RoadVitals

2014 Ford Focus Electric Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
55
Latest Jan 18, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Focus Electric, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 18, 2019

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE ON 9/22/2017, THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION HAS ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LOST ALL POWER AND ROLLED TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS A WARNING INDICATOR ON THE DASH READS "STOP SAFELY NOW"! ONCE STOPPED, THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF OR RESTARTED. ONLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WAITING (5+ MINS), THE CAR RESPONDS AGAIN, ALLOWING A RESTART. THANKFULLY, IN ALL FOUR INSTANCES, I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ON CITY STREETS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY, BUT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER AND ONCE STOPPED IT WILL NOT RESPOND.

NHTSA ID 11032927 · filed Oct 11, 2017
All 29 reports naming electrical

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO AFTER SITTING AT RED LIGHT A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TRANSMISSION DEFAULT

NHTSA ID 11232695 · filed Jul 17, 2019

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 · filed Apr 29, 2018
All 21 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD YET ANOTHER "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING IN WHICH THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN WHILE IN MOTION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN IN THE CAR FOR THE RECALL IN JANUARY AND WAS TOLD THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS POPPED UP AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAPPEN TO HAVE A CAR SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. FORD HAS CLEARLY NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM YET.

NHTSA ID 10888834 · filed Jul 26, 2016

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT FREEWAY SPEED, IN COMMUTE TRAFFIC, AND THE POWER SHUT DOWN AND AN ALERT SHOWED ON THE DASH "PULL OVER SAFELY". THERE WAS NO POWER LEFT IN MY ELECTRIC VEHICLE, SO I COASTED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD, WHERE IT HAS TAKEN OVER 2 WEEKS, AND THEY ARE STATING THE WHOLE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE ONLY 17,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. I "GOOGLED" THE "PULL OVER SAFELY" ALERT, AND HAVE FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR MANY PEOPLE, AND THAT FORD HAD RECALLED OVER 2,000 FORD FOCUS EV CARS, MODEL YEARS 2011-2013, FOR THIS EXACT REASON.

NHTSA ID 10873245 · filed Jun 8, 2016
All 16 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 4, 2018

VEHICLE SUBJECT TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 15N03 AND 16B02. AFTER TWO REPAIRS FOR RANDOM LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, WITH TWO REPLACEMENTS OF HIGH-VOLTAGE WIRE HARNESS, CAR CONTINUES TO DISPLAY "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING ON DASH AND LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS CAR HAS LOSS POWER IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT INJURIES OR DAMGE. I AM RETURNING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIRD TIME TODAY FOR SAME ISSUE. FIRST REPAIR WAS IN BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, 2015 AND SECOND REPAIR WAS DONE AT THE END OF APRIL 2016.

NHTSA ID 10870561 · filed May 24, 2016
All 11 reports naming fuel system

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 18, 2019

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE A 'STOP SAFELY NOW' ERROR APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. WHEN STATIONARY, THIS PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM STARTING. WHEN IN MOTION, POWER STEERING IS DISABLED AND BRAKING IS MORE DIFFICULT. SEPARATELY, THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY INDICATES AN ABS WARNING LIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN CITY DRIVING. FURTHER ERROR MESSAGES OCCUR REGARDING LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, USUALLY OCCURRING AT AROUND 5 MPH IN NEIGHBORHOOD.

NHTSA ID 11032621 · filed Oct 10, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 1, 2018

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 · filed Jan 26, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHITTIER CA BRIGHT MOTEL CAR STRUCK [XXX] BROKEN LEG 2 RODS IN LEG HE DROVE BLACK SILVER FORD FOCUS 2014 DMV HINDER ME FROM GETTING A IDENTIFICATION CARD LICENSE NO [XXX] WRECKLESS DRIVER WHITE MAN FROM LONG BEACH APPLE BEES STARBUCKS LONG BEACH CA VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID 10790797 · filed Nov 16, 2015

WAS TAKING OFF FROM WORK - BARELY GOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR CAME UP WITH THE WARNING LIGHT AND SAID TO PULL OVER. BARELY PULLED OVER THE CAR SHUT OFF. DEALER HASN'T REALLY HAD TO WORK ON THEIR ELECTRIC CARS, HAD TO CONTACT THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS OF THE CAR. CAR ALSO DOESN'T GRIP THE ROAD WHEN AT A STOP AND TRYING TO DO A QUICK PULL OUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID 10679733 · filed Jan 29, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHITTIER CA BRIGHT MOTEL CAR STRUCK [XXX] BROKEN LEG 2 RODS IN LEG HE DROVE BLACK SILVER FORD FOCUS 2014 DMV HINDER ME FROM GETTING A IDENTIFICATION CARD LICENSE NO [XXX] WRECKLESS DRIVER WHITE MAN FROM LONG BEACH APPLE BEES STARBUCKS LONG BEACH CA VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID 10790797 · filed Nov 16, 2015

THIS MODEL HAS A "STICKY" STEERING WHEEL THAT WILL NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WITH OUT DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND NEEDS TO BE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. YOU CAN ACTUALLY LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE GOING AROUND A GRADUAL CURVE IN THE ROAD AND THE CAR WILL FOLLOW THE CURVE THE WHOLE WAY WITHOUT BREAKING ITS ARCH. IT ALSO SUFFERS FROM DANGEROUS "TORQUE STEERING" WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE STEERING TO LOSE CONTROL WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AGGRESSIVELY. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC STEERING REACTS POORLY WITH THE REGENERATIVE BREAKING. IF YOU NEED TO BREAK HARD, THE STEERING WILL SWERVE DANGEROUSLY AND INHIBIT DRIVER CONTROL. I'VE APPROACHED FORD ABOUT THIS AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE CAR IS. I'VE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF CAR AND NOT ALL BUT A GOOD PORTION HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ONE MAN EVEN SAID HE'S AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR 1. FOR SAFETY, BUT 2. BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE DRIVING DRUNK BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING JUST TO KEEP THE CAR IN LINE - LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SWERVING. LASTLY, THE MILEAGE THEY SAY YOU CAN GET FROM A CHARGE ISN'T ACCURATE AND THEIR APP DOESN'T WORK IN ALL LOCATIONS. NEITHER OF WHICH THEY DISCLOSED BEFORE I LEASED THIS CAR. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS FORD DOESN'T CARE. I'M HAPPY TO ASSIST YOUR INVESTIGATION IN ANY WAY. THANKS! *TR

NHTSA ID 10705700 · filed Apr 14, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 3, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHITTIER CA BRIGHT MOTEL CAR STRUCK [XXX] BROKEN LEG 2 RODS IN LEG HE DROVE BLACK SILVER FORD FOCUS 2014 DMV HINDER ME FROM GETTING A IDENTIFICATION CARD LICENSE NO [XXX] WRECKLESS DRIVER WHITE MAN FROM LONG BEACH APPLE BEES STARBUCKS LONG BEACH CA VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID 10790797 · filed Nov 16, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .