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Ford Focus
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History

10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.

📋
1,000
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
🔔
13
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
💥
10
Crash-Related
crash complaints
🔥
3
Fire-Related
fire complaints
🏥
5
Injuries Reported
across all years
🤖
Poor
AI Rating
reliability score

Checking a specific Ford Focus? Run a VIN check for its exact history.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

🤖

AI Reliability Analysis

Poor

The Ford Focus (2017-2026) has a high number of complaints, particularly in the power train and engine categories, with 13 recalls and 10 crash-related complaints. This suggests significant reliability issues that buyers should consider.

💡 Buyer Advice

Avoid the Ford Focus unless you are prepared for potential power train and engine problems; consider a thorough pre-purchase inspection and extended warranty.

Key Concerns:
  • Power train failures
  • Engine issues
  • Engine cooling problems
Most Complaints
2017
500 complaints
Fewest Complaints
2026
0 complaints

📅 NHTSA Complaints by Model Year

2017
500
2018
500
2019
0
2020
0
2021
0
2022
0
2023
0
2024
0
2025
0
2026
0
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Apr 2026

🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls

13 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #18V735000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Campaign #19V515000May 7, 2019

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Campaign #18V845000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Campaign #17V528000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Campaign #16V698000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
Campaign #23V905000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
Campaign #26V011000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Campaign #26V012000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Campaign #18V735000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Campaign #18V845000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Campaign #23V905000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
Campaign #26V011000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Campaign #26V012000Invalid Date

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 1,000 NHTSA complaints.

1
POWER TRAIN
428 complaints
2
ENGINE
297 complaints
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
197 complaints
4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
96 complaints
5
FUEL SYSTEM
76 complaints
6
GASOLINE
76 complaints
7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
62 complaints
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
48 complaints

📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports

1,000 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEApr 2026

The block heater on this car is leaking. The recall 26V011 does not apply to this VIN, even though it falls under the year, make, model category. How can I get my vehicle to have the recall done when it shows that it is not affected, even though it is clearly leaking.

ENGINEApr 2026

engine failure - coolant entering engine cylinder #2, Internal engine failure. Car was stalled loss of power on highway and almost killed. Towed to nearest mechanic shop. Need to disassemble and confirm failure point. Ford law suits for coolant internal engine damage and failure. This is a known defect with Ford Ecoboost engines. Including coolant/antifreeze entering the engine. Also, the coolant intrusion into cylinders. Requesting good will assistance as unable to use car for over 2 months. Ford headquarters is acting like they know nothing about this.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEApr 2026

●Unknown- transmition seem to slip or acted like stalling or about to die. Would jerk forward and shutter till finally would not start after being turned off. So had it towed because would not start again. ●myself and others in my 2017 Ford Focus titanium edition were traveling over a bridge at the time of the incident and very well have stalled out or quit running in the middle of traffic on a bridge causing a collision or worse loss of life ●No- no service center has addressed the issue not due to me not trying but merely, nothing's been done from where I've taken it to ●No- at the moment that is not required as of yet. ●Yes- the forward jerking and shuttering started a couple of years every now and then, until it turned into such a severe situation. ●No - no signs signals lights or anything on the dash showed any kind of sign of anything wrong with the vehicle.

ENGINEMar 2026

Ford refuses to respond to emails nor return calls...... Cracked cylinder head caused from a known issue Ford failed to recall. The 2.0L Ecoboost uses an aluminum cylinder head with relatively thin casting areas between the combustion chamber and coolant passages. Coolant passages run very close to the exhaust valve seats. The turbocharged exhaust temperatures are EXTREMELY high. Thin aluminum sections are repeatedly exposed to rapid heating and cooling cycles. Over time this creates micro-fractures int he heat casting, which eventually grow into a crack between the combustion chamber and coolant jacket. This defect tends to occur between 60k - 100k miles. Safety: Car was smoking so bad that it could have caught fire. The car has been inspected by a Ford dealership and declared this to be the problem. The fix is a new engine that costs 12k. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure. Car is still deemed inoperable as Ford refuses to help with the fix.

