Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words
Unable to control vehicle in light rain conditions. Steering took me straight off the highway into a steel wire fence. Totalled the car with massive front end damage. Seat belt did not lock. Knocked window out with head during impact. The ONLY airbag to deploy was the knee airbag, shooting the hard plastic straight into my kneecap.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver's side air bag erroneously deployed. The contact stated that no collision had occurred to cause the air bag to deploy. During the failure, the driver sustained a neck injury that required medical treatment. A Police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 84,000.
mY TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS IN TRAFFIC AND FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE .WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. NOW THEY SAY IT IS UNDSER RECALL . THAT IT HAS BEEN FIXED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD FOCUS THAT SHE PURCHASED FROM PACIFICO FORD, INC.(6701 ESSINGTON AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153). SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING SOON AFTER PURCHASE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND AFTER A WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A BARRIER AND FLIPPED OVER INTO SLOPE AND LANDED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED BY A BYSTANDER AND WAS TAKEN OUT OF HER VEHICLE. THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL TO BE TREATED FOR HER INJURIES. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS TREATED FOR A CONCUSSION, FOUR DIFFERENT BRAIN INJURIES, A BROKEN NECK, A BROKEN UPPER AND MIDDLE BACK, A BROKEN LEFT HIP DISC, AND A BROKEN LEFT KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THERE POSSESSION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
THE AIRBAG SIGN COMES ON AND THERE IS NOTHING WE WITH THE VEHICULAR, IT ALSO STATES THE SAFEBELT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED
30 MPH CAR CRASH, IN A CITY ENVIRONMENT. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELTS LOCK DURING HARD BRAKING, AS I CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. MY BODY WENT FORWARD AND MY HEAD STRUCK THE STREERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION. I PROVIDED A PHOTO OF THE CRASH AND HAVE MORE INCLUDING PHOTOS OF INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND LEFT US STUCK ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THE INCIDENT THE CAR HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO TOOK TO FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED MAKING A COMPLAINT.
HELLO, TODAY I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HYDROPLANED AND WENT INTO A GUIDE RAIL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 50MPH. MY FRIEND AND I ARE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR BACKS AND NECKS AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE FIRST TIME WASN'T LIFE THREATENING BUT THIS ONE WAS. I DON'T HAVE ANY RECOLLECTION OF THE ACCIDENT AND I AM NOT ABLE TO REMEMBER MUCH OF YESTERDAY EITHER. I FEEL LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE BEFORE MY ACCIDENT DUE TO MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT FLICKERING ON AND OFF BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND NOW THIS HAPPENING. PLEASE CONTACT ME BACK ON MY COURSE OF ACTION ON WHAT I SHOULD TAKE. THANKS, SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY APPROACHING AN EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WENT COMPLETELY BLANK AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO APPLY AND THE CONTACT CROSSED OVER FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A MEDIAN. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH AFTER IT HAPPENED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
MY 2014 FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION GETS HOT AND IS NOT CHANGING GEAR WHILE DRIVING AFTER I GOT IT FROM THE FORD DEALER SERVICE CENTER IN GA 01/2018. IT WON'T START BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION GETS HOT SO I HAVE TO LET IT COOL DOWN BEFORE I CAN CRANK IT. IT CUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE BOUGHT A FRONT AND REAR DASH CAM TO RECORD AND UPLOAD LIVE VIDEO AND AN ADDITIONAL CAM TO FOR DASHBOARD TO SHOW THE RED (I) LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT THAT REMAINS ON WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAD A NEW BATTERY, TCM MODULE, CLUTCH AND CLUTCH MOTOR PUT ON 12/2017, BUT I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, IT WON'T BACK UP HILLS, IT LOOSES SPEED, DON'T CHANGE GEARS, AGAIN, I JUST GOT IT OUT THE SHOP!!! I HAVE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE, SO I AM VIDEOING EVERY TRIP IN CASE THE WHILETHE CAR IS JUMPING GEAR OR TRANSMISSION GETS HOT AND CAR TURN OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING , I CAN HAVE AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH. I HOPE THAT THE OVERHEATING DOESN'T CAUSE A FIRE, BUT, IF THAT HAPPENS,IT WOULD BE RECORDED ON MY DASHCAM AND I WILL POST IN SOCIAL MEDIA.
