2014 Ford Focus Clutch Replacement Cost

Replacing your  2014 Ford Focus clutch can cost from $700 to over $4,000, depending on the type of transmission your vehicle has.
Written by Jennifer Justice
Reviewed by Claire Beaney
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If you need to replace the clutch for your 2014 Ford Focus, a manual transmission can cost between $700 and $1,000, while a dual-clutch automatic transmission can go as high as $4,000.
If you want an American-made vehicle with a manual transmission, the 2014 Ford Focus gives you that option. This hatchback or sedan can have a manual or automatic transmission, and you can choose your driving style and body type, offering tons of customization possibilities.
Unfortunately, the 2014 Ford Focus was one of several models that ran into major clutch issues—and if you own this vehicle, chances are pretty good that you’ve run into problems with the clutch yourself.
If you're a dedicated owner of a 2014 Focus, you should know more about clutch replacement costs and warning signs. Let’s go over all the details you need to help you keep your 2014 Focus on the road.
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How much does it cost to replace a clutch in a 2014 Ford Focus? 

While there will be some variation in how expensive your 2014 Ford Focus repair is based on the labor cost for where you live and which mechanic you use, the average price is between $700 and $1,000.
The replacement part cost depends on whether you need a dual-clutch or not. You can use an OEM
Focus clutch kit (part number 7L596)
, which is about $234 to $260. Manufacturers like LuK® from CARiD offer
OEM 2014 Ford Focus clutch kits
. If you need a
dual-clutch for an automatic transmission
, that is going to be higher at a starting price of $600.
It will be harder to find an aftermarket option for a clutch repair compared to something like your wiper blades. If you go with an aftermarket manufacturer instead of an OEM part, do your research ahead of time to make sure it fits your 2014 Focus.
How much you spend on labor depends on whether you go with a Ford dealership or an independent mechanic. Since this is a known issue for any Ford Focus manufactured between 2012–2016, your local Ford dealer has repair technicians who are familiar with the problem and trained to work on Fords. 
However, you might find a lower price if you go with an independent mechanic—just look for one who has a good record with transmission repair.

What is a clutch? 

Okay, so what does a clutch do? It’s a key part for any vehicle, though vehicles with manual transmission usually run into problems with the clutch, like the 2014 Focus.
The clutch is part of the powertrain, which transfers power from the engine to the transmission in a controlled way, then turns the shaft that turns the wheels. You need different gears based on speed so the motor doesn’t burn everything out by always running everything at the highest setting. 
The clutch allows the connecting shafts (metal bars) between the engine and the transmission to temporarily separate when you change gears to minimize wear and tear.
Two discs come into contact to transfer the energy from the engine to the transmission—the flywheel connects to the engine, while the clutch plate is connected to the transmission. The friction of the two being pushed together helps the engine move its energy into the transmission and turn a series of shafts, which create the motion to make the wheels turn.
The flywheel and clutch plate use springs to either push the two discs closer to spin together or push them apart to create the space needed to shift gears without harming everything. You control this process with the clutch – when you press down on the clutch pedal, it separates the flywheel and clutch plate.
Since all this requires metal parts to come into contact at high speeds, the friction created adds to the wear and tear on the parts. A big reason clutches need to be repaired is that the friction material on the clutch plate wears down, a lot like what happens to brake pads.
Other reasons your clutch might need repairs include:

What are the symptoms of a 2014 Ford Focus clutch problem? 

Since the 2014 Ford Focus has a known problem with clutch failure, you want to watch out for the following:
  • A spongy clutch – you have to push the pedal down farther to get it to engage
  • The pedal takes longer to pop back up or even gets stuck
    after you take your foot off the clutch
  • You hear a grinding sound while changing gears
  • You notice a burning smell
  • The engine either jerks or revs suddenly when changing gears
If you have questions about your clutch or the gear system, take your 2014 Focus to a Ford dealer or a mechanic to get your vehicle checked.

Is it safe to drive with a bad clutch? 

Short answer – no. Once a clutch starts to fail, it can take only a few days or even hours to break completely. Remember that a clutch is an important part of your engine system, so once you can’t switch gears properly, you won’t be able to drive.
Get your 2014 Focus checked immediately if you suspect problems with the clutch or you might get stranded.

How long should a 2014 Ford Focus clutch last? 

Most of the time, a clutch should be good for 80,000 to 100,000 miles, and it can even last beyond that. 
Unfortunately, the 2014 Ford Focus was part of the 2012-2016 batch of vehicles with known problems with the clutch. This most often came from the DPS6 dual-clutch PowerShift transmission, which uses a
“dry clutch”
option that was cheap to make but also created a faulty product. The clutch failure rate was so bad that it led to a class action lawsuit and a federal investigation.
That means you might already be familiar with clutch problems. If your 2014 Ford Focus has an automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT), you need to keep an eye on things. Unfortunately, a DCT replacement can cost more than $4,000.

2014 Ford Focus clutch recalls

As an owner of a 2014 Focus, if you have a
manual transmission
and 1.0-liter Fox GTDI engine, you’re affected by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall. The 
Campaign Number 18V845000 for “Transmission Clutch Slip and Fluid Leak” could apply to your Focus, especially if you have a
Focus SE
model. Your clutch could fracture and make your transmission assembly leak.
Since about 3,000 cars were tied to the recall, you want to find out if your 2014 Ford Focus is one of them. It will be a potentially expensive fix, but since it makes a difference between being able to drive your car or your Focus ending up as a lawn ornament, you have to decide how important your 2014 Focus is to you and whether you want to shell out the money.
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