ENGINEMar 2026

The engine oil light came on during late September or early October of 2024 while on the highway. There was a severe loss of power. I was able to get the car back to my residence and changed the oil filter and oil. The error persisted, I then changed the oil pressure switch to see if that was the issue, but it did not resolve. In approximately December of 2024, a friend who is a mechanic and has thousands of hours of experience offered to look at the issue. He pulled the engine and found that the oil pump belt and timing belt were severely degraded and had clogged the oil screen. He replaced the two belts and cleaned the screen hoping it would resolve the issue. In approximately late may or early June 2025 I got the car back and by the beginning of August the engine had seized due to damage received when the oil pressure had failed due to a clogged screen back in 2024. Thankfully I was not on the highway when the engine seized.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEMar 2026

Recall maintenance with regard to NHTSA ID Number: 19V515000 for a Purge Valve was completed 1/9/2025. Starting in October 12, 2025, driving on the freeway, a large "bang" was felt/heard. I pulled over, the dust cover under the car had ripped partially off and took a portion of my grill trim with it. The car still ran perfectly fine, so I continued the mile and a half to my house. I did not see anything that I may have hit on the highway and did not see anything eject behind my car when this incident happened. I noticed the oil light begin to flicker as I was ½ mile from home for maybe a second, then it was off and then flickered again, it did not stay lit. I filed a claim with my insurance-Progressive-they wanted to total my car without inspecting it. I negotiated and they had me take it to The Ford dealer who inspected it visually to see if the cause was internal combustion as my insurance claimed, or external damage. See photos. They recommended a full engine replacement after only a visual inspection and charged me 276.70. I had the oil-pan replaced as shown on my bank statement 1053.77, with Interstate Automotive who verified no engine damage was found. Next the LCD instrument panel showed distorted, or not at all, or perfectly fine at times, which made it hard to read, and no instrument warnings are given for any issue, just the check engine light. As of today, 3/10/26, car will no longer reverse or progress into 2nd gear, is sluggish and feels as though it has no power at all. This happened randomly on 3/9/26 after the car would not start and it was believed to be a battery issue. The battery was replaced 3/9/26 148.08. When the diagnostic codes for the check engine light were tested, they showed a faulty CO2 module issue. New parts will be installed on 3/11/26. All of the above described issues seem as though they could be related to a major safety issue with this vehicle, but Ford insists any courtesy fixes are not available to my VIN.

POWER TRAINFeb 2026

While driving on the highway, (I-40) my dash lit up with "transmission fault stop car" The it shudders, bounced in and out of gear to finally completely stopped. Although I wasn't killed, my life was in danger. I believe the 2017 dual clutch transmission is faulty and should be added to the 2016 recall.

POWER TRAINFeb 2026

Driving down the road the car shimmed a couple times I parked it turned it off when I went to turn it back on. It wouldn’t turn over when I finally got it to turn on. It wouldn’t go on reverse sometimes it’ll start sometimes it won’t sometimes it’ll go in reverse and sometimes it won’t.

ENGINEFeb 2026

My vehicles engine died in traffic and left me stranded in the middle of a busy road. Upon a mechanics review the issue is a siezed engine because of the oil pump pickup tube clogged with pieces of the oil pump or timing chain pulleys that had broken off.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2026

I am reporting a safety-related defect in my 2017 Ford Focus equipped with the PowerShift dual-clutch (DPS6) transmission. The vehicle has experienced ongoing transmission and clutch-related issues, including shuddering, jerking, hesitation from a stop, delayed engagement, and unpredictable acceleration behavior. These issues are most noticeable in low-speed driving, stop-and-go traffic, and when accelerating from a complete stop. The clutch has previously required replacement/repair, yet the same drivability problems persist. The vehicle continues to jerk and hesitate in a way that makes it unsafe to enter intersections, merge into traffic, or drive in congested conditions. I have been informed that further repairs are not cost-effective and that the transmission/clutch issues are likely to continue despite repair attempts. Being advised that the vehicle is “not worth repairing” due to this known transmission design is concerning and suggests a systemic defect rather than normal wear. I am aware that Ford has faced widespread complaints, investigations, and class-action litigation related to similar PowerShift dual-clutch transmission failures in earlier model years. Although my 2017 model year was excluded from the settlement, the symptoms and behavior of my vehicle are consistent with the same known defect pattern. The condition appears to be worsening over time and presents a clear safety risk due to hesitation, sudden engagement, and loss of driver control during normal driving situations.

