Problems · by component
2014 Ford Focus fuel/propulsion system problems
310 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Focus cite fuel/propulsion system, 12% of all 2,661 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
310
12% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
Reported by owners
What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The vehicle has a recurring fuel-level/distance-to-empty (DTE) malfunction that has caused it to run completely out of fuel and lose motive power while the instrument cluster indicates substantial remaining range. This has occurred four times. On the first three occasions, the vehicle ran out of fuel while displaying approximately 28-30 miles DTE. On two occasions, including the most recent, the engine shut off unexpectedly in the roadway and other motorists had to help push the disabled vehicle out of traffic. During the most recent incident, the vehicle displayed approximately 35 miles DTE when the engine shut off. There was no sputtering, warning message, warning lamp, or other indication that the vehicle was actually out of fuel. I previously brought the vehicle to an independent repair facility specifically for the inaccurate fuel/DTE indication and occasional stall-like behavior. Fuel trims were checked and no obvious cause was identified. I subsequently learned that Ford Safety Recall 18S32 had been performed on this vehicle in 2021, before I owned it. That recall addressed excessive fuel-tank vacuum/possible tank deformation and identified symptoms…”
“Car has been cutting off while idleing, or at a stop light. It has also cut off while driving. It has also lost a form of power while going down the highway. The car doesn’t cut off, but pressing the gas does nothing and the rpm’s go crazy, then eventually it catches and the gas peddle works again.”
“Ford Camelback Lincoln refused to replace my leaking fuel tank and would only complete the software updates for the CPV. The fuel tank is leaking due to a deformed seal on the filler neck. Ford Corporate advised me to drive to another dealership location for a second opinion. They advised me to drive a vehicle actively leaking fuel instead of assisting me to have the dealership replace the fuel tank.”
“I started smelling gasoline coming from the rear outside part of the car. I took the car to the local Ford dealership and they found a canister purge valve stuck open. They fixed it and I paid $414. A few days later and still smelling gasoline, I took it to tire place so they can lift it up to check the bottom where the fuel tank is located and the immediately saw fuel/gasoline leaking from the tank. I took it back to the Ford dealership and complained how they missed it the first time. They checked it and told me the fuel tank was completely ruined from excessive vacuum effect of the previous canister purge valve issue and that I needed a new fuel tank. They put in a new fuel tank and I told them this issue had a recall on the same make and model of car in 2018 and from that recall, this issue had been fixed then but it just happened again. I paid $2,088 for the new fuel tank and power train control module reset. So the total I have paid to fix this issue over $2,500 and about two days later, Ford motor company issued a new recall 26S40 for this specific issue on this specific 2012-2018 make and model car. So I hope my car will be added and searchable for the…”
“I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing transmission and Transmission Control Module (TCM) issues with my 2014 Ford Focus. In October 2022, the transmission was replaced, yet I continue to experience serious transmission-related failures. Most recently, the vehicle would only start in neutral and would not reliably shift into drive or reverse. These recurring issues have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe. I have contacted Ford Customer Service three separate times seeking assistance and a permanent resolution. Despite these efforts, I have not been provided with a fix that addresses the root cause of the problem. Ford has long been aware of widespread TCM issues affecting certain Ford Focus models, making the continued failure of this vehicle especially concerning. My greatest concern is safety. During a recent incident, the vehicle unexpectedly slammed into gear with significant force while my son and I were inside. The sudden engagement nearly caused me to lose control of the vehicle and almost sent us into a ditch. Had road conditions or traffic been different, the outcome could have been much worse. I have dash camera footage documenting the…”
“Be reaching out and taking my car to Ford for recalls within the time limit told me they did not see no code I replace it it breaks down put me and my daughter at risk on the highway unsafe and now I spent all my money and can’t afford another car because of Ford not Doing their job with the policy and the warranties the recalls I’ve been going through so much trying to fix this car and now I have to take a complete loss because it’s finally broken down and no one wants to take the car”
Showing 6 of 310 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.