NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Ford Focus Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2017 Ford Focus has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 899 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 Ford Focus, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2017 Ford Focus owner complaints

Owners have filed 899 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus, describing incidents dated May 16, 2017 to October 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 454 complaints
  • Engine 302 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 177 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 81 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 37 complaints
  • Electrical System 36 complaints

Of the 899 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 899 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11772048 · Filed

    I had a recall on my vehicle in June of last year for a new motor. I had oil leaking all in my intake. I didn’t get my car back till December with a new motor. As soon as I left the check engine light came back on. I took it back and they said it was my battery. Now my oil is leaking all in my…

  • ODI #11770865 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that an abnormal, burnt rubber odor was emitted from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that…

  • ODI #11768879 · Filed

    I am reporting severe, life-threatening pre-existing safety defects involving the mechanical braking system and the dual-clutch transmission assembly on my 2017 Ford Focus. After purchasing the vehicle from a dealership under the fraudulent written assurance that a safety inspection was completed, I…

Read all 899 complaints

Owner-reported

2017 Ford Focus mileage at failure

521 of the 899 complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Focus give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Power TrainMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 25,000–85,000 milesBased on 280 complaints
EngineMedian 70,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–95,000 milesBased on 157 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion SystemMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 45,000–85,000 milesBased on 100 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 Ford Focus in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Engine Stall From Canister Purge Valve Malfunction

NHTSA #26V369000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Evaporative Emissions — Canister · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 257,868 vehicles

Repair completion: 8.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 26S40 · Owners notified July 29, 2026

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Transmission Clutch May Fracture and Leak Fluid

NHTSA #26V376000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 5,252 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 26S43 · Owners notified October 15, 2026

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. 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.

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

NHTSA #26V011000 · Equipment — Electrical — Engine Block Heater · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 116,672 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 26S01

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

NHTSA #26V012000 · Equipment — Electrical — Engine Block Heater · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 2,403 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 25SA4

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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 December 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.

Engine Oil Pump Failure

NHTSA #23V905000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Oil/Lubrication — Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2023 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 139,730 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 23S64 · Owners notified August 11, 2025 · Vehicles built March 24, 2015 – May 4, 2018 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Stuck Canister Purge Valve may Cause Stall

NHTSA #19V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported July 5, 2019 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 57,488 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.06% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 19S22 · Owners notified July 29, 2019 · Vehicles built August 24, 2016 – April 13, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Transmission Clutch Slip and Fluid Leak

NHTSA #18V845000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported November 28, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 2,828 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 18S07 · Owners notified January 17, 2019 · Vehicles built June 30, 2016 – April 25, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Stuck Canister Purge Valve may Cause Stall

NHTSA #18V735000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported October 22, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,282,596 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.44% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 18S32 · Owners notified August 19, 2019 · Vehicles built August 1, 2010 – February 2, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Insufficient Seat Frame Weld/FMVSS 207, 210

NHTSA #17V528000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2017 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 698 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 17C13 · Owners notified October 10, 2017 · Vehicles built June 7, 2017 – June 12, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Hatchback can be Unlatched with One Button Press

NHTSA #16V698000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Hatchback/Liftgate — Lock · NHTSA notice

Reported September 28, 2016 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 64,038 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 16C13 · Owners notified November 16, 2016 · Vehicles built February 14, 2012 – August 26, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Ford Focus model years

Check your 2017 Ford Focus VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Focus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN