped out, due to a new computer system. It only has 32,000 miles on it, and now they want $2200 to replace the rack and pinon.