2017 Ford Focus: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1156 complaints
1156
Total Complaints
52,800mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
28
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
25,925
25th Percentile
52,800
Median Mileage
80,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
420
Engine
219
Fuel/Propulsion System
114
Unknown Or Other
78
Engine And Engine Cooling
76
Fuel System, Gasoline
49
Vehicle Speed Control
33
Electrical System
32
Steering
19
Air Bags
15
Severity Assessment
28
Crashes
4
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE A AUTO DIM AT NIGHT TIME . CAN NOT READ SPEEDOMETER AT DUSK OR DAWN WHEN DRIVING UNDER OVERHEAD LED STREET LIGHTS THAT LEAVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. AUTO DIMMER HAS NO ADJUSTMENT TO BRIGHTEN PAST CERTAIN BRIGHTNESS. LIGHTS IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES WORK DIFFERENTLY THE..."
"THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE A AUTO DIM AT NIGHT TIME . CAN NOT READ SPEEDOMETER AT DUSK OR DAWN WHEN DRIVING UNDER OVERHEAD LED STREET LIGHTS THAT LEAVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. AUTO DIMMER HAS NO ADJUSTMENT TO BRIGHTEN PAST CERTAIN BRIGHTNESS. LIGHTS IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES WORK DIFFERENTLY THE..."
"THIS WILL BE MY SECOND COMPLAINT, AS I HAVE A COMPLAINT # CAS-12526659-Q7S5M2 WITH FORD BUT I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAN NOT SEE SPEEDOMETER DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR DUSK OR DAWN."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
420 complaints
25th: 18,350 mi
Median: 48,900 mi
75th: 75,000 mi
Engine
219 complaints
25th: 41,377 mi
Median: 63,000 mi
75th: 83,250 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
114 complaints
25th: 23,125 mi
Median: 49,450 mi
75th: 68,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
78 complaints
25th: 18,300 mi
Median: 40,000 mi
75th: 53,200 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
76 complaints
25th: 56,875 mi
Median: 78,000 mi
75th: 99,305 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 100
CA: 91
MI: 73
FL: 64
IL: 60
GA: 55
VA: 52
NC: 51
PA: 49
MO: 47
Who Files Complaints?
1%
Original Owners
99%
Second+ Owners
Ford Focus — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (8)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Storage
Campaign 18V735000 | 22/10/2018
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.
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
Storage
Campaign 19V515000 | 05/07/2019
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.
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
Manual Transmission
Campaign 18V845000 | 28/11/2018
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.
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.
Rear/Other
Campaign 17V528000 | 28/08/2017
The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
Lock
Campaign 16V698000 | 28/09/2016
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.
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.
Pump
Campaign 23V905000 | 22/12/2023
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 par
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V011000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 lett
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V012000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipa
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28