Home · 2017 Ford Focus · Complaints

What 888 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus

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 (888)Crash / fire / injury (22)Transmission & drivetrain (448)Engine (226)Fuel system (177)Engine & cooling (78)Electrical system (38)Speed control (38)Steering (20)Airbags (15)Brakes (11)Lights (9)

226 of 888 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 3 of 10

Dec 27, 2024Engine

not maintaining oil pressure, my ford is a 2017 1.0l ecoboost motor with a stick shift, i found a recall, Recall Reference Number: 23S64. for this motor but it only covers cars with automatic transmission, mine is a manual transmission, from my research they both have the exact same motor, 98500 ish miles. sitting almost 2 years because it wont hold oil pressure. what is the difference between the 2 motors. and why did you not recall all 1.0l ecoboost motors in this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11632788

Dec 10, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the clutch failure. The local dealer was contacted, and diagnostic test was suggested. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11629918

Nov 28, 2024Electrical systemLightsEngineFire

I purchased a 2017 Ford Focus from a car dealership called lion cars on 4201 West Colonial Drive in Orlando Florida the car has a major major electrical issue I was at an intersection and the car went completely dead and turned off and it locked me inside the car I couldn't get out of the car the windows would not roll down the doors were not unlocked and the car started smoking finally I got out then 3 days later I turned around and try to get in the car and the car also locked me in out of the car where I couldn't use my key fob nothing on the car works I did a report on it I found out that the car had been in two major crashes and both reports stated severe damage and when you drive down the road it pulls to the left I brought this attentia attention of lying car dealership they said that they would fix the car or they will replace the car and they never did so now I am without a car I am without my money back and I am without replacement car so

NHTSA ODI 11627831

Nov 22, 2024EngineFuel system

My check engine light came on. I stopped at Auto Zone and had the check engine light read. The code came back as P1450 (Canister Purge Valve). Upon checking the Ford Website to run my VIN for recalls, nothing came back for my vehicle. I checked NHTSA and learned there have been 6 recalls, and 2 of those 6 seem to fit the issue I am having. However, since my VIN was not identified as one of the affect VINs, I am not able to take advantage of either recall, Ford's number for this recall is 18S32 and 19S22.

NHTSA ODI 11626851

Nov 18, 2024Engine

Transmission clutch issues in 2022 and transmission clutch issues 2024

NHTSA ODI 11626034

Nov 14, 2024Engine

I haven't had the problem yet with the oil pump drive belt tensioner failing but would just like to say that Ford should be forced to buy back the effected vehicles with the 1.0 Ecoboost engine. As the owner of a 2017 Focus I'm stuck with a virtually worthless car that I'm afraid to drive or put my family in. Ford has had more that one year to date to come up with parts to fix this and still nothing. It's outrageous that owners are stuck with these vehicles. Ford's current update on the recall says to drive it and if it fails they'll replace the engine. What if it fails on the interstate doing 70 mph? Oh and the replacement engine still has the defective parts in it so it's a temporary repair.

NHTSA ODI 11625367

Nov 13, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for diagnostic testing, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that metal shavings were found in the brake booster assembly. The contact stated that the failure started with the engine fault service engine now warning light illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a software update. The software update was performed, however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed brake plug. The contact was informed that the brake plug needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were in backorder. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake booster assembly. The contact was informed that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. The brake booster assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. In addition, the contact was informed that metal shavings were found inside the brake booster assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the year make and model vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000

NHTSA ODI 11625070

Oct 7, 2024SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

The vehicle shutters and has stalled while trying to cross an intersection, almost causing an accident while my children were in the car. It will shutter at take off from a complete stop and will randomly change gears while driving at a constant speed on a level road. When it stalls the wheel locks up as well preventing you from steering off the road and to safety

NHTSA ODI 11618372

Sep 27, 2024EngineFuel system

I was on my way home from work when my oil light came on and I began losing acceleration on a busy highway. It wouldn't let me go above 20 mph which was definitely unsafe due to the nature of traffic on the highway. I managed to pull over and get my car towed to the most recent place I had an oil change. After a few days, they stated that the vehicle had sustained a loss of engine oil pressure and that there was a recall for this issue. They also stated to contact Ford and that the vehicle was undriveable. When I checked the open recalls, I confirmed that there was indeed a recall open for this issue concerning the oil pump, however, Ford Motors state that they will not have the parts available until 1st Quarter 2025. This is puts the timeframe on a remedy at roughly 3-7 months, which is unacceptable as this is my only vehicle and the only way I am able to get to work.

