Home · 2017 Ford Focus Bev · Complaints

What 842 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus Bev

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.

All (842)Crash / fire / injury (22)Transmission & drivetrain (428)Engine (206)Fuel system (169)Engine & cooling (70)Speed control (37)Electrical system (36)Steering (20)Airbags (15)Brakes (9)Lights (9)

Newest first · 842 complaints · page 22 of 34

Jun 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate after stopping for a while at a stoplight or in traffic. Additionally, the engine overheated on occasion. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for the engine to cool down before restarting the vehicle in order for the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the transmission fluid was burnt and had metal shavings in the fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,095.

NHTSA ODI 11422335

Jun 19, 2021Fuel system

Once, my Ford Focus stalled while driving at about 35 mph. Good thing I was in a neighborhood. It could of been worse. I know it wasn’t the battery because I had just replaced it. Also at a later time after refueling it didn’t want to restart. Then the check engine light turned on. Code read P1450. I took it to the dealership and they said the purge valve needed to be replaced. I did some homework and read that Ford, in 2018 issued a recall for approximately 1.5 million select 2012-18 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI and 2.0-liter GTDI engines for a malfunctioning canister purge valve. However, my Ford Focus didn’t have that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11421496

Jun 17, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

The Transmission is slipping and car won't reverse. This is practically a new car. I had it for only two years and it's not drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11421223

May 29, 2021Fuel system

My car stalled unexpectedly when I was parking it. For a while now, my car has jerked when I accelerate and sometimes shudders. My car stalled and died a few months back so I took it to the dealership and had it fixed. I soon realized,however, that the problem remained. I ignored it but my car stalled on me again and I had a hard time restarting it. I had just filled my gas tank up when it was running low and drove it for a while when the incident happened.

NHTSA ODI 11418953

May 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

2017 Ford Focus. Less than 80,000 Miles. Without warning the vehicle losses power while driving and RPM's go up over 4000. Additionally as I approach intersections with my foot on the break preparing to stop, the RPM's, again go up over 4000 and the car lurches forward with foot on break. Emergency Transmission Fault, Service now - RED - on dash, came on after the second incident listed, does not stay on, comes on intermittently. Vehicle no longer goes into reverse. Contacted Ford Corporate 3 times. Opened Case CAS31827768J5S7L3 Known Transmissions issues with these model Fords

NHTSA ODI 11418612

May 25, 2021AirbagsSeat belts

My 2017 Focus RS (build date 20 March 2017, purchase date 16 June 2017; 30234 miles) had the SRS light illuminated on the dashboard. This started as an intermittent issue about a year ago, and progressed to the point that recently the light is always illuminated. Ford provides for a "Safety Restraint System" warranty period of 5 years/60 k miles; my car is still within this coverage period. I decided to bring in the car to my local dealership Gosch Ford Escondido in Escondido, CA to have it inspected and repaired. A technician evaluated the issue and provided the following diagnosis on the service report: "VERIFIED AIRBAG LIGHT, CHECKED CODES, FOUND B0061:13 IN OSCM FOR PASSENGER PRETENSIONER, PERFORMED PPT, FOUND PRETENSIONER TO BE INTERNALLY OPEN. NEED TO REPLACE PRETENSIONER." However, the service department contacted me to inform that the repair would not be covered under warranty and that repairs would be at my cost. I have contacted Ford corporate customer service to escalate and am awaiting a response.

NHTSA ODI 11418561

May 15, 2021Fuel system

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CODES 1450 AND 0456. HAD DEALER REPAIR. IT WAS CANISTER PURGE VALUE. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH A DIFFERENT BUILD DATE BUT STATED THAT MINE WAS NOT A RECALL. I STILL HAVE CODE 0456 SHOWING.

NHTSA ODI 11416734

May 11, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION WILL CHATTER AND CLANK AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF FIRST GEAR. BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2019 AND STARTED MAKING SMALL CLANKING NOISES A FEW DAY AFTER BUYING IT.

NHTSA ODI 11416188

May 10, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. MUCH LIKE A SIMILAR RECALL WITH THE ISSUE OF TRANSMISSION SEALS GOING BAD AND WETTING THE DRY CLUTCH PACK.

