The 2014 Ford Focus Transmission Shudder Recalls

Jan 17, 2021

It’s always a wise idea to do your research before purchasing a used car. The first thing you’ll likely read about is the transmission. Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission had problems concerning millions of vehicles. You should definitely exercise caution before buying one of these vehicles.

Have any transmission shudder recalls been issued for the 2014 Ford Focus?

As of August of 2020, there’s no recalls concerning the transmission. However, there are a dozen other recalls issued for various reasons. These include:

Stuck canister purge valve stalling the engine
Charge cord overheating
Steering gears missing ball bearings

Blue 2014 Ford Focus With White Background

The shuddering transmission on the 2014 Ford Focus has so many issues related to it that we’ve compiled them all for you here in one location. Read on for information about the problems with the 2014 Ford Focus’ PowerShift transmission.

2014 Focus Transmission Stalling

The most common owner complaint about the 2014 Focus transmission is that it jerks and stalls. When the driver first puts their foot on the gas pedal, the car hesitates rather than immediately taking off.

When the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts gears, the transmission stalls which causes the vehicle to jerk. Sometimes the vehicle jerks when taking off from a resting position, or when the brakes are applied.

This problem is caused by a software issue with the 2014 Focus’s powertrain module. The transmission control module and the engine control unit is receiving the wrong inputs, so it causes the transmission to stall and jerk.

This issue was addressed by Ford in a service bulletin and may require multiple software flashes to correct.

2014 Ford Focus Transmission Shudder

Car Transmission Closeup

The shuddering transmission is the second-most common complaint about the 2014 Ford Focus. The transmission shudder is so bad that owners describe it as feeling like something has broken apart inside the vehicle’s powertrain.

The vibrations are especially bad when the vehicle downshifts, although the problem can also happen when upshifting. The combination of jerking and shuddering can cause the gears to disengage, which makes the 2014 Focus come to a halt.

The problems with Ford’s PowerShift transmission were so widespread that the company lost a $35 million class action lawsuit. Click here to learn more about the 2014 Ford Focus transmission lawsuit settlement. (Link to Article: 2014 Ford Transmission Recalls)

2014 Ford Focus Transmission Grinding

The software issues with the power control module were causing the 2014 Ford Focus’ transmission to jerk, stall and slip out of gear. Eventually, this led to a grinding sound in the transmission that owners reported as “unbearable.”

Ford made the problem worse by telling owners that the sound was “normal.” The unbearable grinding sound started for owners after their 2014 Ford Focus reached the 10,000-mile mark on the odometer. The sound is especially bad when cornering.

2014 Ford Focus Transmission Failure

A few years after the 2014 Ford Focus hit the market, the car’s PowerShift transmission began failing for owners. In some cases, the dual-clutch automatic transmission would simply pop out of gear and stop the car in the middle of the road.

In other cases, the 2014 Ford Focus would fail to accelerate or upshift past a certain gear. This was usually a combustion issue caused by faulty inputs from the transmission control unit.

However, there were other issues as well, including the fact that Ford made its powershift a “dry” clutch (no lubrication in the gears, unlike European “wet” clutch vehicles).

2014 Ford Focus Transmission Power Failure

A transmission that is going bad can lead to a vehicle losing its “oomph” when it tries to accelerate. This was a common problem for the 2014 Ford Focus transmission.

The faulty power control module inputs, transmission shudder, grinding and other problems simply led to many vehicles losing the amount of power that they had when first purchased.

Despite the many problems with the 2014 Focus transmission, including the transmission shudder, there was never a safety recall initiated on that issue. However, 1.6 million Ford Focus and Fiesta owners may be receiving a partial settlement over the problems that the PowerShift transmission caused them.

