Home · 2017 Ford Focus RS · Complaints

What 842 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus RS

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 16 of 34

Jan 25, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and the transmission inadvertently downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The transmission was replaced twice after the first failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503655

Jan 25, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the transmission fault message was displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM and transmission shift forks A and B needed to be replaced; however, the replacement parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 38,693.

NHTSA ODI 11503689

Jan 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Trans make noise shudders and rolls back ,also had car jump forward at light. For told me they know there a problem had clutch replaced twice in 2 years now out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11503296

Jan 21, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

Unknown at this moment but I known I have to buy a fuel pump and also now it's something eles is wrong with it and we just got this car 5 months ago and now we don't have no warranty because it passes the warranty date and also we didn't want this car but they did had the car we was approved for

NHTSA ODI 11502978

Jan 21, 2023

Good morning this is my ford focus car VIN 1FADP3K2XHL247975 i am in Iraq I checked my car recalls and it has one reacall, But when i went to the ford dealer named Alkasid in iraq locayed in Erbil it says we won't fix it because your car warranty cancelled and what i know is that even after warranty the recall is is still available.

NHTSA ODI 11502905

Jan 20, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Try to accelerate and vehicle transmissions slips and shakes assessively. When it shifts it shakes and slips. Dangerous to move forward from a red light into a intersection. Only 37,000 miles and problem is getting worst. Dealer said it's normal but I have learned it's not and is a big issue.

NHTSA ODI 11502794

Jan 16, 2023Steering

2017 Ford Focus with only 6400 miles on it - Power steering without warning turned off, and the dash displayed a "Power Steering Assist Failure - Service Required" message. The steering was difficult to manage. Was in the neighborhood when this happened, so was able to get the vehicle back to the driveway however, if this occurred in an intersection, freeway, etc risk of an accident would have been high. There was no warning prior to this happening. Reading forums, this appears to be a common issue with Ford Focus's steering, so was very surprised not to see a recall already issued on this major safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11502033

Jan 16, 2023Fuel system

Service engine light is on and code reader indicates the Canister purge valve is malfunctioning causing excessive vacuum in the fuel management system. Ford has recalled certain 2012-2018 Ford focus vehicles for this. Recall is 18S32. My vin is not on their list for a recall but obviously should have been. Car idles rough and after refueling is hard to start... I have to try 3 or 4 time before it starts.

NHTSA ODI 11502043

Jan 13, 2023Fuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the canister purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating while attempting to accelerate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) or 18V845000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recalls. The failure mileage was 100.

NHTSA ODI 11501651

Jan 6, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The car was driving fine but when we had to jump the car off the car would not shift in reverse and also the car was very sluggish when driving it to the dealership. The dealership confirmed that the Transmission Control Module had gone bad on the car and also notified us that this was a recurring problem on other Ford Focus and Fusion models.

NHTSA ODI 11500433

Jan 4, 2023AirbagsBrakesCrash

I was moving my car in a gas station parking lot and went to stop the car to go in reverse and the breaks went to the floor and I pushed them about five times and still no breaks. I hit a concrete column and air bags didn't deploy and the airbag lights were blinking on and off and speedometer needle was going crazy. Officer went to assist with moving the car to a curbside and in neutral the car was trying to go forward then when it was put in park it continued to try to go forward. We were not on a hill, it was flat in the parking lot. If this would have happened on the main roads my son, nephew and myself could have been hurt and if I had hit someone else they could have been hurt as well. I know have a adjusting checking the vehicle and a mechanics shop as well. Before this happened I had absolutely no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11500145

Dec 30, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and attempted to shift into reverse(R) the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the gear shift lever failed to shift into reverse(R). The vehicle was manually pushed into the intended direction and the vehicle was shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and shaking while driving to an independent mechanic. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,504.

NHTSA ODI 11499552

Dec 30, 2022Fuel system

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that she noticed a drop in fuel economy. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would hesitate. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was refueled, the vehicle would not immediately start as needed. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that once she drove the vehicle a few miles the shaking would stop. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there might be water in the gasoline. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic retrieved codes: P2196 and P1450. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the codes were symptoms of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,138.

NHTSA ODI 11499587

Dec 28, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while leaving a stop light, the vehicle started shuddering while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clutch was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred several times. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced several times. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11499164

Dec 27, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11499034

Dec 22, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a stationary position, the rear wheels were vibrating during acceleration. The contact stated that transmission fault and transmission hot messages were displayed. The vehicle was 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 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498577

Dec 16, 2022Fuel system

Check engine code shows on dash, when checked by mechanic it leads to faulty canister purge valve. The vehicle shutters and stalls intermittently.

NHTSA ODI 11497684

Dec 14, 2022EngineEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine camshaft and timing chain had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,642.

NHTSA ODI 11497466

Dec 12, 2022Engine

After a routine oil change i was driving and oil light and engine light suddenly came on. Car then begin to make knocking noise and was towed to local mechanic. Engine is stated to need replacing and car no longer driveable.

NHTSA ODI 11497071

Dec 8, 2022Wheels

At 31,500 miles, the Ford dealer said the lug nuts were swollen and had to be replaced, because the wheels would not be safe to drive. No warning lights of signals prior to this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11496531

Dec 6, 2022Fuel system

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after her daughter refueled the vehicle, the vehicle experienced rough idling and then stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had previously been performed. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496198

Dec 6, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

My husband and I bought a 2017 Ford Focus in April 2017. It had 9 miles on the car. within 6 months after purchase we had to get the automatic/manual clutch replaced. Then two more times after that within the next year. We still have the problems with that part. Which is recalled but my VIN number does not show it as a recall. Then last year in Fall 2021 we took the car in for oil change and engine light on and found out the Canister Purge Valve for the gasoline had failed and needed to be replaced. Which is also under a recall and of course my VIN number shows nothing. My car will not start after I put gasoline in it and I have to push my gas pedal to rev it up then when I put it in drive and to hit gas pedal it dies. So why cant I get these parts fixed on my 2017 Ford Focus when they are clearly a recall. I also have documentation at home and at the dealership where everything has been completed since we have gotten the car.

NHTSA ODI 11496242

Nov 30, 2022Fuel system

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, after refueling, the vehicle would not immediately start. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and the local dealer who diagnosed that the purge valve was faulty, causing the fuel tank to become deformed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11495450

Nov 23, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

My car only has 41000 miles on it and there is a transmission issue causing the car to move in unsafe ways, either it doesn’t accelerate to merge safely or it lurches forward sometimes even with the brake applied. My car is only 9 weeks outside the factory powetrain warranty. I don’t feel it is right I need to pay $3000 in repairs for a car with 41K miles and just over 5 years old.

NHTSA ODI 11494740

Nov 22, 2022

Transmission stopped working at 63,777 miles. I was in a freeway when this occurred. Car had to be towed back home. Repair shop wants $8800 to put in a new transmission. Ford extended the warrantee up to 2016 models but refused to extend the 2017 model.

NHTSA ODI 11494597

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Working with the data? Download all 842 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 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 RS verdict →