2014 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Loses power when accelerating
- 85owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
2005 of the 2,452 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 85 of those describe loses power accelerating.
Tick what matches of 85 reports
Loses power accelerating on other Focus years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the moment you press the pedal and the car doesn't respond. Owners describe no acceleration when merging or climbing a hill, a sudden reduced-power or limp mode, and the check engine light coming on with it. A number say it happened more than once before anyone found a cause, and some mention a throttle body replacement.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the throttle body (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
8 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
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).
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014.
In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
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 transmission and drivetrain on the Focus
Timing belt failure. Open.
Timing belt failure. Closed jul 31, 2026.
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 20, 2024.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Engine stalling. Closed jan 16, 2004, led to recall 03V-482.
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 9, 2002.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 16,870 and 85,000 miles, from the 76 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Car shudders, shakes, and jolts coming from stop. Also seems to go into neutral at random times and won't accelerate. Don't have the funds to take to the dealer but seems like a clutch problem like everyone else.”
Filed May 14, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 85 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
- 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
- Battery dies or the car will not start 36 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