Owner Reviews

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Todd Fike on March 17, 2023

Difficulties with my2014 Ford Focus

My little car has been good but lately a total system failure seems rather like the car wants to die. I have had the car back to Ford dealerships 2 times for rear doors that will not open and computer system failures.. My car now has about 250,490 miles on it and the speedometer and odometer (fail/work) My Anti Lock Brakes have failed, the traction control failed, Air Bag failed, service engine soon light is on always, the car likes to stall randomly and after working perfect in long driving for hours - suddenly it stalls and will not start for a few minutes.. The steering now is like you are on a sloped plane - If you hold steering wheel perfect it will go strait but any turn left or right and the car lunges left or right.. The brakes are also bad - if the weather drops below freezing (and if you set the emergency brake) the E-Brake will 'freeze' on - you work 20 minutes to get it to release and then when you drive (The normal brakes go away!).. You press the brake and press harder and harder and next you stand on the brake because you need the car to stop - Suddenly all the wheels lock and you slide to a stop.. After you stop you try to pull away and (now the wheels are also frozen and will not release).. I have a 5 speed manual shift car - Transmission works perfect but car is not so reliable anymore (Unless you prefer drama and not knowing if you will arrive or not).. For 100,000 miles the car MPG kept going up higher and higher - I thought my fuel gauge was broken but my tested mpg was 82 - 88 mpg and I was happy for that.. Now however my engine valves are 'Burnt' and I am told my engine ran so lean the valves 'stretched' and so I have no compression.. My engine (blow by) Is so bad that exhaust comes into the car at all times when driving - a local mechanic helped me to 'Revive' my old tired engine by adding 2oz of oil to each tank of fuel - Now engine has a bit more power and exhaust does not come into the car when driving but Service Engine soon light is on. Also the radio broke a year ago - This was not bad until I went over a bump and the radio started to Roar - I could not turn it off - Just 200% full volume of ROAR of loud static. I nearly wrecked my car as it startled me.. I had to put the windows down to let the sound out of car until I could pull off the Freeway and I spent an hour trying to find the fues to quiet the "dead" radio - now the radio is dead - speedometer is dead, odometer is dead, AC died, Heater core has plugged up and needs to be replaced, Front window just cracked and driver side sun visor fell down at a bad angle and is now in my way - Headliner that holds the visor has corner 'broken' like a cheap connection that can not be mended unless I replace the headliner.. Now the rear doors do not work and if I want out of the car (or to get in) I have to work and work to make the doors open - it seems the doors want to stay shut.. One more item - I was driving along and the rear had a loud roar sound when suddenly the rear of car dropped and hit ground and the rear wheel and axle passed me as my car fish-tailed on the pavement. ..........Other than that my little car has been a good car

Julie Lofton on November 5, 2021

2014 Ford Focus

We bought our 2014 Ford Focus in 2018. Luckily we took out a warranty. Our car had 87521 miles on it. By Jan 2019 it was in the shop. Then again in May 2019, then again in July 2020 and once more recently in Oct 2021. Ford are washing their hands of this ongoing problem which has been there from the start. They are not willing to help with any costs of the repairs. This last time it needed clutch, clutch releases clutch cylinder. If we had not taken out a warranty we would have had to pay the full $2500 for this latest repair. Thhis multi billion dollar company are not even prepared to offer us our out of pocket expenses of $570.59. Ford sucks. Their Customer satisfaction dept are not help. They refuse to buy our piece of junk back because of Texas laws!!!! I feel that this is unaceptable because they say our car is our ot warranty and has gone over the mileage for them to help us. But they knowthis problem is ongoing and has been happening with all Ford Focus cars of certain years since they were made. FORD PUT THIS PROBLEM RIGHT. Iknow it will happen again in a few more months.

CoryKastanis on April 13, 2023

Ford's Slipp'n For Real😡😡😡Love the car hate the MF who built it💯💯

As ah Proud Ford Tough 💪 Owner ND Customer, This whole TRANSMISSION ISSUE By far The BIGGEST TIME CONSUMING BULLSH5IT ISSUE IVE EVER DEALT W/ BEING AH FORD OWNER FOR DECADE'S 😤😤 3 yes MOTHER F*****🤟 🖕🖕🖕 TRANSMITIONS 2 REBUILT 6,500 AH PIECE AND 🖕BRAND SPAKING NEW WAS AH Hefty 10K, & GUESS WAHH IM CURRENTLY HAVING AN ISSUE WITH OUTTA THIN BLUE AIR **ENGIN** LIGHT SHININ BRIGHT AF ANFD OF COURSE (TRANSMITION Modular Sticking) n***a WTF Y'ALL FORGET TO LUBE DAT b***h UP OR SUM🤯🤯 And from what im reading here eventually the same ol issue I been bucking with is gone accure once again?!?!? Say mayne Ford used to be the TOP DOGS in the game back when y'als engines were being built and manufactured outta good ol Cleveland Ohio. Back when Frod was proud of what there Name was on. Today of Times y'all p**s&s**t on the Name on the Reg.It's imbarracing being ah Ford Tough custo... #FrfrY'allSlippen man!!!!