THE 2014 FORD FOCUS HAS SEVERAL ISSUES. THE POWER SHIFT TRANSMISSION IS A COMPLETE DISASTER. IT JERKS, BUCKS, SHUDDERS, DELAYS SHIFTING, AND HAS AN ERRATIC SHIFTING PATTERN. THE UNEVEN AND ERRATIC SHIFTING CAUSES GAS MILEAGE TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 20 MPG AND 28 MPG.(ACTUAL NOT AVERAGE-AVERAGE IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 23 AND 25 MPG). THERE IS NEVER BETTER GAS MILEAGE THAN 28 MPG. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 4 CYLINDER VEHICLE THAT IS ADVERTISED AS 33 AVERAGE MPG. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME REGISTERING, FILING FOR, AND DOCUMENTING NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AND EVENTUAL ARBITRATION. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII, WHERE I LIVE. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND I HAVE TO RENT A CAR EVERY TIME I TAKE THE FOCUS IN FOR REPAIRS. FORD HAS REPLACED THE CLUTCH WHICH HAS IMPROVED THE SHIFTING TO SOME DEGREE, BUT NOT MITIGATED THE PROBLEMS, COMPLETELY. THE CAR IS GOING IN FOR A THIRD EVALUATION AS IT IS STILL STAYING IN FIRST GEAR FOR AN INAPPROPRIATELY LONG TIME AND BUCKING AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT FORD REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. SO FAR, SO BAD. THE "DEAL" FORD OFFERED ME WAS NOTHING, AFTER I FILED MY PAPERWORK. I AM WAITING TO BE ASSIGNED AN ARBITRATOR, BUT THAT HAS BEEN STALLED BY A THIRD PARTY IN COLORADO, WHO WANTS THE RULES OF ARBITRATION CHANGED. I HAVE READ THE ENTIRE ARBITRATION DOCUMENT AND IT FAVORS FORD, OF COURSE. HOWEVER, IF THEY OFFER TO REPURCHASE OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD BE AGREEABLE TO THAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MORE THE COLORADO PEOPLE WANT, BUT IT IS STALLING ALL OF US WAITING FOR OUR CHANCE AT ARBITRATION. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STUCK WITH THIS MAJOR LEMON VEHICLE, WHICH, IS COVERED UNDER HAWAII'S LEMON LAW AS WELL. FORD MANUFACTURED A SUB-STANDARD VEHICLE AND NEEDS TO TAKE IT BACK.
AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP WHO STATES IT'S NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY DESPITE PURCHASING EXTENDED WARRANTY GOOD FOR 125K MILES OR 7 YEARS. DIAGNOSIS IS THE "PIGTAIL KIT" NEEDS REPLACED. THEY STATED SINCE IT'S AN "ELECTRICAL" ISSUE AND NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE ACTUAL AIRBAGS, IT'S NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE BASICALLY MEANS THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW WHEN TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY "COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON DURING THE TIME THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP."
WHILE DRIVING HOME THROUGH THE VILLAGE AT UNDER 30MPH, SLOWING DOWN FROM 30MPH BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC STOP AHEAD, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE CRASHED DOWN AND CONTROL WAS LOST CAUSING ME TO SIDESWIPE PARKED VEHICLE. THE PIECES OF THE FRONT END APPEAR TO HAVE FAILED AND WERE FALLING ALL OVER THE ROAD.
2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *LD UPDATED 05/1/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AFTER BEING DRIVEN OVER AN ICY SURFACE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BOTTOM AIR BAG DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE TOP DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND A FOOT INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEARS LOSE POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND STOPS COMPLETELY WHEN THAT HAPPENS DEALERSHIP REPLACES TCM TWICE AND CLUTCH ONCE BUT THE JERKING GEARS SLIPPING OUT AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED ALSO MY A/C LINES HAVE HAD HOLES RUBBED INTO THEM FROM SERPENTINE BELT ANOTHER PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL THE SYNC AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING AT 30000 MILES WAS FIXED UNDER WARRENTY AND STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AT 70000 MILES TOLD NOT UNDER WARRENTY ANY MORE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OUT OF NOWHERE THE SPEAKERS WILL CRACK AT FULL VOLUME STARTLING DRIVER. ANOTHER PROBLEM AT 40000 MILES A CAR PULLES INTO MY PATH CAUSING ME TO SLAM INTO THE SIDE OF THERE CAR AT 45 MPH WITH NO TIME TO STOP MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO SMASH FACE OF WINDSHIELD AND SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED TOLD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THE CAR HAS A SMART AIRBAG THAT CALCULATES THE RATE OF DECELERATION OF WHEN TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS NOT SURE HOW 45 MPH TO 0MPH IS NOT ENOUGH DECELERATION.
