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
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2019
THE CAR STARTS FINE AND WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHTS JUST STALLS OUT OR WILL BARELY DRIVE AS IF THERE IS NO GAS IN THE CAR. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 18, 2019
TAMARA RECALL TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH SYSTEM ARE AFFECTING DRIVING CAPABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE ABILITIES. IMPROPERLY SHIFTING, WEAR AND TEAR ON TIRES, NOT ONE TIRE IS ORIGINAL AND CAN'T AFFORD TIRES EVERY 6 MONTHS. ISSUES OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, CLIMBING HILLS, DRIVING IN TRAFFIC INSIDE CITY LIMITS
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2019
MY CAR WAS AT A STANDSTILL AND MY CAR STUTTERED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO FALL OUT, I TALK WITH KEVIN AT LIBERTY FORD IN AURORA OHIO AND HE SAID DIDN'T THE SALESMAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I SAID NO. MY RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING TWICE, I DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL LIBERTY FORD DID MY OIL CHANGE BACK IN MAY 2019, ALSO MY CAR IS MISSING WHILE DRIVING. NOT HAPPY WITH BEING SOLD A LEMON. *TR CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2019
FORD FOCUS RECALL #18S35, NHTSA RECALL #18V-735 IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX ( 6 ) MONTHS AND STILL NO REMEDY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY ELDERLY MOTHER SHOULD WAIT THIS LONG.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2019
ANYTIME I TRY TO MAKE ANY SORT OF TURN IN THIS VEHICLE, TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO THE TURN I ESSENTIALLY GET STALLED OUT EVEN THOUGH THE GAS PEDAL IS ENGAGED AND TRYING TO POWER THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE TURN. IT BECOMES A DANGEROUS ASPECT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT STARTS TO BECOME BUSY ON A MAIN CITY STREET AND THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO WHILE TRYING TO MAKE THE TURN. MY VEHICLE CAN START TO MAKE THE TURN AND THEN START TO STALL OUT AS I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, AND THEN IT WILL SIT THERE FOR A SECOND UNTIL THERE ARE INBOUND CARS COMING AND THEN IT'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE THE TURN AFTER STALLING FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. IT'S BECOME A CONCERN BECAUSE IT NOW COMES DOWN TO WAITING UNTIL THE ROADWAY IS EMPTY AND FULL TO MAKE A SAFE TURN. ON TOP OF THAT, IF I'M GOING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 8 TO 15 MILES AN HOUR, MY CAR STARTS TO STUTTER AT LOW SPEEDS. NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE CASES FOR THAT, BUT IT HAS RAISED SOME EYEBROWS AND SOME CONCERNS TO MYSELF WITH THAT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IF IT STARTS TO STUTTER AND STALLS OUT COMPLETELY OR DISABLES THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND HATCHBACK I'VE PURCHASED THROUGH FORD, AND IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER HAD ANY SORT OF ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. I JUST DON'T WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN WHILE I'M DRIVING OR TRYING TO MAKE ANY SORT OF TURNS FROM A MAIN STREET TO A SIDE STREET INSTALL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY AND POSSIBLY GET HIT FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ESPECIALLY GOING THROUGH ANY SORT OF SCHOOL ZONES WHEN IT'S CLEARLY MARKED TO GO 15 MILES AN HOUR OR BELOW. I WOULD RECOMMEND LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS HAPPENED VERY FREQUENTLY WITH A FEW OTHER 2017 FOCUS'S.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2019
HAD A RECALL FOR A FUEL TANK ISSUE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP PERFORMED AND INSPECTION AND IT PASSED. NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE. NOW, I AM HAVING THE ISSUES WITH MY FUEL TANK AS NOTED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE INSPECTION PASSED, THE RECALL WAS CANCELLED AND FORD WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE HAS THEY NOTED IT ORIGINALLY. I HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE FUEL TANK UNTIL AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED BUT NOW FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY KNOW MY CAR HAS
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 1, 2019
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 8 MONTHS AGO THERE WAS 5 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE I WAS IN AWARE OF . SINCE I'VE FOUND OUT ABOUT THESE RECALLS THE LOCAL LINCOLN SHOP KEEPS INFORMING ME THAT FORD HAS NOT BEEN SENDING THEM THE REPLACEMENT PSRTS TO FIX MY VEHICLE I'VE CONTACTED FORD MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS JUNK OF A CAR . I'M PAYING FOR A CAR 30K FOR THIS 2017 AND IT'S SLOWLY BUT SURLY BREAKING DOWN THE CAR PUTTERS THERE'S A LOUD TICKING THE IDLING IS ROUGH THE CLUTCH AND COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR AND I NEVER USE THE MANUAL PART OF THIS VEHICLE I'M TO THE POINT TO WHERE I JUST WANT THEM TO BUY THIS TRASH BACK SO I CAN GET INTO SOMETHING BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2019
THE ENGINE TENDS TO STALL AT TIMES, HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP IT RUNNING. CAR IN MOTION. HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES FOR ALMOST THE TIME WE BOUGHT IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2019
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 18S32/NHTSA RECALL 18V-735 IN DECEMBER 2018.I HAVE NOT HEARD ON WHAT TO DO OR WHEN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2019
MY CAR HAS A RECALL FROM OCT, 22ND, 2018. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 18V735. TILL APR 12TH, 2019, THE REMEDY PROGRAM IS STILL UNAVAILABLE. I WAS CURIOUS IF IT IS NORMAL? DO I JUST WAIT AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL INFORM OWNERS WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE? THANKS!
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 11, 2019
AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, ACCELERATOR PRESSURE RESULTS ONLY IN ENGINE REVVING. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF CURRENT SPEED, WHEN TURNING AT ANY SPEED OR WHEN MOVING FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY ENGAGE, IT WILL DO SO IN A BURST OF ACCELERATION. THESE CONDITIONS CREATE PROBLEMS IN WHICH ROUTINE TRAFFIC MANEUVERS BECOME UNSAFE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2019, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TREE. PRIOR TO APPROACHING THE PARKING SPOT A SPEED BUMP WAS NEGOTIATED SO THE STATED MPH ARE ACCURATE AS THE SPEED BUMP WAS 25 FEET PRIOR TO THE PARKING SPOT ENTRY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2019
BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH, THE CAR WILL STUTTER, ACTING LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. ADDITIONALLY, IT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START ONE MORNING, ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING FUEL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2019
MY CAR IS REVING UP BY ITSELF AND THROTTLE IS STICKING MY CAR IS IN DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY FOR 4TH TIME AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN I AM STOPPED OR GOING. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I ALMOST WRECKED IT LAST WEEK AFTER THE 3RD TIME I PICKED IT UP FRO. DEALERSHIP
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FUEL TANK HALF FULL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND NEARLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB GILLINDHAM FORD(8383 BROOKPARK RD, PARMA, OH) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON I395 SOUTH, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULDN'T NOT START BACK UP. HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FUEL BUMP FAILURE.