Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
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 the driver's side door was not closing properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that there were two other open unknown recalls on the vehicle related to the transmission control module failure and the fuel tank deformation. The contact stated that the recall repairs were completed however, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would stall and shift gears independently while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the parts for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the parts for the repair were not available and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to shudder and lose power. The contact pulled to the side of the road. While driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact was able to get the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that parts would not be available for another 6 months. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving the vehicle would not exceed 45 MPH. The RPM would rev up however, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon attempting to close the driver's side rear door, the door failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door latch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 111,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the front driver's side door independently opened. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door opened independently while driving at an undisclosed speed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). Additionally, after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that once she made it home, the vehicle would fail to start up without being jumpstarted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic on several occasions and the alternator, relay sensors, oxygen flow sensor, thermostat, and two separate batteries were replaced. …
When driving at about 20 MPH both the front and rear passenger doors flew open. The warning light had come on 1 minute before this occurred. No other warnings or issues had been had with the doors to show this was going to happen. This is extremely dangerous!!! I was about to enter the highway. Imagine what could have happened if this occurred on the highway and a high speed??!! And the impact on children in the car???!!! And everyone else on the road...it could have caused a major accident impacting many innocent lives traveling on the highway! This vehicle has been inspected at Northside Ford of San Antonio where they confirmed the latch assembly FAILED. (This latch assembly has been recalled TWICE, and replaced TWICE) Clearly, it has NOT been fixed properly. Ford refuses to cover this expense. They are putting many at danger, as this latch system is STILL FAULTY. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, all four doors opened, prompting the driver to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where he became aware of the failure to securely lock the doors. The door-ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Truck latch is worn down and does not work properly you have to slam truck to close and push. When opening truck you have to push down on truck to open. Back up camera does not work and wiring is messed up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. The driver was unable to exit the vehicle because the doors failed to open and was pulled out from the window. The driver sustained neck, back, stomach, leg, and knee injuries that required medical attention. The driver later died due to the injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to sound Ford (located at 101 sw grady way, renton, wa 98057, [phone]), but the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The body damage was repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.
Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
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.
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…
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2014 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2014 Ford Focus, 2% of the model year's 2,604 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Focus door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-331 (latch, Jun 8, 2020); NHTSA recall 16V-698 (lock, Sep 28, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-643 (latch, Sep 6, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Focus door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to locks & latches 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.