EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
2014 Ford Focus Electric
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 55 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Ford Focus Electric, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 24 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 7 |
| Nov 2014 | 4 | 11 |
| Dec 2014 | 4 | 15 |
| Jan 2015 | 4 | 19 |
| Apr 2015 | 3 | 22 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 23 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 25 |
| Jul 2015 | 2 | 27 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 28 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 30 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 32 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 34 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 35 |
| Apr 2016 | 2 | 37 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 38 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 39 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 40 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 41 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 42 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 43 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 44 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 45 |
| Oct 2017 | 2 | 47 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 48 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 49 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 50 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 51 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 52 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 53 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 54 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 55 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical2930.2%
- Powertrain (other)2121.9%
- Engine1616.7%
- Fuel system1111.5%
- Driver assistance77.3%
- Steering66.3%
- Other / unspecified22.1%
- Brakes22.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circumstances, may result in the door coming open while driving. In response to ODI?s investigation, Ford has announced three field actions, as discussed below.On March 23, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-177 (Ford 20S15), a regional recall campaign to address door latch failures in vehicles not previously recalled under Safety Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210. The recall affects vehicles currently or ever registered in certain high ambient temperature states (see 20V-177 for affected states). As a remedy, Ford will replace all four door latches free of charge.On August 24, 2020, Ford issued a non-safety regional field action (Ford 20R01) to address door latch failures on the same model/MY vehicles not covered under 20V-177 (i.e., not currently/ever registered in affected states). According to Ford, spring tab failure rates for vehicles covered by this action are about half that of the 20V-177 vehicles. Under this action, dealers will replace all door latches, free of charge, if either; a) the vehicle exhibits a related latch concern, or b) if the vehicle owner expresses a concern about the latches in their vehicles. Details can be found under NHTSA TSB No. 10190990, a copy of which is available in this investigative file available at NHTSA.gov.On June 8, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-331 (Ford 20S30) addressing vehicles previously remedied under NHTSA Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210, where the repair may not have been properly completed, specifically not all of the door latches were replaced, or replaced correctly. This recall involves an inspection of the latches, with the option for a consumer self-inspection; owners could view the date codes on their latches (and confirm child safety locks are present on the rear doors) and then submit the information to Ford?s mobile app or website. A dealership inspection option was also available. Any vehicle found to have unreplaced defective latches requires the replacement of all door latches as directed by Ford.Regarding the 4,494 reports cited above, 1,485 involve scope-related failures (with 13% alleging door opening), and the remaining 3,009 reports involving remedy concerns (with 18% alleging door opening - note ODI was unable to verify the allegations of door opening). The three ODI injuries were all relatively minor. Ford?s reported injury incidences include one (unconfirmed) report of an ejection, three minor injuries with the others involving undisclosed injuries. Ford?s crashes involved two (unconfirmed) crashes alleging the incident door contacted another vehicle and three involving doors striking other property.The recalled vehicles include MY 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2012-2015 Ford Focus and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect.Ford's actions address ODI's concerns at this time. ODI will take further action if warranted by new information. The reference (OD
Door Latch Failure
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.Another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.In response to ODI's information request, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 500 unique reports related to the alleged problem on the subject vehicles.Ford reported no injury or accident claims.Ford also submitted 1,513 warranty claims related to door latch failures.Many customers indicated that the affected door could not be latched at all and some of them decided to restrain the door by other means in order to operate the vehicle.Some customers also reported door latch failures occurring on multiple doors and at different times.Additionally, Ford stated that MY 2014-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC, all use the same door latch as the 2012-2013 Ford Focus.On September 6, 2016, Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (16V-643) to remedy the door latches in the MY 2012-2015 Ford Focus and other Ford models mentioned above (total of approximately 2 million vehicles).According to Ford, a component within the door latch may break preventing the door from latching.Ford dealers will replace all four door latches in the recalled vehicles with a new more robust latch design that is currently in production.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Electric powertrain propulsion failure
