Problems · by component

2017 Ford Focus power train problems

456 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Focus cite power train, 50% of all 906 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
456
50% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that an abnormal, burnt rubber odor was emitted from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while on the highway, nearly resulting in a collision. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer, where the contact was provided an estimate for diagnostic inspection. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 72,339.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Power trainODI 11770865
“I am reporting severe, life-threatening pre-existing safety defects involving the mechanical braking system and the dual-clutch transmission assembly on my 2017 Ford Focus. After purchasing the vehicle from a dealership under the fraudulent written assurance that a safety inspection was completed, I was forced to drive the vehicle a long distance across state lines with my pregnant fiancée and my [XXX] daughter inside. Immediately upon arrival, a certified multi-point mechanical safety inspection at a Ford facility uncovered that the vehicle was completely unroadworthy and posed an immediate hazard to public safety. The safety inspection documented a catastrophically failing transmission clutch assembly, completely rusted-out and failing rear brake rotor/pad assemblies, bad wheel hub bearings, and severely degraded drive belts. The immediate degradation of the dual-clutch power train and the mechanical brake failures under highway conditions created an extreme physical safety risk, including potential wheel lockup and immediate power loss on the highway. I request that this failure list be officially attached to the ongoing federal defect investigation for this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Power train, Service brakesODI 11768879
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked unexpectedly. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly shifted into other gear and the vehicle failed to accelerate and almost caused the vehicle to be T-boned. The vehicle was taken to a service center where the transmission failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Power trainODI 11766675
“The transmission on my 2017 Ford Focus started not shifting correctly. It would shudder, slip and hesitate when shifting. At times when it did get up to speed it would unexpectedly downshift and go into limp mode. The automobile is not safe to drive and is now parked at my residence. A warning would flash up on the dash that stated the transmission was overheating and for me to pull over to a safe location as I recall. On October 22, 2025 the automobile was delivered to a local Ford dealership for a diagnostic system check. Per the diagnostic test report a PPT G was performed and found it necessary to replace the transmission due to a failed B clutch shift fork. The estimate quote for a transmission replacement along with some other repairs was $10,000.00. I had the car towed to my home and it now sits in my driveway until and if a recall is issued. According to an article published by MSN. com that enough complaints were filed that Ford extended warranty coverage, issued a long series of software and hardware fixes, and settled a class action covering roughly two million Focus an Fiesta cars. I have in my possession the invoice for the diagnostic testing which…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Power trainODI 11760607
“2017 focus slow down for traffic go to accelerate and nothing like it wasn’t in gear had to jump out and push car out of intersection told the clutch stuck or tcm but ford won’t fix their mistakes and nobody makes them stand behind their mistake it bad when nobody cares after the sale and they have ur money. Someone help”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Power trainODI 11759289
“I am filing this complaint regarding a severe safety hazard and prolonged failure to resolve an official recall repair by the manufacturer and dealership. In April 2026, the vehicle was brought to the dealership for an official recall repair. The repair was delayed for 2 months. In June 2026, after the dealership confirmed completion, I retrieved the vehicle. While driving on the highway, the check engine light suddenly illuminated and the vehicle completely lost power. Pressing the accelerator pedal produced no response, leaving the car unable to accelerate in active high-speed traffic. This created an extreme safety risk that nearly caused a severe highway collision. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership. The dealership returned the vehicle a second time, claiming it was repaired, but the exact same check engine light illuminated immediately with the same loss of power, requiring another tow. As of August 2026, the dealership has retained the vehicle for over 4 months in total due to backordered parts, without providing a clear completion date or loaner/rental transportation support. The dealership and corporate customer care are currently ignoring…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11756823

Showing 6 of 456 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

2 recalls on this component

Power train: manual transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V376000

Power train: manual transmission

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Power trainReported Nov 28, 2018NHTSA 18V845000
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.