Stefani on May 17, 2023

Dead at 92k miles

I actually really liked the look of this car, but I just had to learn to live with the shuddering and shaking on acceleration...nowadays 92k miles, it's lurching and stalling and check engine light comes on and wouldn't you know dealer diagnostic run says I need a complete new transmission and other items totalling $9k. They don't even make cars anymore and didn't even seem go care. At 9k, the car is not even worth that much. Even at a shop that isn't a dealer with after market parts, it would be several thousand and I may as well just go get another car * but never a ford again * ... Makes me sad and angry, I can ill afford this expense right now and I was hoping my cherry red focus would last another 50k, but they knew these transmissions would fail and it looks like I am out of luck in terms of having ford cover it. What a waste. Very sad.

Focus Purchaser on July 16, 2022

FORD IS A SHAM

I'll never understand in a capitalist society, why we need to f*** over the working middle class. Ford knew and has known the defects of the 2014 focus/ fiesty transmission issues. What do they do? Milk it for everything they can. Absolutely abysmal, and disgusted as a consumer once you realize how dishonest and anti consumer this CAR COMPANY actually is in the industry. At the end of the day we trust these companies with our lives, and FORD decides to take a nice heaping pile of sh** on that trust in exchange for a "f*** you, pay me more if you want if fixed, so you can have to pay to have it fixed AGAIN a year later down the road" i am absolutely disgusted with ford. Thank you for teaching me a lesson with buying our domestic dumpster can products. Thank you ford

Linda Taylor on February 25, 2023

2014 Ford Ficus Titanium

I purchased my Ford Focus in 2017. After a year of ownership I was getting a lot ofshuddering and hesitation. When I asked my Ford dealership about it, tge women told me, "oh, that is normal". Itcontinued to get worse, and in November 2021, my check engine light came on, and the message told me to pull over immediately, turn the car off and wait 10 minutes before driving. It took me 2 hours to get my car home, and 8,000.00 to fix the transmission! Fir which I am still paying for. Forward to January 2023, and guess what is going on yet AGAIN! Except now the vibrating and noise is unbearable when I accelerate. I don't have more money to pour into this car for the same reason. Ford you owe me! Thus car is a lemon, and I want to be reimbursed or my car fixed!

Fred Jolly on December 4, 2022

2014 Ford Focus tranny

POS. We bought our 2014 Focus Titanium new, now with only 84000 miles on we have tranny issues, local mechanic wants $9000 for just the tranny & another $2500 for labor. I thought he was joking with me ! Turns out no he wasn’t, he said they found metal shavings in the bottom of the oil pan, I contacted FORD to no avail. At age 68 I realize not buying a FORD ever again isn’t going to hurt them…. Now I know why people say Fix Or Repair Daily. It is really sad because like most of these reviews these FORD owners live on fixed incomes, I know I don’t have $11,500 lying around & besides, is repairing a 2014 Focus a smart thing thing to do ? I would say no. Can’t sell or trade it in ! Dealer offered me $2000, FORD SUX !!!

Amy on March 9, 2023

Will never buy a Ford again

I have a 2014 Ford Focus. It’s been a nightmare. My story is like everyone else’s. I called Ford so many times asking them ti repair the transmission issues. It was fixed once under warranty. Started doing same thing again. Called ford many times. Was sent to 2 different dealerships who did nothing for me. Spent lots of time and energy trying to get this resolved. Was told only thing more I could do was write a paper letter. It was sent certified Mail and they received it a month ago. No response. Called ford and rep was not helpful at all. This car is such a POS. Not worth putting the $ into it to fix it and I’m out a lot of $. Horrible quality of vehicle with service to match it. Never again.