In an October 28, 2013 letter to NHTSA, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a recall notice identifying a defect in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software in approximately 2,456 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured from September 15, 2011 through August 23, 2013 (Recall No. 13V-523).According to Ford, PCM software faults may cause a complete loss of powertrain torque.When this condition occurs, drivers receive a red triangle indicator and the message Stop Safely Now in the instrument cluster.In addition, vehicle brake and steering systems will continue to operate normally and the vehicle can be restarted after going through a shutdown process.Ford and its supplier, Magna Powertrain, upgraded the PCM software to address powertrain shutdown conditions and issued a technical service bulletin on September 23, 2013 instructing dealers to reprogram the PCM on all affected vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Ford as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 171 unique reports indicating loss of motive power while driving, and the predominant failure mode identified involved loss of powertrain torque.Ford began owner notification on November 5, 2012.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. See the investigative public file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10536160,10534988,10534323,10531894,10525393,10525187,10523536,10521207,10516270,10512459,10512146,10509307,10543015,10542983,10542840,10542753,10538223,10537801,10537111,10537048,10536894,10536592,10536538,10536510,10526350,10524026,10522585,10521986,10521459,10519446,10545282.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus Electric. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an alarm alerted the driver to cease driving the vehicle immediately. The contact stated that shortly after the vehicle lost motive power. The contact would coast the vehicle to the side of the road and shift the vehicle to PARK. The contact would then open then close the vehicle, followed by pressing the start button to regain proper function. The failure occurred several times. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle however, the contact was not completely sure if the battery pack was replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11447859
- Incident
- Jun 8, 2019
- Mileage
- 30,000 mi
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO AFTER SITTING AT RED LIGHT A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TRANSMISSION DEFAULT
- NHTSA ID
- 11232695
- Incident
- Jun 8, 2019
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN TURNED ON. THIS CONDITION OCCURS REGARDLESS OF SPEED SETTING OR THE INTERMITTENT SETTING. THIS CONDITION OCCURS REGARDLESS OF MOVING OR STATIONARY, SPEED OF MOTION, INTENSITY OF RAIN OR OTHER FACTORS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT I HAVE USED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11205469
- Incident
- May 1, 2019
I EXPERIENCED WHAT OTHERS HAVE CALLED THE 'STOP SAFELY NOW' WARNING LIGHT AND FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS POWER AND STEERING ISSUES ON CITY STREET. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED MANY TIMES RECENTLY ON THE LOCAL STREETS (MARCH - APRIL, 2019). THANKS GOD, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY ( OTHERWISE, I CAN'T IMAGE WHAT COULD HAPPEN). I FOUND THE TSB 17-0045 ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND BROUGHT THIS TSB TO MY DEALERSHIP. THEY CHARGED ME $$ TO GET THIS CAR FIXED BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTION OF THIS TSB ( HOPEFULLY THIS GOT FIXED). TSB 17-0045 SPECIFIED THE CARS BUILT 9/15-2011 TO 8/15/2014 MAY HAVE THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON JUNE 2014. I STRONGLY REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS URGENT SAFETY ISSUE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11197194
- Incident
- Mar 27, 2019
- Mileage
- 1 mi
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL THEY TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEMS SO RECENTLY MY STEERING WHEEL ACTING UP AGAIN MAKING NOISES AND JUST YESTERDAY IT SAY STEERING LOSS SAFELY STOP SO I CHECK ONLINE THERE BEEN RECALLS ON STEERING ISSUES LUCKILY IT HAPPEN WHEN I PARK OR I WOULD OF BEEN IN A SERIOUS CRASH
- NHTSA ID
- 11104983
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2018
- Mileage
- 31,000 mi
I GOT A LOAN ON THE CAR LAST YEAR OF 2017 AND THE CAR HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING. I DO NOT RECALL THE DATE BUT MY HUSBAND AND WAS ON THE HILL AND I AND IT STATED TRANSMISSION DEFAULT. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD AND THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH. FOR ABOUT 2MTHS IT WAS FINE. THEN IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PROBABLY. THE CAR THEN STARTS TURNING OFF IN TRAFFIC AND I ALMOST WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I THEN REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO FORD AND THAT'S WHEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED MY ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED. I CAN NOT AFFORD THAT AND I AM UNABLE TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WILL NOT EVEN COVER THE EXISTING ISSUES EVEN IF I DID PURCHASE IT. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE MY CREDIT ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO OBTAIN ANOTHER CAR. I PAY A MORE EVERY MONTH AND I NEED SOME HELP.
