2014 Ford Focus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 70–72 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The check engine and cruise control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCM and transmission control module, snap ring, transmission fluid, two clutch ports, transmission case, and input bearing needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2021 · Fuel system · AR

I know exactly what's wrong because it's a recall that's on certain Ford focuses of this year but apparently not mine for some reason even though I have the problem but it's the emissions control valve that's stuck open my car stalls out after I fuel. I'm having an extreme loss of power sometimes just being me having to push the pedal more down to losing all acceleration all together to where it shuts down the cruise control when I'm on the highway. It's running real rough on idle all of which are signs of this recall but because it's not covered under my car I'm having to pay $100 just to put the car in the shop to have them look at it and tell me what I already know and then I'm going to have to pay whatever it costs to repair it which I'm sure it's going to be 3 to $500 for a problem they've already admitted to lying about before and obviously are lying about now when they say that this series of Ford focus 2014 was not affected so now I have to pay out of pocket for being a Ford customer so I hope it's worth it to them to lose me as a customer for the rest of my life because of something that would have cost them two or $300. And my family for generations have been lifelong ford buyers my family is well known at our local trotter Ford my grandparents literally buy a new car every year and say they're taking their business elsewhere after finding out about this so I don't see where they think they're saving money by lying like they are.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Fuel system, Transmission · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated that the dual clutch transmission had failed on several occasions. While stopped on an incline, the vehicle would roll backwards upon release of the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle shuddered and downshift while accelerating from first to second gear, without warning. Additionally, while the cruise control was engaged, the transmission downshifted from third to first gear while going downhill, without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to schicker ford of st. Louis (3300 s kings highway blvd, st. Louis, mo 63139) and the mechanic twice performed an electronic update and had the transmission clutch replaced however, the failure recurred soon after the repair. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v515000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The car didn't malfunction shortly after being repaired. The replacement clutch usually lasts 6 months before the usual shudder, rolling at stops, cruise control RPM issues. The failure mileage was unknown.*dt

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · TN

I have had transmission problems since I purchased my 2014 ford focus se. Within the first 15,000 miles, I had to get the transmission fixed because my vehicle was shuddering/stalling. Ford told me the transmission was under warranty and it would be free to fix. I had to have it fixed three other times before hitting 60,000 miles for the same issues. Now I am out of warranty and next time it will cost me $1500 to fix! These issues pose a true safety concern. About 10,000-ish miles after getting my car fixed it will begin to shutter when I'm pulling out into traffic. Over time this shutter becomes a hesitation or a stall, meaning that I become a sitting duck in the middle of intersections or when entering busy roads, or merging onto interstates. When driving it is important to be able to time your entry into traffic, I have to make sure to give myself an extra beat just in case my car decides to hesitate! Usually after a hesitation or shutter while entering traffic, my car fails to accelerate as it should which adds to the danger. In addition, my car will also roll/lurch forward at times when I have it in reverse. I must slam on my break and often take it out of gear before it will act as it should. It also does a weird thing when I am using my cruise control at higher speeds. If I push my break to cancel the cruise the engine sounds as though it is stuck, the rpms stay really high, and it is as though I am in neutral. My break still works but I can press my gas to the floor and it won't make a difference.the amount of time this lasts will vary. After complaining, I have been told I'm not driving my automatic correctly, or I have been offered the "opportunity" to buy a new ford. I have also been told its not a big deal because it won't put me on the side of the road. What I'm most concerned about is that it will get me killed while on the road.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · NM

I have a recall for possible deformed fuel tank. It is making my car stall at any time to include using cruise control or stopped at a light. The issue is known by my local ford dealership. Their advice is to keep the gas tank filled above half but I have stalled after driving 30 miles after filling up. I had them inspect my car and they said everything looked fine. I asked about the stalling and they said wait for the software. I guess they expect that I walk to work until they fix the issue. I had a local mechanic look at it and they recommend I wait for the recall because they are unsure if the part will fix the problem without the software. I already had to rent a car for a family emergency and dont want to get stranded while driving to work because I am forced to drive a faulty car with no fix. I can afford to buy or rent a car until an unknown date.

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Engine, Lights · NY

2014 ford focus. Consumer writes in regards to several safety recalls received on vehicle after purchase. *ld the consumer stated the transmission would slip while traveling uphill with the cruise control activated, the headlights shut off, and the engine would knock.

Filed Apr 24, 2018 · Fuel system · FL

While driving down interstate 75 south at 70 miles per hour, car set on cruise control, the car lurch forward. When trying to resume speed the gas pedal did not respond coasted through a lane of traffic to the side of the road where the car died. Unable to restart the vehicle was towed to the nearest ford dealership matthew curry in nokomis. After three days of sitting ford decided to look at the car and quickly determined the problem was a purge valve sticking causing a vacuum in the gas tank which caused the tank to collapse and damage the fuel pump. It was easy to recognize because they have seen this same situation many times on the focus model. A documented recalll has occurred in australia and new zealand over this very same issue ford a us manufactured car yet no recall in the us. I can find more than 100 reports online regarding this same situation in the us but ford will not take any responsibility. I have spoke to corporate where they issued a case/claim # 14636968. They then advise me to call the service manager who says he sent everything to corporate then given the run around. I have called chevrolet and honda they don't seem to have a problem with gas tanks collapsing. Ford step up and take responsibility for this faulty system. I am grateful we are safe this malfunction while driving 70 on a busy florida interstate during rush hour could have ended much differently.. Ridiculous flawed product

