2014 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 36owner reports
- 78,713median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jan 15, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
237 of the 2,448 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 36 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 36 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (28 reports), the module (11 reports) and the starter (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 and remedy
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Focus
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
NHTSA summary
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
NHTSA summary
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
5 of the 36 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,300 to $2,900.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 33,000 and 89,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“BCM failed the mechanic states that it is corroded moisture in the dashboard causing the brand new battery to die and car not function”
Filed Apr 1, 2023
“The vehicle's engine continues to run after turning off and removing the keys. After the engine has stopped running it is also draining the battery.”
Filed Nov 11, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 36 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 846 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 564 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 155 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 134 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 104 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 66 reports
- Fuel pump failure 41 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 40 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 28 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 28 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports