What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2017 Ford Focus

Typical pattern

2.8% of complaints about the 2017 Ford Focus came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2017 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (452 complaints), typically at 5.6 yr or about 50,000 miles.

Complaints
1,186
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
53,000 n=674
Crash / fire / tow
11.3% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
452 reports · 50,000 mi
5.6 yr
7.1%
Engine
229 reports · 63,000 mi
6.6 yr
15.3%
Fuel / propulsion
116 reports · 49,800 mi
4.5 yr
2.6%
Engine cooling
82 reports · 79,503 mi
7.6 yr
36.6%
Other
80 reports · 40,000 mi
4.3 yr
1.2%
Fuel system
61 reports · 60,000 mi
6.2 yr
9.8%
Speed control
37 reports · 35,728 mi
3.5 yr
5.4%
Electrical system
36 reports · 30,600 mi
4.3 yr
13.9%
Steering
20 reports · 61,800 mi
4.3 yr
5%
Air bags
15 reports · 42,350 mi
4.7 yr
66.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V369000 2026-06-09
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister

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.

26V376000 2026-06-09
Power train:manual transmission

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.

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

26V012000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

23V905000 2023-12-22
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

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.

19V515000 2019-07-05
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

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.

18V845000 2018-11-28
Power train:manual transmission

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.

18V735000 2018-10-22
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

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.

17V528000 2017-08-28
Seat belts:rear/other

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.

16V698000 2016-09-28
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

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.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 25 mi 9 mo in service
THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE A AUTO DIM AT NIGHT TIME . CAN NOT READ SPEEDOMETER AT DUSK OR DAWN WHEN DRIVING UNDER OVERHEAD LED STREET LIGHTS THAT LEAVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. AUTO DIMMER HAS NO ADJUSTMENT TO BRIGHTEN PAST CERTAIN BRIGHTNESS. LIGHTS IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES WORK DIFFERENTLY THEN FOCUS AS BOUGHT 2017 ESCAPE AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM
Electrical system 6 mi 10 mo in service
THIS WILL BE MY SECOND COMPLAINT, AS I HAVE A COMPLAINT # CAS-12526659-Q7S5M2 WITH FORD BUT I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAN NOT SEE SPEEDOMETER DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR DUSK OR DAWN.
Electrical system 40,000 mi 2.6 yr in service
CAR WILL NOT START. WILL RESPOND TO A JUMP BUT WILL NOT START AFTER RUNNING FOR AWHILE AGAIN. THEN IT STARTS WITH A BIT OF HESITATION FOR AWHILE AND THEN BACK TO NEEDING A JUMP. WHEN AT A STOP AND ACCELERATING, THERE IS A HUGE PAUSE BEFORE THE RPMS KICK IN THEN IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO MAX BEFORE CALMING DOWN TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. POWER JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. ALSO THE SYNC 3 HAS HORRIBLE RESPONSE AND DELAY MOST DAYS. IS IT RELATED TO THE POWER /ELECTRICAL ISSUE? NEW OWNER PURCHASED 2/19.
Power train 1,500 mi 9 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, THERE WAS ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO PROPERLY SHIFT WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHILE BEING OPERATED ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LENIORE CITY FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.

Other Focus model years

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

How to read this