Filed Oct 11, 2016 · Acceleration, Steering · 55,000 miles · AR · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2014 ford focus. While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the steering wheel vibrated when the cruise control was deactivated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss at the salvage yard. The police was notified but the contact was unaware if a report was filed. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance for observation of chest pains. The air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Acceleration, Transmission · 15,934 miles · GA

I previously had a 2012 ford focus, which left me stranded in the middle of a bridge after a recall part broke. (ford in the letter sent on the recall stated they could not fix the part that broke until it broke). So I had to wait until that day happened. That was the second strike against them. I had already been in for diagnostic checks and reprogramming several times over the years I owned the car. Then they had to replace the clutch and TCM; kept my car for 3-4 days. So after all that was fixed I traded and got a 2014 ford focus hatchback. All that stuff was supposed to be behind me and no glitches in this year. After 15,000 miles was put on the car the clutch started acting up again and progressively got worse. The shuttering and stuttering become so bad I thought my car was going to fall apart. From a dead stop to a go (20-30 MPH) it had such a hard time shifting gears that the RPM's would just take off. Grinding noises under the car upon acceleration. When in cruise control it would just lose speed on it's own, cruise set for 60mph and RPM"s would just drop outta no where like the car was about to stall. Took it in and sure enough new clutch and seals were already needed (this car was purchased in april 2015 and the clutch went out in january 2016). They kept the car a wk (at no time was I offered a rental) had to borrow my parents vehicles to get around; my husband needed his car. Had the car back a wk and have already taken it in to be reprogrammed b/c yet again we are having shuttering and stuttering issues as well as problems upon acceleration. When I check 2014 focus recalls there are some major recalls. I was issued a recall on my VIN# for the TCM already. They have increased my warranty to 100,000 b/c they know I will be back for more repairs and the service guy stated replacing the clutch is only temporary, I will be back for a new one again and again.

Filed Oct 31, 2015 · Transmission · 21,500 miles · ID

I purchased the car on 1/13/2015 as a ford certified used vehicle with 6,340 miles on the odometer. On the way home the car lurched in traffic nearly rear ending a car coming to a stop in front of me and had a loud crunching noise. I was able to stop, and it appeared to function well enough to continue home although it did not have the same amount of power. No warning lights came on but I called the dealership to report the issue. I was told at this time that this "was supposed to happen" and that this was a "special type" of transmission. I did not believe this and asked to have an appointment to have the car looked at. On 1/20/15 it was found that something had "failed" in the automatic clutch and that the car would need a new clutch. I got the car back on 1/22/15 with a set of instructions for "green clutch brake-in". The car appeared to be functioning properly until approximately 12,000 miles when I started to notice significant shuddering and reduced power when accelerating in traffic, this was especially scary when trying to merge with freeway traffic. On 5/19/15 the car was verified to have an issue and the dealership reprogrammed the transmission control module to correct the shuddering. This appeared to correct the problem temporarily, but the car began to shudder again and also appeared to pop out of gear while trying to accelerate up a hill. The dealership reprogrammed the TCM again on 10/13/15 and determined it should be good to go. Then 10/27/15 while traveling at 75 MPH on the freeway with cruise control on, the transmission experienced only what can be referred to as "catastrophic failure" at 21,500 miles. We are still awaiting word from the dealership as to how this is going to be fixed and if or when we should get the car back. I have all service record copies available.

Filed Oct 31, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 11,000 miles · IN · crash

Traveling straight on the toll road at 70mph (speed limit) with the cruise control on the back end of the vehicle started fish tailing and went out of control into a guardrail which total the vehicle. The vehicle was just purchased a month prior. I will submit photos and documents on request.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Steering · 400 miles · NY

The steering is very responsive - there is no center on the steering. You move the steering wheel 1/4" and the car will move. When you are traveling you need to constantly correct the steering and are often going back and forth in your lane. You can't take your eye off the road for a second or you will be off the road or in the opposite lane. I glanced over to the passenger window to see how far it was down and I almost hit a stone wall on the right side of the road. My husband glanced down to see the cruise control buttons and when he looked back up he was 3' across the center line. Neither time did we have our eyes off the road for more than 1 second. When you are traveling at higher speeds the handling is worse - on the mass pike or garden state parkway you have to fight it all the time. If you are changing lanes you need to be very careful because when you take your eyes off the road to check your side mirrors before changing the car will often cross into one lane or the other. When you pull out to pass on a 2 lane road you better have 2 hands on the wheel or you will lose control - the same goes if you need to get on the brakes hard. The car has a mind of its own and if you don't have two hands on the wheel you are liable to end up hitting another vehicle or going off the road. I have taken it to my ford dealer and they drove it. They didn't notice anything, but when you drive 40 miles roundtrip to work everyday you notice it. They did check for recalls, etc and couldn't find anything. The longer the trip the worse it is. I traded in a 2012 focus for this car and am I ever sorry I did. I can't wait for the 3 year lease to be up and just pray I don't hurt someone because of the handling. We have searched the internet and have found numerous other complaints exact or very similar to mine and they are all having to do with the 2014 focus.