2017 Ford Focus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ford Focus has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 896 complaints, 10 recalls, and a median failure mileage of 55,392 miles, with transmission and engine issues dominating owner reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 62/100
- #6 of 14 Focus years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 896
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 18
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2017 Ford Focus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain452 (50%)
- Engine326 (36%)
- Fuel System177 (20%)
- Other80 (9%)
- Electrical System41 (5%)
- Steering20 (2%)
- Airbags15 (2%)
- Brakes13 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (1%)
- Structure & Body10 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, sometimes leading to injuries.
- Vehicles roll or lurch forward unexpectedly after being shifted into park or while parking at low speed.
- Brake pedal reportedly loses resistance and goes to the floor during normal stops.
- Engine stalls suddenly while turning or driving at low speed, sometimes requiring a tow.
- Fuel system problems cause hard starting and black smoke, in one case linked to a fire.
- Water intrusion around the rear door is reported after rain, raising concerns about body sealing.
2017 Ford Focus recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V376000Jun 9, 2026Transmission & Powertrain5,252 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
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.
Risk: 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.
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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. 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.
- NHTSA 26V369000Jun 9, 2026Fuel System257,868 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 26V012000Jan 15, 2026Other2,403 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 October 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.
2017 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford Focus reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Focus a Complaint Index of 62, worse than most other Focus years and good for a rank of 6th out of 14. It carries a Caution verdict, with transmission and powertrain complaints making up half of all reports.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Ford Focus?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead, accounting for 452 of 896 complaints (50%), with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. Engine problems follow at 326 complaints (36%), with a median mileage of 66,611.5.
- Does the 2017 Ford Focus have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 18V845000 covers a clutch fracture risk on 2016-2018 Focus models with the 1.0L engine and 6-speed manual, and a newer campaign, 26V376000, addresses vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under earlier clutch recalls.
- How does the 2017 Focus compare to other Focus years?
- The 2017 Focus ranks 6th worst of 14 years with a Complaint Index of 62. Years 2012 through 2014 and 2016 score worse and carry Avoid verdicts, while 2011 is the Best year with an index of 0.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Focus have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2017 Focus, covering transmission clutch fractures, fuel system canister purge valve failures, and engine block heater coolant leaks, none marked do-not-drive.