Back latch that makes the seat fold down won’t snap back into place.
NHTSA ODI 11470991
Home · 2017 Ford Focus Bev · Complaints
These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.
Newest first · 842 complaints · page 19 of 34
Back latch that makes the seat fold down won’t snap back into place.
NHTSA ODI 11470991
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with an unknown recall; however, the year, make, and model of the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA ODI 11470879
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to reverse and would not accelerate above 15 MPH. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the clutch fork; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with TCM failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
NHTSA ODI 11470735
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.
NHTSA ODI 11469731
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving and accelerating between 30-70 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving and had worsened. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and attempting to drive, the gear shifter remained seized in park(P). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay a fee for diagnostic test. 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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train) and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
NHTSA ODI 11469745
I am pretty sure that this is not the battery. I had my vehicle towed to the mechanic and the code that he’s getting from the computer is the transmission. The clutch seems to be stuck somehow and will not engage into gears. I can get it started, but it won’t go anywhere. It will start and the lights come on. The check engine light is on, and it is something regarding the transmission. Changing the battery would make know difference. The car has always stuttered when taking off from a parked position.And makes noises when there’s a change in the “gears “
NHTSA ODI 11469683
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer for clutch assembly replacement on two separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration and experienced rough driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
NHTSA ODI 11469121
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.
NHTSA ODI 11469219
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.
NHTSA ODI 11469079
Lug nuts are expanding and the two different metals are seperating. This is a saftey issue. It was brought to my attention by Discount Tire when I was having my tires rotated.
NHTSA ODI 11468346
The transmission on this vehicle has failed, due to the computer system, or a small chip part (so I have been told.) I have been told by MUTIPLE mechanics that it is the same Transmission issue that the 2011-2016 Models experienced. I was driving the vehicle when the transmission failed, almost causing me to wreck the vehicle on the interstate.
NHTSA ODI 11468046
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the RPM’s decreased. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to drive home. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced; additionally, there was an issue with the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA ODI 11467729
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate without warning while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that unknown warning lights would intermittently flash on the instrument panel while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and no defects were found. One day while driving in reverse, the gear shifter failed to move from the reverse(R) position after multiple attempts. Once the contact was able to shift the vehicle into drive(D), the vehicle would not accelerate above 10 MPH with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA ODI 11466896
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved while the vehicle hesitated during acceleration, causing the vehicle to overheat. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited until the engine cooled down and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clutch arm was stuck. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
NHTSA ODI 11467042
All lights came on and vehicle immediately slowed down, brakes became hard and it eventually just stalled out. Would not restart. Towed to repair shop . Mechanic found that the oil was full but no oil to engine. Found that the oil pump belt had malfunctioned and tore up leaving debris in the oil pan. Vehicle has approx 66,000 miles on it and manual says this piece if equipment should last until 150,000. Upon research, this is a common occurrence in the 2017, 2018 Ford focus.
NHTSA ODI 11466132
Vehicle has become increasingly hard to drive in first and second gear. Has miss-fires and problems with dumping fuel threw code p144c and has already had injectors and spark plugs replaced roughly a year ago. Feels like vehicle is having the same issues. When started from cold vehicle has miss-fires and runs extremely rough.
NHTSA ODI 11465922
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped a traffic light, the engine started sputtering. The contact stated that several days later while the vehicle was in park(P) the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed however, the diagnostic result was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,150. Vehicle has been repaired.
NHTSA ODI 11465721
Car shutters heavily when approaching 2500-3500 RPM. Mostly felt before shift change out of 1st gear in automatic, but also felt in same range when left in 1st on select shift. Shudder causes slow acceleration from a stop. Very slow acceleration avoids the shutter.
NHTSA ODI 11464974
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus ST. The contact stated that when he proceeded to start his vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that he then had his vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was able to start his vehicle by placing air in the fuel tank. The contact stated that once the vehicle started, there was a huge amount of black smoke. The contact stated that he was advised by the mechanic that he had a deforming fuel tank that was causing the failure. The contact stated that no warning lights had illuminated the vehicle at the time. The contact stated that he was able to drive his vehicle back to his residence, however, when he attempted to restart the vehicle, it would not start. The contact stated that he then contacted both the dealer and manufacturer who advised him that there was a recall, however, his vehicle was not a part of the recall NHTSA campaign 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was 83,000.
NHTSA ODI 11462512
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.
NHTSA ODI 11461575
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
NHTSA ODI 11461326
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not accelerate properly and a loud rattling sound was present coming from the engine. Upon inspection, it was determined that the antifreeze was very low but no leak was present. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.
NHTSA ODI 11460624
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle off the lot, the engine fault and the service engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Additionally, after refueling, the vehicle would inadvertently stall. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that an unknown software update was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
NHTSA ODI 11460658
I recently purchased my 2017 Ford Focus from Carmax in August of 2021. At the time it had 52,675 miles on it. I now have 64,000 miles on the vehicle. I began to notice a few weeks after purchase of the vehicle that upon acceleration from a stop sign or red light, the vehicle would shake or shudder slightly but then cease . This only happened upon acceleration and not while idling. However , it was so slight that it didn't seem to be an issue. In the past month , I have noticed now that the shaking and shuddering is getting extremely heavy upon acceleration and it is starting to scare me. I contacted Ford and they told me that there was not a specific recall on my VIN in particular but that they WERE INDEED aware of serious control module issues and clutch issues for the Ford Focus . I also read that Ford had to extend warranties to many of the Ford Focuses from models all the way up to 2016 . Well, my model happens to be a 2017 but is still having the exact SAME issues . Serious shaking, shuddering, and wanting to shut off upon acceleration. This can be very dangerous and I am nervous now to drive my vehicle. I called many shops around the area and was told that the "Ford Focus transmission shudder issue" is very well known but that Ford may not want to help me out. (Which is what im experiencing now) Again, this vehicle shakes and shudders violently upon acceleration and I would like some help please. Thank you kindly.
NHTSA ODI 11460186
The transmission in my 2017 Ford Focus is slipping, shuttering, and jerking. It also will hesitate when accelerating. It has been to the Ford Maintenance Department at least 4 times to have the transmission “fixed”. It will fail with 1000-10000 miles after it supposedly gets fixed. We have also been turned away from Ford, saying that nothing is wrong or it’s within fords criteria. This is not normal for a car!
NHTSA ODI 11460217
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