NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 11 recalls, 884 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Ford Focus.
107 MPGe combined
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2017 Ford Focus generates a heavy volume of complaints, with the powertrain and engine drawing the most attention by a wide margin. On the powertrain side, owners frequently report the transmission shuddering, jerking, and hesitating during acceleration, with some describing the vehicle stalling or refusing to restart after being shut off. The engine complaints center heavily on coolant intrusion, owners report coolant entering the cylinders, leading to internal engine failure, sudden loss of power, and vehicles being towed in for teardown. Oil pressure loss also comes up across multiple reports, with owners describing the oil warning light appearing at highway speeds alongside a sharp drop in power. The engine cooling category adds further reports of coolant-related failures, reinforcing that coolant integrity is the most commonly described engine concern for this model year.
884
Total Complaints
18
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Ford Focus has 11 recalls, with the most serious being multiple fire and stall risks tied to the fuel system, drivetrain, and engine block heater.
Several recalls involve unexpected engine stalls. A canister purge valve can malfunction and create excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor system, causing the engine to stall without warning and preventing a restart. Separately, the oil pump drive belt or tensioner can fail, cutting oil pressure and also killing engine power while reducing brake assist. Note that prior repair attempts on the canister purge valve issue did not fully resolve the problem for some vehicles, resulting in additional recalls to address incomplete fixes.
Three recalls raise fire concerns. Vehicles with a 1.0L engine and 6-speed manual transmission can develop a fractured clutch that damages the transmission and causes a fluid leak near hot exhaust components. Prior repairs for this clutch issue were also found to be incomplete for some vehicles. The engine block heater, when plugged in, can crack and leak coolant internally, creating an electrical short that raises fire risk.
On the structural side, the rear left seat back may have an insufficient weld at the pivot bracket, reducing the seat's ability to restrain an occupant in a crash. Finally, on hatchback models equipped with a manual transmission, the liftgate can unlatch with a single accidental press of the interior release button, posing a risk to rear passengers.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The clutch may fracture in vehicles that were previously repaired under recalls 18V169 and 18V845. A fractured clutch can damage the transmission assembly and cause transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may malfunction in certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that received an incorrect repair under recall 18V735, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to address the valve malfunction.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant, which may cause it to short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil pump drive belt or tensioner can fail, causing the engine to lose oil pressure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt at no cost. If engine damage has occurred, dealers will replace the engine assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine control module wasn't updated as planned. This can cause the canister purge valve to fail, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor system.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control module software, check for fault codes, and replace the canister purge valve if needed. Related components will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch can fracture, potentially damaging the transmission assembly and causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software to detect and prevent clutch slip, and replace the clutch if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may stop working properly, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
What the fix does
Dealer will reprogram the engine control module and check for fault codes. Canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank, or fuel delivery module will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weld connecting the rear left seat back's pivot bracket may be weak, reducing seat strength and increasing injury risk in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat back and replace the frame if the weld is found to be inadequate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear left seat back frame may have a weak weld at the pivot bracket and nut joint, reducing the seat's structural strength and affecting seat belt attachment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear left seat back as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hatchback can open with a single press of the interior release button, failing to stay latched properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