NHTSA ODI 11616943

Sep 18, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11615309

Sep 5, 2024Engine

Vehicle has low oil pressure, loss of power and disintegrating oil pump belt. There is a recall on this type of vehicle (23S64) but for automatic transmission only. This vehicle is a standard transmission but with all the same issues. The car has been serviced by an independent service tech. Oil pressure sensor, vacuum pump valve and purge valve have been replaced. The check engine light is on and also when car experiences power loss there is a warning that flashes that says "Engine Fault Service Now"

NHTSA ODI 11612775

Aug 13, 2024EngineFuel system

car is shaking and wanting to drive less and less lately its not moving faster then 20 mph. I have no other way to work and I'm sure this will cause an accident soon.

NHTSA ODI 11608297

Aug 5, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the check engine light had remained on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective engine hose. The contact was unable to repair the vehicle. Since the initial failure, the contact stated the engine Auto Stop/Start feature had failed to operate as needed and the engine failed to start as designed while at a stop light. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was jerking upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle had been towed to several dealers where multiple repairs were performed; however, the failure returned after each repair. The vehicle was eventually diagnosed with engine failure and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200.

NHTSA ODI 11606431

Aug 3, 2024Engine

My car, which has just over 70,000 miles on it, has a malfunctioning transmission, often stalling, revving, failing to shift gears or reverse, and other issues, putting me and my passengers in potentially dangerous situations. I have taken my car to the mechanic twice and after replacing the clutches, the clutch motors, and the TCM, the problem has only worsened and he’s verified that the problem lies in the transmission itself.

NHTSA ODI 11606307

Aug 2, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the check engine and oil pressure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11606197

Jul 30, 2024Engine

The transmission is failing , it says to service now. I went And got a quote and I might as well get a new car =(

NHTSA ODI 11605496

Jul 18, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road before stalling. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized, and that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11603212

Jun 21, 2024Engine & coolingEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the check engine warning was light illuminated. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11595684

Jun 21, 2024Engine

Car lost power in the middle of the road, pulled over and it seemed fine when I checked it but as I drove off again the engine fault light came on and it started overheating and said to pull over immediately to not damage the engine. Afterwards, it’s not able to start at all. It’s been at the ford dealership ever since awaiting ford to fix the problem, meanwhile I’m stuck making payments on a car that is undriveable with no idea of when I will be able to drive it again.

NHTSA ODI 11595700

Jun 13, 2024Fuel systemEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The purge valve was replaced but the failure persisted. The EVAP message and the check engine warning light were displayed, and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11594181

Jun 13, 2024Engine

The engine light came on and the car became hard to drive and steer. This was dangerous on the freeway; slowing and not operating properly in traffic. The car was then repaired and able to be driven for about 5 months and then it repeated with the oil pump belt shredded. The repair was done at a cost of approximately $2000. This didn’t fix the actual problem. The whole episode was repeated and the car became inoperable again. The car was towed to the Ford dealership and they are waiting for the parts from the Ford company to repair it. It has been sitting for almost three months inoperable. The recall came out in early January and it seems there should be parts to fix it by now. It is a huge financial burden.

NHTSA ODI 11594254

Jun 12, 2024EngineFuel system

My 2017 ford focus engine has failed because of the oil system parts in the safety recall 23S64. While I was driving I got the hazard notification and a red oil notification shortly before the engine failed. No accident was caused but the car no longer runs. This happened back in February of this year and it has been 4 months since then. I have lost my job because of no longer being able to drive. I’m living below my means due to having no vehicle. When I have called them they refuse to give me a rental and only tell me that I need to wait. I need a car for work and they have offered no assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11594058

May 30, 2024Fuel systemEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power and significantly decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 11591583

May 2, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with low compression from the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the same failure provided by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not provided.

NHTSA ODI 11586598

Apr 23, 2024Engine

The car when hot after driving for a while shutters when taking off from a light or stop

NHTSA ODI 11584734

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Working with the data? Download all 888 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 verdict →