NHTSA ODI 11415927

May 6, 2021Visibility & wipers

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME BY THEMSELVES AND STAYS ON AFTER PARKING THE CAR, STATIONARY, ENGINE TURNED OFF FOR APPROX 30 MIN. 3 DAYS IN A ROW. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT FOR LABOR $450!! THE SAME FAULTY SYSTEM WAS IN A RECALL IN THIS TYPE OF CAR SOME YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11415474

May 3, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

DUAL CLUTCH FAILURE CODE PO706

NHTSA ODI 11414982

Apr 20, 2021Fuel system

FAILED REPAIRS FOR RECALLS ON THE CAR. CODES SHOWING IN MY CAR ARE RELATED TO THE 02 SENSOR AND CANISTER PURGE VALVE. FORD HAS SERVICED MY VEHICLE BEFORE. HOWEVER, FOR THE 02 SENSOR ONLY A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS DONE. THE CANISTRR PURGE VALVE WAS FIXED BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR BUT POTENTIALLY BOTH REPAIRS HAVE DAILED. IVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERSNT DEALERSHIPS AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEYVE ALL REFUSED TO DO THE WORK. IVE HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR AS MINIMALLY AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11412991

Apr 13, 2021

WHERE THE REAR TAIL-LIGHT ASSEMBLY MATE WITH THE CAR BODY THERE IS A RUBBER SEAL/GASKET IN BETWEEN THE SCREW OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE HOLE ON THE CAR BODY, TO PREVENT WATER LEAKING INTO THE CAR. THE RUBBER SEAL GOES BAD QUICKLY, AND WATER LEAK INTO THE TRUNK WHILE PARKED AND CAUSE WATER DAMAGE TO ALL THE COMPONENTS AROUND AND IN THE SPARE WHEEL WELLS. THIS ALSO MEAN IT CAN CAUSE WATER DAMAGE TO CAR BODY PREMATURELY. FORD DOES NOT EVEN SELL THIS RUBBER SEAL TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND IF WATER LEAK INTO CAR AND CAUSE DAMAGE THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE IT IS TO BUY A WHOLE BRAND NEW TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI 11407947

Apr 10, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT SAYS TRANSMISSION HOT THAN SHUTS OFF. I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALER.I GOT A DIAGNOSTIC DONE TOO IT STATES IT'S THE CLUTCH

NHTSA ODI 11407411

Apr 8, 2021Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WENT TO GET IT CHECKED AND THE CODE WAS P1450 UNABLE TO BLEED UP FUEL TANK VACUUM WAS THE CODE SHOW UP. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHAT DO I DO?? THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11407043

Apr 6, 2021Fuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 15-20 TIMES AND THEN ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO REV FOR 2-3 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD EXCESSIVE VACUUM PRESSURE. THE FUEL TANK NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V845000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. JOE COTTON FORD, INC. (5 W. NORTH AVE, CAROL STREAM, IL 60188, (630) 682-9200) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,800.

NHTSA ODI 11406678

Apr 1, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

MY FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK IS A AUTOMATIC AND CAN SHIFT INTO SUPER AUTO/MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE. MY VEHICLE STAGGERS, SHUTTERS, AND SHAKES ONCE IN DRIVE MODE. MY VEHICLE ALSO ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN ON A INCLINE IF I DO NOT PRESS THE BREAK PEDAL, AND IF I DO NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL OR TOUCH THE BREAKS IT WILL LOSE MOMENTUM AND BEGIN TO ROLL BACKWARDS IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICAL IS INCLINED. THIS ISSUE IS NOT SOLELY THE MANUAL MODELS MY 2017 FORD FOCUS FWD AUTOMATIC SHUTTERS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL LEVELS WERE GOOD THERE. MY ELECTRONIC 'ANTICIPATION' SCORE IN MY CARS ECO FAQS DASHBOARD IS 5/5. 5/5 IS THE BEST YOUR SCORE CAN BE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR NOT JUST 2014-2016 BUT 2017 AUTOMATICS AND MANUALS BOTH! IF YOU CAN'T ACCELERATE YOUR VEHICLE WITHOUT TRANSMISSION STAGGERING, SHUTTERING, SHAKING AND RELATED ISSUES WITH DRIVING NEW TO PREOWNED 60K-100K AND UNDER VEHICLES THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER 52K MILES I GOT IT AROUND 49K. IT WAS BRAND NEW ONE OWNER BEFORE ME AND THE CAR FACS REPORT WAS DETAILED ON ITS SERVICE HISTORY AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. IF MY VEHIC IS AUTOMATIC WITH ECO AND TECHNOLOGY AS WELL AS UP TO DATE SYNC UPDATES THENT ELECTRONICALLY MY VEHICLE IS COMPUTING INCORRECTLY AND THIS FLEX FUEL IS CAUSING SOME COMPUTER ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. IF MY UP TO DATE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY IS CAUSING ISSUES THEN I CAN'T TRUST MY VEHICLE TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP ME SAFE. IF I NEED TO ACCELERATE BUT HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAKS OR LET OFF THE GAS UNTIL THE SHUTTERING/STAGGERING/SHAKING COMPLETELY GOES AWAY THEN HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID SOMETHING, TO MERGE AND GET UP TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC SPEED? MY ANTICIPATION IS 5 OUT OF 5 FOR MY ACCELERATION RATINGS TO BE THE BEST POSSIBLE. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR AVOIDING SAFETY HAZARDS AND DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP INTO 1ST, AND 2ND GEAR. THE STEERING IS GREAT.

