2017 Ford Focus engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V905000Dec 22, 2023139,730 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

  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.

  Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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 parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 26, 2026FLEngine

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission failure after 2 recall/warranty repairs, most recently in July 2026. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle accelerating and then stopping out right on and off the freeway "bucking" on the freeway, fast then slow, with no foot on the accelerator. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This…

   NHTSA complaint #11759835 · source
2. Filed Aug 20, 2026160,000 miMIEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11758167 · source
3. Filed Aug 14, 2026OHEngine

   I was driving and during the drive I realized that if the accelerator pedal was pressed more than the lightest touch the car would stop accelerating. I decided that I had to turn back to go home, and during my return trip the engine oil pressure lamp started flashing at me. Soon after, I entered a roundabout and pressed the clutch. At this moment the engine stopped working (tach to 0 rpm) and I had to coast and pull over. The starter worked but the engine did not turn…

   NHTSA complaint #11756867 · source
4. Filed Aug 13, 2026WAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11756823 · source
5. Filed Aug 11, 2026123,226 miUTTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after approximately 45 minutes after each failure. The vehicle was towed to the neighbor's house approximately seven times and was taken once to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that on one occasion while attempting to restart the vehicle, the accelerator pedal…

   NHTSA complaint #11756238 · source
6. Filed Aug 4, 2026TXEngine

   Timing belt came apart and my engine blew in the middle of driving. I contacted ford and they said i had to deal with it. So I have had it repaired. I have invoices. Warning light came on seconds before it died. I only have 40,000 miles on my car.

   NHTSA complaint #11754853 · source
7. Filed Jul 25, 2026INTowedEngine

   I presented my vehicle to Oliver Ford-Lincoln in Plymouth, IN for inspection under recall 23S64 / NHTSA 23V-905. The dealership confirmed that the oil pump drive belt degraded, clogging the oil pickup pump screen and causing engine oil starvation and complete engine failure. The dealership subsequently denied recall coverage claiming "bad maintenance history". Under NHTSA Campaign 23V-905, Ford explicitly acknowledges that the wet belt and tensioner are defective by design…

   NHTSA complaint #11752825 · source
8. Filed Jul 15, 2026178,000 miNYEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11750662 · source
9. Filed Jul 6, 2026NJEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving approximately 53 mph on a main road, my 2017 Ford Focus suddenly displayed the message “Engine Fault Service Now.” The vehicle immediately entered limp mode, downshifted into 2nd gear, and would not accelerate above approximately 31 mph. During the event, the engine shook noticeably and made abnormal noises. No check engine light appeared during this initial incident. This problem occurred multiple times over several days, most often when the fuel tank was…

   NHTSA complaint #11748428 · source
10. Filed Apr 16, 2026MDElectrical SystemEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11731612 · source
11. Filed Apr 6, 2026MIEngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11729480 · source
12. Filed Apr 3, 2026FLEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

    ●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…

    NHTSA complaint #11728958 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology