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
903 reports, newest first.
Power train, Oct 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "transmission too hot pull over" suddenly displayed, and moments later the vehicle shut off. After eventually restarting the engine, the vehicle was driven to the nearby fuel station and later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Power train, Oct 5, 2022
Transmission overheating, jerking, hesitant and lost gear while driving
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and attempting to restart the vehicle, the RPM was fluctuating and the vehicle then lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after a few attempts she was able to restart vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was not provided with a diagnosis and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued after refueling and the contact stated that the vehicle would stall and lose motive power after coming to a complete stop at a red light or at a stop sign. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic where the failure code P144A for the EVAP system was retrieved. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as a cause for the failure; however, her VIN was not included in the recall. The local dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure and a case was opened and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2022
Purge valve failure causing stalling
Power train, Sep 21, 2022
I enjoy driving my 2017 Ford Focus, but the glaring negative against my vehicle is the transmission. Once per year I find myself at a dealership because my Focus starts to shudder after acceleration from a full stop. This phenomena shakes the vehicle, alerting everyone inside that something is wrong. No warning lights appear on the dash from discovery of the problem until servicing. Once the shuddering starts happening, it will happen more and more frequently until it cannot be ignored and the vehicle needs to be fixed. I don't haul trailers. There are not that many miles on the Focus (under 60,000). I've even adjusted my driving habits to change speeds as gradually as possible so as to not put any undue strain on the transmission. Nevertheless, the problem keeps reoccurring and I keep having to lean on the existing powertrain warranty to get rid of the problem... temporarily. Within a year, it always comes back. This year is no different. I am currently trying to get the Focus serviced once more before my "60,000 mile/5 year" powertrain warranty expires on October 3rd, 2022. This issue is forcing me to consider selling a car in wonderful condition because I can't afford to replace clutch arrays out of pocket every year. The alternative is to forgo the servicing and roll the dice with a spotty transmission. I dare say that can't last. I've talked numerous times with people at the dealership. Everyone I have spoken with acknowledges that this is a known issue with the 2017's. Prior vehicle years have been recalled for transmission troubles. How is the 2017 Focus any different? How hasn't a recall been started already? I'm attaching the service records from the dealerships. Ford Customer Care directed me to the NHTSA, but nothing more. I am hoping someone can help me to either extend this warranty with Ford (at no additional cost to me for a manufacturer defect) or get the need for a recall acknowledged by Ford. Thank you and God bless.
Power train, Sep 20, 2022
2017 Ford Focus, continuous transmission problems. I have had the clutch and transmission control replaced 2 times already under factory wannary. It is just outside of the powertrain warranty and now the dealer is telling me it needs to be replaced again. It has 41,000 miles.
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 system, Gasoline, Sep 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while driving above 60 MPH or whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed while driving up hill. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Power train, Sep 3, 2022
Feels like gear is slipping when going from a stop to moving (1st to 2nd shifting)
Power train, Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact waited for the vehicle cool down, restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated normally. On another occasion, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the transmission failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The vehicle would start after several attempts but would shudder and then turn off independently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and decelerated independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred after refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was collapsing internally due to a stuck canister purge valve failure. The independent mechanic also informed the contact that each time she had refueled the vehicle, air was being pushed into the fueling system. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) due to the manufactured date of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Aug 29, 2022
I was driving and all of a sudden could not go over 30 miles an hour. I took it 3 dealerships 1 including a Ford Dealership. What I have been told is that there have been many issues with this type/manufacturer of transmission. The diagnostic codes that are coming out when being run are P072C P2832 P0219 P2578 Ford dealership states that the internal fork stop inside the transmission is broken. It needs a partial rebuild including forks, case, clutchesm], and related parts.
Power train, Aug 26, 2022
The transmission strutted or slips when accelerating from a stop
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 25, 2022
EVAP EMISSION PURGE VALVE FORD HAS A RECALL BUT VIN.NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 24, 2022
The contact called on behalf of a client who owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated the client was at a stop light when the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The client restarted the vehicle and drove to the independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the failure to be a stuck canister purge valve. The mechanic also related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,763.
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2022
Interior lighting. Multiple shorted wires kept blowing fuses for interior lights. Wiring harness for all interior lights had to be replaced with multiple areas of chafing and wires melted together.
Power train, Aug 16, 2022
While driving 2017 Focus on 8/14/22, the car began to shutter. When owner stopped to buy gas, the car would not restart until about 10 minute later . Then it would not go into reverse. Made it home. Next day, 8/15/22, while driving, it began to shutter again, the Transmission overheating warning light appeared, and vehicle immediately stopped running. Pulled off to side of road. It would not restart. Was towed to a local repair shop (not a Ford dealership). The repair shop ran a diagnostic and reported 4 PCM and 7 TCM fault codes. (See attachment.)Vehicle has not been repaired. Vehicle has approx 130,000 miles.
Power train, Aug 15, 2022
My transmission started to slip , took it to a garage then I had to WALK through A VERY BAD area in Philadelphia. Ford Roadside towed it to Chapman’s on Roosevelt Blvd on 8/9 where we bought it. They still haven’t looked at it because they’re so busy and backed up and in the meantime I have no way to get to work & it’s costing me $40 a day for Lyft and my mental health. The car only has 60,000 miles, I shouldn’t have to be dealing with this
Power train, Aug 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated would fail to respond when depressing the accelerator pedal and would not go pass a certain speed. The contact stated that the RPM would reeved when depressing the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would fail to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission clutch had been replaced every 4,000 to 7,000 miles on six occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Power train, Aug 11, 2022
Transmission module failure. Car stalls and shutters when driving causing possible car accident. Took to Ford dealership service center and they found Transmission module failure needs replacement immediately can cause auto accident. Warning engine light comes on.
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.
Wheels, Aug 5, 2022
Ford owners have been plagued with the issue of poorly designed lug nuts that expand with age. My service center just informed me that most or all of my lug nuts need to be replaced, so I have authorized that to complete the service. I have read that the problem is caused partly because of improper tightening. When I purchased my Ford in 2018(a one year leftover) the Ford dealer had to resurface the rotors twice because of pulsation. I've since had oil changes done at another Ford dealer that supposedly included tire rotation, so it seems that Ford could be at fault for bad lug nuts and reinstalling them as well. I think that a recall is justified. What is odd is that this issue has been around for quite some time, but they are still selling the same part. How is that?
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving; however, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring after refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that fuel tank vacuum system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that her vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.