The 2017 Ford Focus is associated with 900 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 10 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 336 reports (37% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 11 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1l 3-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, 2.3l 4-cyl, and all-electric configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 34 MPG combined. All-electric variants deliver up to 107 MPGe with an estimated range of 115 miles.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 900 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 10 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (336 / 37%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 18 crash / 2 fire / 12 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 22–34 MPG (11 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Focus FWD | 1L 3-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 30 MPG | 40 MPG | 34 MPG | — | $1,800 / yr |
| Focus FWD | 1L 3-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 38 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Focus FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 26 MPG | 38 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Focus FWD FFV | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 26 MPG | 38 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Focus FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 26 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Focus FWD FFV | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 26 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Focus FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Focus FWD FFV | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Focus ST FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Focus RS AWD | 2.3L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| Focus Electric 100% Electric | Electric Motor | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 118 MPGe | 96 MPGe | 107 MPGe | 115 mi | $700 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2017 Ford Focus provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 115 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 11.600000000000001% |
| 5 HB FWD | | | | | 11.600000000000001% |
| Bev 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 10.100000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Ford Focus models.
View complete 2017 Ford Focus crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2017 Ford Focus problems & component breakdown (89 categories) →
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2017 Ford Focus recalls & campaign history (10 campaigns) →