2017 Ford Focus transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V376000Jun 9, 20265,252 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

• Recall 18V845000Nov 28, 20182,828 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 4, 2026MIBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11768879 · source
2. Filed Sep 24, 2026109,000 miKYTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11766675 · source
3. Filed Aug 29, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11760607 · source
4. Filed Aug 24, 2026OKTransmission & Drivetrain

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11759289 · source
5. 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
6. Filed Jul 17, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and sputtering while driving. While accelerating, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint #11751096 · source
7. Filed Jul 16, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   multiple clutch's have had to be replaced in BOTH of my 2017 Ford Focuses. Had to replace the transmission in my other one. Now this one is having transmission issues again. Dont know if I can handle another $4000 bill because Ford created and sold a defective product and depite several repairs never fixed it as they kept using the same faulty parts. Was told by dealership that they just replace the same parts over and over at Ford's direction until the warrenty expires as…

   NHTSA complaint #11750753 · source
8. Filed Jul 6, 202650,000 miUTFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11748475 · 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 May 30, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of transmission engagement and motive power while driving at highway speeds due to a Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle unexpectedly dropped out of gear into a 'no-power' state, creating an immediate traffic hazard and nearly causing a rear-end collision. The vehicle is hardly functioning at any speed, drops all power then jerks into a higher gear. The vehicle is cutting off in traffic and cannot be started…

    NHTSA complaint #11740996 · source
11. Filed May 19, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain

    The symptoms are shuddering (driving and turning corners), delayed acceleration and bouncing from a stop. This has been recalled and the clutch will never stop performing this way. This is the 3rd time I have had an issue. Researching this online, I have found that it is a federal law that it must be fixed free of charge. Dealership has refused to work with me. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

    NHTSA complaint #11738807 · source
12. Filed Mar 11, 2026WAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11723467 · 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