2014 Ford Focus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Ford Focus has a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of the 14 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 2,601 complaints, 12 recalls, and transmission problems make up 61% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 41,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 Focus years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,601
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 68
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 46
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 46 / 1
Top 2014 Ford Focus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,576 (61%)
- Engine560 (22%)
- Fuel System353 (14%)
- Other282 (11%)
- Electrical System252 (10%)
- Steering221 (8%)
- Structure & Body104 (4%)
- Brakes70 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires47 (2%)
- Airbags32 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some cars unexpectedly lurch or surge forward when braking or shifting into gear, leading to collisions.
- Owners describe grinding and shuddering when shifting between gears, especially into reverse.
- Several drivers report the engine stalling or bolting without warning at low speeds or in parking situations.
- Multiple complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in low-speed crashes.
- One owner reported a sudden loss of power steering while backing out of a driveway, followed by a repeat loss during a turn.
2014 Ford Focus recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V369000Jun 9, 2026Fuel System257,868 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
2014 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Ford Focus reliable?
- Compared to other Focus model years, 2014 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of the 14 years tracked, with a verdict of Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Ford Focus?
- Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 61% of complaints (1,576 of 2,601), with a median failure mileage of 41,000.
- Does the 2014 Ford Focus have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2014 Focus, covering fuel system, structure/body, and electrical components, though none is a do-not-drive recall for this specific model year data shown.
- How does the 2014 Focus compare to other years?
- It ranks worse than most Focus years; only 2012 (complaint index 100) scores higher. Years like 2011 (index 0, Best) and 2005-2010 (all Good) fare much better.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Ford Focus?
- EPA rates it at 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.