The 2017 Ford Focus is notorious for one catastrophic flaw: the DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission (PowerShift). If you're looking at a manual transmission model, it's a solid econobox; if it's the DCT, walk away unless it's already had a full transmission replacement under warranty.
Typical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi, but failures reported across entire lifespan
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially from stops, Hesitation or delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Grinding or clunking noises during shifts, Slipping between gears or loss of power, Overheating smell from transmission area
Fix: Requires complete clutch pack replacement or full transmission rebuild/replacement. Ford issued extended warranties to 100k miles due to class-action settlements, but post-warranty this is brutal. 8-12 labor hours for clutch packs, 10-15 hours for full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $2,800-$4,500 for clutch packs; $4,500-$6,500 for full rebuild/reman unit
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission stuck in one gear or limp mode, Check engine light with transmission-related codes (P0720, P0722, P1825), Complete loss of reverse or forward gears, Erratic shifting patterns even after clutch replacement
Fix: TCM replacement requires programming to VIN. Often fails after or alongside clutch issues. 2-3 labor hours including programming.
Estimated cost: $800-$1,400
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, Burnt smell from engine bay, Low transmission fluid warnings, Overheating transmission temperatures
Fix: Cooler lines corrode where they connect to radiator. Need to replace lines and sometimes the entire cooler assembly. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-$1,200
AC Evaporator Core Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: No cold air from AC system, Refrigerant leaks detected at evaporator, Musty smell from vents, Visible oil residue on passenger floor carpet
Fix: Evaporator is behind the entire dashboard. This is a nightmare job requiring full dash removal, evacuation/recharge of AC system. 10-14 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-$2,800
Purge Valve and EVAP System Issues
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with codes P0441, P0455, P0456, Difficulty refueling (pump clicks off repeatedly), Rough idle or stalling when cold, Fuel smell near fuel tank
Fix: Purge valve sticks open or closed. Sometimes canister itself cracks. Valve replacement is easy (1 hour), but if canister is involved, add 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-$450 for valve only; $600-$900 if canister included
Rear Hatch Latch Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Hatchback won't latch closed or pops open while driving, Hatch ajar warning stays on, Manual override required to close hatch, Corrosion visible on latch mechanism
Fix: Latch assembly corrodes or motor fails. Was subject to recall 18S26, but many post-recall failures still occur. 1.5-2 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $350-$650
Owner tips
If buying used automatic: verify transmission has been replaced under extended warranty, or assume you'll need $4k+ within a year
Manual transmission models avoid the DCT nightmare entirely—strongly prefer the 5-speed or 6-speed manual
Check for active Ford extended warranty coverage (settlement 19V-0437) up to 100k miles on DPS6 clutch
Service transmission fluid every 30k miles if keeping an automatic—won't prevent failure but may delay it slightly
Only consider if it's a manual transmission or has documented proof of full transmission replacement under warranty; the DPS6 automatic is a ticking time bomb that makes this otherwise decent car a liability.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2017 Ford Focus
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in April 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP · 23V905000
2023-12-22 · PE23015
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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE · 19V515000
2019-07-05
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
Consequence: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · 18V845000
2018-11-28
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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE · 18V735000
2018-10-22
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Consequence: The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · 17V528000
2017-08-28
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles. The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear second left side rear seat back as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C13.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.