Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2014 Ford FocusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 2,584 owner complaints for the 2014 Ford Focus. Most complaints involve power train (1,550) and engine (437). The EPA rates it 26–105 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–105mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
2,584
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

SteeringReported Aug 22, 2014NHTSA 14V514000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V369000

Equipment: engine block heater

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

EquipmentReported Jan 15, 2026NHTSA 26V011000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,584 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2013 – Nov 2025
  1. Power train1,550
  2. Engine437
  3. Fuel/propulsion system304
  4. Electrical system259
  5. Steering221
  6. Vehicle speed control165
  7. Structure61
  8. Fuel system, gasoline50
  9. Latches/locks/linkages47

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Focus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20003,738
20011,790
20021,014
20031,017
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,803
20132,181
20142,584
20151,034
20161,194
2017906
2018837
Crashes reported
69
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
47
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1,550 reports23 crashes3 fires
“During acceleration there is a hesitation. With the Transmission almost like the car was put into neutral. The accelerator needs to be fluttered to get it to respond. This has happened several times pulling into traffic. This last time it happened the notice came on stating that the Transmission is over heating. Pulled over to let it cool down. I notice recalls for this problem but my car is not listed. This happens at different speeds Any help would be appreciated. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2025Power trainODI 11696956

Engine

437 reports18 crashes8 fires
“The check engine light comes on; check and advise. The Ford dealer performed an EEC test, retrieved codes P1674 and P0122, tested the system, and found the wiring harness rubbing at the intake manifold. They disassembled to gain access, repaired the wiring harness at the engine, wrapped and re-routed the harness, cleaned all codes, and retested. It passed the road test and was OK, but the dealer charged me for this harness repair, and I found that this exact issue was subject to a Ford Motor Company safety recall (Recall 14S17 / NHTSA Recall 14V-495) concerning the engine wiring harness.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2025EngineODI 11697060

Fuel/propulsion system

304 reports10 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2025Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11673040
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
Electric motor · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (AM6) · Automatic (S6) · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
76 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Focus Electric
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
11099105$700—
Focus SFE FWD FFV
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283932$2,000278
Focus FWD
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150293
Focus FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150293
Focus FWD FFV
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263630$2,150296
Focus FWD FFV
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263630$2,150296
Focus FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200304
Focus FWD FFV
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200304
Focus FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450340
  • Focus Electric
    Auto (A1)
    110 city · 99 hwy · $700/yr
    105
    mpg comb.
  • Focus SFE FWD FFV
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 39 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Focus 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Focus 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Focus BEV 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 8233Vehicle 8232Vehicle 8234
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Focus questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Focus have?

12 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Ford Focus problems?

Owners filed 2,584 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1,550), engine (437), fuel/propulsion system (304). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Ford Focus get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Ford Focus at 26–105 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Ford Focus?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Ford Focus 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026