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: power train
454 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jan 28, 2018
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 97 AT 65 MPH SHIFT TO 6 GEAR AND CLUTCH PETAL STUCK TO FLOOR, SMELL OF CLUTCH BURNING , PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD TURNED CAR OFF. REACH DOWN AND TRY TO PULL CLUTCH PETAL BACK UP AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. WAITED 30 MIN, TRY AGAIN, COULD NOT PULL IT UP. CALL FOR TOW TRUCK.. CALL BOB BELL FORD SERVICE DEPT. THEY STATED IT A WEAR PART AND IT WAS NOT COVER BY WARRANTY, I TOLD THEM WITH ONLY 1896 MILES ON IT, THEY STATED AGAIN IT A WEAR PART. I CALL FORD CUSTERMER SERVICE AND THEY GAVE ME A COMPLAINT NUMBER AND GOT BACK WITH ME AND THEY SAID NOT COVERED IT A WEAR PART.
Power train, Oct 26, 2017
CAR FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR WILL NOT 'GO' IN SOME INSTANCES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED, 'GRINDING' NOISE COME FROM ENGINE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, WILL HESITATE OR 'SHUDDER' WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, RPM'S WILL GO VERY HIGH IN THE 7000 RANGE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR, WILL FAIL TO GO INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND CAR WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL YOU STOP AND IT FINALLY FINES A GEAR. HAVE PULLED OUT FROM A SPOTLIGHT, 4-WAY OR FROM A PARKING LOT AND CAR WOULD NOT GO. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I. HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF AN ENTRANCE RAMP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GET ON HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND GO. THIS ISSUES ARE A HAZARD AND WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR RESPONSE IS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT THE OF MARCH 2017 BRAND NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND NOT IN OUR POSSESSION FOR A TOTAL OF 25 DAYS SO FAR. WE WILL NO LONGER PUT OUR CHILDREN IN THIS CAR FOR THE FEAR OF BEING INJURED OR KILLED. DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER PROVIDED US ANY TYPE OF PAPERWORK AND WE HAVE A CURRENT CASE WITH CORPORATE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO HELP IN ANY WAY UNTIL THEY GET A DIAGNOSIS OF SOME KIND.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 21, 2017
BRAND NEW FOCUS ELECTRIC, LESS THAN 3 DAYS OLD FROM DEALER ON 8/17/2017. FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS, I HAVE DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES. CAR WAS CHARGED OVERNIGHT AND SHOWS FULL CHARGE THIS MORNING. I DROVE THE CAR LESS THAN 30 MILES TODAY. IN THE EVENING, WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IN STEADY SPEED ON A CITY STREET IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I WAS NOT ACCELERATING. I WAS NOT BRAKING. ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. BATTERY STILL SHOW 80 MILES CHARGE. INDICATOR WARNING SHOWS: "STOP SAFELY WARNING LAMP" AND "ELECTRIC MOTOR WARNING LAMP". ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT WHEN THE CAR DOOR IS OPENED, IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE BATTERY CHARGE IS LOW. ALSO THERE IS NO WARNING OF "LOW BATTERY" BEFORE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I TURN OFF THE "POWER/START BUTTON", THE "INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT DISPLAY/GPS" STAYED ON. EVEN AFTER I HAVE CLICKED THE "LOCK" BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL KEY. AFTER PRESSING THE "POWER/START/STOP" QUITE A NUMBER OF TIME AND SWITCHING BETWEEN THE TWO KEYS, THEN THE "DISPLAY CENTER" FINALLY TURN OFF. WE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE CAR TOWED.
Power train, Jul 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, THERE WAS ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO PROPERLY SHIFT WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHILE BEING OPERATED ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LENIORE CITY FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.