2014 Ford Focus Brake Problems

32 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2014 Ford Focus to NHTSA — 1% of all 2,604 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 42,000 miles. That ranks #7 of 20 Focus model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 20). No brake recall has been issued for this model year.

32complaints
42ktypical miles
0related recalls
8crashes
0fires
5injuries

Which parts fail

  • Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light
    1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    835%
  • 25k–50k
    626%
  • 50k–75k
    417%
  • 75k–100k
    313%
  • 100k–150k
    14%
  • 150k+
    14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated before shifting to the next gear and jolted into gear while upshifting. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic lights, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was warmed up, and attempting to shift to reverse(R), the transmission failed to respond. The contact had to wait for the transmission temperature to drop and then shift into reverse(R). The ABS, ESC, and transmission warning lights were illuminated, and the message "Hill Start Assist Unavailable" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while the A/C was activated, there was water accumulating in the passenger's side footwell, causing the carpet to become saturated. …

53,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "hill assist not available" appeared on the instrument panel. There were several unknown warning lights along with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced however, the parts for the repair were not available. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who provided the same diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light · 46,000 miles · Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated the clutch had been replaced on several occasions. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign the vehicle hesitated to come to a full stop. Additionally, under rainy conditions, the vehicle failed to fully respond to the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

90,000 miles · Feb 2024

I'm being persecuted by Ford Motor. I purchased a 2014 Ford Focus SE Jan. 26th 2018 from Rocco Degregorio at 6701 Essington Ave. told no recalls or safety issues.The car was brought back next day, driving improperly. Many problems found, was told all fixed.The car malfunctioned April 23rd 2018 accelerating forward disabling me for life! UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. Former attorneys, Rosenbaum &Associates mishandled my case, filed suit in 2020. Honorable Judge New gave me a stay. I'm representing myself for justice, in severe pain & more needed surgery.I have documents to prove all I say. How can I face trial alone?! I suffer physically, emotionally,financially going without medical supplies, medication. I pay $209.97 a mo.for a car that almost killed me, sits at auto collision where malfunction codes were obtained since 2018 to date, its evidence. …

Apr 2018 · crash · 1 injury

POWER STEERING ASSIST, FAILURE: ENGINE FAILURE TO START: POWER BRAKE ASSIST, FAILURE: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FAILURE: CLUTCH FAILURE AND SHIFT ROUGHNESS:. CAR UNUSEABLE FOR THREE YEARS WITHOUT BECAUSE OF PARTS INAVAILABILITY: This type even happened mutiple times because of the transmission control module failure. The first sign of problems was shuddring and rough shifting beginning with about 30,000 miles on the vehicle Multiple trips to the Ford Dealerships resulted in Unsatisfactory action by Ford Motor company to repair the problem The result was safety problems like stalling and losing power steering and brake assist in traffic. It displayed multiple system failure warnings when it failed, Steering asist, Brake assist, ABS, transmission position light was in park while driving. …

169,000 miles · Jul 2020

issues with (i'm guessing transmission) vehicle lurching forward when applying brakes, as if brakes aren't being applied at all. I was in traffic and trying to stop, and multiple times while my car tried to switch gears it lurched me forward and almost into the car in front of me. I'm now having to double following space between me and vehicles because I can't predict when the lurching will overpower my brakes. Unknown what is actually causing it as dealers are booked a bit far out and I'm waiting for my appointment to bring it in.

Jun 2024

When I first purchased the car I had issues from the start. I would press on the gas and the car would hesitate to go forward and then jerk. It felt like I was driving a manual car but I had an automatic. I found out that there was a recall on the car for this specific reason. I took the car to my local Ford dealer in clarksville in and had to wait over 3 weeks for the part to come in. I was not offered a loaner car or anything. Once I got the part it was OK for like literally maybe 1 or 2 months and the issues arose again. I took the car back and was told it was the last time I would be able to get the issue fixed for free. This all happened in 2016. It is now 2019 and I am still having the same issues. Also the passenger side seatbelt works intermittently. And the car doors do not always latch tightly when you shut the door. …

36,000 miles · Jun 2016 · crash

My 2014 Ford Focus hatchback has had concerning safety issues due to the dual-clutch automatic transmission since I bough the car brand new in January 2015. When I try to accelerate driving down the street and on the highway my car lurches multiple times and I'm unable to accelerate. This has almost caused many car accidents and terrifies me every time I drive.the lurching has also loosened parts of my car and feels like parts of my car could fall off at anytime. My engine also has issues and I've had to stop on the side of the road at least twice now due to the engine overheating. I have never felt safe driving this car. I've taken it into the dealership many times since the first week I bought the car complaining about the transmission and the employees kept telling me that they couldn't do anything about it. …

0 miles · Jan 2015 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning when the brake pedal was depressed and caused a crash. The contact drove into a ditch and the vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,000.

50,000 miles · Oct 2015 · crash

Traveling straight on the toll road at 70mph (speed limit) with the cruise control on the back end of the vehicle started fish tailing and went out of control into a guardrail which total the vehicle. The vehicle was just purchased a month prior. I will submit photos and documents on request.

11,000 miles · Dec 2014 · crash

Brake complaints in other Focus years

’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18242419972624030142013911561243210131121
Brake complaints per model year, Ford Focus.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2014 Ford Focus?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 2,604 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Focus brake problems?

No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2014 Ford Focus, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2014 Ford Focus brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.