NHTSA ODI 11405901

Mar 23, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

2017 FORD FOCUS S, SHUDDERS/SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP. THE CAR ACTS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THE CAR IS PARKED AND I REFUSE TO MOVE IT UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE OR ISSUE EVERYONE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE A FULL REFUND OR A DIFFERENT MODEL! THIS IS NOT SAFE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO ANYONE DRIVING IT, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY OR BELTWAY AT A GREAT AMOUNT OF SPEED AND THE CAR REFUSES TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT SHUDDERING OR SHAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11404501

Mar 15, 2021Body & structureLatches & locksVisibility & wipers1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD RELEASED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK HOWEVER NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. *DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11403093

Mar 15, 2021Fuel system

THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON 2017 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE, WHICH CAUSES STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS. MY 2017 FORD FOCUS HAS THIS EXACT ISSUE. HOWEVER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE A RECALL SERVICE REPAIR AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED DESPITE THE RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT MINE HAS ONLY STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START IT AND WHILE DRIVING ON CITY ROADS NEAR MY HOME, RATHER THAN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BEFORE I ENDED UP IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION. I HAD BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT, MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNSAFE UNTIL I CAN GET IT REPAIRED MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11403045

Mar 9, 2021WheelsEngine

THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. MY FORD FOCUS NOT ONLY HAS WHEEL ISSUES EVERY OTHER DAY AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE STUTTERING PROBLEM I'VE REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES IS STILL A PROBLEM AND IS GETTING EVEN WORSE. NO ONE IS HELPING ME WITH THIS ISSUE. WHEN MY VEHICLE IS AT A STOP AND I PRESS THE GAS IS SHAKES AND STUTTERS. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL SHOPS THAT FORD HAS HAD LAWSUITS AND SEVERAL RECALLS OVER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY SAID THERE IS NO PART IS EXISTENCE THAT WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THEY CREATED IT THAT WAY. THIS IS BULL AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ODI 11400067

Mar 6, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

2017 FORD FOCUS - TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND HESITATES IN LOW GEARS UPON ACCELERATION. STARTED AT LESS THAN 20K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11399496

Mar 4, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN COVER IS SEEPING OIL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 130,600 MILES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER THE FORD MAINTENANCE MANUAL AND HAS NEVER MISSED A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE EVENT.

NHTSA ODI 11399111

Mar 1, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM FULLY STOPPED, SUCH AS WHEN DEPARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT ALSO SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED, SUCH AS COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWLY TURNING ONTO A STREET. THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES AS IT TRIES TO PICK UP SPEED. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM. I HAVE READ DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF IDENTICAL ACCOUNTS FROM OTHER 2017 FORD FOCUS OWNERS. SOMETHING IS INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THE POWERTRAIN SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE FLEET AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11398564

Feb 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I PURCHASED MY FORD FOCUS MAY 2017 AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 12 MILES ON IT. IN TWO YEARS, I BEGAN TO FEEL A SHUDDER WHENEVER I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP. THE SHUDDER WAS ON AND OFF FOR A MONTH AND INCREASINGLY GOT WORSE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO FORD, JULY 2019. THEY STATED THAT MY CLUTCH WENT BAD AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE I WAS SURPRISED IT WAS ALREADY HAVING SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH FORD FOCUS'S. A YEAR IN A HALF LATER, I BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND SYMPTOMS AGAIN. I CALLED FORD TO NOTIFY THEM IN DECEMBER 2020, HE STATED IT MAY BE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND GOT MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME CLUTCH ISSUE THAT WAS REPLACED ORIGINALLY. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WILL NO LONGER COVER THE COST FOR MY REPAIRS ON THE CLUTCH IF IT WENT BAD AGAIN. THIS WOULD RESULT IN ME PAYING $2,300 EACH TIME IT NEEDED A REPAIR. GIVEN THE TWO CLUTCH REPLACEMENTS WITHIN 3.5 YEARS OF HAVING THIS BRAND NEW CAR, I WAS UPSET SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE THAT SHOULDN'T BE OCCURRING. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON 2017 FORD FOCUS'S AND FOUND THE RECALL NUMBER 18V845000 & 18V169000 (18S07). THESE TWO RECALLS SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE TYPE OF ISSUE I'VE HAD TWICE WITH THIS NEW VEHICLE WITHIN 1.5 YEARS OF EACH OTHER. ITS STATES THE SNOWBALL EFFECT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WITH THE CLUTCH FRACTURS. I CALLED 800 NUMBER TO FORD REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME UNTIL THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS THREE TIMES. I AM APPALLED SINCE A NEW VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THREE TIMES FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE-THREATENING MANUFACTURES DEFECT, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP PAYING, EVEN AFTER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11398099

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Working with the data? Download all 842 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Ford Focus Bev verdict →