2017 Ford Focus: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Transmission · IL

We have a 2017 Ford Focus Hatchback with a 2.0L engine and a Powershift transmission. We are the original owners and the vehicle only has 56,000 miles. The vehicle, when accelerating and shifting from 1st gear to second gear, is slipping, yielding a loss of torque in an unpredicted fashion. My daughter has nearly been rearended several times. The slip and reengagement is only in this shifting pattern (i.e. not evident in higher gears nor at higher speeds). Ford service acknowledges that there is a problem but is not warrantying the service do to the age of the vehicle. My contention that unintended acceleration is a safety issue and I would like the federal safety agency to investigate this very serious issue, on such a low mileage vehicle. I worry about the safety of my daughter and other vehicles.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 70,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and to a dealer; however, the neither the dealer nor the independent mechanic were able to determine the cause of the failure. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled and unintendedly shifted to neutral, and then lunged forward while driving 20 MPH. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled every 30 seconds. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with an electronic clutch failure. The contact stated that the mechanic was able to shift to neutral and start the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with clutch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Airbags, Driver assistance · PA

my transmission started slipping like it was in neutral and coming to a stop when it downshifted to low gear it would lunge forward the ford garage said it was tcm but didnt have the part i dont know what to do i need a car

Filed Sep 25, 2023 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle into gear, the transmission erroneously shifted into neutral instead. The transmission fault message was displayed. While the vehicle was idling, the vehicle occasionally lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clutch was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · MD · crash

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 transmission and the following day this incident with the unintended acceleration. These could be unrelated, but could also be related. With the overheating transmission issue, the car was left sit for 10 minutes and then drove normally. Car also drove normally after the accident. No further abnormal acceleration issues.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Transmission · 108,372 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and he depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle shifted into Limp Mode then inadvertently lunged forward. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to exceed 60 MPH. The contact stated that the next day after the vehicle was started, the transmission fault service light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the federal safety agency Hotline to submit a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 108,372.

Filed Mar 17, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 70,192 miles · CA

I was accelerating from a stop sign when the car didn't want to go forward, the rpms just idled as the engine revved but I couldn't drive forward, then the vehicle lunges forward, as if the transmission was stuck in neutral. After it jumped forward it began making a terrible grinding noise and lost control, almost driving straight into another car. I then proceeded to pull over and turned off the car, then it made these loud clicking noises and the emergency transmission light flashed red and said 'transmission overheating, stop and turn off the engine.' I left the car sit for 2 am hour, then went to turn it on and it would not start. It only made the ticking noise again. After trying to start it 3 times, it finally turned on, but continued to get stuck as the car would not move even though it was in drive. The next day I took it to the dealership but as I left my house and got on the freeway, the vehicle started rolling backwards on the inclined on-ramp even though it was in drive. Oncoming traffic swerved around my immobile car as I panicked and floored the gas petal. It finally lunged forward, seconds before a semi came barreling through the lane. I got it to the dealer as it flashed the transmission overheating light. The check engine light was on as well each time. The car had already been serviced 4 times prior to this, for transmission issues and multiple recalls. Each time I took it to get serviced, it got worse. When I finally picked it up, I couldn't even get it home because it broke down half a mile away. The dealerships service department refused to do any repairs to the vehicle even though the transmission failed and nearly killed me. They printed me the papers stating the clutch, actuators a & b, the t/o bearing, and another part need to be replaced and it will cost me $1800. In other words, I have to pay them just so I don't die in fords faulty car

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · OR

When accelerating from a stop, the car often struggles to get up to speed. It will also shudder and shake while doing this. Intermittently shifting into reverse will yield no results and I will have to place the car in park, and try again which sometimes fixes the issue. Car will also lunge forward from a stop with very little accelerator press and other times will lag and have lack of acceleration despite "flooring it". While turning and accelerating from a stop, it feels as if the car can't decide what gear to be in and will provide far more power than is necessary.

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 1 miles · CO · crash · 1 injury

I was pulling into a parking spot at approximately 3-5 MPH and the car surged forward jumping the curb and hitting a tree. Prior to approaching the parking spot a speed bump was negotiated so the stated MPH are accurate as the speed bump was 25 feet prior to the parking spot entry.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Acceleration · 29,015 miles · MI

Purchased car new from dealership. At 14,500 miles (approx.) going down freeway car accelerated by itself and would not idle down. When in park, RPM's were between 3000 and 4000 and remained that way. Parked car at dealership, when they checked it, they could not duplicate. Received car back and everything was fine until 29015 miles and same thing happened. Going down freeway, the car accelerated up to 85 MPH on its own and would not idle down. When in park, RPM's were between 3000 and 4000 and would not go down. Exited freeway never putting my foot on gas peddle. Was going down 5 lane hwy. At 55 MPH with foot on brake constantly. Pulled into parking lot a policeman was standing there. I asked him to come over to look at issue. He thought my foot was on gas. I then opened my door and hung my feet outside of the car. His statement was "'this car is dangerous''. I took video showing RPM's at 3500 and speed odometer at zero. Took car to dealership, dropped off for weekend. When they checked the car on monday morning they could again not duplicate it. They kept the car for five days, numerous people driving the car but could not duplicate it. They tell me if they cannot duplicate it they cannot do anything about it even though I have the video. I love the car but I take my life in my hands when I drive it and I still owe quite a bit of money on it. What recourse do I have...please help!