2017 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Transmission · IL

Transmission is overheating is the warning I keep getting on the dashboard read out. The transmission is shifting very hard and you can hear it grinding and winding up when it is trying to shift. I had the car put on a computer at a shop and the codes were reading that the clutch was not releasing and he tried to reset it and it kept failing. I googled my car and saw that this is a known problem with them and that Ford hasn't acknowledged the problem yet.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Engine · NJ

Clutch needs to be replaced at 77,000 miles. This is a related issue with Ford Focus vehicles’ transmission. I was never told that the transmissions were an issue when I purchased this vehicle. I took it to ford and they said it’s wear and tear instead of addressing the issue that the transmission is bad. They wanted $4000 for repairs. I paid $17k cash for this car. The car does not switch gears and makes grinding noises when driving or coming to a stop.

Filed Feb 21, 2025 · Seat belts, Suspension · IL

4 issues: 1. The car pulls back under acceleration. 2. The seat moves back suddenly (seat belt issue). 3. When starting the car, The car drives instead of reversing. 4. There is a squeaky noise.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Car is roughly seven years old and has around 75,000 miles. It is is very good condition mechanically. I was driving down the highway and the vehicle stopped accelerating, but the RPMs surged even with my foot off the accelerator. I was able to pull off to the side of the road and get somewhere safe before the car completely stopped. Once I put the car in park, it made a loud "grinding" noise and would no longer move. I called roadside assistance and had the car towed to a mechanic - he said that it needed a new transmission, but was otherwise in very good condition. He advised me to reach out to Ford regarding recalls, as the 2016 model had almost the exact same issue and mine was manufactured just months after.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound while shifting into the intended gear. The transmission malfunction warning light was illuminated, and the Service Vehicle message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while coming to a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond intermittently while shifting into reverse(R). The dealer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with an estimate for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 164,727 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal squeaking sound and failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Overheating" was displayed. The contact stated that upon shifting into neutral, the vehicle started. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart when shifted into neutral(N). The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,727.

Filed Feb 25, 2024 · Transmission · KS

I bought my 2017 Ford Focus SE on [XXX] from Long McArthur Inc. 3450 S 9th St, Salina, KS 67401, 785‑823‑2237. About a year after buying it, it started to shudder and I was hearing a grinding sound. I was told it had some kind of energy efficient engine and I read it made seem to be stopping. That is what I thought it was. It got progressively worse. On [XXX] the clutch was replaced, 13370 miles. On [XXX] I reported the problem was still happening, 18274 miles. Mechanic notes "Measure clutch shudder got 5205 RPM, below spec for clutch replacement. Power train warranty expires [XXX]. Bring back before it expires and we will check again." I did not take it back in because it didn't seem as bad. But since December of 2023 it has gotten worse. It hesitates when going from a stop to a start. On [XXX] I was pulling into traffic from a stop and it hesitated for about 4-5 sec and then bounced forward and went. I was nearly hit by 2 cars. On [XXX] I called the service department at Long McArthur, the person I talked to said to replace the clutch it would be $2,700.00. He said it will probably go right out. He suggested getting rid of it. This is a know defect by Ford, recall Campaign/the federal safety agency#18S07/18V169 Issue Date 2018-03-12. I was never notified of this recall. Not from the dealer or Ford. The problems started with the 2015 models. Current miles 24,574. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Transmission · MA

Shortly after purchasing this vehicle I noticed the clutch slipping while driving. This includes slipping into neutral at highway speeds, as well as slipping while trying to accelerate, leaving me with no power. The shifts, especially 1st to second are very violent and rough. While shifting the whole car shakes aggressively while also being paired with a shuddering and grinding noise. Ford was notified of this problem at 49,195 miles on november 19th 2019. Ford test drove the vehicle and said that they could not recreate my complaint. I was also told that "this is how this car drives". I believe I was told this as a deterrent from making future complaints. Two thousand miles later I went back to ford after my car was not driving in reverse. Ford chose to relearn the clutch however this was a problem with the transmission itself as well as the clutch, no further repairs were made. I was then told again that there was no problem with the vehicle. We also made 2 reports to ford customer service notifying ford of this problem as I was still under my warranty. Now 9 thousand miles out of warranty (69,000) ford is telling me there is a problem with my transmission and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. They are requiring a diagnostic fee of 1200 dollars to investigate the problem and see what needs repairs at my expense. I believe ford is only acknowledging the problem with this unsafe vehicle now that I am out of warranty.

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MS

There is only a little more than 90,000 miles on the car and the transmission needs replacing. Dealership said the internal gears were grinding down.

Filed Apr 3, 2020 · Transmission · TX

2017 ford focus. Consumer writes in regards to defective transmission. *ld the consumer stated the transmission would hesitate and vibrate when in stop and go traffic. There was a grinding noise when accelerating from a stop. The manufacturer was not notified. The dealer could not duplicate the failure.

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 Feb 25, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · GA

My car has a hard time shift automatically and makes a grinding noise and vibrates when shifting gears. It also falls out of park a lot when on an incline and starts to roll backward. I nearly hit a car behind me because of this and the incline wasn't steep. I found out that the 2016 models had the same issue because of the dsp6 transmission. I also have issues with the evap canister now which is causing my car fuel emission issues and performance.