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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,533 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #118

Oct 192023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle has had some trouble turning over recently and my check engine light came on shortly after. I ran a diagnostic and was given the code P1450 and who's symptoms were in line with what my car has experienced. I see that there was a recall for other 2012-2018 Ford Focuses with identical problems with my car also having a 2.0 liter GDI engine and was manufactured in the Michigan Ford plant prior to February 2 2018 (the Ford employee I spoke to confirmed that my Focus was built in January of 2017). My car has yet to stall or fail to turn over completely but the problem is becoming more frequent and I believe that my vehicle is one that should have been part of the recall as I'm experiencing identical problems and my vehicle meets the criteria for other vehicles that were part of the recall.

- Live Oak, TX, USA

problem #117

Jul 012023

Focus

  • miles
The recall that Ford has out on Focus-??s between 2012-2018 is exactly the problems my 2017 ford focus is having, where it stalls constantly and won-??t turn on after. I-??ve tried filing with only premium gas, keeping my tank full and it is still happening. I-??ve had my vehicle towed multiple times. I-??ve had the canister purge valve replaced and am still having issues.

- Tulsa , OK, USA

problem #116

Apr 302023

Focus

  • miles
Car has 61,000 miles on it, after leaving home and getting on the interstate my wife and I felt the car lurch and the oil light came on. We pulled over and the lifters were ticking and we shut the engine off and had the car towed home(about a mile) I drained the oil and there was rubber chunks in it. Dropped the oil pan and the oil pump belt tensioner is broken, cogs are stripped off the belt and it became apparent that our oil pressure dropped to zero at highway speed, had we not been in the right lane and pulled over quickly the motor would have locked up at 70mph. I did some research and found the problem to be somewhat widespread. I contacted Ford hoping for a goodwill gesture considering the miles and was told there will be nothing they can do about it. We made the last two car payments on it and it has sat untouched on jackstands in the driveway since then.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #115

Sep 222023

Focus

  • 44,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,500.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #114

Sep 012022

Focus

  • miles
The purge valve keeps failing causing hard starts and uneven pressure in the fuel tank

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #113

Sep 072023

Focus

  • miles
In may of 2022, while driving at highway speed (approximately 65 MPH) my engine stopped working overheated and I almost crashed attempting to get off the highway. The vehicle mileage was just over 40,000 miles. The reason was vehicle oil pump stopped working due to pieces of debris from engine rubber drive chain clogged engine oil filter. This has occurred over and over on the 1.6 liter eco boost engine. Engine was replaced under warranty and I was given a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty on replaced engine. During the time of the warranty I on numerous occasions dealt with overheating issues as coolant level was constantly low. On one occasion engine stopped working and steam bellowed out almost again causing a crash at highway speed. Engine was diagnosed in 7/2023 by local Ford dealership of engine block grooves allowing coolant to leak into cylinders which led to catastrophic engine failure. My vehicle now has just over 50,000 miles and Ford states that since I am over my 60 month power train warranty they will do nothing to cover costs on a 3rd engine replace. That is 2 separate instances where engine completely failed and stopped while driving at highway speeds and at least 2 times where engine overheating nearly caused the vehicle to become overheated to the point of causing a fire.

- Bakersfield , CA, USA

problem #112

Aug 302023

Focus

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and started to shake with the RPM increasing. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P0456 (EVAP leak). Additionally, the contact stated that the 02 sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #111

Jul 112023

Focus

  • miles
Driving and car no longer would accelerate, this could have been very dangerous had I been traveling on a fast paced road/highway and even more concerning with my child in the car. oil pressure light and check engine light came on simultaneously when this issue happened. Car was immediately turned off in hopes of not damaging the engine. There was no warning of any type of issue with the car. Has been running fine for almost 6 years, until this. 2017 Ford Focus Ecoboost SE Approx 59,000 miles.

- Roanoke , VA, USA

problem #110

Apr 012023

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle has an intermittent problem that causes it to lose power, become unresponsive, and leave the occupants vulnerable to a collision if it becomes necessary to accelerate from cross traffic or to be rear ended due to rapid deceleration. At random intervals usually daily the check engine light will begin to flash and pressing the throttle the driver will find that the vehicle will not accelerate. This condition last typically 30 seconds, during that time the vehicle is essentially coasting along under simple inertia. Then as suddenly as it began the light turns off and the car returns to normal. My vehicle experienced catastrophic failure during one such episode resulting in a thrown rod in cylinder number 3, the vehicle had the engine replaced under warranty at a cost of $12,000. After the car was returned I found that it continued to experience the same problem, returned to the place that installed the engine and they weren't able to repair the problem. Was directed to take to Temecula Ford, they required I allow their technician to drive the vehicle home nightly over 40 miles each direction and after 2 weeks weren't able to supposedly recreate the problem. I picked the car up with nothing to show but extra miles. Immediately the problem once again began, I scanned the ecu and took screen shots and data recordings to provide the dealer. Directed to return the car, they had it another week and despite having the provided information stated they couldn't duplicate the issue. Decided to take it to another local dealership, they had it a week and stated the problem was caused by using NGK spark plugs instead of MotorCraft plugs. I informed them they were installed with the new engine and they required I purchase their spark plugs. I paid $400 for plugs and picked the vehicle up, the problem persisted. I was however given a refund. Still can't use the car, Ford corporation refused to do anything for me.

