checked out car for traction control light staying doen scanned car on computer-received code U0-0100-00 ABS Computer may have to be re-programmed checked out rubbing noise in rear of car-no start and/or transmission engagement loss of power with DTCS u0100 intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power-parts number AE8Z-7Z369-F Transmission Control Module Kit-car has under 100,000 miles on it
2014 Ford Focus: sudden loss of power
152 of the 2,606 complaints about the 2014 Ford Focus describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 152
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,100
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
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 the federal safety agency 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.
I wish to file a complaint regarding my 2014 Ford Focus, which is experiencing transmission failures related to the known defective transmission system. Ford acknowledged widespread issues with this transmission in customer satisfaction program 14m02, which extended coverage for the transmission control module (tcm). The TCM module was replaced, under recall, in April 2025 and during that same visit at B & B Ford, Barnwell SC I was told that I needed to replace the Acutators and this would stop the car from shuddering during acceleration. This cost me $658.00 out of pocket. I noticed almost immediately that the car was still shuddering during acceleration and called B & B Ford back and I was told to drive it for 500 miles and then let them know if it continued. Due to an illness I did not drive the car that much but then in October 2025 I started noticing the shuttering again. I contacted B & B Ford again and they agreed to look at the car. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH/FORK SYSTEM AT A PRICE OF $3300.00 THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. I have filed a complaint, a lot of good that will do me, with Ford. They are fully aware of systemic failures in the transmission. Safety hazard: transmission hesitation, shuddering, and sudden loss of power create dangerous driving conditions, especially when merging or crossing intersections. Unfair limitation of remedy: the expiration of 14m02 leaves owners like me with out of pocket expenses that are outrageous. And again I will say - FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I am requesting that an inquiry be made into this matter immediately and that Ford make a recall that covers the issues that I am having along with many other Ford Focus owners. Take responsibility for the defect in this car
2014 Ford Focus SE with PowerShift automatic transmission. Transmission Control Module (TCM) failed, causing vehicle to lose power while driving. Ford confirmed VIN not covered under Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 despite identical issue and safety risk. Requesting investigation and expansion of TCM coverage. Ford is stating that this was never attached to my vin number although it is an identical issue
I am writing to file a complaint regarding my 2014 Ford Focus, which is experiencing transmission failures related to the known defective transmission system. Ford acknowledged widespread issues with this transmission in Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02, which extended coverage for the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Unfortunately, my vehicle’s failure occurred 2 months after the program expired in June 2025, and I was informed by my dealer that Ford will no longer cover the repair. This situation is deeply concerning for several reasons: Known Defect: Ford has long been aware of systemic failures in the transmission. Numerous recalls, service programs, and even class-action settlements confirm that these problems are widespread and not isolated. Safety Hazard: Transmission hesitation, shuddering, and sudden loss of power create dangerous driving conditions, especially when merging or crossing intersections. Unfair Limitation of Remedy: The expiration of 14M02 leaves owners like me with expensive repairs for a defect Ford already admitted responsibility for. Ford’s responsibility to address this issue should not end simply because the program expired, particularly when the defect poses ongoing safety risks. I am requesting that Ford: Provide goodwill coverage to replace/repair the failed transmission control module (or related components) at no cost to me. Extend support for affected owners beyond the June 2025 expiration, as the defect persists in vehicles on the road today. I have filed or will be filing this complaint with the federal safety agency, the Better Business Bureau Auto Line, and my State Attorney General’s office so that my concerns are documented at the federal and state level. I urge Ford to take responsibility and ensure customer safety by addressing this defective transmission beyond arbitrary deadlines. [XXX] 2014 Ford Focus INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I recently purchased this car from a private seller. Within weeks, the vehicle began exhibiting serious transmission issues — including sudden loss of power, inability to shift correctly, and entering “limp mode”, which severely restricts speed and performance. I had the codes scanned and received P090C and P090C-00, which point to a transmission control module (TCM) or clutch actuator circuit failure — an issue widely known in these vehicles with the DPS6 PowerShift transmission. Ford previously issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP 14M01) for this exact TCM failure, but they have since ended the program (as of June 30, 2025), and they are refusing to cover the repair — even though my vehicle is within the affected model year range and has not yet had the TCM replaced. The car has already had the clutch replaced, but the shifting problems and check engine light returned, putting me at risk while driving. This is a known, recurring safety issue, and the manufacturer is not standing behind its repair despite the car being part of a program that previously acknowledged this defect. I’m filing this complaint to urge the federal safety agency to reopen its investigation or require Ford to reinstate support for affected owners
I’m pretty sure the tcm went out because the check engine light is on and it is shuddering and losing power randomly. Also will not go into reverse unless I shut car off.
