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 Oct 2, 2026
237 of the 2,452 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 36 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 36 reports
Dead battery on other Focus years
No other Focus model year has enough reports of dead battery for a sheet of its own. See every Focus year.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
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.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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).
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).
All 12 recalls on the 2014 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Focus
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
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.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 12 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Ford Focus that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with 8 inch or larger center display ...
Some 2012-2016 Focus Electric vehicles built on 15-Sep-2011 and through 9-Dec-2015 may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric vehicles may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern.
8 more on the 2014 Ford Focus page.
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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 847 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 565 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 156 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 134 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 104 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 86 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 85 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 66 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 65 reports
- Fuel pump failure 41 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 37 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 34 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 30 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 28 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 28 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 28 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports