Five problems related to engine rattling and whining sounds have been reported for the 2014 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2014 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2014 Focus.
Previously, due to the transmission shifting into reverse while the gear selector is in "d" drive, I backed into a female pedestrian hitting her and almost running her over. There are still scratches from her rings on my back bumper. Ford has performed numerous TSB's and recalls to "fix" the issue. Upon the most recent TSB and recall update, I was promised it would take care of any issues, including an issue where the vehicle would shudder and search for a gear before engaging and spinning out from a complete stop. After driving it for 30 miles, I noticed the engine running rough, shaking, and slowing down while in idle. I stopped for a refuel. I got back in the vehicle and calculated my mpg's as I always do - only 19mpg, which Ford says is "within spec" as long as it is not more than 8mpg off. (the on board mpg calculator shows 22. 7mpg - always incorrect). It should be 26city, 36hwy. I placed the gear selector in "d" drive (as was also referenced in the on board screen). Once pressing the accelerator, the vehicle's in dash screen flashed that I was in "r" reverse and the vehicle lurched backwards. I braked, then the engine revved and went automatically back into "d. " I drove 2 blocks, at a speed of 40 mph in "d," it again switched to "r" revving the engine, then slowed to a stop. I pulled over, turned the engine off and waited before turning it back on. The drive home, it would jump between gears "searching. " I let it sit overnight, and today it has not exhibited these actions. I'm uploading a photo showing the car doing 35 in the "r" position with the rpm jumped up to 3500. I was actually going forward. In "r," car should not go over 20mph. This is evidence that it switched mid "d" drive. Also, the tires are starting to form pits and has a circumference of separation/splitting which dealership said is "fine. " this is causing a vibration and whirring noise.
While taking turns at 10 - 15 mph speed and/or while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle gives out a series of rattling noises with the transmission. This seems to occurs at no / partial throttle being applied. At times, while accelerating from stop, the vehicle shatters quite strongly. The shudder is pretty strong when it occurs when accelerating from a stop on an incline.
It started up around 1500 miles. The car would make a sound as if I was dragging plastic under it when I come to a stop or reverse. When I get on the freeway the car would rev to high rpms then it would slip like as if it missed a shift. I have a problem where I come to a stop and the car catches up with itself and lurches forward where I have to slam my breaks. When coming off a stop I really have to put my foot to the pedal to get the car up to 25mph. Seems to be a lack of power. I have taken it in to Ford already, they told me it would take up to 3 days. It was done the same day. They said they had to re-program the system. After they did this it seemed to accel and brake a lot better. It did not fix my grinding/rattling sound in the engine/transmission like I had told them it had. I told them it sounded like a shutter or clutch issue. Every where I look it says they are investigating the problem. They have been for the last 2 years on these models and still nothing. Its coming to a point im afraid to drive it.
I have owned this car for 2 years. I purchased it on 5/3/2014 and took it home to notice 2 days later that the trim of the body frame was coming undone and also the front bumper was detaching (it was parked in my garage). I took it back and got the parts fixed. Then a month later I returned it back to the shop for stalling, hesitation, rpm's going up to 5, vibration of car and got the pcm/tcm reprogrammed. This was all going on while driving down any road and going on the gas from a light/stop sign. I've had the clutch replaced (took 3 months of car in shop to do that). Had the pcm/tcm reprogramed about 8-9 times. My car has been in the shop at least 11 times in the last 2 years. I just picked it up last night for another reprogram of the trans and its still hesitating, has a rattling noise when going on the gas and a very serious shake to the whole car. But I get told the car is fixed or nothing is wrong. Open your eyes because there is definitely something wrong with these cars. . . . . . . . . I have documents and pictures to prove it.
When trying to accelerate from a stop, car shutters. It can happen with using no force on the gas or using full force on the gas. Car shutters and even makes a rattling noise.