2017 Ford Focus: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 897 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, engine, and fuel system. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2017- Owner complaints
- 897
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 18
- 16 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2017 Ford Focus: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Focus is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2017 Ford Focus. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0L 3-cylGas | FWD | 34 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | FWD | 31 mpg |
| 2.3L 4-cylGas | AWD | 22 mpg |
| Electric | FWD | 115 mi range |
| 2.0L 4-cylFlex fuel | FWD | 31 mpg |
- The 2017 Ford Focus was sold in five versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 115 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Stalling and hard starting after refueling
50,000–98,000 miles
Oil pump belt engine failure
53,000–69,000 miles
Dual-clutch transmission slipping and failure
56,000–89,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Ford Focus, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission4335 crashes
The PowerShift dual-clutch automatic shudders, slips, and jerks, most often when pulling away and on the shift from first to second. Drivers describe sudden power loss, lunging, engine revs flaring as if in neutral, overheating warnings, and cars that will not engage reverse or move at all. Clutches and the transmission control module get replaced again and again, and owners say the fixes last only 20,000 to 25,000 miles. Most reports fall between 56,000 and 89,000 miles. Five complaints involve crashes, several after surging or lost power in traffic.
Engine1942 crashes
Sudden engine failure is the dominant pattern, often seconds after the oil pressure light comes on at highway speed. The car loses power and needs a tow, and the usual repair is a replacement long block and turbocharger. Mechanics find a broken oil pump belt or timing belt, sometimes with rubber chunks in the oil. On the 1.0-liter EcoBoost, a cracked cylinder can return after the engine is replaced. Most failures land between 53,000 and 69,000 miles. Other reports cover stalling in traffic and turbo failures. Two complaints involve crashes.
Most complaints here are about waiting for a recall repair rather than a new failure. Owners say dealers report parts are not yet available, or refuse to do the work until the engine actually fails. Where engines did fail, reports describe a low oil pressure warning, sudden loss of power, metal shavings in the oil filter, and engine replacement. Some cars overheated after that repair. Separate reports describe coolant that keeps running low and repeated overheating that mechanics struggle to trace.
Fuel system111No crashes
The engine stalls at stops or while driving, hesitates under throttle, or will not start right after refueling. Mechanics blame the canister purge valve, a deformed fuel tank, or the fuel pump, and repeat repairs often fail to stop the stalling. Many owners report dealers declining to fix the car. Reports run from about 50,000 to 98,000 miles. One complaint is fire-related and describes heavy black smoke after a no-start. Another describes fuel found in the engine oil.
Stalling after refueling is the main complaint. At the pump the engine is hard to start, then idles rough, stutters on acceleration, and sometimes dies at highway speed, including while passing trucks. Stored codes point to the canister purge valve and too much vacuum in the fuel tank or evaporative system, such as P1450. Some cars keep stalling after the valve is replaced. A few owners report the engine revving on its own with a sticking throttle that dealers cannot diagnose.
Electrical26No crashes
Sudden shutdowns lead this group. Cars stall at intersections or at speed, sometimes with no warning lights. A few lose all electrical power, so the doors and windows will not open. Two reports mention smoke in the cabin, one of them logged as fire-related, and one complaint lists an injury. Other reports describe short bursts of power loss with a flashing check engine light, transmission shudder, a chafed interior lighting harness that keeps blowing fuses, and a Focus Electric that cut drive power.
Steering20No crashes
Power steering assist cuts out without warning. A steering fault message appears and the wheel suddenly turns heavy. Some cars pull hard to one side when this happens, and several owners barely avoided collisions. Restarting the car sometimes brings the assist back for a while. Repairs mean a new steering rack or steering motor, and one quote reached $2700. Failures show up as early as 6,400 miles and as late as 89,000.
Airbags119 crashes
Front and side collisions at roughly 25 to 50 mph end with no air bag deployment. Nine of the 11 complaints involve crashes, with injuries such as whiplash, head strikes, and spinal disc bulges. One report says only the bag under the steering wheel deployed. A separate complaint describes an air bag warning light that went from coming on now and then to staying on. A dealer traced it to a code for the passenger seat belt pretensioner.
Brakes61 crash
Brake complaints are few and varied. The most serious describes a pedal that sinks to the floor with no resistance, ending in a crash that injured the driver. Another ties a loss of power brakes to a failed oil pump belt. Others describe a clutch pedal that drops to the floor and stays down, and regenerative brakes that skip or lock on rough pavement. One complaint is about a dealer that repeatedly said a safety part was in stock when it was not.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Focus owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
My transmission started to slip , took it to a garage then I had to WALK through A VERY BAD area in Philadelphia. Ford Roadside towed it to Chapman’s on Roosevelt Blvd on 8/9 where we bought it. They still haven’t looked at it because they’re so busy and backed up and in the meantime I have no way to get to work & it’s costing me $40 a day for Lyft and my mental health. The car only has 60,000 miles, I shouldn’t have to be dealing with this
Filed with NHTSA, August 2022
Clutch needs to be replaced at 77,000 miles. This is a related issue with Ford Focus vehicles’ transmission. I was never told that the transmissions were an issue when I purchased this vehicle. I took it to ford and they said it’s wear and tear instead of addressing the issue that the transmission is bad. They wanted $4000 for repairs. I paid $17k cash for this car. The car does not switch gears and makes grinding noises when driving or coming to a stop.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
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.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
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
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
The block heater on this car is leaking. The recall 26V011 does not apply to this VIN, even though it falls under the year, make, model category. How can I get my vehicle to have the recall done when it shows that it is not affected, even though it is clearly leaking.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2026
How the 2017 compares with other Focus years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2017 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 6 Focus years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission433818
- Engine194140
- Fuel system111131
- Electrical2687
- Steering20134
- Airbags1115
Where the 2017 fits in the Focus's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2017 is the seventh model year of the Focus's third generation (2011–2018).
It includes the 2014 update.
What changed for 2014
- Minor exterior updates
- Enhanced technology integration
Recalls to confirm (10)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V376000TransmissionJun 2026
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
26V369000Fuel systemJun 2026
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.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
26V012000EquipmentJan 2026
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
26V011000EquipmentJan 2026
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
23V905000EngineDec 2023
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.
Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
19V515000Fuel systemJul 2019
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
18V845000TransmissionNov 2018
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
18V735000Fuel systemOct 2018
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
17V528000Seat beltsAug 2017
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.".
Risk: The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear second left side rear seat back as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C13.
16V698000Door latches and locksSep 2016
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.".
Risk: 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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
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