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: fuel/propulsion system
117 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 19, 2023
My vehicle has had some trouble turning over recently and my check engine light came on shortly after. I ran a diagnostic and was given the code P1450 and who's symptoms were in line with what my car has experienced. I see that there was a recall for other 2012-2018 Ford Focuses with identical problems with my car also having a 2.0 liter GDI engine and was manufactured in the Michigan Ford plant prior to February 2 2018 (the Ford employee I spoke to confirmed that my Focus was built in January of 2017). My car has yet to stall or fail to turn over completely but the problem is becoming more frequent and I believe that my vehicle is one that should have been part of the recall as I'm experiencing identical problems and my vehicle meets the criteria for other vehicles that were part of the recall.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 6, 2023
The recall that Ford has out on Focus’s between 2012-2018 is exactly the problems my 2017 ford focus is having, where it stalls constantly and won’t turn on after. I’ve tried filing with only premium gas, keeping my tank full and it is still happening. I’ve had my vehicle towed multiple times. I’ve had the canister purge valve replaced and am still having issues.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 16, 2023
The purge valve keeps failing causing hard starts and uneven pressure in the fuel tank
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2023
I took my vehicle to have the recall repaired they did not fix all the issues with the recall as soon as I picked it up it broke down again. They are now charging me for a diagnostic test that I did not ask for they told me the problem they think it is which is covered by the recall but now they refuse to work on my car. The service manager is rude and unprofessional cussing at me and my husband on the phone. Now I'm stuck with a car that doesn't work and they are refusing to replace parts that are covered under the recall.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2023
Car stutters when accelerating, has very low idle to the point of feeling like stalling, Car has stalled after filling up with fuel. The code that the car is giving is P1450 "Unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum"
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2023
My car does not turn on immediately after filling my gas tank. The entire car stutters and shakes when I accelerate from a stop. My car is running the fault codes P1450 and P0420, so there is excessive vacuum in my fuel tank/EVAP and low catalyst system efficiency due to the problems with the exhaust or fuel system. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety is out at risk because my car could stall while driving and not start up again, leading to a possible crash. It will be confirmed by a dealer tomorrow, and has not been inspected yet. I have a check engine light and running those codes. The problem progressed from stuttering when accelerated to the vehicle not being able to turn on when filled with gas.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2023
Driving 75mph down the frontage road. The car just stopped. No warning no lights just a violent stop. If there were cars behind us or we were on the highway we could be dead right now!! It stopped no lights took us 2 hrs to get the car home with a no service area. It was clicking in the engine. After it was parked for hrs. This is the second time in 7 months this car has had a serious manufacturer problem! It is unsafe and I will never drive it again!!! Bad for having only 63,000 miles on it!! I got it with 52,000 miles and it broke down instantly with a transmission problem. Was in the shop for 4 months and now this. Dangerous
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2023
Driving on 2 lane, car suddenly went dead at 60 mph . Able to get off road. Cranked back up. Checked for code and fuel tank had vacuum lock. Checked with ford. There is a recall on that but not my vin number. Took to Ford garage x4 paid eval. Fee of $159 twice to diagnose. No success. They replace fuel door and clutch total bills approx $500. Last failed attempt to fix the problem revealed more trouble... back end was swerving and jerking.. felt out of control. Somehow when the clutch wS changed out the rear shocks and front struts were busted. And No I didn't take it back after that. Why does mt car show recall code is problem yet vin not covered and garage tries to fix everything but the recall prob and makes everything worse. I do not have the money to throw into these "fixes" I an disabled on tight budget. This is a problem that began on the assembly line at time vehicle was manufactured. I bought I n good faith and ended up with a lemon.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 20, 2023
2017 Ford Focus; CNP valve issues; previous Safety Recall 19S22 was issued in 2019. The dealership where car was purchased performed recall; deformation of tank in Nov 2019. The 2017 Ford Focus never really idled very well even after recall was performed by dealership in 2019, as well as; increased RPM and sluggish at acceleration. Then early June 2023 fuel gauge was reading 44 miles to empty; so stopped to fill gas tank. Turned car off completely had keys in pocket; immediately after filling the gas tank the Ford Focus would not start; eventually able to start vehicle by continuous attempts and then finally punching the gas pedal once car was started kept car running for at least 40 minutes. Performed OBD scan shortly after which gave error code PO456. Recall 19S22 clearly states that a OBD scan of PO456 could very well be a CNP valve issue. Contacted dealership and made appt for 6/20/2023; at which time the dealership stated that recall has already been performed for the 2017 Ford Focus in Nov 2019. Contacted Ford Motor Company; who then stated that they are aware of the CNP issue but since there is no current recall that they are not liable and to contact NHTSA.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2023
Car is now shutting off while driving. It shut off on me 3 times almost causing several accidents. I called a Ford dealership about current recall and was told I would be charged for a diagnostic and have to pay out of pocket
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2023
This regards my 2017 Ford Focus. The car is 6 years old, I am still making payments on it, has a little over 50,000 miles on it, has been maintained by Ford every year since I bought it, and the transmission and extended warranty had just expired about 2 months ago. A few weeks ago, I'm driving down the freeway around 1pm Pacific, traveling about 60mph when the engine seemed to 'seize up', the engine light came ON, the car jerked several times creating a severely dangerous driving hazard as I tried to keep it under control. It slowly began losing speed, so I made my way off the freeway and made my way to the Ford dealer who had been maintaining the car. It felt like the car was going to stall any minute so I'm lucky I got to the dealer. It took them a few days to get back to me, and they then told me the entire engine and 'boost system' needed to be replaced at a cost of approx. $7,000 (probably just to get another defective engine). They tried to work with Ford to get some financial assistance since this is obviously a defective car, but Ford refused.The dealer suggested I call Ford, so I did, and spoke with a rep and a supervisor on May 22, told them their car was defective and my life had been put in danger, and they both told me they wouldn't help in any way. As I write this, the dealer has ordered parts and am awaiting repairs. I will have been without a car for 3 weeks, paying for Lyft and borrowing cars to get to work. I understand there's a class action lawsuit (Barnes et al vs Ford, US District Court of Delaware Case 1:22-cv-00823). Ford should buy my car back.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2023
The 2017 ford focus had a 2nd engine installed by ford dealer in April '21 at 56,000 miles due to engine malfunction and seizing. The same thing happened three weeks ago at only 38,000 miles on the new engine. The car would not accelerate then all of the lights came on and stalled. Can not drive.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2023
The vehicle kept getting slower and slower was not able to use six gear had a hard time going up hills would lose its power engine light came on when I would get gas the car would not start afterwards went to a dealership on 5/6/20-23 and found out there were three codes that came up one was for a misfire detected on startup another was unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum and a third was internal controls model sstart stop performance.