2014 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FOUR VEHICLE COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH, THE CONTACT PAYING ATTENTION TO 3 PEDESTRIANS, A MOTHER AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, WHEN A VEHICLE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY BUT THE KNEE BOLSTER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT TENSIONER ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT BREAST CAUSED BY THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT THAT RETRACTED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GATE COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. *SM
GOING LESS THAN 10 MPH THE CAR WAS MAKING A WIDE TURN ON MY STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE WHEN FOCUS ACCELERATED AND WENT THROUGH A WIRE FENCE, TAKING DOWN A METAL STAKE, OVER LIMESTONE BOULDERS BEFORE HITTING A TREE, STUMPS, AND BUSHES ON MY PROPERTY. AIR BAGS DID NOT EMPLOY. WINDSHIELD TOTALLY SHATTERED WITH HOLES FROM TREE BRANCHES. BODY OF CAR SEVERELY DAMAGED IF NOT TOTALED. INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL DETERMINE ON WEDNESDAY 9/28/2016
FOCUS 2014 BEEN IN THE DEALER SHIP IN FAIRFAX..TED'S FOR OVER A MONTH NOW .I CALLED 4 TIMES AND NO ONE ANSWERS MY CALLS OR RETURN THEM...I DON'T NEED THE CAR ANY MORE SINCE I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE..I SHAKES WHEN EVER YOU IT STARTS MOVING VERY VIOLENTLY AND CONSTANTLY STALL FOR NO REASON IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND HAVE SOME SOUNDS THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO BREAK...THE SEAT BELT DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME OR THE AIR BAGS OFFEN START BEEPING ON THE DASH BORD...IT'S BEEN A REALLY RUFF RIDE FOR A CAR THAT HAS LESS THEN 30000 LIMES ON IT...IT'S BEEN A REAL PROBLEM AND HEADACHE SINCE I GOT IT...RETURNED IT TO CHECK FEW TIME BUT NOTHING...CAN THEY PAY FOR MY CAR VALUE??? OR MY LAON??
MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND CURRENTLY HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG HOUSING WAS LOOSED AND HAS PLAY ON IT, WHEN REPORTED TO A FORD DEALER IN MERCED CA, I WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION, IT SLIPS. I RECENTLY RECIEVED NOTICES IN THE MAIL FROM 3RD PARTY LAWYERS STATING THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS, AND "SHUTTERING" MAY ALSO APPEAR. THE LOWER ARM, ROTOR HOUSING WAS RECENTLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE BEARINGS FAILING DUE TO "FREEZING UP." FORD REPRESENTATIVES ARE DOWN PLAYING THE SHUTTERING AND SAYING IT IS DUE TO A PROGRAM ISSUE, AND "WHEN" IT OCCURS, TO BRING IT IN.
AUGUST 28, 2015. WHILE HEADING WESTBOUND ON A TRAVELED HIGHWAY; A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE WESTBOUND CAR AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEREIN, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK. VEHICLE WAS DOING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
THE ISSUE I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH IS MY AIR BAG IN THE DRIVE SIDE SEAT, THEY REPLACED IT TWO MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS AGAIN SHOWING UP. IF THERE ARE ANY BUYERS OF THE 2014 FORD FOCUS AND YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE NOTIFY THE NHTSA OF THE ISSUE SO THEY CAN USE THE INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SAFETY SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, JUMPED A CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SAFETY BELT FAILED TO LATCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V005000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO NOT BEING AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES AND CURRENTLY HAS AN UMBILICAL HERNIA. THE CONTACT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
WHILE I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC MY 2014 FORD FOCUS WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CURL THE TRUNK UP TO BEHIND THE BACK SEAT, EXPOSING THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED UNDER THE TRUNK. THE IMPACT DROVE MY CAR INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THROUGH ALL OF THIS NOT A SINGLE AIR BAG IN THE CAR DEPLOYED. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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