2017 Ford Focus: engine overheating

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The transmission on my 2017 Ford Focus started not shifting correctly. It would shudder, slip and hesitate when shifting. At times when it did get up to speed it would unexpectedly downshift and go into limp mode. The automobile is not safe to drive and is now parked at my residence. A warning would flash up on the dash that stated the transmission was overheating and for me to pull over to a safe location as I recall. On October 22, 2025 the automobile was delivered to a local Ford dealership for a diagnostic system check. Per the diagnostic test report a PPT G was performed and found it necessary to replace the transmission due to a failed B clutch shift fork. The estimate quote for a transmission replacement along with some other repairs was $10,000.00. I had the car towed to my home and it now sits in my driveway until and if a recall is issued. According to an article published by MSN. com that enough complaints were filed that Ford extended warranty coverage, issued a long series of software and hardware fixes, and settled a class action covering roughly two million Focus an Fiesta cars. I have in my possession the invoice for the diagnostic testing which was performed. I however do not know how to upload the invoice for your review, but would be willing to take it to the service department for them to do it.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Engine · 178,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low engine oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the contact stopped driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine oil pump, the engine, and the coolant gasket housing were replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the vehicle started overheating. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times, and the contact was eventually informed that diagnostic trouble codes indicating an overheating failure were retrieved when the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer stated that the overheating failure was not related to the recall repair. No further assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; the contact was advised to take the vehicle to another dealer for a second assessment, and the manufacturer would follow up with the initial dealer based on the assessment. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the transmission downshifted between first and third gear. An abnormal sound could be heard coming from the transmission. After driving a short distance, the vehicle functioned as intended. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH on a separate occasion, the transmission downshifted between third and fourth gear, and the vehicle went into limp mode. In addition, an abnormal sound could be heard coming from the transmission, and the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle most recently, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone for a diagnostic test, and the contact was informed that the failure may be related to the transmission clutch. Additionally, the contact stated that the fan had turned on independently, and had failed to turn on while driving on other occasions, causing the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, where the contact was informed that the transmission was failing. The cooling system was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor had failed, and the sensor was replaced. The contact stated that the transmission failure was worsening. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

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 Jul 24, 2025 · Transmission · 6 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, a message indicating that the transmission had overheated, and that the vehicle was overridden and would shut down was displayed. The vehicle stalled. The service warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to Akron Transmission Inc, where it was diagnosed that the dual clutch assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 6.

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · NY

Ford Focus 2017 Hatchback causing traffic jams and backup do to low speed, overheating, stalling, jerky shifting, Failure to move or hesitation in the middle of driving, causing the car to stop or slow down in the middle of traffic and blocking exits and cars from moving around the vehicle. Transmission overheating and car says to pull over when driving after a few minutes. Powertrain is affected car not driving at correct speed. Transmission clutch a disengaged and having a hard time engaging. Constant clutch issues. Causing issues to driver safety and others on the road. Ford knows about these models but are failing to fix at affordable price or provide warranty. Not upholding customer satisfactory.

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Transmission · 80,463 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle had hesitated to start. Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering, the RPMs increased, and the vehicle lost drive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The messages "Transmission Overheat" and "Transmission Failure. Could be Overheating - Pull Vehicle over Asap" were displayed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,463.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Engine · 35,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact inspected the coolant reservoir, and the coolant level was low. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that three months later the failure reoccurred. The coolant level was refilled. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that there was no evidence of a coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump, fractured belts, valve cover gaskets, and corroded engine mounts. The contact was informed that the coolant pump, belts, valve cover gaskets, and engine mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Filed May 9, 2025 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart after cooling down. The transmission overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer found particles from the clutch inside the actuators, which caused the clutch to fail. The contact had the clutch replaced; however, soon after picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the contact stated that the failure recurred with the messages "Transmission Overheating Stop Safely" and "Transmission Hot Wait 5 Mins" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Transmission · 64,517 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the message "Transmission Overheating - Pull Over" was displayed. After stopping the vehicle to allow the transmission to cool down, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was later taken to the local transmission mechanic, who diagnosed that the TCM and clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The transmission was rebuilt, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 8,000 miles later the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,517.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle jerked and failed to respond while the engine revved significantly. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The message "Transmission Overheating - Please Let Cool For 5 Minutes" was displayed. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down and attempted to drive back to the residence; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the clutch actuator motor was previously replaced due to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle would be covered under an unknown Customer Satisfaction program if the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission dual clutch pack assembly had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.