On June 10th 2025 the engine light came on in my 2014 Ford Focus and I lost transmission function. The car was slipping out of gear, completely losing power and speed between first & second gear and third & fourth gear. I pulled into traffic before realizing the issue and almost got hit by two oncoming vehicles - one locked up their brakes to avoid hitting me, the other swerved into another lane which thankfully was empty. Slowing down was difficult, it was very hard to stop and I lost reverse gear. The overall driving experience was very rough and jerky. Driving 3 miles home I almost got rear ended two times due to loss of power between first & second gear. Driving 6 miles to the Ford dealership I almost got rear ended 1 time & 1 time I could not completely stop until I was halfway into a busy intersection. I had no ability to backup and traffic was completely blocked in one direction until I was able to safely cross the other 3 lanes of the intersection on a red light!! Prior to this incident & since I bought the car with 12,000 miles in 2020, it ALWAYS had rough transitions between gears & sputtering/brief loss of power when accelerating from stopped. I formerly had a 2013 Ford Focus which had these same issues so I figured that’s just how these cars drive with the Powershift dual clutch transmission. I had no idea that I should have been extremely concerned about the hard shifts & sputtering. I never received a single Customer Satisfaction Program letter from Ford about the clutch, leaking seals, or TCM warranty extensions and issues. If I had I would have brought my car in for service a long time ago. I am disappointed & dismayed that a recall has not been forced by the federal safety agency. Ford has gotten away with putting unsafe vehicles on the road with little to no accountability. I, and dozens of others, could have been killed or severely injured while I was on the road in this unsafe car.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic and the steering rack, steering gears, and the stabilizer bar were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 81,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH and pulling up to the fuel pump at a gas station, the steering wheel was turned to the right, and the contact could not release the key from the ignition. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited a while before restarting the vehicle. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the diagnostic app for the vehicle and noticed it had stated that the power steering assist had failed. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) but not in any recall regarding the power steering. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a steering recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The "transmission fault service now" light has came on. The vehicle almost stalled on the interstate due to sudden loss of power. The vehicle is not operable currently. According to previous recalls, this should have been fixed already.
There is a recall on this car for TCM transmission module. This part is available through non-dealer car repair shops, however, Ford has been unable or unwilling to provide this part for recall for over 1 year, saying that it is back ordered with no date of arrival estimated. I received my recall letter in August of 2023. I was in dealer and had this part tested on September 18th, confirming the recall applied to it. The dealer had my car for one month before returning it to me still broken. Today they still have no estimate on when they will fix this. This issue causes my car to lose power and shudder and the engine light comes on when starting off from being stopped, or sometimes just suddenly act like it has gone into neutral on the freeway. Ford apparently only has to replace this on vehicles with less than 150,000 miles that are under 10 years of age. My car is a 2014, so in one month it will be 10 years old, and only a few months after that it will reach 150,000 miles. It seems like Ford is trying to wait out this recall so they do not have to pay for the repair. It is unreasonable that there are obviously suppliers for this part but Ford is not willing to contract with them and make the repair, meanwhile those of us who spent tens of thousands of dollars on Ford vehicles have to take our lives in our hands every day just to drive the garbage they wont fix. Please make Ford do more to help those affected by this recall and please don't allow corporations to time out their responsibility to fix the low quality garbage they produce. I have received no indication that Ford will ever fix my car. Ford Motor Company said they have a loner program that goes through the dealer, but the dealer says they know nothing about any such program. It's a lot of games being played and very few cars being fixed. Thank you.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Ssm 47948 - 2010-2019
- For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing turbo related...
- Fluid leak between the engine and transmission
- 2015-2018
- Audible engine idle ticking noise at normal operating temperature
- The 2012-2017 focus workshop manual (WSM) procedure for oil pan and rear main oil seal installation has...
- To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine...
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2014 Ford Focus loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2014 Ford Focus?
152 of 2,606 owner complaints about the 2014 Ford Focus (6%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the 2014 Ford Focus?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,100 (median of 13 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2014 Ford Focus?
There are 0 recalls and 20 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2014 Ford Focus
Jerking 486Stalling 478Shudder 443Hesitation 364Check engine light 301Slipping 175Transmission failure 125Grinding brakes 122Won't shift 75Power steering loss 70Overheating 66Door locks 59Won't start 50Fuel gauge 42Fuel pump 42Engine failure 41Sudden acceleration 39Harsh shifting 35Wipers 27Steering lock-up 26No deployment 21Adaptive cruise 13Misfire 13Battery drain 12Fire or smoke 10ABS 8Knocking 8Headlights 7Seat belt 7Key fob 6Backup camera 5Ball joint 5Pulling 5
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