Hunter on November 15, 2021

2014 Ford Focus - Terrible

I bought this car from a ford dealer as a certified pre owned rental car. It only had 10,000 miles on it. Six months in I started having some issues and had these minor defects fixed. A year in the transmission started to go. The car has now been parked in a field for over a year due to the transmission going out. There would be times that it would not go into reverse and I would have to push it backward to do a three point turn, it would jerk, not accelerate, continue to accelerate when I would brake.... Terrible. Now I am making loan payments and full coverage car insurance payments for a car that has been gathering dust for over a year

Dick on March 31, 2023

f**k ford

If you have a vehicle with defective parts then Ford should have to fix it if they sell you s*** that's f***** up they should have to fix it now I'm stuck with a car going through divorce lost my f****** house and now my transmission is going out and it's going to cost me five grand to replace it because it's some special transmission and on top of that even if I had the money to fix it they're back ordered for months because there's so many problems with it I think Ford should take all those Vehicles back from the people and give them newer vehicles that don't have the problem

Reggie Banks on December 16, 2022

2014 Ford Focus -Transmission issuse

My 2014 Ford Focus which has 65,000 miles on it had a transmission fault light come on while driving in a 35 mph zone. It's been at a Ford dealership since Nov 29th when I had it towed there. I've been told it needs a control module ,but the timeline could be anywhere from one month to 6 months for the part. My first car was a Ford and I had figured on this being my last car ,but now I'm thinking Chevy or Toyota. So now I'm just a Veteran that's carless and waiting with everyone else .

Ryan on January 5, 2024

Awful

Terrible transmission. I have taken my 2014 Ford Focus to the dealership 6 times in the 5 years I've owned the vehicle. The first couple of times the clutch plates were replaced as well as the TCM (transmission control module). It worked ok for a few months then back to shuttering between shifting gears. I just took it in again and the only part covered under warranty was the TCM so they replaced it and it didn’t solve the shuttering issue. I will never buy a Ford vehicle again.

Gus Almager on March 2, 2022

Ford focus 2014

I bought this car and it had a recall on transmission for spuddering at stop signs and no take of power, well they fixed it twice and it lasted only a couple of months now it back to square one . I have people honking behind me to go but with this transmission defect it's out of warranty now now so I hope Ford takes note of this and quit selling defected cars and have more pride because after all word of mouth sells cars and I cannot recommend any ford to my friend's .

Annette Smith on November 1, 2021

Awwweful

I brought a 2014 Ford Focus se hatchback. I spent all of my savings on it. The car started acting up one week after I got it. I called the dealer. They were pretty helpful. I called ford and the gave me a complete run around. I called the headquarters and they did too.The car needs a transmission control module and they clam they can’t get one anywhere. I’ve had the car 6 months now and it is awful. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Kelly on July 1, 2021

This Car Sucks

I loved the car when I bought it with 39000 miles on it over 2 years ago. Now, it is in the shop indefinitely. We had it for 7 months when some control unit went out of the clutch. About 6 months later, same thing. Now, with a microchip shortage, we were told to expect the worst from the service center at Ford. The car has 63,000 miles on it. I am not happy and wished I knew about the class action suit before it expired. Last Ford I will ever own.

A.H on July 14, 2022

Faulty transmission

Bought a 2014 Ford focus a month and a half ago only driven at 2,000 mi had 111,000 miles on it and the transmission went out had extended warranty but they're only going to pay half so I got to come up with a $1,200 to pay the other half which I'm not very happy about it and the dealership I bought the car from it's not doing nothing about it either so is there anything I can do about this is a recall on this transmission issue

Shannon Beechan on July 15, 2022

Ford focus 2014 sucks

Transmission went out and rpms excellerated when not putting foot on gas. It's been in the shop for 3 weeks and they claim they are having a hard time getting the part. Had to rent a car at 675.00 a week. That's more than I make at my job. This is the worst time to be without a job. I will never buy a Ford again. Don't know what I can do after 2 weeks of paying for a rental. I will lose my job! This sucks big time Ford!