- NHTSA ID
- 11099831
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2018
- Mileage
- 61,000 mi
THE VEHICLE KICKS FORWARD DURING BRAKING. IT FEELS LIKE THIS HAPPENS AFTER A FULL CHARGE THE FIRST TIME THAT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING MECHANISM TURNS ON. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A STRONG KICK WHEN BRAKING AND GOING OVER A BUMPS, SUCH AS THE BUMPS THAT ARE ON LANE DIVIDERS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11090914
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2017
- Mileage
- 36,000 mi
MY STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN I PULLED AWAY FROM MY HOUSE, BUT I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE UNUSUALLY COLD MORNING. WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVEABLE, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY DURING TURNS. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN, I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH COSTS AROUND $2,000. THIS PROBLEM, CAUSED BY A SENSOR THAT CANNOT BE REPLACED ON ITS OWN BUT INSTEAD MUST HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING REPLACED, HAS BEEN NOTED BY FORD AS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM TO THE POINT THAT MEMOS WERE SENT TO DEALERS TELLING THEM TO EXPECT CARS AT AROUND 50,000 MILES TO COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS AT 52,000 MILES.
- NHTSA ID
- 11065006
- Incident
- Jan 24, 2018
- Mileage
- 52,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. This may be due to either an internal coolant leak on the upper or lower high voltage battery or corrosion on the lower high voltage battery connector caused by water ingress. If this occurs, the vehicle may not restart once it has been shut off. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the upper and lower high voltage battery or apply corrosion protection.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE
Customer Satisfaction Program 19N09 Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX and 2013-2014 Model Year Explorer, Flex, and MKT Vehicles Left Front Door Latch Extended Coverage
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2012-2016 Focus Electric vehicles may abort the battery energy control module (BECM) on demand self-test but pass the network test. This is the result of a module software limitation and does not indicate an issue is present in the BECM. If the vehicle has the stop safely now message and no other observable symptoms are present, continue with normal diagnostics. If there is a symptom present in addition to the stop safely now message, perform individual self-tests on the other high voltage (HV) modules including the PCM, transmission control module (TCM), secondary on board diagnostic module (SOBDM), air conditioning control module (ACCM), and direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter modules. Diagnose any DTCs as necessary. If there are no DTCs in other modules but CMDTCs are reported by the BECM, diagnose these DTCs.
ENGINE; EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN
Some 2011-2014 Fiesta and 2012-2014 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may experience a fluid leak between the engine and transmission. Be aware that the engine oil and DPS6 transmission fluid are similar in color and texture. A transmission fluid leak at the input shaft seal can cause a buildup of fluid in the bell housing; creating the appearance of a rear main seal leak. The rear main seal should only be replaced after a rear main seal failure is confirmed through appropriate diagnostics outlined in the updated online Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 303-00 / Diagnosis and Testing with the use of Fluorescent dye (164-TP33200601).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Some 2013-2018 Fusion Energi, 2012-2018 Focus Electric and 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi vehicles equipped with a TCU built on or before 11-Oct-2017 may exhibit a discharged battery, inoperative remote features via MyFord Mobile app, incomplete user authorization and/or accessory protocol interface module (APIM) DTC U0198 with no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed. To correct this condition, perform any open TCU field service actions (FSAs). If U0198 DTC still remains, remove the TCU fuse for 5 minutes then reinstall. Reprogram the TCU using IDS or Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software (FJDS) release 110.03 or higher. An internet connection is required. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com. For claiming, use causal part 14G229 and applicable labor operations in section 10 of the SLTS manual
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; EQUIPMENT
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second Generation 120-volt electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) charge cord. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.