2014 Ford Focus SE for $7,550… good deal or huge mistake?

Original post was removed, but I was asking if this is a good deal or not.

I wouldn’t take another 2012-2016 Focus even if they gave it to me for free.

Leighton said:
I wouldn’t take another 2012-2016 Focus even if they gave it to me for free.

Why’s that?

Thayer said:

Leighton said:
I wouldn’t take another 2012-2016 Focus even if they gave it to me for free.

Why’s that?

One of the worst transmissions ever made

@Leighton
Damn, that’s rough. Any other hatchbacks that drive like this one but don’t have the same issues? Budget is under $12k.

Thayer said:
@Leighton
Damn, that’s rough. Any other hatchbacks that drive like this one but don’t have the same issues? Budget is under $12k.

Mazda 3.

Leighton said:

Thayer said:
@Leighton
Damn, that’s rough. Any other hatchbacks that drive like this one but don’t have the same issues? Budget is under $12k.

Mazda 3.

Appreciate it, I’ll check it out!

@Leighton
I bought a 2014 Focus in April 2021, and the transmission has been a nightmare. Rattling noises, spent money to fix it multiple times, and now it’s worse than ever. I thought I was just unlucky, but clearly, I’m not alone. Selling this thing ASAP and switching brands. Thanks for the article.

@Drew
They offered me a free transmission control module replacement. Was yours just the TCM failing, or did the whole transmission go bad?

Lane said:
@Drew
They offered me a free transmission control module replacement. Was yours just the TCM failing, or did the whole transmission go bad?

Pretty sure the TCM is backordered with a 50k+ waiting list.

@Robin
Not an issue in middle TN, they’ve got them in stock here.

Lane said:
@Drew
They offered me a free transmission control module replacement. Was yours just the TCM failing, or did the whole transmission go bad?

Happy cake day!

If you really want it, talk them down to $2k and set aside another $3k for when the clutch inevitably fails.

Nope. Just no.

If it’s an automatic, hard pass. Odds are high that you’ll need a major transmission repair at some point.

Ford will charge you $3k-$6k for clutch and fork replacements. Keep that in mind.

Avoid Ford. Had a terrible experience with my 2018 Escape—transmission issues at 50k miles. Get a Honda or Toyota instead.

Nope. Ford knowingly sold defective transmissions in these cars. The new TCM is an improvement, but it doesn’t fix the clutch issues. It’s a shame because I really wanted to love this car.

More info here

I bought my 2014 Focus for $9,500… next day, I had to replace the fuel pump and tank. A month later, the clutch went out. These cars are nothing but trouble, and that’s not even counting the awful TCM issues.

If you’re dead set on getting one, try to get the price down to $3,500 tops. Most 2014s are worth around that much on KBB. The only thing that might add value is if it has a bigger screen, power seats, reverse sensors, or a sunroof, but even that doesn’t make up for the headache.

Edit: Between all the repairs, I basically paid $11k for a car worth $3,500. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

@Vesper
That sounds brutal. Sorry you went through that, but I really appreciate the warning. I think I’ll pass on this one and look for something else.