Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Loses power when accelerating
Most reported: 2014 Ford Focus with 85 reports. Across the 220 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 2,711.
- 2,711owner reports
- 220model years affected
- 67,000median miles
- 21involved a crash
- 19involved a fire
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.
Which cars report it most · By model · When it happens · What it is and what to do
The 25 vehicles with the most reports
Each row is one model year. The bar is its count of loses power accelerating reports; the share is how much of that car's complaint file this problem takes up. Bigger sellers draw more reports, so read the share alongside the count. Red dots mark crashes and fires in these reports; amber marks a recall on the same system.
- 12014 Ford Focus1 crashrecall853% of its complaints50k mi
- 2563% of its complaints10k mi
- 3502% of its complaints32k mi
- 42017 Ford Escaperecall482% of its complaints75k mi
- 52017 Hyundai Tucson1 crashrecall484% of its complaints50k mi
- 62016 Ford Focus1 crashrecall454% of its complaints82k mi
- 72018 Honda Accord1 crash412% of its complaints90k mi
- 82015 Jeep Cherokee1 firerecall392% of its complaints11k mi
- 92015 Kia Soul2 firesrecall394% of its complaints105k mi
- 102015 Chrysler 2001 crash382% of its complaints44k mi
- 112017 Ford Focusrecall334% of its complaints80k mi
- 122016 Kia Soul1 crash1 firerecall314% of its complaints98k mi
- 132015 Ford Focusrecall303% of its complaints73k mi
- 142018 Ford F-1501 crashrecall301% of its complaints80k mi
- 152016 Ford F-150recall291% of its complaints73k mi
- 162018 Ford EcoSportrecall274% of its complaints75k mi
- 172018 Ford Focusrecall273% of its complaints64k mi
- 18265% of its complaints55k mi
- 192017 Hyundai Santa Ferecall263% of its complaints55k mi
- 202019 Jeep Cherokeerecall241% of its complaints60k mi
- 21232% of its complaints70k mi
- 22232% of its complaints25k mi
- 232018 Ford Escaperecall231% of its complaints86k mi
- 242014 Kia Soul1 firerecall223% of its complaints107k mi
- 252015 Hyundai Sonata1 fire222% of its complaints77k mi
Where it dominates the complaint file
Model years with at least 25 reports, ranked by the share of all their complaints that describe loses power accelerating. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 1265% of its complaints55k mi
- 22017 Hyundai Tucson1 crashrecall484% of its complaints50k mi
- 32015 Kia Soul2 firesrecall394% of its complaints105k mi
- 42016 Kia Soul1 crash1 firerecall314% of its complaints98k mi
- 52016 Ford Focus1 crashrecall454% of its complaints82k mi
- 62018 Ford EcoSportrecall274% of its complaints75k mi
- 72017 Ford Focusrecall334% of its complaints80k mi
- 82014 Ford Focus1 crashrecall853% of its complaints50k mi
- 9563% of its complaints10k mi
- 102018 Ford Focusrecall273% of its complaints64k mi
By model, every year together
The 12 models with the most reports. Each chip is a model year; the darker chip is its worst year.
- Ford Focus220
- Ford F-150160
- Ford Escape148
- Kia Soul100
When it happens
1,997 of the 2,711 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 32,000 and 98,978 miles; the median is 67,000. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of loses power accelerating, grouped by the model year of the car. 21 involved a crash and 19 a fire. 17 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 2,711 reports that use each phrase. One report can use several.
What got replaced
Reports that name the part, across every vehicle.
What it is and what to do
What is usually involved
Owners name the throttle body, the fuel pump, the turbocharger and various sensors. The engine computer depends on its sensors, and Delphi's technical team gives an example of how closely: after some sensors are replaced, the engine computer has to be put into a learning mode, and without it the owner may see loss of power and poor fuel economy.
On the fuel side, the Car Care Council lists hesitation while accelerating as a symptom of a clogged filter, and lists the fuel system's own symptoms as poor economy, a no-start and the check engine light.
What a shop checks first
Ask for the stored codes first; EPA's check engine fact sheet describes the hand-held scanner that reads them. After that, ask what they tested before replacing anything. For fuel delivery, Delphi's advice is to test pressure, volume and electrical integrity before condemning a pump.
When to stop driving
Losing power while merging or pulling out across traffic is dangerous, and the danger is the traffic around you. Until it's fixed, avoid situations where you depend on quick acceleration: highway merges, left turns across oncoming lanes, passing on two-lane roads. If the car drops into reduced power on a highway, move to the shoulder and don't try to keep up with traffic. A flashing check engine light means stop soon, since EPA says it signals a severe problem such as a misfire.
What to tell the mechanic
Give the speed, gear or rpm, and road grade when it happened. Say whether the engine revved without pulling or simply didn't respond, and whether it recovered after a restart. Write down any message on the dash and bring any codes you've read.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
Check your VIN at NHTSA's recall page, since fuel pumps and some engine faults that cause a loss of power have been recalled; recall repairs are free. Then search your year, make and model to see the service bulletins and software updates manufacturers file with NHTSA. EPA's emissions warranty may also apply: it covers emission-related parts, including fuel metering and ignition systems, for 2 years or 24,000 miles, and the engine computer for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
Sources
- Delphi Technologies: 10 diagnostic jobs that might surprise you
- Delphi Technologies: 4 steps on how to test fuel pressure and flow
- Car Care Council: Vehicle Systems Overview (Filters and Fluids, Fuel System)
- EPA: What To Do With the Check Engine Light (EPA420-F-00-041)
- EPA: Emissions Warranties for 1995 and Newer Light-duty Cars and Trucks
- NHTSA: Check for Recalls
- 49 CFR 579.5, manufacturer notices and bulletins (eCFR)
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints on the 1,040 vehicle model years that have a page here, grouped by the word patterns described on the method page. A vehicle needs five matching reports to be counted in this ranking. Checked Sep 27, 2026. All problem explainers.