POWER TRAINFeb 2026

My 2017 Ford Focus transmission failed at 113,000 miles. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flashing warning light and no cell signal.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 2026

UNKOWN my rpms rev up randomly I can’t shut my car off when I get gas and makes a raving up sound I can’t reverse

SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 2026

I am reporting a dealership conduct issue that directly affected vehicle safety and caused financial loss. Valley Ford of Columbus, Ohio told me by phone that a specific safety-related part for my vehicle was in stock and available. Based on that representation, I traveled to the dealership and took time away from work. When I arrived, I was told the part was not available and had not been there. Shortly after this, I went out of town. During that time, Valley Ford stated they were unable to reach me. After returning, I again contacted Valley Ford and was once more told that the same safety-related part was available. I again traveled to the dealership, taking additional time off work, and once again was told upon arrival that the part was not available. This resulted in the same situation happening twice. Because of this repeated misinformation, I lost wages and hard-earned paid time off (PTO), was delayed in repairing my vehicle, and had to continue driving while waiting for a safety-related component I was told was available. I use my vehicle for work every day for approximately eight hours per day. Being forced to continue operating my vehicle without this safety-related repair places myself and other motorists at risk. After these incidents, I contacted Germain Ford of Columbus, Ohio in an effort to resolve the issue. I was informed that the same safety-related part could take up to eight weeks to become available. This extended delay has further prolonged my inability to complete necessary safety-related repairs and has continued to place me in a potentially unsafe driving situation. I believe this repeated misinformation and prolonged unavailability of a safety-related vehicle component is dangerous and unacceptable. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA is aware of the actions of Valley Ford of Columbus, Ohio and the ongoing delay reported by Germain Ford of Columbus, Ohio.

POWER TRAINJan 2026

I have 2017 Ford Focus that is experiencing transmission issues related to the DPS6 Powershift transmission and TCM recall but my VIN number is [XXX] was not included. I am experiencing issues with the car shifting into 1st and 2nd gears, it will revv up at a stop but not accelerate immediately. I have been to a mechanic multiple times and had the lower actuator replaced, new radiator fan installed, clutches scrubbed, and TCM reprogrammed. Multiple mechanics have recommended replacing the transmission as a solution. I called my local ford dealership who denied to service my vehicle under any recall or warranty, I spoke with a manufacturer representative who also told me that Ford is unwilling to do anything for my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJan 2026

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJan 2026

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERDec 2025

My 2017 Ford Focus is grounded due to the oil pump safety recall involving loss of oil pressure and engine stall. Ford is refusing to provide alternate transportation unless I pay out of pocket. As a result, I am unable to work and have no safe transportation while Ford repairs a known safety defect. I have already missed an entire week of work due to their negligence, and they are unwilling to help.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAINDec 2025

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 failed to turn on while driving on other occasions, causing the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, where the contact was informed that the transmission was failing. The cooling system was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor had failed, and the sensor was replaced. The contact stated that the transmission failure was worsening. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

ENGINEDec 2025

After recall Campaign 23S64 and the engine being replaced with G1FG-6006-DA and traceability Code [XXX] . Incident Description On Saturday [XXX], while driving on the freeway, my vehicle began sputtering and lost power. The RPMs increased but the speed did not. The check engine light illuminated briefly and then went out. This created an Immediate serious safety hazard to me my passenger and other drivers on the road as I was unable to maintain speed in traffic and had to leave the freeway Immediately. Diagnostic Findings •Initial AutoZone OBD-II scan revealed P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire). •Dealer’s own diagnostic later reported P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire), with carbon tracking on all spark plugs and ignition coil boots. •Dealer noted the locking tab on Cylinder 3 ignition coil connector was broken, requiring a new pigtail. •Dealer also identified a broken front motor mount, but is attempting to charge me for replacement despite the fact that the mount must be removed and reinstalled during an engine swap. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNov 2025

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.

Showing 20 of 1,000 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check a Specific Ford Focus

This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.

📖 Understanding This Data

📋

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Ford Focus has 1,000 complaints on record across 10 model years.

🔔

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Ford Focus has 13 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

💥

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 10 of the Ford Focus's 1,000 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

🤖

How Is the AI Rating Calculated?

The AI reliability rating (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.

📊

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

🔍

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Ford Focus vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Ford Focus vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

🔎

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Ford Focus has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

🔒

Is This Data Saved in Firebase & Indexed by Google?

Yes — intentionally. When you first visit this page, our server fetches live data directly from the NHTSA public API (no key required), processes it, and caches it in Google Firebase Firestore for 24 hours. The fully rendered HTML — with all NHTSA complaints, recalls, NCAP ratings, and investigations — is then indexed by Google Search. This is by design: caching real government data in Firebase lets us serve comprehensive vehicle safety pages instantly, while giving Google Bots rich structured content to rank for searches like "Ford Focus reliability" or "NHTSA recalls." No personal data is stored — only public NHTSA records are cached. You can always verify everything directly at nhtsa.gov.

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