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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-FORD-FOCUS
2017 · ford

ford Focus problems

3 safety recalls. 883 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
427 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
189 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
fuel system
57 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
electrical
25 reports · avg $850
severe
steering
20 reports · avg $700
moderate
cruise control
12 reports · avg $600
moderate
airbags
11 reports · avg $1,100
severe
wheels
8 reports · avg $400
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Focus · powertrain
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective…
12/31/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633339.0
2017 Focus · engine
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal whining sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the “Service Engine Soon” message was displayed…
12/30/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633109.0
2017 Focus · powertrain
The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and attempted to shift into reverse(R) the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the gear shift lever failed to shift into reverse(R). The vehicle was…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499552.0
2017 Focus · fuel system
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that she noticed a drop in fuel economy. Additionally, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499587.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 16V698000 28/09/2016

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

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.
severe NHTSA 17V528000 28/08/2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles

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.
severe NHTSA 19V515000 05/07/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2

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.

Common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Focus reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 883 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Ford Focus has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Ford Focus?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 427 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Focus has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Ford Focus?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 883 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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