Mark d on January 18, 2023

Ford sucks

We bought a 2014 ford focus se trans keeps going out I had it towed to ford because ford human relations told me there was a recall on them told the lady how many miles on car and then today they called said they won't fix it because there's to many miles because they said if its over 150 thousand they won't fix it so were going to sue Ford and byrider over this never buy a Ford ever they s**k and the company is liers

Linda Mahoney on October 4, 2021

Ford sucks

I only have 33,000 miles on this piece of junk. Had a transmission issue had to have car towed twice, without a car for a week no loaners and couldn't find a rental. It was going to be another 2-3wks. I was told ford is so good about paying for rentals, guess what they aren't I am on a fixed income and now I am out 1.000 dollars just for rental! The transmission was fixed I hated getting the car back!

Terry W on October 31, 2022

Transmission control module 2014 Ford Focus

My 2014 Ford Focus has been sitting at a local dealership since March 20, 2022 waiting for a TCM. Fortunately the warranty is still good. But going on 8 months waiting for it to be fixed is ridiculously unacceptable. I will never own another Ford vehicle again. We all have been screwed over by ford. Everyone I come in contact with I am informing them to have nothing to do with Ford vehicles.

Ruth on February 26, 2022

2014Ford Focus

Purchased a 2014 Ford with 11,000 miles in 2015 and I have had all the same problems with clutch. Was covered under warranty that expired . Renewed an extended warranty withEndurance who assured me that the issues with PowerPoint transmission was covered. Now they cannot tell me if it's covered. Was told to read the policy. I am so disgusted with Ford and the person who sold me the lemon

Jordan Heinrich on August 6, 2021

Ford doesn’t care about it’s consumers at all.

I have a 2012 f150 and a 2014 focus se. The focus is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. This is the worst power train transmission in modern vehicular history. And no accountability. If I had terminal cancer or something, I would fly a fuckin plane right into their headquarters and take them all out. While their families were there. Pieces of s**t coward fucks.

Alyce Young on July 24, 2022

My Mom's SAFTEY !!!!

My Mom brought a 2014 ford focus from sun state ford and she's having problems with the transmission she was told they could check it but it would cost her over a $100 bucks just to check it out . Ford already knows there's a problem why do this to a elderly person on a fixed income !!!! Can't believe people are this heartless !!!!

Monica Holden on March 5, 2022

Faulty 2014 Ford e****t Transmission Module

I also have a Ford Focus 2014 that transmission module needs to be replaced. 6 months later still don't have my car and it only has 50,000 miles on it. No ETA on when it can be replaced. It sits at the Ford dealership lot waiting and waiting and waiting! Why doesn't Ford step up and take care of this problem?!?

Becky on July 8, 2022

Re: Chip message

Hello you said lawsuit that they have to supply parts for ten years. I took my car it was recall for the module,part still not available. Waited almost year and a half but my car started shuddering really bad. Went back it was no longer under warranty and they ended up charging me. Now the light came back on.

Tenna Bailey on August 14, 2021

Tennabailey003@gmail.com

Yeah same here I bought it at used car place I test drove it and everything and a couple of days don the road it started cutting out and now I'm without a car I spent everything that I had on that car guess I should have caught on when the guy tht was saleing it to me kept talking about a lemon law.

Yao A. on April 28, 2022

Yao A. L.

Ford focus2014 is bad car with transmission issues. I took it 3 times to fixed. Now they want me to pay 3k before fixe it again. I park the car but I'm still paying the bank and insurance full coverage. They need to do something for us. Or stop selling that focus 2014. I don't have car now

Linda L Laura on December 14, 2021

Llaura1949@yahoo.com

2014 FordFocus has been bad since purchased, five days afterI bought it, back at the shop for shuddering jerking, have been back two more times for same problem, now they want $3100.00 for repairs it is still under warrantywith 87,000 miles and no one else will touch it, Help!

jimmy p on June 18, 2022

2014 ford foucs

Ford rebuilt transmission need tcm rebuilt told mom still need tcm been waiting a year for it charged her 1600 tcm caused problem should not have to pay still can fix took her money for not fixing it tld her not to drive much till tcm comes in what a bunch of bull

Dave on February 9, 2022

2014 Focus

I am in the same boat as everyone else.Lou Fusz Ford kept saying nothing was wrong. Warranty ends, now they say it is bad. Guess they just didnt want to pay for it. What a shame they cant stand behind anything.and dont even get me started on the customer service!!

