2017 Ford Focus problems and recalls

50% of owner complaints on the 2017 Ford Focus related to the Power Train (453 of 902).

902
Complaints
10
Recalls
18
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
16
Injuries
27.2
Severity index

Severity index 27.2 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 27.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 133 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 3% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 453 complaints (50.2%)453 50%EngineEngine: 232 complaints (25.7%)232 26%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 117 complaints (13.0%)117 13%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 81 complaints (9.0%)81 9%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 81 complaints (9.0%)81 9%Fuel SystemFuel System: 61 complaints (6.8%)61 7%GasolineGasoline: 61 complaints (6.8%)61 7%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 39 complaints (4.3%)39 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN45350.2%
ENGINE23225.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11713.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER819.0%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING819.0%
FUEL SYSTEM616.8%
GASOLINE616.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM394.3%

Complaints filed per year

0901802017: 112018: 342019: 1312020: 1032021: 672022: 1102023: 1252024: 1732025: 1132026: 35 (partial year)17181920212223241732526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201711
201834
2019131
2020103
202167
2022110
2023125
2024173
2025113
2026 (year to date)35
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (411 against 280).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V73500022/10/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFord 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.
19V51500005/07/2019FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFord 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 Modul
18V84500028/11/2018POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.
17V52800028/08/2017SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERFord 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 c
16V69800028/09/2016LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCKFord 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 interi
23V90500022/12/2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMPFord 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.
26V01100015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V01200015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V36900009/06/2026FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERFord 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.
26V37600009/06/2026POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.

Other Ford Focus model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.