- Fallbrook, CA, USA

problem #109

Jul 022023

Focus

  • miles
Driving 75mph down the frontage road. The car just stopped. No warning no lights just a violent stop. If there were cars behind us or we were on the highway we could be dead right now!! It stopped no lights took us 2 hrs to get the car home with a no service area. It was clicking in the engine. After it was parked for hrs. This is the second time in 7 months this car has had a serious manufacturer problem! It is unsafe and I will never drive it again!!! Bad for having only 63,000 miles on it!! I got it with 52,000 miles and it broke down instantly with a transmission problem. Was in the shop for 4 months and now this. Dangerous

- Butte, MT, USA

problem #108

Apr 222023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving on 2 lane, car suddenly went dead at 60 mph. Able to get off road. Cranked back up. Checked for code and fuel tank had vacuum lock. Checked with ford. There is a recall on that but not my vin number. Took to Ford garage x4 paid eval. Fee of $159 twice to diagnose. No success. They replace fuel door and clutch total bills approx $500. Last failed attempt to fix the problem revealed more trouble... back end was swerving and jerking.. felt out of control. Somehow when the clutch wS changed out the rear shocks and front struts were busted. And No I didn't take it back after that. Why does mt car show recall code is problem yet vin not covered and garage tries to fix everything but the recall prob and makes everything worse. I do not have the money to throw into these "fixes" I an disabled on tight budget. This is a problem that began on the assembly line at time vehicle was manufactured. I bought I n good faith and ended up with a lemon.

- Verbena, AL, USA

problem #107

Jun 052023

Focus

  • miles
Car is now shutting off while driving. It shut off on me 3 times almost causing several accidents. I called a Ford dealership about current recall and was told I would be charged for a diagnostic and have to pay out of pocket

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #106

Apr 262023

Focus

  • 92,922 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the contact was unsure of the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 92,922.

- Westwood, CA, USA

problem #105

May 122023

Focus

  • miles
This regards my 2017 Ford Focus. The car is 6 years old, I am still making payments on it, has a little over 50,000 miles on it, has been maintained by Ford every year since I bought it, and the transmission and extended warranty had just expired about 2 months ago. A few weeks ago, I'm driving down the freeway around 1pm Pacific, traveling about 60mph when the engine seemed to 'seize up', the engine light came ON, the car jerked several times creating a severely dangerous driving hazard as I tried to keep it under control. It slowly began losing speed, so I made my way off the freeway and made my way to the Ford dealer who had been maintaining the car. It felt like the car was going to stall any minute so I'm lucky I got to the dealer. It took them a few days to get back to me, and they then told me the entire engine and 'boost system' needed to be replaced at a cost of approx. $7,000 (probably just to get another defective engine). They tried to work with Ford to get some financial assistance since this is obviously a defective car, but Ford refused.The dealer suggested I call Ford, so I did, and spoke with a rep and a supervisor on May 22, told them their car was defective and my life had been put in danger, and they both told me they wouldn't help in any way. As I write this, the dealer has ordered parts and am awaiting repairs. I will have been without a car for 3 weeks, paying for Lyft and borrowing cars to get to work. I understand there's a class action lawsuit (Barnes et al vs Ford, US District Court of Delaware Case 1:22-cv-00823). Ford should buy my car back.

- La Habra Heights, CA, USA

problem #104

May 052023

Focus

  • miles
The 2017 ford focus had a 2nd engine installed by ford dealer in April '21 at 56,000 miles due to engine malfunction and seizing. The same thing happened three weeks ago at only 38,000 miles on the new engine. The car would not accelerate then all of the lights came on and stalled. Can not drive.

- Arlington, IN, USA

problem #103

Sep 012022

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was purchased, but they offered no assistance. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #102

Apr 222023

Focus

  • 42,644 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the purge valve to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) was serviced back in 2019. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,644.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #101

Apr 012021

Focus

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate and idle rough. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #100

Mar 312023

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle shakes, stalls shuts off when filling up with gas. Once gas is added, you have to keep the feet on the gas (reveing up to ensure it starts), then drive to get the gas flowing into the engine. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic with an Auto Zone and a mechanic and the codes pulled (more than once) was...P1450 and P2196. This was brought to the attention of dealer at time of purchase and requested another vehicle. They ensured it could be fixed; after another yr. or more now the codes are appearing again. I have dates for repair, but will have to get copies of work completed from the dealer.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #99

Nov 272022

Focus

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled approximately seven times in one trip. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:?19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

- Chickasha, OK, USA

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