2017 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 903 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 18 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Campaign 26V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, oil/lubrication, pumpDec 22, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
Campaign 23V905000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 5, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
Campaign 19V515000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, manual transmissionNov 28, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Campaign 18V845000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherAug 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles. The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear second left side rear seat back as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C13.
Campaign 17V528000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hatchback/liftgate, lockSep 28, 2016
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Campaign 16V698000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
304 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate and idle rough. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2023
The vehicle shakes, stalls shuts off when filling up with gas. Once gas is added, you have to keep the feet on the gas (reveing up to ensure it starts), then drive to get the gas flowing into the engine. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic with an Auto Zone and a mechanic and the codes pulled (more than once) was...P1450 and P2196. This was brought to the attention of dealer at time of purchase and requested another vehicle. They ensured it could be fixed; after another yr. or more now the codes are appearing again. I have dates for repair, but will have to get copies of work completed from the dealer.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Mar 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled approximately seven times in one trip. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Mar 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vapor management valve, part number: BV6Z9D289E, needed to be replaced. However, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 21, 2023
My vehicle has a faulty transmission problem and a fuel problem, The vehicle has been inspected by personal mechanics and CarX, 5 codes have been scanned and confirmed that their are 2 codes for the transmission and 2 codes for the fuel system. Check engine light is on, the vehicle will no longer go into reverse but can continue to go into drive but does not accelerate rpm when accelerating on the gas.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle also failed to shift into reverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who scanned the vehicle who informed her there was small leak in the fuel line. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Power train, Mar 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the RPM’s started fluctuating before lowering and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to regain motive power by excessively depressing the accelerator. The contact was able to drive approximately 5-10 minutes however, while coming to a stop light the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle drove normal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact, a certified mechanic, retrieved a diagnostic trouble code for a malfunctioning EVAP system and that the O2 sensor had malfunctioned. Additionally, the fuel level was elevated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,500.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Mar 6, 2023
I was driving home from my mother's home and the car swerved and was hard to keep control of. The next day I was headed to work and the warning came on that the transmission was too hot. I let it cool down for 15 minutes and the message said it was safe to drive, but the process repeated 4 times.i called for tow to the mechanic and he said it was a transmission control module. The part was on backorder for se eral weeks. When they tried to do the repair it did not work.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 27, 2023
I went to pull into traffic and when I pushed on the gas to hurry it just did a jumping stuttering type of thing. I almost got hit, it’s like it just doesn’t want to engage right away and I don’t know if it’s the clutch or transmission. Hills are also an issue, just jerks and jumps trying to go into a gear. I was told this car would not have the same problem as the previous years but I am very upset and lucky I didn’t get killed. Thank you my number is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after her daughter refueled the vehicle, there was an abnormal rumbling noise detected and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about the codes regarding the canister purge valve. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 18, 2023
Engine light just went on
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Feb 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while shifting from first gear. Additionally, after refueling, the vehicle hesitated to restart. The contact also stated while driving, the transmission was slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that there was an issue with the fuel system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the purge valve being stuck open. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine, Jan 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, he depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The driver attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the brake pedal was rigid and was unable to properly stop the vehicle. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated intermittently. The driver used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jan 21, 2023
Unknown at this moment but I known I have to buy a fuel pump and also now it's something eles is wrong with it and we just got this car 5 months ago and now we don't have no warranty because it passes the warranty date and also we didn't want this car but they did had the car we was approved for
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine camshaft and timing chain had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,642.
Engine, Dec 12, 2022
After a routine oil change i was driving and oil light and engine light suddenly came on. Car then begin to make knocking noise and was towed to local mechanic. Engine is stated to need replacing and car no longer driveable.
Engine, Nov 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after a routine oil change at the local dealer, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was inoperable and was towed to three different independent mechanics; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil belt and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the local dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Engine, Oct 31, 2022
While driving, the ROM is unstable and jumps from 1 to 3 then all the way to zero when pressing the brakes preparing to make a stop. The car then starts to shudder excessively and then basically shuts down in the middle of the highway. The oil and battery light would come on. I would have to quickly place the car in park, and turn the car back on. Once I turn the car on, the oil and battery light turns off and the engine light stays on until it is brought to the ford dealership. This situation has happened about four times. Each time it is an issue with a pressure sensor but when the dealership goes in to check, they don’t find anything wrong. The car had stopped in the middle of the highway multiple times, slips and jerks during the smallest acceleration, and consistently shudders when breaking or idle.
Engine, Oct 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic checked the engine and confirmed that the oil level was not low. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with low oil pressure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine, Aug 19, 2022
So in 2019 or 2020 i honest cant remember because it has happening many times and ive taken it to the dealership and nothing gets done but I had the headgasket recall done on my car. My car is modified and the recall job was still performed. Afterwards i started to experience problems witht the motor. I notice i was loosing oil fast and it was also all over the side of the engine. also when it would be cold and rain, my car would struggle to startup and sometimes the engine would not want to run. the car never threw a code so when i took it back to the dealership they would let it sit, the condensation would disappear and the car would run fine. After spending time on the internet and seeing a couple of other mechanics it came down to the TIMING COVER being install improperly due to the headgasket job performed. TIMING COVER is leaking oil from thetop of the engine which also lets in condisation inside the engine that also gives me problems when it rains. The dealership that worked on the car does not want to fix the issue becasue the car is modified even though its been proven that any modifications will not cause a timing cover to leak oil unless the headgaket job was done impropely. now i am stuck with a bad engine when it was working fine before the recall.
Power train, Engine, Aug 7, 2022
I financed a 2017 Ford Focus se 6 speed manual in March of 2020 (it’s now aug 2022), and about a month ago I was driving a main hwy when I needed to downshift due to traffic. I go to put it in 3rd and instead it slips into 1st. (It’s not suppose to allow you to do that, states in the owners manual bc it’s a safety feature). Meanwhile it is stuck in 1st, redlining, as I’m in the middle of a busy highway unable to do anything. I had to push the car off the road in order to not get hit by oncoming cars. Called Ford, called the dealership, found out there’s a recall on the engine and the transmission but neither of them would Honor the recall. Attorney’s won’t do a thing about it, and now I’m stuck paying $8k on a car I can no longer drive. I promise this is the last time I’ll EVER own a ford.
Power train, Engine, Jul 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the fuel system and fuel tank. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown repair and an unknown software update were completed; however, the vehicle failed to start a month later. The contact later drove the vehicle but the vehicle would not exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed; however, the parts were on national back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Engine, Jun 25, 2022
Have taken in my car 2 times for a clutch repair and it’s still not fixed. It shudders when taking off from a stop. I bought this car in June of 2020. One year later in June of 2021 it needed a new clutch. Then in June of 2022 it went in again for a new clutch. I drove it off the service lot and it was worse then when I dropped it off. I will be returning to ford service center on Monday June 27 2022 to tell them it’s still not fixed. I will be going I. With info that I found on the internet regarding problems with the transmission on the make and model of cars. Thank you Carol Brunson.
Engine, Jun 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a head gasket and engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was no warranty and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine, Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her husband was driving 60 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The driver parked at a nearby gas station; after restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was also illuminated. The contact parked at a nearby parking lot and a bystander who was an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle. The contact was informed that the oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the local dealer the following day. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine, oil pump, and turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.