Ford Focus owners filed 3,929 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2016 Ford Focus drew the most complaints (1,181); across all years, owners complain most about transmission / powertrain (51% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2016, with 1,181 complaints, led by transmission / powertrain (673) and 10 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Transmission / powertrain drew 2,001 complaints and 3 recalls.
- Earliest-failing area: speed control / acceleration complaints came at a median 38k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 11 complaints mention a fire and 91 a crash, with 79 injuries reported.
Ford Focus complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 9 recalls | 1,018 | Transmission / powertrain (558), Engine (172), Fuel system (137) median 60k mi · 31 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2016 10 recalls | 1,181 | Transmission / powertrain (673), Engine (233), Fuel system (165) median 61k mi · 27 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 10 recalls | 896 | Transmission / powertrain (452), Engine (229), Fuel system (116) median 56k mi · 18 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2018 7 recalls | 834 | Transmission / powertrain (318), Engine (231), Fuel system (131) median 56k mi · 15 crashes · 3 fires |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 36, more than the 15 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Ford Focus problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / powertrain | 2,001 | 51% | 3 | 60k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Engine | 865 | 22% | 1 | 57k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Fuel system | 549 | 14% | 3 | 56k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Engine and cooling | 262 | 7% | 1 | 77k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 230 | 6% | 1 | 50k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 220 | 6% | 3 | 70k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Steering | 188 | 5% | 0 | 55k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 141 | 4% | 0 | 38k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Ford Focus owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Transmission / powertrain
The dual clutch transmission slips, shudders and hesitates in first gear. It will even at times, jerk in other gears. This has been repaired 2 times, but the “fixes” only last maybe 20,000-25,000 miles if I’m lucky. The dealership now refuses to fix this and wants to charge over $4000 to fix this. This is not something I can or am will to pay for every 1.5-2 years.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11624413
Driving on highway, message transmission overheating, park car. We were on highway, and had to pull over, this very much put our safety at risk. 2018 Ford Focus titanium 29,000 miles got it to dealership replaced clutch/levers with seal kit $4123.05
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11596546
Related recalls: 26V376000 (2015–2018): 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. 18V845000 (2016–2018): 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. 18V169000 (2015–2016): 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.
2,001 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Engine
I have had this car since it was new, it has had 3 clutches installed and now needs another one, I am told the car has no extended warranty even with 3 clutches being replaced and dozens of trips to the dealership, the cost of a new one is $2700 and they say it is not covered.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11448588
Before Ford issued the recall, our 2018 Ford Focus engine seized up and stopped working while we were driving it. We had it towed eventually to the Ford dealer in shakopee, mn and they said the engine was shot from the issue it was finally recalled for in february of 2024. We bought the car in august of 2018 and this happened in august of 2021 with less than 80,000 miles on it.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11610940
Related recalls: 23V905000 (2016–2018): A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
865 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Fuel system
Car will not start after fueling. Car shakes and shutters and takes multiple cranking attempts to start car. This only happens after fueling. It also does not matter whether the tank is almost empty, half-way full, or 3/4 full. The same thing occurs everytime. This started happening after the dealership updated my software per the recall.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11364665
Hello, I have a 2017 Ford focus. I had took my car to a auto shop because I started to smell gas and my check engine light had came on. The auto shop told me that there is a leak some were and its going to cost me $430 just to drop the tank to see were the leak is coming from but then told me there was a new recall for the same year make and Model for a fuel tank defect.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11252101
Related recalls: 26V369000 (2015–2018): An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash. 19V515000 (2017): 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. 18V735000 (2015–2018): 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.
549 owners reported fuel system problems; the fuel pump repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Ford Focus recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V369000 | 2026-06-09 | 2015–2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash. |
| 26V376000 | 2026-06-09 | 2015–2018 | Transmission / powertrain | 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. |
| 26V011000 | 2026-01-15 | 2015–2018 | Equipment / accessories | An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 26V012000 | 2026-01-15 | 2016–2018 | Equipment / accessories | An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 23V905000 | 2023-12-22 | 2016–2018 | Engine and cooling | A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V331000 | 2020-06-08 | 2015 | Latches and locks | A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. |
| 19V515000 | 2019-07-05 | 2017 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. |
| 18V845000 | 2018-11-28 | 2016–2018 | Transmission / powertrain | 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. |
| 18V735000 | 2018-10-22 | 2015–2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. |
| 18V169000 | 2018-03-12 | 2015–2016 | Transmission / powertrain | 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. |
| 17V528000 | 2017-08-28 | 2017 | Seat belts | The reduced seat back strength may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 17V052000 | 2017-01-24 | 2016 | Body structure | Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 16V698000 | 2016-09-28 | 2015–2017 | Latches and locks | 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. |
| 16V643000 | 2016-09-06 | 2015 | Latches and locks | A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. |
| 15V436000 | 2015-07-08 | 2015 | Electrical system | If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
3,929 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Ford models in the index
- Ford F-150 (11,842)
- Ford Escape (9,632)
- Ford Explorer (9,079)
- Ford Edge (5,190)
- Ford Fusion (4,656)
- Ford F-250 SD (3,942)
- Ford Expedition (2,537)
- Ford F-350 SD (2,147)
- Ford EcoSport (1,850)
- Ford Mustang (1,750)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.