Problems · by component

2017 Ford Focus engine and engine cooling problems

81 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus cite engine and engine cooling, 9% of all 906 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
81
9% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a recall repair associated with an engine oil failure and tensioner replacement. The contact stated that after the recall repair, while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and then unintendedly accelerated. The "Service Engine" light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11758167
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low engine oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the contact stopped driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine oil pump, the engine, and the coolant gasket housing were replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the vehicle started overheating. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times, and the contact was eventually informed that diagnostic trouble codes indicating an overheating failure were retrieved when the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer stated that the overheating failure was not related to the recall repair. No further assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; the contact was advised to take the vehicle to another dealer for a second assessment, and the manufacturer would follow up with the initial dealer based on the assessment. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11750662
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact ws unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the replacement engine was purchased from the dealer. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted several times, and the contact was informed that parts were not available, and the call was disconnected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11708763
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced due to a cracked engine block. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle during the several weeks the vehicle was being serviced. The contact received the recall notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted, and confirmed the parts status. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed the part availability. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11708286
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the transmission downshifted between first and third gear. An abnormal sound could be heard coming from the transmission. After driving a short distance, the vehicle functioned as intended. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH on a separate occasion, the transmission downshifted between third and fourth gear, and the vehicle went into limp mode. In addition, an abnormal sound could be heard coming from the transmission, and the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle most recently, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone for a diagnostic test, and the contact was informed that the failure may be related to the transmission clutch. Additionally, the contact stated that the fan had turned on independently, and had…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11704553
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was moving into the HOT zone and the speedometer displayed that the vehicle was decelerating. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer several times, and on several trips to the dealer, the vehicle had to be towed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and advised the contact that the vehicle had been repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently taken to the same dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure recurred after the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine compartment of the vehicle was significantly hot after driving a short distance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11701564

Showing 6 of 81 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Engine and engine cooling: oil

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Dec 22, 2023NHTSA 23V905000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.