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/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2023
Upon stopping to fill up with gas once the gas tank is either full or not all the way full, the car has trouble starting and will stall. The vehicle will begin to run after pressing the gas pedal multiple times with the ignition still on. The check engine light is illuminated. I was made aware of a previous recall that I feel my car should’ve been involved in. The approximate mileage is 95000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2023
Vehicle stalls after filling tank up with gas either to a full tank or less than a full tank. Vehicle throws code for EVAP issue as well as manufacturer control. Took to a mechanic where I was told there were multiple issues with the fuel system that needed to be replaced.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2023
Ever since purchasing this vehicle 2nd hand, it has had "Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low" and "Lost Communication with Fuel Pump Control Module" intermittently. Attempted to fix with a mechanic, had fuel control module replaced. It occurred again, so had fuel pump replaced. It still randomly stalls out, leaving us in danger on the roadway. Pulling into traffic can be dangerous, since a stall-out would guarantee a collision with on-coming traffic. Engine light stays on when it stalls, eventually will start again, and light disappears. This has been an ongoing problem over the last 2 years. Vehicle can only be used for local driving in the event of being stranded, sometimes on a monthly basis. Recently now, the Transmission Control Module has stopped working and needs to be replaced (as of 3/6/23). Mechanic says these parts are on backorder for 1+ years.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2023
Service engine light is on and code reader indicates the Canister purge valve is malfunctioning causing excessive vacuum in the fuel management system. Ford has recalled certain 2012-2018 Ford focus vehicles for this. Recall is 18S32. My vin is not on their list for a recall but obviously should have been. Car idles rough and after refueling is hard to start... I have to try 3 or 4 time before it starts.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2022
Check engine code shows on dash, when checked by mechanic it leads to faulty canister purge valve. The vehicle shutters and stalls intermittently.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2022
Purge valve failure causing stalling
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2022
Stalling out repeatedly while driving since I have purchased the car. No issues being read on any code readers. Has happened 12 times in 2 years. Plenty of fuel. Replaced battery even when battery was okay. And has been towed to dealership multiple times. No reason given. No warning lights at all. Now finally I have been given a code after 2 years that there is a very small evap leak. Which the repair shop has informed me is a common issue with this car. Because of this. My car risks stalling out even while driving down the highway when I have plenty of fuel in the tank.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 25, 2022
EVAP EMISSION PURGE VALVE FORD HAS A RECALL BUT VIN.NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2022
What caused me to realize my car had safety issues was roughly 6 months ago when my car died at the pump after turning on. It chugged for a good 3 seconds as the dash lights flickered and it stalled. I was able to just turn it off and restart it after 2+ tries, and I wondered if It was too hot or if I put premium in, just playing it off. I thought I let the car get too low on E too, so I didn't think too much about it at the time as it didn't seem to happen for quite some time again. I filled my car all the way full at the first occurrence and mcurrently gets 29.8mpg. It started being consistently a problem when I started to refill on half a tank of gas or lower. The car starts to work harder and you can feel it wanting to die while I'm driving. The battery light does not stay on or come on the dash after the car starts so I know it wasn't the alternator at the time either. I was parked on a slight incline at under a quarter tank and I had to put my car in neutral and roll start it. It wasn't drastic or anything but the car was being weird and idling hard, but my RPMs stayed at normal levels. It just was shaking after starting. That's when I realized that the gasoline tank was not only having issues after I pumped gas. My check engine finally came on and a valve sensor for the gas tank was signaled. The car seems to run harder after starting up and it finally died on me while I was parked and idling. The battery was replaced at 55,643, mi.; Check engine light signaled at 53,000 roughly. - The car is available upon request. - I currently own a 2017 Ford focus & I bought it certified used from a Dodge dealership in Northern Kentucky. - It didn't signal any warning lamps or other signs of failure until it hit 5 y.o. and after I refueled my tank. I started to panic because I was going to be late for work and I had no time for this. -My car has been serviced twice to confirm diagnosis; Once for a simple oil change & code reader, and then at a certified local repair.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2022
Recalled for fuel system issue. Issue was fixed at dealership. The issue still persists even after problem was “fixed” at ford dealership. Gas is not getting to the engine.