JLew on January 20, 2024

Transmission is awful - Shame on Ford

The shuddering is pretty bad. Had it in for repair a couple times and it’s back. Only 140K on the car. My family has owned Fords as long back as I know. This is the last one I buy. Ford’s motto should be honest…. ‘Shareholders over customers’. Pigs

Dwayne Kincade on February 14, 2022

Ford Focus2014 transmission problem

Bought2014 Ford Focus and it has had nothing but problems. It had 35 k miles on it . Now the transmission is shot .8 k to repair it . Owe 3000 on it . Checking with the junk yard to see what I can get for it . Maybe they will give me a few chickens for it .

Stacey V Fazenbaker on December 2, 2021

Fazenbakerstacey1@gmail.com

My grandma has a 2014 ford focus the transmission was shuttering and then overheated and went out while driving what can I do so that she ain't stuck paying for a transmission when she has barely driven this car n it don't even have 100k miles on it .

Chip on April 5, 2022

Lawsuit!!!

Just sue Ford in small claims court for the max benifit!!! They have to supply parts for 10 years by federal law. Simple!! And with all the dialog about the faulty transmission, you can bring a individual lawsuit just for your personal car!

Loretta Hurley on October 5, 2022

Don’t buy a Ford focus

I have had problems with my 2014 Ford Focus Sense we About the car and we told them and they sad oh no it’s nothing will yes it is and it had always been they just don’t want to fix it . I’m so mad I wish I never got that car.

Michelle on July 15, 2023

Ford focuses s**k

I have a 2014Fordfocua andit'sbeen in shop 2times this is the 3rd time and the dealership has had it almost 2 weeks no eta when part will be in and what really sucks I only owe 7months on it gets fixed this is bs

Barbara Bad Horse on March 7, 2024

Transmission control module

My 2014 ford focus is still having problems with the transmission control module. Every Ford Dealer i take to refuses to fix it. But this is a recall. Any ideals how i can get this fixed a recall is a recall

Kenny G on March 16, 2024

2014 Focus Titanium Bought Brand New

Great running car. Faithful on oil and tranny fluid changes. 215,000 miles and in one day basically everyone's symptoms from these posts happened to my car. Got my money's worth. Wanna Buy it? LoL

Matt on August 10, 2021

I will never own a ford again

Selling these cars with this issue was downright criminal. I suggest no one buy a used for focus because the transmission issue is just a matter of time and you will be stuck with a paper weight

Marty on June 20, 2023

The 2014 Ford Focus transmission stinks transmission is going out already and got low miles on the transmission

I think they should have a recall on them they can fix the transmission for free people bad for the focused Bank there was a good car but it's the bad car cuz the transmission stinks

A mad owner on December 2, 2022

2014 ford focus transmission issue

Junk….point blank! Ford didnt stand by their f up! Don’t ever buy a ford. Ford=found on road dead💯💯💯 I had to give it one star it deserves -100000 stars!

candy on May 24, 2021

2014 focus

Pain in the a*s car trans on trip #3 to dealer in under a year to have trans an elec worked on never told about issue at purchase

Diane Smith on July 23, 2022

2014 Ford focus hatchback

Love the card only problem is transition they said 2012 - 2014 have the same problem, if I knew I would not bought the card..

Babacar Cisse on May 25, 2023

Transmission

I’ve seen any kind of bad transmission on a car. I’ve already changed it once. This very costly and poorly designed.

Rosa on October 25, 2023

Why wasn’t I notified about Clutch actuator lever A recall before 100000 miles

Clutch actuator lever A Has went out again another 3500 and was never even told about the recall

George on March 23, 2022

Male

Ford focus very bad car it is a lemon like the Holden camera not good quality

Margaret J. LaRace on January 15, 2024

Shudder in the transmission

My 2014 does have the shudder problem us Ford still liable for fixing it?

Bob M

Bob M. is an author and award-winning speaker whose TV commercials have appeared on every news network. Whenever he’s cruising in the minivan with his large family, he’s actually daydreaming about a two-seater sports car.