2017 Ford Focus acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. Filed Jul 23, 2025NYElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Ford Focus 2017 Hatchback causing traffic jams and backup do to low speed, overheating, stalling, jerky shifting, Failure to move or hesitation in the middle of driving, causing the car to stop or slow down in the middle of traffic and blocking exits and cars from moving around the vehicle. Transmission overheating and car says to pull over when driving after a few minutes. Powertrain is affected car not driving at correct speed. Transmission clutch a disengaged and having a…

   NHTSA complaint #11675775 · source
3. Filed Jul 7, 2025MEEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   On July 2nd my daughter was driving her car and the engine slowed and turned off. She tried to out it in reverse and it would not function. We took it to our mechanics and he got a P287A - code - I then spoke with Ford Customer Service and they stated the extended warranty on that same issue expired June 30th and advised me to reach out to you as the extended warranty was not listed for our vehicle I am hoping someone can help us since we are under the mileage and it was…

   NHTSA complaint #11671640 · source
4. Filed May 5, 202590,000 miNCFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle lost automotive power and shuddered abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the there was an unknown part in the fuel tank that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired;…

   NHTSA complaint #11659095 · source
5. Filed Mar 26, 2025138,000 miNCAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle rolled backwards while on an incline. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The contact stated that the transmission overheated, and a message to pull over was displayed. The vehicle was slow to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to…

   NHTSA complaint #11650692 · source
6. Filed Jan 17, 2025GAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I was getting off of work to go home when I got on the main hwy my car just started to slow down and would not go over 10 mph and the speed limited on that hwy is 45 mph so I had to get off the road before I was hit from behind.

   NHTSA complaint #11636655 · source
7. Filed Jan 17, 2024MSFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a recall on my 2017 ford focus that is for the gas tank deformation , this happens because the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. It jerks , excels and dies when low on or getting gas mostly . Recently it wouldn’t reverse or go over 15 miles and would limp only , not drivable . Codes say it’s clutch b stuck engaged . I took it to the ford dealership and they gave me a 8000 repair bill when I…

   NHTSA complaint #11565901 · source
8. Filed Dec 29, 2023WVAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Yes it is available for inspection if you choose to do so. Roughly a month ago my transmission shifted into neutral while trying to merge onto the interstate. It bucked around and eventually caught the right gear, and the problem persisted the next 15 miles to my destination, as well as the 15 miles home. I couldn't afford to take it to the shop, so I didn't drive it for a couple weeks. I then had some responsibilities to take care of, and the car was so much worse this…

   NHTSA complaint #11562691 · source
9. Filed Jul 2, 2023INAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   On MANY multiple occasions the vehicle has undergone a transmission/clutch failure. The worst of which was when passing a vehicle on a busy section of interstate and the car effectively put itself in neutral, unable to accelerate, at which point the vehicle behind us had to swerve to not collide with us or cause an accident. After the third time bringing it back to the dealership for repairs, I looked into it. We have only been able to drive this car LITERALLY HALF of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11529956 · source
10. Filed Apr 2, 2023NYAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    I pulled out of my brothers driveway as I pulled out the car failed to go over 10mph and started to lurch back and forth. I almost got in an accident because of this. There was a car coming down the road and they had to swerve to miss me because I couldn’t get the car to go over 10. I promptly pulled the car over after that.The car also would go into reverse but would not move. I had the car towed to a local Ford dealer because I did not feel it was safe to drive. There were…

    NHTSA complaint #11515009 · source
11. Filed Mar 20, 2023107,000 miILEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle also failed to shift into reverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who scanned the vehicle who informed her there was small leak in the fuel line. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11512750 · source
12. Filed Nov 19, 2022MDCrashAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    Car was at highway speed and was given light input to change lanes. With light input, the engine accelerated in an uncontrolled manner, revving to maybe 5000 rpm. The driver had to slam on the brakes to counteract. Result was a rear-end collision with the car in front (Route 95 near Laurel, MD). For what it is worth, the car also gave an "overheating" alarm for the Powershift DCT transmission even though no such alarm had ever appeared previously. So first time alarm on the…

    NHTSA complaint #11494225 · 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